Russellville, Arkansas: Hiking, Fishing & Small-Town Charm

1. Lake Dardanelle State Park

• What is Lake Dardanelle State Park?
  • Lake Dardanelle State Park is situated throughout two different areas on the lake, which is a reservoir encompassing 34,300 acres along the Arkansas River.
• Where is the main park site located?
  • The main park site is located in Russellville, Arkansas.
• What facilities are available at the visitors center?
  • Visitors can explore a visitors center featuring five aquariums, a hiking trail, a boardwalk, a fishing pier, and the Sport Fishing Weigh-In Pavilion.
• What historical significance does the park hold?
  • Lake Dardanelle State Park is one of the National Park Service certified sites along the water route of the Trail of Tears.
• Are guided tours and programs available?
  • Yes, park interpreters are available at the park and lead lake tours as well as various educational and recreational programs.

Address: 100 State Park Dr, Russellville, Arkansas 72802, Phone: 479-967-5516

2. Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

• What are the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests?
  • The Ozark-St. Francis National Forests are technically two different national forests with several differences between them.
  • The forests feature distinctive social, cultural, biological, geological, and topographical differences, yet all make up the overall National Forest system.
• How large is the Ozark National Forest, and what does it feature?
  • Covering 1.2 million acres, the Ozark National Forest consists mostly of northern Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains.
  • Visitors will find the state’s tallest mountain and the underground Blanchard Springs Caverns in this forest.
• Where is St. Francis National Forest located?
  • Encompassing 22,600 acres, the St. Francis National Forest is the country’s most diverse and smallest national forest, located in eastern Arkansas.
• What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy?
  • There are opportunities for hiking, hunting, and fishing, among other outdoor activities.
• Where can I find more information?
  • View the Map.
  • Watch the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Video.

3. Old Post Road Recreation Area & Campground

• What is the Old Post Road Recreation Area and Campground?
  • The Old Post Road Recreation Area and Campground is located along the Arkansas River and Lake Dardanelle and is classified as a Class A Park.
• What amenities are available at the campground?
  • The campground includes showers, flush toilets, a dump station for trailers, and level sites with electricity and water at each one.
  • Visitor protection is also provided at the site.
• What recreational facilities are available?
  • The grounds consist of forty campsites and various recreational facilities, including a boat launch and eight picnic shelters.
  • Sports facilities include basketball courts, tennis courts, a softball field, a soccer field, and a volleyball court.
  • Additional activities include a course for disc golf, a playground, and trails for mountain biking.
• What is the surrounding area like?
  • The recreation area is located between the Ouachita and Ozark National Forests, making it a great destination for nature lovers.

Address: 1061 Lock and Dam Rd, Russellville, AR 72802, Phone: 479-968-7962

4. Arkansas River Valley Arts Center

• What is the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center?
  • The Arkansas River Valley Arts Center is a non-profit arts organization serving the Russellville community and the surrounding Arkansas River Valley region.
• What is the mission of the arts center?
  • The mission of the arts center is to provide opportunities for the enjoyment, appreciation, participation, and education of various forms of art for the public.
• Are there new art exhibits at the center?
  • Yes, new art exhibits are on display in the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center on a monthly basis.
• Does the center offer art classes and workshops?
  • Yes, a full program schedule of art workshops and art classes is offered at the center year-round for both children and adults.
• What facilities are included at the arts center?
  • The arts center includes an art gallery and a theater.

Address: Arkansas River Valley Arts Center, 1001 E B St, Russellville, AR 72801, Phone: 479-968-2452

5. Arkansas River Visitors Center

• Where is the Arkansas River Visitors Center located?
  • The Arkansas River Visitors Center can be found off of Highway 7 South along Lock & Dam Road.
• What is the theme of the visitors center?
  • The theme of the center is “Renaissance of a River.”
• What is significant about the center’s location?
  • The center is located at the middle point of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, which stretches 450 miles.
• What exhibits are inside the Arkansas River Visitors Center?
  • Inside, visitors can find interpretive exhibits that share stories of how the Arkansas River Valley has developed over the years into a productive, useful, and safe waterway.
  • The exhibits date back to when the region’s Native Americans were the only occupants of the valley.
• Are there interactive exhibits?
  • Yes, the center also includes hands-on exhibits, wildlife exhibits, and a simulator.

Address: 1598 Lock & Dam Rd, Russellville, AR 72802, Phone: 479-968-5008

6. The Center For The Arts

• What is the main highlight of The Center for the Arts?
  • The main highlight of The Center for the Arts is its performance hall, which can seat up to 1,875 people. This hall was designed specifically to support dance, music, Broadway, and orchestra.
• What special features does the art center offer?
  • The art center also features a grand lobby with a glass facade, offering clear views from both inside and outside the building.
• How is the lobby used?
  • The lobby provides a versatile space that is great for meetings, receptions, and gallery showings.
• What is the BlackBox theater used for?
  • The BlackBox theater hosts smaller theatrical and musical performances, as well as meetings and receptions.
• What future programs does The Center for the Arts plan to offer?
  • The Center for the Arts plans on offering summer camps and art programs.

Address: The Center For The Arts, 2209 S. Knoxville Ave, Russellville, AR 72802, Phone: 479-498-6600

7. Brown's Catfish

• What is Brown's Catfish?
  • Brown's Catfish is a family-owned and managed restaurant in Russellville, Arkansas that specializes in catfish.
• What type of food does Brown's Catfish serve?
  • As a Southern-flavored seafood restaurant, it offers a buffet, but its fried catfish is the star attraction and the main reason many people visit.
• How long has Brown's Catfish been in business?
  • The restaurant has been serving catfish with all of the trimmings for over twenty years in the Arkansas River Valley.
• Does Brown's Catfish offer more than just catfish?
  • Yes, the restaurant has a wide selection of food in addition to its famous catfish, making it a great option for families.
• Has Brown's Catfish received any awards?
  • Yes, the restaurant has been voted the area's "Best of the Best" seafood restaurant.

Address: 1804 E Main St, Russellville, AR 72802, Phone: 479-968-3360

8. Fat Daddy's Bar-B-Que

• How did Fat Daddy's Bar-B-Que start?
  • Fat Daddy's Bar-B-Que began as just an idea, like many other ventures.
• When and where did the first Fat Daddy’s location open?
  • The first Fat Daddy’s location opened in London, Arkansas in August of 2006.
• When did the Russellville Fat Daddy’s Bar-B-Que open?
  • The Russellville location opened four years later, inside an old building in the historic downtown area of the city.
• Did the Russellville location change the original menu?
  • The core barbecue menu items were kept, but new items were added, making it perfect for any “Friday night” meal.
• What is unique about the Russellville restaurant's design?
  • The restaurant features an industrial interior with several creative quirks.
• What kind of food does Fat Daddy’s Bar-B-Que offer?
  • The menu includes a wide variety of options, ranging from salads to steaks to burritos.

Address: 104 North Denver, Russellville, AR 72801, Phone: 479-967-0420