DeGray Lake Resort State Park offers a diverse range of glamping accommodations just outside Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The park spans over 900 acres with terrain varying from wooded campsites to lakefront spots with limestone shores. During summer months, temperatures typically range between 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide more moderate conditions for outdoor activities.
What to do
Horseback riding and trails: At DeGray Lake Resort State Park, trails range from easy walking paths to more scenic routes. "Walking trail, Waterview walking, The Degray Lodge close to campground is perfection. Marina is great as well!" notes Terry L., highlighting the variety of pathways for different skill levels.
Photography opportunities: The natural landscape provides excellent photography conditions throughout the year. "Depending on where you are in the park you can see the Ouachita mountains in the horizon. Great place for photo enthusiast with Beautiful sunsets and an abundance of wildlife," shares Tina B., who documented the diverse ecosystem.
Disc golf and golf: Recreation options extend beyond water activities to include land sports. "I do not golf however they have a pretty nice golf course," mentions Tina B. At Catherine's Landing, additional disc golf facilities provide alternatives for families. As Taylor D. describes, "The climbing and ropes course is enormous and will make any kid's jaw drop in disbelief."
What campers like
Lake access and swimming: Multiple campsites provide direct water access for swimming and relaxation. At Lake Catherine State Park, visitors appreciate the waterfront locations: "We had a site overlooking the lake. We had plenty of room to hang our hammocks and play yard games," shares Alison C.
Privacy between sites: Many glamping spots near Arkadelphia maintain natural buffers between campers. At Lake Ouachita State Park, "The well-Manicured and large sites under the tall trees and pines were Top-Notch! Many sites were on an incline, so there was a lot of terracing w great use of railroad timbers and crushed rock," according to Amanda H.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and amenities receive regular maintenance. "The bathrooms were always clean. I wish we had more time to walk trails, but we were just stopping for the night," notes Hannah L. about her Lake Ouachita experience.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: Lake conditions fluctuate seasonally affecting shore access. At Alpine Ridge - De Gray Lake, "The bath house was super clean and the shower was good and hot with plenty of pressure... We camped in #35 right next to the lake and enjoyed the lovely view," reports Brent & Lisa A.
Connectivity limitations: Cell service and internet access vary widely across sites. One visitor to DeGray Lake noted, "AT&T coverage was basically nonexistent with 1 bar of LTE service but very little if any throughput. The CG is heavily wooded, so Starlink was unusable."
Reservation requirements: During peak seasons, advance booking becomes essential. "We arrived after hours and the camp hosts checked us in before the next morning, so we didn't even have to do anything," explains Duke L. about Alpine Ridge, though this convenience isn't universal across all glamping locations.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Daisy State Park offers family-friendly water access. "The park is huge! It has great spots for RV's and a wonderful walk in area for tents. We stayed in the walk in site by the lake and were treated to an amazing sunset every night!" shares Tom K.
Playground facilities: Several parks feature dedicated play areas for children. "Kid friendly. Great upkeep and sites that are easily accessible. Playground, splash pad, and pool," notes Bridget C. about her Catherine's Landing visit.
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer ranger programs about local ecology. At Lake Catherine State Park, "The rangers were great and offered a variety of informational classes and hikes," according to a visitor, making glamping educational for children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many glamping sites require preparation for proper RV setup. According to a DeGray Lake visitor, "Few if any of the sites in this section of the CG were anywhere close to level and our site, one of the few pull-throughs, was one of the worst, I mean seriously sloped even after ratcheting up the front levelers as far as they'd go."
Hookup access: Hot Springs National Park KOA provides convenient connections for RVs. "D26 Back-in full hook-ups, fire ring & picnic table... Pretty level - just 1 leveling block was all we needed for our pop-up," explains Angie N., though she also notes "spots are very close, no privacy."
Road conditions: Interior campground roads vary in quality and width. "The CG roads are paved, but narrow, winding, and fairly bumpy in spots," observed a DeGray Lake camper, highlighting the need for caution when navigating larger vehicles through these glamping destinations.
