Cabins near Bismarck, Arkansas provide access to the Ouachita Mountains region with elevations ranging from 600 to 2,700 feet. Located within driving distance of Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton, and Lake Catherine, cabin accommodations typically experience hot, humid summers with temperatures averaging 90-95°F and mild winters where temperatures rarely drop below freezing. Most cabin rentals require advance booking, particularly during summer months when water activities are most popular.
What to do
Hiking trails: Lake Catherine State Park features three distinct hiking paths, including the 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 a visitor to Lake Catherine State Park.
Water activities: Rent kayaks or boats at many locations for exploring the lakes. A camper at Catherine's Landing mentions, "The canoe, kayak and boat rentals are in good condition, the paved sites and roads are very smooth and level, the office/lodge and facilities are definitely above average here and quite modern."
Disc golf: Several cabin locations offer this increasingly popular activity. "Anything you can think of you can find here. Downside is you have to drive to access the lake," writes a reviewer about DeGray Lake State Park who enjoyed the disc golf amenities.
Fishing opportunities: Lake access from many cabin locations makes fishing convenient. "The water was just beautiful. We fished and skipped stones and if it had been a touch bit warmer, we would've even taken a dip in the water too," shares a camper who stayed at DeGray Lake Resort State Park with their family.
What campers like
Modern amenities: Many cabins offer unexpected conveniences. A visitor to Catherine's Landing noted, "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."
Lake access: Direct water access ranks high among cabin renters. According to one camper at Lake Ouachita State Park, "The campsites are on a small peninsula, so every site was right on the water. Being so close to the water kept the temperature comfortable, and having direct access to the lake was perfect for swimming."
Wildlife viewing: Many cabins provide opportunities to observe local fauna. "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," explains a visitor to DeGray Lake State Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and cabins receive frequent mention. "The facilities are updated and well maintained. The park has a couple hiking options along with the lake activities," notes a camper at Lake Catherine State Park.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Book well ahead, especially for summer weekends. A visitor to DeGray Lake Resort State Park advises, "Be sure to reserve well ahead of your desired dates."
Weather considerations: Rain can affect access roads to some cabin locations. "Be aware of the weather, as if it's raining hard, parts of this road are subject to being the pathway for the water to cross as it flows down the mountainside," cautions a camper who visited Brady Mountain.
Cell service variations: Signal strength differs significantly between cabin locations. A Brady Mountain Lake Ouachita visitor notes, "The cell signal on the 'down the hill' portion of the campground is pretty non-existent."
Varying privacy levels: Site spacing differs dramatically between locations. "The RV park is kinda small and all of the camper pull through spots are right on top of one another. It does have great views of the lake," mentions a camper at Treasure Isle R.V. Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Several locations offer swimming areas beyond just lake access. A visitor to Hot Springs National Park KOA shared, "The pool with splash park was well used by our kids. There is also a nice zip line course on the campground."
Kid-friendly programs: Educational opportunities are available at many parks. "The rangers were great and offered a variety of informational classes and hikes," noted a visitor at Lake Ouachita State Park.
Playground access: Many cabin locations include play areas. "There's an additional tent pad available if needed. 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 a repeat visitor to Lake Catherine State Park.
Family-sized accommodations: Cabin options accommodate various family sizes. "My husband, myself, our 10 year old son and another couple camped and 2 dogs in site #69. It was very nice site, we put up 2 tents," explains a camper at DeGray Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose carefully for the best experience. A visitor at Brady Mountain advises, "We arrived late at night and set up the yurt tent in the dark! The campground was alive with people laughing and having a good time. We woke up to clean, warm showers and beautiful scenery of the lake all around us."
Hookup variations: Water access points differ between parks. "All sites have water, 50/30 amp, sewer, cable, and wifi. Fire pits and picnic tables accompany all sites. There are a variety of sites ranging from waterfront back-in, pull-thrus, or interior back-in," explains a visitor to Catherine's Landing.
Level site considerations: Some areas require more leveling than others. A camper at Arlie Moore - De Gray Lake reported, "Nice campground on the north shore of DeGray Lake. Electricity only but water nearby. Clean bathhouses, swim beach and boat launch. Only complaint is sites aren't level. 33 was pretty steep for us!"
