Mount Magazine State Park Campground houses upscale glamping accommodations with sweeping views of Arkansas valleys, lakes, and distant mountains. The park's glamping options include climate-controlled cabins with spa tubs on private balconies overlooking the scenic landscape. One visitor noted, "The cabins looked amazing with beautiful views," highlighting the premium experience available to guests. White Rock Mountain Recreation Area and Mulberry Mountain Lodging & Events also offer boutique camping experiences with comfortable beds, electricity, and private outdoor spaces. Lake Fort Smith State Park provides glamping accommodations with modern amenities including hot showers, flush toilets, and updated facilities that enhance the outdoor experience while maintaining comfort.
Visitors to these glamping destinations can explore miles of hiking trails through the Ozark Mountains, with Mount Magazine featuring Signal Hill, the highest point in Arkansas. A recent visitor mentioned, "Mount Magazine is a beautiful State Park with great hiking trails. We hiked Signal Hill and the North Rim Trail. Both were beautiful." The area boasts diverse wildlife viewing opportunities, including over 90 species of butterflies and seasonal wildflower displays. Byrd's Adventure Center offers water-based activities along the river that runs through the property. Most glamping sites in the region remain open year-round, though seasonal considerations affect availability. The Lodge at Mount Magazine features Skycrest Restaurant for those seeking dining options without cooking, with guests enjoying drinks on the veranda while watching sunset views over the valley.
"The state of Arkansas has put in a real effort to make the outdoor experience a nice as possible in their state parks."
"This is a nice modern park on the shore of the man made Lake Fort Smith."
from $23 - $163 / night
"Nice fire pit/ pit toilet/ water pump access. There is a house where the campsite host family lives. They were amazing and helped up navigate the area and plan our adventures."
"I was impressed from the moment we arrived. The drive up was slow going with a narrow rutted out road but overall not bad. The staff was great and they deliver your wood to your campsite."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 - $215 / night
"Contacted owner late in the evening looking for a spot after a 9hour drive. This place had everything and the bathhouse was just like taking a shower at home!"
from $22 - $25 / night
"The employees are ALWAYS friendly and helpful, campsites are well put together, a bathroom and showers are on site. This is one of the best campgrounds in Arkansas. Dog friendly"
"There are a ton of trails to explore. They have a store and restaurant on site. The trip out there is amazing. They own 800 acres and have a ton of off-road trails for all."
from $10 - $22 / night
"Has fire pit with grill, separate bbq, siting area and great hook ups. Bear proof refuge container on site as well. Half off if disabled! Site 3 wasn't completely level, but quick fix."
"Nice shady spot with a picnic table, grill and fire pit. Was also a space for a tent. The picnic table had a few steps up to it."
from $35 / night
"We arrived late and in the dark, rainy ARK weather Dan provided lights so that we could hook up. Customer service is the best. We will definitely stay here again."
"We had hit a really bad storm so we were many, many hours behind schedule trying to get down into Hotsprings. It was midnight and we were exhausted."
from $35 - $38 / night
"Super clean bathrooms with granite counter and tile. Pleasant hosts. Quiet, just a bit of highway noise but not much. Pool, hot tub, jump pad, pond with rental boats, lots of kids games."
"It’s far enough away to not have traffic noise. The sites are level, there is a pool, Propane, fishing pond, and camp store. Also hiking trails. Also some tent sites."
"The bathroom/shower requires a passcode to enter and is always clean to use. It's a great escape for off-roading and overloading."
"Near the Mulberry River and White Rock recreation area, the facility is an off road enthusiasts playground! Trails directly into the outback from the facility."
from $30 - $100 / night
"Located at the base drive up to Mount Magazine this is a good back up to the state park campground."
"There is swimming, boating, (stocked) fishing, hiking, and pretty drives. Absolutely beautiful lake surrounded by green that would be incredible in the fall!"
"This campground is located along a great motorcycle route in the Ozarks. My friend and I were on a motorcycle camping trip and stayed here with our tents."
from $30 / night
RangerVery nice park - clean and quiet. We did the kayak tour this morning which was nice. There’s also a kayak rental Kiosk down by the boat ramp through Whenever Watersports (download the app). There’s trails and also a pool. Pool closed down Aug 9, 2026 since lifeguards had to go back to school. Not having a pool was the only bummer this trip cause temps are still close to 100.
RangerClean state park. We enjoyed the trails, kayak rental at the marina. Other amenities include nice bathhouses and a pool.
GuideThe campground was really nice. The sites were spread out really well for full hookup spots. Each spot had some privacy and distance between them. Bathrooms were super clean. There’s plenty of hiking trails around but other than that it’s a pretty relaxing campsite. Weather is 10-15 degrees cooler than what you’d expect in the River Valley.
LegendWe took advantage of the 75 degree weather at the end of February to enjoy Mount Magazine. What a beautiful campground! All spaces have LOTS of room between them, it’s quiet, bathrooms are new and clean. A fantastic view of the region within a short walking distance. Lots and lots of hiking. 100% would visit again. I would probably stay in site 9, 15, or 17 if I had the choice again but none of the sites are bad. Full hookups.
GuideMount Magazine is absolutely gorgeous! Camping was great, bathrooms are kept very clean, campground had great sites that gave you lots of space and privacy.
ScoutVery disappointed in Marval Resort. The manager is very unprofessional. We have been going there since 2019 for a family reunion. This year was 59th reunion. I get a phone call on July 7, 2025 and was told we would not be welcomed back and when I asked why the manager could not tell me why. All that she said was several reasons. If it was such a big issue, she should have come to me or someone else and addressed the issue face to face instead of waiting until we left. My cousin had called multiply times to try and get this worked out and she would never speak or call back. When no response to phone calls she was emailed and finally responded to an email. The manager didn’t even have the decency for the closing signature on the email. It’s a shame that Marval Resort has someone like this running their resort. Very poor communication. Instead of coming to my camp spot talking to me about some cars parked on the grass and gravel in front of our camp spot out of the way of others she calls me in the middle of a big gathering and tells me they need to be moved because it rained that morning and the grass was wet. No, the grassy lawn area was dry in the heat of the afternoon day. There are so many staff members driving around on their golf carts and not a word was said. She was on her golf cart right by us and could not come face to face and talk about the issue. Now, that’s pretty unprofessional. We have 96 and 86 year old aunts and some others with walking issues. That’s why cars were there. Family was coming from their cabins or campers to the central area for family gathering. And as far as the pavilion parking that we paid money to rent. Again, for some elders and a few trucks hauling fish fry supplies. You booked a band that was playing on the stage right by the pavilion(that we paid for) and people could not communicate very well due to loud music. This also happened last year as well. So, you the manager don’t know who all the cars belong to. They could have been the bands or other guest not in our family. We have a large group that stayed there for 6 years in campers or cabins and spent lots of money there. There is a lot of issues the manager needs to take care of and get off her high horse. I thought this place is supposed to be family oriented. I will miss seeing Wayne(maintenance gentleman) there with his smiling face. He is such a friendly man. And one more thing, always talking about all the improvements they’re working on or going to do. It’s been the same for 6 years now.
RangerStayed here for a four wheeling trip. Was a decent location - sites were mostly dirt/gravel.
TravelerFriendly helpful staff. Decent lots. Many are shaded. Several things for kids including a pool.
LegendAbsolutely the cleanest and most beautiful campground we’ve been in - in this part of the county yet. Sites spread far enough apart for privacy, full hook ups, cleanest bathhouses, and beautiful scenery! Would absolutely stay again. The hiking trails were right out of our campsite. Clean sites. Great tent pads. It was totally level we didn’t need any leveling done at all.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Alma, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Alma, AR is Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Alma, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 glamping camping locations near Alma, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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