Lake Dardanelle | Arkansas State Parks

How do you measure up to the bald eagle?

Bald eagles, the majestic symbol of our nation, were removed from the endangered species list in 2007. Since then, they have been seen more frequently throughout their range, which includes Lake Dardanelle State Park.

Photo Essay: Winter Birding at Lake Dardanelle State Park

Nov 2022

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Megan Ayres Moore

In this photo essay, join us for a virtual winter walk along the shores of the lake to discover a few of the birds found on Lake Dardanelle during the winter.

Two pelicans and a cormorant swim in the water in the foreground with other out of focus birds in the background.

Pollinator Party

Sep 2021

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Sasha Bowles

Arkansas State Parks are committed to protecting our natural resources within the parks, including the native plants and their pollinators. That is why we are partners with the Arkansas Monarch and Pollinator Partnership. Lake Dardanelle State Park in Russellville has many “garden” areas throughout the park that are planted and maintained to benefit pollinators...

Two bumble bees with pollen sacks full of bright orange pollen fly in to collect nectar and pollen from the deep purple blooms of a lead plant.

Trail of Tears Across Arkansas State Parks

Mar 2021

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Sasha Bowles

Arkansas has hundreds of miles of the Trail of Tears, and of the nine states traversed by the trail, is the only state that witnessed the removal of all five of the Southeastern tribes as they moved west. Arkansas State Parks has five parks that lie along these removal routes. These parks have been certified as National Park Service Trail of Tears National Historic Trail...

Video: Cruising Lake Dardanelle

Feb 2021

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Megan Ayres Moore

Exploring Lake Dardanelle by boat allows you to surround yourself in the beauty of the Arkansas River Valley, an area that a wide variety of wildlife depends on for survival. These waters are home to an array of aquatic species, with a multitude of other animals in the forests surrounding the lake, and skies overhead. Lake Dardanelle State Park sits along the shores of 34...

Hiking With Man’s Best Friend

Nov 2020

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Megan Ayres Moore

Lake Dardanelle State Park, located in Russellville, Arkansas, provides a quiet and relaxing setting to enjoy the outdoors with the entire family, including man’s best friend. The park features a large amount of pet-friendly space including open grassy fields, picnic areas, and the Meadowbrook Trail, an easy ¾-mile walk through a wooded section of the park. Responsibly...

Mayflies: Nuisance or Nutrient?

Jun 2020

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Sasha Bowles

Fishing is a favored pastime at Lake Dardanelle State Park, making people the top of this food chain. We love to catch fish, but often don’t think of all the creatures it took to build that strong healthy fish on the end of our fishing line. Mayflies are an essential part of the food chain that keeps the fishery at Lake Dardanelle State Park healthy. In this photo essay...

Saving the Ozark Chinquapin: Plotting the Course for the Future

May 2020

The Ozark Plateau sweeps across the northwestern part of Arkansas, bringing with it the beautiful oak-hickory forests and striking bluffs that earned Arkansas the title “The Natural State”. Among these old limestone remnants are innumerable deer, lumbering bears, and a variety of lush plants taking advantage of prime habitat in this premiere natural beauty. One such plant...

close up of Ozark chinquapin showing male catkins and female flowers

Photo Essay: Life Below Lake Dardanelle

May 2020

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Megan Ayres Moore

What lives in a lake? If you are like most of us, your first thoughts were fish, snakes, and turtles. Believe it or not, that’s only a small part of the life below Lake Dardanelle!

Lake Dardanelle State Park Aqua-Escape

May 2020

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Jason Baumgartner

Escape to Lake Dardanelle State Park’s largest aquarium exhibit and see some of our native fish from a unique underwater perspective. Inside Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center is 7,000 gallons of aquarium exhibits that provide an up-close connection with Lake Dardanelle’s native fish species.

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