Lake Wedington Recreation Area

Area Status: Temporarily Closed

Mountain bike trails open. Boat ramp and all other facilities closed.

Lake Wedington is a 102-acre lake located just 13 miles west of Fayetteville, AR on State Hwy 16. During the 1930s, local men employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) began building the lake and recreation area and planting trees under the guidance of the Soil Conservation Service. In 1954 the land, facilities and management were passed to the USDA Forest Service. Through the hard work of the Friends of Lake Wedington volunteer group, several buildings have been restored and now the Lake Wedington Recreation Area is on the National Register of Historic Places. The area contains 6 historic cabins, a pavilion, volleyball courts, and horse-shoes (some avail only in summer). The area also offers a Lodge, Group Pavilion, Group Camp Area, Bathhouse, Flush Toilets, Boat Launch Ramp (max. 10 hp motors allowed), 18 Camp Sites (no utilities), 19 Picnic Sites, Swimming Area (Wheel-Chair Accessible), Fishing Pier (Wheel-Chair Accessible), Lakeshore Hiking Trail,  and the North Twin 7-mile Hiking/Mtn Biking Trail. Camping trailers are allowed.  No special facilities are  available.

Lake Wedington information 

Lake Wedington information in Spanish

Campground and Day-Use Area Rules

 

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Mountain bike trails open. Boat ramp and all other facilities closed.
Reservations: Campsites, cabins, lodge, and picnic pavilion can be reserved. Contact Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 for reservations. 
Fees: Campsites, lodge, and cabins can be reserved. Camp Sites - Max. 6/site, $20/night year round. Day Use (swim, picnic, other) - $5/vehicle/day (vans/buses over 10 passengers add $.50/person). Boat Launch - $5/vehicle/day. Current forest recreation fees and schedule.
Restrictions: NO PETS Allowed in the Swim beach area. (Except Qualified Service Animals). ATV's and Off Highway Vehicles are not allowed in the Wedington unit.
Closest Towns: Fayetteville
Water: Drinking
Restroom: Flush w/showers
Operated By: Boston Mountain Ranger District (479)667-2191

General Information

Directions: From Fayetteville, AR take Arkansas 16 west for 13 miles. Negotiable by camping trailer or rigs.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

The Wedington Trail System consists of an 8-mile loop trail with some shortcuts and a 7-mile out and back trail that leads to the Twin Knobs. These can easily be combined to make a 21-mile ride or hike. 

The Western Don Loop is an intermediate trail that is rated blue and the Twin Knobs trail is more technical and rated as Black. There are many opportunities to see wildlife, native flowers and enjoy the scenic beauty of North West Arkansas. When you cross Highway 16 some of the trail follows the shore line of Lake Wedington and there is a trail that accesses the waterfall/dam.

The Twin Knobs trail traverses from the northwest corner of the loop along the hills and valleys with approximately 700 feet of elevation change bringing you to the 1st knob at 1367’ and then on to the second knob at 1320’ both offering beautiful views of the surrounding area.

The trails are fast flowing trails and the terrain varies from rocky to mixed dirt sections.  

Map coming soon

Campground Camping

6 Historic Cabins. Lodge, Group Pavilion, Group Camp Area, Bath House, Boat House, Bathhouse, Flush Toilets, Boat Launch Ramp (max. 10 hp motors allowed). 18 Camp Sites (no utilities). 19 Picnic Sites. Swimming Area. Accessible Fishing Pier. Drinking Water. Lakeshore Hiking Trail. North Twin 7-mile Hiking/Mtn Biking Trail

No. of Sites 18
Reservation Info Easy
Fire Information Campfires are allowed (unless in the event of a burn ban), no firewood should be brought in or taken from any of the sites.
Reservation info: www.recreation.gov

RV Camping

6 Historic Cabins. Lodge, Group Pavilion, Group Camp Area, Bath House, Boat House, Bathhouse, Flush Toilets, Boat Launch Ramp (max. 10 hp motors allowed). 18 Camp Sites (no utilities). 19 Picnic Sites. Swimming Area. Accessible Fishing Pier. Drinking Water. Lakeshore Hiking Trail. North Twin 7-mile Hiking/Mtn Biking Trail.

No. of Sites 18
Reservation Info www.recreation.gov
Hookup - Water none
Hookup - Sewer none
Size Restrictions Maximum vehicle length - 32ft
Dump Stations yes
Hookups - Electric none
Fire Information Campfires are allowed (unless in the event of a burn ban), no firewood should be brought in or taken from any of the sites.
Corrals Maximum vehicle length - 32ft

Group Camping

Cabin Rentals

Reservation info: www.recreation.gov

Lake and Pond Fishing

102 acre lake. Large Mouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Channel Catfish.

Day Hiking

Lakeshore Hiking Trail. North Twin 7-mile Hiking/Mtn Biking Trail.

The Wedington Trail System consists of an 8-mile loop trail with some shortcuts and a 7-mile out and back trail that leads to the Twin Knobs. These can easily be combined to make a 21-mile ride or hike. 

The Western Don Loop is an intermediate trail that is rated blue and the Twin Knobs trail is more technical and rated as Black. There are many opportunities to see wildlife, native flowers and enjoy the scenic beauty of North West Arkansas. When you cross Highway 16 some of the trail follows the shore line of Lake Wedington and there is a trail that accesses the waterfall/dam.

The Twin Knobs trail traverses from the northwest corner of the loop along the hills and valleys with approximately 700 feet of elevation change bringing you to the 1st knob at 1367’ and then on to the second knob at 1320’ both offering beautiful views of the surrounding area.

The trails are fast flowing trails and the terrain varies from rocky to mixed dirt sections.  

Map coming soon

Fire Information Campfires are allowed (unless in the event of a burn ban), no firewood should be brought in or taken from any of the sites.

Visitor Programs

Picnicking

19 Picnic Sites

Group Picnicking

Boating - Motorized

Boat Launch Ramp (max. 10 hp motors allowed)

Boating - Non-Motorized

raft, kayak, canoe

Lake Wedington currently has no boat rentals

Type of Craft raft, kayak, canoe

Swimming

Quick Links

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
36.0916167

  Longitude : 
-94.3701500