Army Corps of Engineers · Arkansas
Horseshoe Bend (Dierks Lake)
Army Corps of Engineers · Arkansas, United States
- Sites
- 13
- Hookups
- 13 electric, 13 with water
- Season
- Year-round
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Elevation
- 666 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon weak (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Dierks Lake
- Nearest town
- Dierks
- Address
- 246 Jefferson Ridge Road, Dierks, AR, 71833
- Phone
- 870-286-3214
- Activities
- Camping, Canoeing, Paddling, Picnicking, Rafting, Whitewater Rafting
13 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Horseshoe Bend Park, located along the Saline River just south of Dierks Dam, is home to a paddlers dream course. This aquatic whitewater park, built along three quarters of a mile of pristine river funneled over native river stone, offers four or more challenging drops. The course is designed with paddlers in mind and is an excellent training location. The water park was home to the Olympic trials in the late 90’s and is dependent on spillway releases from Dierks Lake dam. When water conditions are right the course simulates Class II to Class IV rapids, all within a safe location that is easily accessible for paddlers to practice new techniques. For those looking to stay and play a while, 12 class A campsites are available along the riverfront
Recreation
Camping
Day use
Playground
Shelter
Paddling
Facilities
12 Campsites (Overnight)
1 Pavillion (Day Use)
2 Restrooms 1 Shower Facility
Playground
Natural Features
Dierks Lake is in the Ouachitas region of Arkansas and sits on the Saline River. Horseshoe bend sets at the base of a 300 foot verticle cliff offering scenic views along the steep wooded areas
Nearby Attractions
A day trip to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, just 30 miles from the park, is a popular activity. The diamond mine is the only one of its kind in the country, where visitors get to keep any diamonds and semi-precious stones they unearth, regardless of value.
Hot Springs National Park known for its naturally headed springs ust an hours drive away offers a multiple bathouses, resturants, and activies.
Choctaw nation located just an hour away at Brokenbow offers world class gaming casino as well a variet of natural features and resturants
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 50° | 31° | 10° | 69° | 9 of 11 |
| February | 57° | 38° | -2° | 74° | 8 of 11 |
| March | 65° | 47° | 29° | 80° | 2 of 11 |
| April | 72° | 53° | 37° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 81° | 65° | 52° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 88° | 72° | 62° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 91° | 74° | 66° | 104° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 93° | 75° | 67° | 104° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 87° | 69° | 58° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 74° | 55° | 38° | 88° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 66° | 48° | 23° | 81° | 3 of 10 |
| December | 55° | 40° | 25° | 73° | 6 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Jefferson Ridge · Army Corps of Engineers · 2 mi · 87 sites
- Blue Ridge Park · Army Corps of Engineers · 3 mi · 21 sites
- Cossatot Reefs · Army Corps of Engineers · 9 mi · 31 sites
- Big Coon Creek · Army Corps of Engineers · 10 mi · 32 sites
- Little Coon Creek Park · Army Corps of Engineers · 11 mi · 11 sites
All public campgrounds in Arkansas · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.