Cabin accommodations near Benton, Arkansas provide access to the scenic Ouachita Mountains and five lakes within a 30-mile radius. Located approximately 25 miles southwest of Little Rock, this region experiences mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures and humid summers that average 90-95Ā°F. Most cabin rental locations remain open year-round with peak season running April through October when water activities are most accessible.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: Lake Catherine State Park Campground offers multiple trails, including the popular Falls Branch Trail. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," notes one visitor. The waterfall flow varies seasonally, typically running strongest in spring.
Kayaking and boating: Catherine's Landing provides boat and kayak rentals with direct access to Lake Catherine. "The boat ramp and docks were safe for fishing. We spent a day walking around Hot Springs, 3 days hiking trails in Lake Catherine State Park and a day at Garvan Gardens, all a short drive away," shares a camper.
Disc golf: Several cabin locations offer on-site activities beyond water recreation. "Lots of amenities such as a pool, store, boat rentals, zip line and trash pickup. We stayed here for a couple of nights to visit the Hot Springs and it was the perfect location," reports a visitor about the disc golf course at Catherine's Landing.
Ropes course: Adventure options extend beyond water activities at some locations. "The climbing and ropes course is enormous and will make any kid's jaw drop in disbelief. There's an affiliated zip line just outside of the park," explains one camper about the extensive recreation options.
What campers like
Lakefront views: Lake Ouachita State Park Campground offers prime waterfront cabin locations. "We had a site overlooking the lake. We had plenty of room to hang our hammocks and play yard games," explains a visitor who appreciated the spacious settings along the shoreline.
Family-friendly amenities: Hot Springs locations provide extensive recreation options. "Kid friendly. Great upkeep and sites that are easily accessible. Playground, splash pad, and pool. We were not able to access the pool because of the time of year, but we will definitely be back in warmer weather," shares a family who enjoyed the comprehensive facilities.
Privacy levels: The Ponds offers more secluded cabin options compared to busier state parks. Cabin spacing varies significantly between locations, with private cabins typically costing $20-35 more per night than those in higher-density areas.
Access to national parks: Many cabin renters use their accommodations as a base for exploring Hot Springs National Park. "About 10 minutes away from Hot Springs NP so good location for visiting there," mentions a visitor, highlighting the convenience of cabin accommodations for day trips.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular cabin locations book quickly, especially during summer months. For Hot Springs National Park KOA, visitors recommend reservations 2-3 months in advance for weekend stays from May-September.
Seasonal considerations: Fall offers more cabin availability and comfortable temperatures for hiking. "We had site 204 which is a back in site with FHU on driver's side. We loved this site because it was on the back side of the campground, near the dog park and lots of open space behind us to play with our dog," reports a visitor discussing site selection at Catherine's Landing.
Cabin types: Most locations offer various cabin configurations. "Stayed 2 nights in a basic one room cabin. Had a double bed and bunk bed. Heat/air and cable tv. Porch swing, fire ring and water at the site," explains a visitor describing KOA cabin amenities.
Noise factors: Some locations experience traffic noise or weekend activity. "The only reason I didn't give a 5 is the partying kids across from us. They partied hard cussing and loud music until 3 am two nights in a row," notes one Lake Catherine visitor, highlighting potential weekend noise issues.
Tips for camping with families
Cabin selection strategy: Choose lakefront options for direct water access. "We got the prime spot for tent camping. It was a haul to get all our gear to the end but they have carts available to help. Stayed here and then would travel to the hot springs NP," recommends a Lake Ouachita State Park visitor.
Age-appropriate trails: Petit Jean State Park offers family-friendly hiking options. "We spent most of our days hiking the many trails the park is known for. It was at peak Dogwood season, so the understory of the Forest was beautiful!" shares a visitor who enjoyed the accessible trails with children.
Swimming areas: Look for cabins with dedicated swimming access. "The campsites were walk up, which was mildly inconvenient at first, but ultimately a big plus with no vehicles driving by the actual sites. Being so close to the water kept the temperature comfortable, and having direct access to the lake was perfect for swimming," notes a Lake Ouachita visitor.
Evening activities: Several cabin locations offer ranger programs. "The rangers were great and offered a variety of informational classes and hikes. We will be back!" reports a visitor who appreciated the structured activities available for families.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many cabin and RV sites require adjustment. "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 a visitor to DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Connectivity options: WiFi and cell service vary significantly between locations. "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," notes a DeGray Lake visitor regarding connectivity challenges.
Check-in procedures: Several locations offer after-hours check-in. "We were late check-ins and they were extremely accommodating by placing our paperwork on the check-in board for us. Even in the dark our site was easy to find," shares a visitor who appreciated the flexible arrival process at Hot Springs National Park KOA.
Hook-up configurations: For those bringing RVs alongside cabin rentals, note site layouts. "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. The tent areas were in a disk golf field," advises a visitor about site selection at Catherine's Landing.
