Lake Ouachita State Park and Lake Catherine State Park offer popular yurt camping options near Bismarck, Arkansas, with elevations ranging from 600-700 feet above sea level. The terrain features rolling hills covered with pine and hardwood forests surrounding crystal-clear lakes. Winter temperatures generally remain above freezing with occasional light snow, making these camping destinations accessible year-round with proper preparation.
What to do
Hiking the Falls Branch Trail: Lake Catherine State Park features several well-marked trails with varying difficulty levels. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," shares Alison C. The trail leads to a scenic waterfall that changes with seasonal rainfall.
Kayaking on calm waters: Ouachita Lake provides excellent paddling opportunities with minimal boat traffic. A visitor to Lake Catherine notes, "It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water." Rentals are available at most parks for those without their own equipment.
Diamond hunting: Crater of Diamonds State Park offers a unique attraction where visitors can search for genuine diamonds. "The Crater of Diamonds plows their fields, but the implements only turn over the top two feet of dirt repeatedly. Diamonds are found in gravel deposits within the mind field," explains Prospector J. The best time to search is after rainfall.
What campers like
Waterfront campsites: DeGray Lake Resort State Park provides sites with unobstructed lake views. "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. Many waterfront sites include concrete pads for easy setup.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: The parks around Bismarck prioritize cleanliness. At Catherine's Landing, a camper observed, "The park is immaculate and the grounds crew is really amazing, cleaning every site thoroughly before the next camper arrives. Trash pickup at your site every morning. Bathrooms and showers are very clean."
Educational opportunities: Park rangers provide informative programs throughout the year. "The rangers were great and offered a variety of informational classes and hikes," says Josh H. about Lake Ouachita State Park. Many trails include QR codes with information about local flora, fauna, and geology.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer heat can be intense, especially at exposed areas. "Very hot Diamond mining in the summer as there is very little to no shade in the crater," warns Larry at Crater of Diamonds State Park. Early morning or evening activities are recommended during peak summer months.
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly, particularly waterfront locations. "This SP will fill up quickly in the spring and fall, reservations are recommend," advises Chad K. about Lake Catherine. For yurt camping near Bismarck, Arkansas, booking 3-6 months in advance is often necessary.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience occasional disruptions. "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," reports tiffany H. at Lake Catherine State Park. Midweek stays typically offer quieter experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Catherine's Landing offers multiple water-based activities for children. "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," notes Bridget C. The splash pad remains operational during most of the camping season.
Kid-friendly exploration: Natural areas provide safe opportunities for children to explore. "We came with little kids and they explored their hearts out. Along the river there's a trail and fun places for the kids to play and play. They made a 'treehouse' and it was hours worth of fun," shares Lauren N. about Catherine's Landing.
Cart accessibility: Some parks provide equipment to help transport camping gear. At Lake Ouachita State Park, "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," explains Taylor C. These carts are particularly helpful for families with young children and multiple bags.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for big rigs: "We did have 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," shares Jennifer H. about Catherine's Landing. Corner sites typically offer more space for slide-outs and outdoor activities.
Hookup variations: Water access differs between parks. "There are no water hook-ups at the sites, only electric," warns Melissa T. about Brady Mountain - Lake Ouachita. RVers should arrive with fresh water tanks filled at parks without direct connections.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require additional equipment for proper setup. "Ended up with a 3 inch riser to level the trailer side to side, which puts the first step about 17 inches up," notes Wayne J. about site 30 at Crater of Diamonds State Park. Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended for mountainous areas.
