Beaver Lake offers over 450 miles of shoreline with pet-friendly camping options at 28,000 acres of water surface. Located in the Ozark Highlands at 1,120 feet elevation, the lake features clear waters and limestone bluffs. Summer temperatures range from 75-95°F, while spring and fall bring milder 50-75°F conditions ideal for camping with pets.
What to do
Fishing access points: Several areas around Dam Site River - Beaver Lake provide direct water access for anglers. "The 'Parker Bottoms' area of this campground is amazing. There is trout fishing right along the grounds in the White River and the sites are well kept and beautiful. The local deer greet you at breakfast from across the street," notes Stephen R.
Hiking trails: The 6-mile trail near Lost Bridge South offers both day hiking and primitive camping. "I recommend hiking the trail backwards of the guide maps so that you finish with the lake view instead of start with it," suggests John R. This trail connects to historic homesteads and lake viewpoints.
Mountain biking: Access nearby trail systems from Eureka Springs campgrounds. "We like to mountain bike and Wanderlust RV Park is only a couple of blocks away from the Passion Play property which has close to 29 miles of amazing trails to ride," reports Allen S.
What campers like
Lakefront camping: Lost Bridge North offers elevated sites with unobstructed views. "We had a great time at this campground. We stayed in site 9 and 10 which was in the shade and right on the water. Great boat dock and plenty of parking. We was able to launch our kayaks from our camp site," mentions Myra P.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain varying levels of bathroom cleanliness. "Private shower/bathrooms that smelled like cleaning solution and had air conditioning. Park attendant was very nice and eager to help. No trash around park," shares Erin A. about Dam Site Lake Campground.
Natural wildlife: Many campgrounds feature regular animal sightings. "The beautiful deer greet you at breakfast from across the street and the facilities are always clean and well maintained. It's so quiet and the bluff across the river looks like fire when the sun is setting," says Stephen R.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many Beaver Lake campgrounds feature sloped terrain requiring preparation. "If you have a trailer, definitely bring as many leveling blocks as you can. All spots seemed to have unlevel pads," warns Mandi R. about Prairie Creek (AR).
Reservation timing: High season runs March through October with weekends filling quickly. "This is a trout fishing park and fills up during the summer and on weekends. Reservations are highly recommended," advises Gary P.
Water access varies: Some sites offer direct water access while others require walking. "The campground sits on high ground next to the river. You have to work really hard to get down to the river. You are better off going down the road a bit to get to one of the fishing access points instead," explains Annie C.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Roaring River State Park Campground offers educational opportunities beyond basic camping. "There is a cave you can walk in where you'll find a pool of water that goes for miles underground. You can walk the holding tanks and feed the trout from baby to ready to be released into the river," says Wendy M.
Swimming options: Dog-friendly campgrounds at Beaver Lake offer various swimming spots for children. "The swimming area was very spacious. Nice playground for kids. Sites are in several smaller groups so it would be great for camping with friends and family," notes Mary D.
Campsite selection: Choose sites based on proximity to amenities when camping with children. "We ended up staying in the 'Pines loop' because it was the only section with a functioning bath house in the off season. The river was down a very steep hill, so not accessible from camp, but there's a boat ramp nearby," advises Kent A.
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Hickory Creek - Beaver Lake and other campgrounds have partial utilities. "No water hook-up. You fill your camper before getting to your campsite. Due to this site being in-level, you will lose water," cautions George L.
Site accessibility: RV sites vary significantly in accessibility around the lake. "Avoid spaces 33 through 43 unless you have a small bumper pull less than 21 feet long or a class A or class C less than 25 feet long. We had to back our 30 foot fifth wheel down about 100 foot hill around the corner to get into the space," warns Lisa M.
Seasonal facilities: Bathroom and shower availability changes seasonally at dog-friendly campgrounds. "Bathrooms were locked for the season, I presume. Starlink worked well at our site (13), but it wouldn't at most of the sites," reports Jody D. about camping during off-season.
