Historic downtown Bentonville streets at night

Outdoors

Boating and kayaking near Bentonville

Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near Bentonville for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.

Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.

Within 30 miles (11)

10 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Prairie Creek (Ar)

Prairie Creek Campground sits along the vast shores of Beaver Lake in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, offering spacious and sunny campsites and an abundance of recreational activities.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Swimming
  • Water sports

13 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Hickory Creek Park (AR)

Hickory Creek Park sits along the vast shores of Beaver Lake in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, offering spacious and sunny campsites and an abundance of recreational activities.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Swimming

13 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Horseshoe Bend (Beaver Lake)

Horseshoe Bend Campground sits along the vast shores of Beaver Lake in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, offering spacious and sunny campsites and an abundance of recreational activities.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Swimming
  • Water sports

15 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

War Eagle Campground

War Eagle Campground sits along the vast shores of Beaver Lake in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, offering spacious and sunny campsites and an abundance of recreational activities.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting

18 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Lost Bridge South

Lost Bridge South Campground sits along the vast shores of Beaver Lake in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, offering spacious and sunny campsites and an abundance of recreational activities.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Hiking

19 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Lost Bridge North

Lost Bridge North Campground sits along the vast shores of Beaver Lake in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, offering spacious and sunny campsites and an abundance of recreational activities.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Swimming
  • Water sports

20 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Lake Wedington

Lake Wedington beckons visitors of many types, those who come to relax and fish all day, those who come to speed along on bike paths or cruise on a boat, and those who want to stay in a cabin as a lakeside home-away-from-home.

  • Accessible Swimming
  • Backpacking
  • Biking
  • Birding
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing

20 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Starkey Campground

Starkey Campground sits along the vast shores of Beaver Lake in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, offering spacious and sunny campsites and an abundance of recreational activities.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Hunting

22 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers

Beaver Lake

Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas, Beaver Lake is a nature lover's delight during all seasons.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

22 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Dam Site River (Beaver Lake)

Dam Site River Campground sits on the shores of the White River, just below Beaver Dam and Lake in the Ozark Mountains. The campground features spacious and sunny campsites and an abundance of recreational activities.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Swimming
  • Water sports

30 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Eagle Rock

Eagle Rock is a spacious and grassy campground located on the White River Arm of Table Rock Lake in the Missouri countryside. Eagle Rock is conveniently located right off Highway 86, 3 miles south of Eagle Rock, MO.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Diving
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Photography

30 to 75 miles (11)

34 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Big M

Big M is a spacious and grassy campground that sits along the White River Arm of Table Rock Lake in the Missouri countryside.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Photography
  • Picnicking

38 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Viola

Viola sits along the Kings River Arm of Table Rock Lake in the Missouri countryside. Boaters and water sports enthusiasts are particularly drawn to Viola for its easy access to the clear blue waters of Table Rock Lake.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Picnicking
  • Swimming

54 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers

Table Rock Lake

Winding through the valleys of the Ozark Mountains, from Branson, Missouri to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Table Rock Lake is a paradise for boaters, scuba divers, campers and fishermen alike.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Nature education
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

65 mi southwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Fort Gibson Lake

Fort Gibson Lake is located on the Grand (Neosho) River about 5 miles northwest of historic Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, from which it draws its name. It is about 7.7 miles above the confluence of the Grand (Neosho) and Arkansas Rivers.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
  • Nature education

65 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers

Ozark Lake

Ozark Lake extends 36 miles along the Arkansas River. The shoreline of the lake varies from steep bluffs and tree-lined banks to open farm lands and level fields. Many outdoor activities offer excellent recreational opportunities.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

69 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers

John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake

John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake extends 26 miles along the Arkansas River, about half in Arkansas and half in Oklahoma.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

69 mi southwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Tenkiller Ferry Lake

Recreation opportunities abound in the Lake Tenkiller area. Nestled in the Cookson Hills of eastern Oklahoma, this body of water is known as "Oklahoma's Clear Water Wonderland" and its reputation is well deserved.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
  • Picnicking
  • Swimming
  • Water sports

72 mi southwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Arkansas River - Chouteau Lock and Dam

Named for Col. Auguste P. Chouteau, whose father built a shipyard on the river bank to build keelboats for the fur trade.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

74 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers

Arkansas River - W.D. Mayo Pool

Nearby Indian mounds date from 700-1500 A.D.

  • Boating
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

75 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers

Arkansas River - Newt Graham Pool

The Port of Catoosa, terminal point of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, is nearby.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

75 mi southwest · Fish and Wildlife Service

Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1970 as an overlay project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Robert S. Kerr Reservoir.

  • Biking
  • Birding
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Motor Boat
  • Non-Motorized Boating

75 miles and farther (9)

76 mi southwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool

Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam is located along the Arkansas River Navigation System. The lake area is beautiful any time of the year.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

76 mi southwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Arkansas River - Webbers Falls Pool

Webbers Falls Lock and Dam is located at navigation mile 368.9 about 5 miles northwest of the town of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

77 mi east · National Park Service

Buffalo National River

Established in 1972, Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states.

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Paddling
  • Wildlife viewing

81 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers

Oologah Lake

Oologah Lake provides a great getaway for fishing, boating, picnicking, camping or just driftin' and dreaming over the sky blue waters.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Horseback riding
  • Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

92 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers

Bull Shoals Lake

Bull Shoals Lake, located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, is popular year-round as each season unfolds a new panorama. Summer contrasts lush green hardwoods and cedar glades against towering rocky bluffs and unusual rock formations.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
  • Nature education
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports

93 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Big Hill Lake

to Kansas' "Little Ozarks"! Located 5 miles east of Cherryvale, Kansas. Five beautiful park areas are offered by the Corps of Engineers for camping, picnicking, and other outdoor activities.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Horseback riding
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports

93 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers

Blue Mountain Lake

Located in the shadow of Mt. Magazine, Arkansas? highest mountain, Blue Mountain Lake offers many recreational opportunities. Modern campgrounds provide many amenities for land- and water-based outdoor activities.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

93 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers

Dardanelle Lake

Located near the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests, the picturesque shoreline, excellent fishing and abundant wildlife provide ideal conditions for nature enthusiasts and camera bugs.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
  • Nature education
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports

96 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service

Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horse Camping
  • Horseback riding

Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Bentonville. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.

More outdoors near Bentonville

Questions

Where is the closest place for boating & paddling near Bentonville?

Prairie Creek (Ar) (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 10 miles east of Bentonville as the crow flies. Next are Hickory Creek Park (AR) (13 mi) and Horseshoe Bend (Beaver Lake) (13 mi).

When is the best time for boating & paddling near Bentonville?

Based on Bentonville’s average highs, April–October. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.

Who manages these places?

Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.

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