You can pretty much camp all year long with the mild temperatures in Arkansas! It is an outdoor lover’s goldmine with miles of shoreline, forest canopies, and majestic mountains. (There is a reason they call it the Natural State!). I remember heading out on camping trips with my friends while I was going to university in Fayetteville and it was simply magical. When nature calls, make sure these top campgrounds in Arkansas are on your list.
Lake Ouachita State Park
When you need to get away from life’s stresses, pack up your camping gear and head to Lake Ouachita State Park, which has a 40,000-acre man-made lake. The waters are so clear that you can see the bottom and even the fish as they swim by. It has been named one of the cleanest lakes in America! Fishing is spot on with crappies, large-mouth bass, catfish, stripers, and and beams. Don’t forget your snorkeling and scuba gear as this lake doesn’t disappoint when you want to get your adventure on underwater. Maybe sitting in natural spring water is more your speed. Head over to Three Sisters’ Springs and enjoy the spring house as you soak in cool mineral-rich spring water. There are tent and large RV sites, plus cabins that you can rent. Lake Oauchita has it all for the water-loving camper!
Mount Magazine State Park
When you want to look out high on a mountaintop, there is no better place in Arkansas than Mount Magazine State Park. Mount Magazine is the tallest mountain in the state at 2,753-feet. It is an adventure junkie’s paradise with rock climbing and rappelling, hand gliding, plus horseback riding, mountain biking, or even taking an ATV adventure. This state park has gorgeous river valleys, deep rock canyons, and the prettiest blooming spring flowers. Do a little backpacking and camp out under the stars or in one of the three campgrounds in the park. If glamping is more your style, you can stay in one of cabins with breathtaking views on the bluff near The Lodge at Mount Magazine.
Goose Ferry Lake
At the foothills of the Ozarks is the 40,000-acre Greers Ferry Lake recreation area. Greers Ferry is the best of both worlds – tons of big rocks for rock climping plus a fish-stocked lake perfect for the anglers and water enthusiasts. When you want to go camping with your friends and families, this is the place to go. There are over 1,200 campsites and 13 parks that are included in this rec area. The campsites can handle large RVs all the way to single-man tents. This is the go-to place for families with a swimming area, plus deep enough water for boating, sailing, and other water sports.
Devil’s Den State Park
If you live in Arkansas and haven’t been to Devil’s Den State Park, you need to put this park on the top of your list. This is my all-time favourite campground of all the ones I went to in Arkansas. Devil’s Den was built in 1930 as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) work with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The park’s beautiful wood and stone structures were all created by hand by the CCC. Devil’s Den State Park is surrounded by the Ozark National Forest and the majestic sedimentary mountains. Enjoy back-country camping in the solitude of the forest or stay in one of the fully-equipped cabins. There are other campsites available that are perfect for all size RVs and spaces for tent camping. There are also sites available for horses allowing you to enjoy the miles of horse trails. Enjoy hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, swimming and more here. And of course, when the caves reopen (currently closed to protect the bat populations) you MUST check them out. Hiking through the Devil’s Den cave is an experience I will never forget.
If y’all go camping in Arkansas this summer and have other campgrounds to recommend, please let me know in the comments below. And I’d love to see your photos (even if they will make me a little jealous).
Leave a Reply