The Ozark Mountain terrain near Alma, Arkansas offers glamping sites situated at elevations ranging from 800 to 2,700 feet. The region's varied topography creates distinctive temperature differentials between lowland and highland camps, with mountaintop locations typically 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding valleys. Seasonal considerations impact campground access, with some mountain roads becoming challenging during fog or winter conditions.
What to do
Hiking Signal Hill: Reach the highest point in Arkansas at 2,753 feet on Mount Magazine State Park Campground. "We hiked about half of the trails. The trails are mostly shaded and well defined. Remember you are on a mountain so there will be elevation changes as you walk," notes Gary F.
Boating and paddling: Lake Fort Smith offers water recreation options at Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground. "If you need sewer service, I would recommend site #11 as the most level pull-through site, although there's not a bad site in the park," says Donna H., who visited during winter.
Mountain biking: The forest service roads near White Rock Mountain provide technical rides with elevation changes. "My partner and I were the only tent campers. We arrived late, after sunset, and the host recommended tent site #1," explains Erin-Frannie R., who found sites 5-8 were muddy from previous rains.
What campers like
Private campsites: The spacing between sites at Mount Magazine State Park Campground provides privacy. "The sites are large and the camping area is spread out quite a bit. It's a great place to achieve some seclusion," reports Donny S.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathhouses. "The state of Arkansas has put in a real effort to make the outdoor experience as nice as possible in their state parks. All sites were level for both campers and tents. Each site had a good table, fire pit and lantern pole," writes Chad K. about Lake Fort Smith.
Seasonal flexibility: Cove Lake Complex offers year-round options for glamping near Alma. "We stayed as a group across two adjacent sites: 1 & 3. You could see the lake from our sites, but they don't sit right over the lake like some do. Sites are extremely spacious and well spaced from each other," says Taryn S.
What you should know
Mountain road conditions: Access to some sites requires careful driving. At White Rock Mountain Recreation Area, "It's a slow, beautiful drive. The reviews are correct that the last hour of the drive is only 20 miles. Make sure to stop for gas! It is an unpaved road that in some spots is maybe wide enough for 2 small vehicles to pass each other," cautions Erin-Frannie R.
Temperature variations: Pack appropriately for mountain glamping. "The temperature is literally about 10-15 degrees cooler on the mountain than below. One night we were there it got down to mid teens. Unless you're going in July, I would recommend you pack a pair of pants, long sleeves and maybe even a light jacket," advises Donny S.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "No cell service whatsoever with Verizon," reports Taryn S. about Cove Lake Complex, while other sites have partial coverage.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for safety: Choose appropriate sites when traveling with children. At Mount Magazine, "Many of the campsites are on a grade. They all have multiple levels with stairs and have no railings. We had 5 children <6 years of age and the sites were somewhat perilous. If you are a parent with small kids, sites 17-20 and sites 2-3 are better," recommends Ryan S.
Kid-friendly amenities: Mulberry Mountain Lodging & Events offers activities for various ages. "The RV and primitive camping are clean and well-maintained. The bathroom/shower requires a passcode to enter and is always clean to use. It's a great escape for off-roading and overloading," reports Jeff P.
Swimming options: Several locations feature swimming facilities when lake swimming isn't allowed. "You are not allowed to swim in the lake, but there is a pool," notes Mandi R. about Cove Lake Complex.
Tips from RVers
Overnight logistics: Byrd's Adventure Center provides convenient RV accommodations for travelers. "Facility is what you would expect for an outdoor adventure facility. The sites are very spacious on the RV area, the smaller camper and primitive sites are very generous as well. The store is well stocked and has ice cream and fresh foods," reports John F.
Leveling requirements: Check site conditions before arrival. "Site 4 is my favorite. Camp B sites are quite short but perfect for tent camping," says Steve S. about Lake Fort Smith, while Jennifer O. notes, "It was totally level we didn't need any leveling done at all."
Full hookup locations: Some sites offer complete services while others have limited hookups. "Sites 1-20 have full hook-ups with sewer," mentions Ryan S. about Lake Fort Smith, providing valuable information for RVers requiring complete services.
