Bear Creek Horse Camp provides rustic equestrian camping in the Ouachita National Forest near Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The campground sits at approximately 800 feet elevation with access to the Bear Creek Equestrian Trail system. Four primitive sites accommodate both tent and RV campers with horses, though the grounds aren't regularly maintained. The surrounding forest consists primarily of pine and hardwood trees typical of the Ouachita Mountain region.
What to do
Trail riding access: Bear Creek Horse Camp connects directly to the Bear Creek Equestrian Trail system with multiple interconnecting loops. "Located along Forest Road 772, about 1 mile north of Forest Road 11 in the Ouachita National Forest. The camp serves as a small primitive camping area for equestrian riders on the network of interconnecting loop trails that comprise the Bear Creek Equestrain Trail system," notes Fred S. about Bear Creek Horse Camp.
Geocaching opportunities: DeGray Lake area offers numerous geocaching sites for treasure hunters. "Had fun geocaching and deer sighting," shares Natalie S. about her experience at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Waterfall hiking: Lake Catherine State Park features hiking trails leading to seasonal waterfalls. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," writes Alison C. about Lake Catherine State Park.
What campers like
Lakefront views: Sites overlooking DeGray Lake provide scenic vistas and easy water access. "We stayed in 102 and 106 and had pretty views of the clear lake. Were able to park boat next to campsite and get kayaks and floats in and out of water easily," says Natalie S. about camping at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The Arkadelphia area supports diverse wildlife populations. "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," reports Tina B. about her experience at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Peaceful setting: The forested campgrounds provide quiet retreat environments. "This is a very laid back area to camp. The trails are far from challenging, and the Park Rangers are very helpful," explains Michael H. regarding his stay at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
What you should know
Water availability: Bear Creek Horse Camp has no drinking water source for humans or horses. "There is a small creek runs along side the camp," notes Fred S., but campers should bring sufficient water supplies for both themselves and their horses.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between horse campgrounds near Arkadelphia, Arkansas. "I received no T-Mobile cell service," reports Fred S. about Bear Creek Horse Camp, while Ray & Terri F. mention about DeGray Lake: "AT&T coverage was basically nonexistent with 1 bar of LTE service but very little if any throughput."
Seasonal trail conditions: Trail quality changes throughout the year at equestrian camping areas. "Some trails were soggy but it had been raining for a few days making it difficult to get past. Some signs indicating this could have helped us stay off the trails," notes a reviewer named P about their experience at Lake Catherine State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Lakeside activities: Water access provides multiple recreation options for children. "We enjoyed paddle boating, horse back riding and disc golf. Each trail had a information board where you can scan a QR code to know more about the trail, what made it unique and what to look out for while you are out there," shares P about their family trip to DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Bring hammocks: Many campsites offer good tree spacing for hammock setup. "Our campsite was a great size and well spaced out from our neighbors. There were trees to hang our hammocks," reports Alison C. about Lake Catherine State Park.
Consider cabin options: For families wanting more comfort, several parks offer cabin accommodations. "We took my nieces on a weekend trip in our camper to Lake Catherine State Park. Our campsite backed up to the lake, so we had a great view," writes Alison C. about their family camping experience.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many sites in the area require significant leveling equipment. "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," warns Ray & Terri F. about their experience in a 36-foot Class A at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Road conditions: Access roads to equestrian campgrounds may present challenges for larger rigs. "Some minor erosion on FR772 where small creeks cross the road. FR11 is in good condition at the time of this visit," notes Fred S. regarding the access to Bear Creek Horse Camp.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on amenities needed for your rig. "We had site 12 for 1 night in mid September. The CG is clean and well maintained but showing its age. The CG roads are paved, but narrow, winding, and fairly bumpy in spots," shares Ray & Terri F. about their RV experience at DeGray Lake.
