Army Corps of Engineers · Arkansas
Sunlight Bay
Army Corps of Engineers · Arkansas, United States
- Sites
- 30
- Hookups
- 29 electric, 29 with water
- Season
- March 1 to December 1
- Max RV length
- 72 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 387 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Nimrod Lake
- Nearest town
- PLAINVIEW
- Address
- NIMROD LAKE PROJECT OFFICE, PLAINVIEW, AR, 72857-9600
- Phone
- 479-272-4234
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Fishing
30 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Sunlight Bay Campground sits along the shores of Nimrod Lake just off of the Fourche Lafave river on Wilson Slough. Nimrod Lake is cradled between Arkansas' Ouachita and Ozark Mountains.
Recreation
Fishing is one of the most popular activities at the lake, with an abundance of catfish, bluegill, bass and crappie available.
Boating, water skiing and tubing are also popular, with 11 boat ramps conveniently located around the lake, however, skiing and tubing are only allowed from the tip of Carden Point eastward toward the dam because areas west of there are too hazardous.
Campers are likely to spot white-tailed deer, eastern wild turkey, bobwhite quail, squirrel, rabbit, fox, mink, black bear, dove and waterfowl in the area. Seasonal hunting is also permitted throughout the lake, except in or near recreation areas.
Facilities
With 29 spacious and modern campsites and one large day use group picnic shelter, Sunlight Bay Campground has plenty of room for the family. Two boat ramps and playground are also provided.
Natural Features
Nimrod Dam was completed in 1942 as part of a comprehensive plan for flood control and development of water resources in the Fourche LaFave River. Although recreation was not part of the initial mission of the dam project, the lake and surrounding 21,000 acres of pristine land have now become a recreational oasis for outdoor enthusiasts.
Nearby Attractions
Nimrod Lake is conveniently located adjacent to State Highway 7, a National Scenic Byway and other nearby points of interest like Petit Jean State Park, Mount Nebo State Park and Hot Springs National Park.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49° | 33° | 10° | 70° | 8 of 11 |
| February | 56° | 37° | -1° | 75° | 8 of 11 |
| March | 64° | 47° | 29° | 84° | 3 of 11 |
| April | 73° | 53° | 38° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 82° | 66° | 51° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 89° | 72° | 61° | 98° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 92° | 75° | 66° | 102° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 93° | 75° | 67° | 106° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 89° | 70° | 59° | 99° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 74° | 54° | 40° | 90° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 65° | 47° | 24° | 82° | 3 of 10 |
| December | 54° | 39° | 25° | 74° | 4 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
- Carter Cove · Army Corps of Engineers · 4 mi · 35 sites
- Quarry Cove · Army Corps of Engineers · 8 mi · 32 sites
- River Road · Army Corps of Engineers · 8 mi · 22 sites
- South Fourche · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi
- Spring Lake Recreation Area · USDA Forest Service · 15 mi · 4 sites
All public campgrounds in Arkansas · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.