Best Campgrounds near Arkadelphia, AR

Camping near Arkadelphia, Arkansas centers around DeGray Lake, with several lakefront campgrounds managed by both Arkansas State Parks and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The area includes a mix of RV parks, tent camping areas, cabins, and yurts, with notable locations including DeGray Lake Resort State Park, Iron Mountain, Caddo Drive, Arlie Moore, and Edgewood Recreation Area. Most campgrounds sit on peninsulas or shorelines, providing direct water access for fishing, swimming, and boating. The town of Arkadelphia, approximately 65 miles southwest of Little Rock, serves as a convenient supply point for campers with grocery stores and outdoor retailers.

Most campgrounds in the Arkadelphia area remain open year-round, though summer brings higher occupancy rates and advance reservations are recommended from May through September. The climate features hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable camping conditions. Cell service is generally reliable at developed campgrounds, though coverage may be spotty in more remote areas. Most campgrounds permit campfires except during drought conditions when fire bans may be implemented. Drinking water and basic restroom facilities are available at most established sites.

The camping experience varies significantly between locations around DeGray Lake. According to reviews, "Edgewood campground places you right on the lakefront in a clean and peaceful setting" with many sites offering RV hookups. Army Corps of Engineers sites like Caddo Drive feature "a beautiful location on a peninsula that overlooks the lake" with separate areas designated for tents and RVs. Most campgrounds accommodate big rigs and offer some combination of water, electric, and sewer hookups. Family-friendly amenities include swimming beaches, boat ramps with ample parking, and fishing opportunities. The proximity to Hot Springs National Park (about 30 miles northeast) makes the Arkadelphia area a good base for exploring multiple Arkansas attractions.

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Best Camping Sites Near Arkadelphia, Arkansas (144)

    1. DeGray Lake Resort State Park — De Gray State Park

    30 Reviews
    Bismarck, AR
    10 miles
    Website

    "Close enough to Arkadelphia if you need supplies. State Park Marina and Caddo Point have very nice boat ramps with a lot of parking which is good because this place gets crowded."

    "Great ranger led boat tour of the lake. Lots of nice level sites. Super cool yurts for rent that have the best views! Arkansas has the best State Parks!"

    2. Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    83 Reviews
    Jones Mill, AR
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 844-4176

    $15 - $25 / night

    "We stayed in site 54 (w/e/s) that was right on the lake. We could walk to the dock right behind the site to fish, although did not have very good luck."

    "Lake Catherine State Park, like all Arkansas state parks, is immaculately clean!  Most RV sites have close access to the water and there are small stationary docks to park your boat. 

     "

    3. Iron Mountain

    9 Reviews
    Bismarck, AR
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 246-5501

    $20 / night

    "The Iron Mountain trail system is adjacent to the campground. I love the rustic simplicity of the place. It is older but well maintained and clean. Its such a peaceful and beautiful place."

    "This campground is on a tall ridge so there is no walk out to the water. You can view the water from most sites though. We prefer the wooded area."

    4. Gulpha Gorge Campground — Hot Springs National Park

    75 Reviews
    Hot Springs National Park, AR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 620-6715

    $34 / night

    "There are many positives to this campground well beyond the proximity itself. With electricity at all sites and a flat rate it seems to have a lot of positives to check off."

    "With close proximity to the town of Hot Springs, AR, this campground is well maintained and convenient but lacks in privacy. I stayed here as an overnight while driving north through the Midwest."

    5. Arkadelphia Campground & RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Arkadelphia, AR
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 246-4922

    "At one time it was a KOA then it was renamed Arkadelphia Rv park. Last year it got new owners and the name now is Caddo Valley Rv Park. The sites are large clean and all new full hookups."

    "Great spot to stop right off the highway. Nothing fancy, but clean & everything was easy to navigate."

    6. Big Fir Primitive Camping

    13 Reviews
    Kaweah Lake, AR
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 767-2101

    "A 7-hour drive later, we arrive to what can only be described as a hobo camp. Bad doesn't come close to describing this place."

    "I've used this campground multiple times and while there is no water or electricity it offers an excellent view of the lake and a few camping spots right along the shoreline."

    7. Caddo Drive - De Gray Lake

    8 Reviews
    Bismarck, AR
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 246-5501

    $20 / night

    "Beautiful location on a peninsula that overlooks the lake. Swimming/beach area away from the campground. Two campgrounds, one for tents only and one for RVs. Bathhouses with hot showers."

    "No hiking trails but a nice place to walk. I got to experience a beautiful sunset every night and snow flurries my first morning here."

    8. Arlie Moore - De Gray Lake

    8 Reviews
    Bismarck, AR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 246-5501

    $20 / night

    "First the location is close to Hot Springs National park, only about 20 minutes away."

    "Easy access to this recreation area via I-30.  Sites well maintained. A picnic table and fire ring are provided, as well as a lantern post.  This rec area also has a boat launch. "

    9. Catherine's Landing

    25 Reviews
    Hot Springs, AR
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 262-2550

    "Gorgeous setting on pristine Lake Catherine close to historic Hot Springs. I was in lakefront site 123 for one night but would have liked to stay longer."

    "The lake was beautiful and very natural. However if you like roughing it and being close to the water, you better have an RV of some sort or you'll miss the good spots."

    10. Edgewood

    6 Reviews
    Bismarck, AR
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 246-5501

    $24 - $48 / night

    "Great campground on beautiful Degray Lake near Arkadelphia. 30 & 50 amp sites with electricity and water. Nice clean bath houses."

    "my friend and i stopped in here for a night with our paddleboards. we could walk straight into the water from our campsite, and there was literally no one else out on the water it was amazing. also bathrooms"

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Recent Reviews near Arkadelphia, AR

781 Reviews of 144 Arkadelphia Campgrounds


  • Travis A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

    Nice ACOE campground

    Nice lake with beach area. Playground for kids. Clean restrooms. Some of the sites are small so check the length. Not far from Hot Springs.

  • Makayla C.
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Buckville - Lake Ouachita

    Island Camping!!!

    We decided to island camp here and boy was it an experience. Day one was perfect, despite some storms, we really enjoyed ourselves. Day two we had to pack up early, flies got so horrible and wouldn’t stop biting us!

  • Charity S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Irons Fork

    Peaceful

    We were the only campers had a great spot on the water for a morning shower. I used my own pop up toilet as there’s is not close to being clean. It is bear country and others trash was gone through by wildlife in the bathroom.

  • Darren J.
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Brady Mountain - Lake Ouachita

    Great memory making trip

    Saw the most beautiful sunset. Caught a deliscious catfish. Spent a day in a hamock with a fantastic lake view.

  • Wayne J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2025

    Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground

    5star campground 4star site

    I’ve reviewed the campground before, for other sites. Most are level and plenty of room/parking length. This site 30 is cramped and has a passenger side tilt to it. I have a 26’ (tip to tail) TT and a crew cab pickup… they will not fit in the campsite end to end, much less with some room to get in to the tailgate. Once unhooked, I had to angle the truck in to overlap the tongue of the TT. Ended up with a 3 inch riser to level the trailer side to side, which puts the first step about 17 inches up. To add to it, there is no level surface much further than the step before the site slopes off steeply with pine needles. The site just seems like the Park wanted to jam another spot in to make 45$ extra a night on busy times. I would not recommend site 30, to anyone. Tent campers would be even worse off, as the tent pad area is back closer to the road.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Hot Springs National Park KOA

    NICE PLACE

    The campground was a little hard to find, about 22 miles from I-30 but we found it. Check-in was easy, directions to our site clear. Plenty of room to back into the site. Gravel site, nice and level. We only stayed 1 night. The campground was nice and clean and quiet. Good place to rest up before continuing on with our journey.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2025

    Gladstone Forest Rd (FR11) Large Dispersed

    Large, level dispersed for multiple rigs

    Coordinates: 34.75797,-93.24530. Large, open dispersed site along Gladstone Forest Rd (FR11) in the Ouachita National Forest. Should accomodate 4 rigs - truck camper size and smaller. Easy access from the forest road onto a mostly level dirt surface. There is no privacy from the forest road. Tent camping is possible. Situated on an old, unused track that goes off into a dense forest behind the site. I believe this site can be used by a group of hunters. Very little shade; solar recharging and Starlink connectivity possible. There is a rock fire ring on the site. No T-Mobile cell service. There is nothing remarkable about this site. Should be good for an overnight stay while exploring the Forest Road 11 area of the Ouachitas.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 6, 2025

    North Fork Creek Rd (FR779) Dispersed

    Large dispersed site in beautiful forest

    Coordinates: 34.75922,-93.20452. Camped here on May 5, 2025. Large wooded dispersed site in the Ouachita National Forest. Suitable for about 3 campervan-sized rigs. A truck camper will be able to enter the site, but the trees may prevent manuevering deeper into the site. Tent and hammock camping possible. Easy access from FR779. The forest roads reaching this part of the national forest were in good shape at the time of this review. The dirt and grass site is level. Poison ivy is present. Overall, the site was clean and had a large rock fire ring. The site is near the North Fork Ouachita River, which can be reached by bushwacking down a steep hill and over rocks. One can see the river from the site during the winter but not in the summer. Since the site is well above the river, it is unlilely to get flooded. The site is shaded; solar recharging and Starlink connectivity is not likely. The site is setback well enough from the forest road so road dust coming into the site should not be an issue. There is not enough foliage along the road to offer privacy. During my stay, only 2 vehicles drove by. There are no hiking trails nearby. I enjoyed walking along the forest road and strolling in the forest surrounding the site. Access to the Ouachite National Recreation Trail is a 4-mile drive on forest roads to the south (coordinates 34.73300,-93.21913). There was no T-Mobile cell service at this site. I enjoyed camping here; beautiful spot and very peaceful.


Guide to Arkadelphia

Camping near Arkadelphia, Arkansas, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and beautiful scenery. Whether you're looking for a peaceful spot by the lake or a place with plenty of activities, there are several campgrounds to check out.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Many campgrounds have trails for hiking. At Lake Catherine State Park Campground, one visitor said, “Three beautiful hikes right out of the campground.”
  • Fishing and Swimming: If you enjoy water activities, Gulpha Gorge Campground is a great spot. A camper mentioned, “The sites that back up to the creek are better,” highlighting the fun of fishing and swimming nearby.
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Maumelle Park have spotted plenty of wildlife. One reviewer noted, “Lots of geese wandering around,” making it a nice place for nature lovers.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-kept restrooms and showers. A visitor at Gulpha Gorge Campground said, “Cleanest shower house I've ever seen.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots. One camper at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground mentioned, “The spaces are so far apart you can enjoy your own spot without interruption.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Catherine's Landing said, “The staff were super-friendly,” which adds to the overall experience.

What you should know

  • Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A reviewer at Gulpha Gorge Campground pointed out, “A little close to a busy road, but if you have a creek spot you can hear the water flowing!”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For instance, at Maumelle Park, one camper noted, “There are several small campgrounds and the bath houses although dated are very clean.”
  • Primitive Camping Options: If you’re looking for a more rustic experience, Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground offers primitive camping. One camper mentioned, “The sites are well maintained and adequately situated to afford some privacy.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. At Catherine's Landing, a reviewer said, “Plenty of room for the kids to play behind our water site.”
  • Plan for Bugs: Some areas can be buggy, especially near water. A camper at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground noted, “Bugs were not bad at all,” but it’s always good to be prepared.
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Campgrounds often have open spaces for games. One camper at Daisy State Park Campground suggested, “The views are gorgeous,” making it a great spot for family activities.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Hot Springs National Park KOA mentioned, “The sites are, for KOA standards, spacious.”
  • Wi-Fi Availability: Some campgrounds have decent Wi-Fi. A visitor at Catherine's Landing said, “Serious Problem is Very Poor WiFi.”
  • Be Prepared for Road Noise: If you’re sensitive to noise, consider this before booking. A camper at Gulpha Gorge Campground mentioned the nearby highway noise.

Camping around Arkadelphia, Arkansas, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a peaceful spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Arkadelphia, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Arkadelphia, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 144 campgrounds and RV parks near Arkadelphia, AR and 17 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Arkadelphia, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Arkadelphia, AR is DeGray Lake Resort State Park — De Gray State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 30 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Arkadelphia, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Arkadelphia, AR.

What parks are near Arkadelphia, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Arkadelphia, AR that allow camping, notably DeGray Lake and Ouachita Lake.