DeGray Lake offers 13,400 acres of water surrounded by forested shorelines with elevations between 200-500 feet above sea level. Campsites near Arkadelphia range from primitive tent areas to developed RV sites with electric hookups. Winter camping temperatures typically stay above freezing with daytime highs in the 50s, while summer brings consistent 90-degree days with high humidity.
What to do
Swimming at designated beaches: Edgewood Campground features a swimming beach area that's accessible to all campers. "The beach was a nice touch and was great for swimming and sunning," notes Ashley W. about Edgewood Campground.
Kayaking on calm waters: Lake Catherine State Park offers kayak rentals for exploring the quieter sections of the lake. "We enjoyed the hiking trails and rented a few kayaks. It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water," shares Alison C. about Lake Catherine State Park Campground.
Fishing from shorelines: Big Fir Primitive Camping provides direct lake access with dedicated fishing spots. "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," explains Reese R.
Mountain biking the trail system: Iron Mountain features purpose-built bike trails adjacent to camping areas. "The Iron Mountain trail system is adjacent to the campground. I love the rustic simplicity of the place," mentions Cheri H.
What campers like
Concrete pads for easier setup: Catherine's Landing provides fully paved sites for all types of camping units. "All sites are very spacious, concrete pads, well maintained hook ups, and most are full sun," according to Jennifer H. from Catherine's Landing.
Direct water access: Many campsites at Arlie Moore Campground offer shoreline camping. "Camping is diverse enough to be in a the forest or on the lake. Water is warm and I swim less than 20 feet from my tent," shares Gary M. about Arlie Moore - De Gray Lake.
Free camping options: Big Fir Primitive Camping offers no-cost sites with basic amenities. "Flat land on a Lake Peninsula secluded from nearly everyone! And even the few other campers that did arrive were barely noticeable!" enthuses Brian E. about his experience at Big Fir Primitive Camping.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds near Arkadelphia feature abundant wildlife. "Lots of wildlife. We saw squirrels, deer, armadillos and chipmunks," notes Cheri H. about her time at Edgewood Campground.
What you should know
Water access varies dramatically: Some campgrounds have limited water access despite lake views. "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," explains Kim B. about Iron Mountain.
Unlevel sites can challenge RV setup: Many campgrounds feature sloped sites requiring leveling equipment. "Beautiful place but some of the sites are super un-level. We tried our spot 16 and it was so steep our emergency brake could barely hold and behind the pad was a huge drop off to the lake," warns Ransom J.
Insect concerns during summer months: Horse flies can be problematic at some campgrounds. "The only bad thing is that the horse flies here were awful! I couldn't enjoy being outside walking because they were so bad," reports Cheri H. about Edgewood Campground.
Limited cell service: Coverage can be spotty depending on location. "Depending on what side you are on you may have cell coverage, but on the other side (where we moved to) virtually no signal," advises Ransom J. about Iron Mountain.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer dedicated kid-friendly areas. "The playground was really nice and there are a lot of kids. This camp is family oriented and everyone was super friendly and respectful," shares Ashley W. about Edgewood Campground.
Book waterfall hikes: Lake Catherine State Park features kid-friendly waterfall trails. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," recommends Alison C. from Gulpha Gorge Campground.
Consider yurts for ease: Catherine's Landing offers alternative accommodations. "The Yurts looked very nice from the outside," notes Taylor D., adding that "this park has spared no expense on their facilities. The pool and adjacent waterfall are 5 star resort level."
Bring fishing gear for kids: Most campgrounds allow shoreline fishing. "From our campsite, we could walk down a steep hill to the shore of the lake and sit in our camp chairs and fish," explains Alison C. about Iron Mountain.
Tips from RVers
Arrive with full water tanks: Iron Mountain requires planning for water needs. "Fill up fresh water before you get there. I prefer the simplicity of these sites and appreciate the lower cost because they don't have full hookups," advises Cheri H.
Check site dimensions carefully: Many sites have challenging dimensions. "The sites vary in length and width, as well as desirability. The concrete ones generally seem nicer than the asphalt ones," notes reviewer 2SHOE S. about Edgewood Campground.
Utilize local dump stations: Plan for waste management at non-full-hookup sites. "Dump station near the entrance station," confirms Cheri H. about Iron Mountain facilities.
Reserve early for lake-view spots: Premium waterfront sites book quickly. "We booked late and didn't have too many sites to choose from we had to pay for a waterfront site," explains Nancy W. about Catherine's Landing.
Legend
