21 State Parks in 2021 – Part 7
Lake Dardanelle State Park is a bonus you will find on the way to and from Mount Nebo. It is best known for its’ visitor’s center, sport fishing tournaments, fishing pier, boating, boardwalk, trail, and camping facilities. The park rests along Lake Dardanelle which is a great place for fishing and watersports. Located in Russellville, AR, this park also has a beautiful visitor’s center with 5 aquariums filled with local fish. This is our #7 park in the 21 State Parks in 2021 Challenge.
Visitor’s Center
When we first arrived in the parking lot we immediately saw a Park Interpreter doing a presentation outside of the Visitor’s Center. Morgan loves learning about native park wildlife. The interpreter is informing us about all of the different animals that can be seen around the park and showed us some furs and signs to look for.
Inside the Visitor’s Center you will be greeted by the friendliest state park staff we have met so far. The staff went out of their way to help us navigate the center and even told Morgan where to pet some turtles.
You will be able to see 5 different aquariums within the Visitor’s Center. Each aquarium represents a different section of the surrounding waterways and has native fish from each different section. It is so much fun to learn about the area. We had no idea there were different fish found in different sections.
There are several interactive things for kids to do in the Visitor’s Center. Look around the different exhibits for buttons to activate that have audio or visual special effects. Our favorite is the bird sounds around the porch area on the right side of the center.
Fishing
This park has a nice boat launching area and a board walk with tie ups. It is a very popular area for fishing tournaments and has a weigh in station. Kayaks are available for rent at the marina.
The park has a beautiful pier for fishing and a nice boardwalk to stroll along. You can spot Mink often in this area along the shores. Morgan even found a few shells that had washed up along the rocks.
You can walk along the trail to a secluded park bench and watch the sunset. We were there too early to take a picture, but the views were amazing.
Camping and picnicking
This park is a nice area for camping and picnicking. The wide open spaces gives the kids plenty of room to play, and the views of the lake are beautiful.
Final Thoughts on Lake Dardanelle State Park
This park ranks as our friendliest state park. The visitor’s center is amazing for kids and the staff goes above and beyond to make you feel at home. The views of the lake are beautiful and the picnic area is nice. Petting turtles is a highlight for the kids. The visitor’s center and the park events are fun. We highly suggest taking a trip to Lake Dardanelle State Park!
Where will should we go for Park #8 in the 21 Arkansas State parks in 2021 Challenge ? Only time will tell. Remember… Life’s Short… Take the Trip!
Ready to start planning your own adventure? Email us at: amberh@destinationsinflorida.com
