Lake Ouachita State Park encompasses this Corps of Engineers campground that sits on a narrow peninsula extending into Arkansas's largest lake. The winding access road features multiple curves and blind spots, requiring careful navigation to reach the waterfront sites.
Most campsites provide direct lake access, with several positioned right at the water's edge where campers can walk down and swim. The campground offers both RV sites with full hookups for rigs up to 20 feet and walk-in tent sites with electrical connections. Walk-in campers should note that water spigots are located back at the parking area rather than at individual sites. Some sites present leveling challenges due to the sloped terrain, particularly those in Loop C around sites 35-37, which reviewers describe as cramped.
Lake Ouachita's clear water attracts boaters and water sports enthusiasts, with boat rentals available within half a mile at nearby Mountain Harbor Resort. The activity level can be high during peak times, with boat traffic generating noise throughout the day. Gary M. notes "just about every sit is on the water" with what he calls the "clearest water in the state."
The campground operates year-round with restrooms and shower facilities, though maintenance quality varies by location. Campers should stock up on supplies beforehand, as the surrounding area is a dry county with limited nearby services.
Description
Overview
Joplin Campground on Lake Ouachita is an excellent destination for pristine lakefront camping. Joplin is perched on a slender peninsula with plenty of attractive scenic views of the water and surrounding mountain terrain. World-class striper fishing goes on in the lake, and wildlife watchers can find everything from bobcats to rare freshwater jellyfish.Click here for the Lake Ouachita Virtual Tour.
Recreation
Prized as one of the clearest lakes in the nation, Ouachita Lake is ideal for scuba diving. Visitors also enjoy hiking, biking, scenic driving, water skiing, fishing and hunting, as well.
Facilities
All 59 campsites have electric hookups, but keep in mind the spaces are small and unpaved. Campsite pad lengths vary greatly from site to site due to the terrain. No campsite lengths are posted on the website due to the varianciances of camper slidout configurations and the visitor trailer towing skills. For questions contact the fee booth at 870-867-4472. Water hookups are not available, but a water faucet is located in each loop. Other amenities include a dump station, fish cleaning station, hot showers, boat ramp and a swim beach.
Natural Features
Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains of Central Arkansas, Lake Ouachita spans a surface area of over 40,000 acres, making it the biggest lake completely within the state of Arkansas. The region has a climate with four seasons. Spring and fall are mild, summer is hot and humid, and winter is variable with temperatures ranging from below freezing on up to the 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (501) 767-2101.
Nearby Attractions
Head to Hot Springs National Park and discover how it earned the nickname, "The American Spa." Or take a scenic drive through the 1.8 million-acres of Ouachita National Forest. Boat rentals, horseback riding rentals and the Hickorynut Mountain Vista are not far from the campground.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundCOE Lake Ouachita Joplin Campground is located in Arkansas
Directions
From Hot Springs, Arkansas: Take US 270 west for 23.5 miles to Mountain Harbor Road. Turn right and follow access road three miles north to the park.
Address
303 Campground Rd.
Mt. ida, AR 71957
Coordinates
34.57519 N
93.442639 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 4/29/26
AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 4/29/26
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 4/29/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 4/29/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
Drive Time
- 36 min from Hot Springs, AR
- 1 hr 22 min from Little Rock, AR
- 1 hr 55 min from Fort Smith, AR
- 2 hrs 12 min from Texarkana, TX
