28 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several cabin rentals near Blue Mountain, Arkansas provide comfortable accommodations within the Ozark Mountains. Mount Magazine State Park Campground offers cabins with electricity, heating, and air conditioning, along with picnic tables and fire rings. Lake Ouachita State Park features both standard cabins and camper cabins without bathrooms. "The cabins are adorable and feel like they are out of the 1970's but well worth the experience," noted one visitor about the Highway 27 Fishing Village cabins. Petit Jean State Park provides cabin options with lake views, while Cove Lake Complex includes rustic cabin rentals in a more secluded setting.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Most state park cabins require advance reservations, especially during summer months when availability becomes limited. Mount Magazine's cabins dot the ridge line with views of the valley below, while Lake Ouachita offers camper cabins with heat and air conditioning but no bathrooms. Pet policies vary by location, with many state parks allowing leashed pets in designated cabins. A camper noted that Mount Magazine is "a mountaintop oasis in NW AR" with cabins that offer "beautiful views of the valley."
Most furnished cabins include beds and basic furniture, but visitors typically need to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities vary widely, from fully equipped kitchens in some state park cabins to minimal cooking options in more rustic accommodations. Propane stoves are available at some sites, while others provide only outdoor fire rings with cooking grates. Small camp stores at larger parks like Mount Magazine and Lake Ouachita offer basic provisions, though selection is limited. Visitors staying in log cabins at more remote locations should stock up on supplies before arrival, as the nearest grocery stores may be 30 minutes or more away.
"Nice shady spot with a picnic table, grill and fire pit. Was also a space for a tent. The picnic table had a few steps up to it."
"Not a glamping campground, but beautiful peaceful change. Only 16 sites, with only 2, 50 amp sites. We were lucky enough to get one. Site is huge and private."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"We stayed as a group (three families with 7 kiddos total, ranging from 6-15), across two adjacent sites: 1 & 3."
"There is swimming, boating, (stocked) fishing, hiking, and pretty drives. Absolutely beautiful lake surrounded by green that would be incredible in the fall!"
"Steep and fun drive to get to this campground. Sites are big and spaces are wide creating a very nice experience. Short hike from the campground is the overlook road and the views are incredible!"
"But on cloudy days, hikes on the various trails are surreal! And it’s only a short hike to the tallest point in AR - 2753ft above sea level"
"This lake and the trails around it were absolutely gorgeous. Not far from Mt Magazine and the water was so clean and the campgrounds were fantastic."
"We enjoyed our stay at Cove Lake. The campsite we stayed at was right on the lake with a pretty view of the nearby mountains. The swimming area is pretty large and nice."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Our first time in Petit Jean State Park and hopefully not our last! The area is so beautiful and the park is clean. We stayed in one of the yurts."
"PROS No reservation transaction fee
Senior discount
Quiet
Moveable metal picnic table on a concrete pad, pedestal BBQ grill, fire ring with cooking grate, and one hook lantern pole
Site 14 partially"
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"The State Park systems in the US are some of our favorite places to find beautiful camping spots, but Lake Dardanelle State Park in Arkansas tops most of them all."
"The park is clean and decently maintained. Great welcome center with aquarium displays that are quite informative."
"Definitely my favorite park in Arkansas so far. It’s a really big park at the lake with lots to do. I was there in the fall so I didn’t do any lake stuff but still had a great time tent camping."
"This is an absolutely beautiful state park 30 minutes Northwest of Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is massive with a Marina, multiple swimming beaches, RV and tent camping plus cabin rentals."
"White Rock Mountain Recreation Area, in the western Arkansas Ozarks, has a campground with 9 tent sites. One of these is a large group site. 8 sites are arranged along a gravel loop road."
"The drive to White Rock is part of the fun. The campground, general store, and cabins are all at the top of the mountain."
from $15 - $215 / night
Check Availability"The one thing you notice as you pull into this park is the updated facilities. The state of Arkansas has put in a real effort to make the outdoor experience a nice as possible in their state parks."
"This is a nice modern park on the shore of the man made Lake Fort Smith."
from $23 - $163 / night
Check Availability"The facility is located on 800 acres surrounded by the Ozark National Forest and Mulberry River."
"The store is well stocked an has ice cream and fresh foods. The restaurant is pretty awesome as well. Food is YUM!"
from $10 - $22 / night
Check Availability
ScoutWe stayed in the tini cabin because it was 98* out, and we were sun burnt from digging crystals. It had an AC, shower, full bathroom, kitchen, TV, a charcoal grill with charcoal, and the camp host brought over fire wood with no charge.
RangerDefinitely my favorite park in Arkansas so far. It’s a really big park at the lake with lots to do. I was there in the fall so I didn’t do any lake stuff but still had a great time tent camping. There’s a nice hiking trail to explore. Also, the bathrooms were the cleanest I’ve ever seen at a state park. All the tent sites have a gravel pad, grill, picnic table and fire ring. There are also walk in tent sites on the peninsula which are nice and quiet. If you get one at the end I’d say it’s probably 200 meters to the parking lot and bathrooms. I peeked into one of the cabins and they look really nice. They also have camper cabins that have heat/air but no bathroom. In all there are 93 RV/tent sites, 8 cabins and 4 camper cabins. The park is also near Hot Springs so there is lots to do.
GuideThis is an absolutely beautiful state park 30 minutes Northwest of Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is massive with a Marina, multiple swimming beaches, RV and tent camping plus cabin rentals.
We stayed in campground Area A, on a concrete pad with tons of space around the camper. Many RV sites overlook Lake Ouachita, though ours didn’t.
If you are there over a weekend, I highly recommend taking the sunset tour by the park service at the marina. It is two hours, $10 per adult and stunning. With the recent heat wave it was also much cooler then the afternoon cruises.
TravelerOur first time in Petit Jean State Park and hopefully not our last! The area is so beautiful and the park is clean. We stayed in one of the yurts. The kids enjoyed the geese right outside the door and at night, the deer came out only feet from the yurt. The yurt itself is was as expected. Only beds inside with one table, 4 chairs and a fan. It does have electricity inside but no water. Outside is a nice deck, propane stove, water faucet, fire ring, picnic table and bbq pit. It also has a canoe available for use with each yurt. The boathouse was not too far away and well maintained. There is a very nice pool on the grounds also. We really enjoyed the hiking trails.
LegendPROS
No reservation transaction fee
Senior discount
Quiet
Moveable metal picnic table on a concrete pad, pedestal BBQ grill, fire ring with cooking grate, and one hook lantern pole
Site 14 partially shady
Good condition asphalt parking pad with gravel and grass surrounding
Good view of lake from Site 14
Sites well spaced
Campground A toilet/shower building clean and sufficiently stocked. Heated but not air conditioned.
Site 14 more than long enough for trailer and tow vehicle
Dark sky friendly as there are no street lights in Campground A
Very nice 6ft wide asphalt bike trail from Campground B to Mather Lodge
(approximately 1.75 miles) CCC Hike and Bike Trail
New Visitor Center built 2021
Beautiful CCC built Mather Lodge
(restaurant added in 2012)
Grass throughout campground mowed
Firewood sold in the yards of residences along State Road 154
CONS
Site 14 extremely unlevel side to side
No privacy from other campsites
No entrance security gate to the park or any campgrounds as State Road 154 cuts thru the park
No park ranger drive thrus
Mather Lodge Restaurant OK. Don't expect much from the menu or service but it has a full bar
3 of our 4 day stay there was a religious group prophetlytizing at the Park Visitor Center WIFI only at Lodge and Visitors Center
NO TMOBILE service
GuideWe stayed here while en route to SWMO. Hubby had been in the area working 10-15 years ago and knew quite a few of his colleagues had stayed at this park while working. We knew it was not far from the highways. Park was clean and mowed, but couldn't really distinguish the unpaved roads/pull-throughs from the grass. Gravel needs to be redone. Driving through the park, the back in sites were needing some maintenance and gravel work as well. There were very few signs pointing directions upon arrival and we had come into the park through the exit. We were asked if we had used Google Maps to navigate(yes, we had and we weren't the only ones as several others entered from Newberry). The entrance is off of Hwy 71, just on the north side of the church(Park entrance& church lot are shared). One centralized dumpster beside the propane tank/fill, pool& office. Cabins available for rental. Mostly residential in the North side of the park. Fishing pond for catch& release. Used to be, from the looks, an old KOA from the color scheme and some of the signs had a faded emblem. Park is dated. Staff was friendly and helpful. Our site was B-1. Right beside the exit on Newberry Rd. Mixture of gravel& grass. Picnic table, BBQ grill, and fire pit, although we were in a burn ban. Level, did not need blocks. It was quiet enough in our camper at night, but could tell when people left for work in the morning. It served our purpose to park our camper while we explored Ft. Smith and surrounding areas during the day; however, if back in the area we will stay elsewhere(cheaper places with more amenities). We camped at Fort Smith/ Alma RV Park in a Travel Trailer.
GuideCamping in the state park of lake ouachita in a tent. never. been. better. was on site T04 for tents and basically sites t01-t11(maybe 12) are on a small peninsula with the lake on both sides. you can go swimming in the lake right off the back of your campsite. they have charcoal grills at each site as well as a fire pit that has a grill over itnfor cooking things over the fire. there is a concrete pad with a picnic table as well as a separate pad on compacted dirt for your tent and then plenty of space in your campsite for other things. you can’t beat the views. the bathrooms are the cleanest an moat upsated Ive seen in a camp ground (and I’ve worked in one) and the showers are great. never felt afraid of wild animals roaming the sites while walking to the bathroom in the dark or anything. the staff in the office is friendly. they offer boat rentals for cheap as well as expeditions to partake in. theres also camper and rv sites and cabIns available, a marina to bring your boat, and fun activities for kids! theres a few different trails to hike around the campground. we went on a moderate 4 mile hike and walked to the trailhead from the campsIte. a great hike with awesome views of the lake and you dont have to drive to the trailhead! couldn’t recommend this place enough!
GuideWe stayed at an RV site at Cameron Campground, #2. Nice shady spot with a picnic table, grill and fire pit. Was also a space for a tent. The picnic table had a few steps up to it.
This site is at the entrance, we might have preferred something at the back. Everyone coming in or out drove by our spot. But the neighbors were all very quiet.
The bathhouse had two showers, several toilets.
Several signs up say beware of bears, but we didn't see any.
We saw LOTS of deer.
Be prepared for a long winding road up the mountain. It's not overly steep, but it takes a while to get ANYWHERE in this part of Arkansas.
Went to Cove Lake (11 miles away, about a 20 minute drive) to fish, but didn't stay long, and didn't catch anything. Cove lake has camping but no hookups.
TravelerWe stayed a week at Petit Jean in one of their gorgeous cabins. It was a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend. The check-in and check-out was easy. Finding the cabin was easy with the directions and map we were given. They were clearly marked, with parking for two vehicles, as they were setup like a duplex. The cabin was beautiful and clean, inside and out. There was a large, heavy, all wood porch swing on each side. Relaxing in it was a peaceful experience, listening to the sounds of birds and the breeze through the tall pines. Inside it was all beautifully stained wood and roomy enough for two people, much like a hotel room, except for the cathedral ceiling. In fact, the setup was better than most hotel rooms we have stayed in. There was a mini-fridge with a small freezer, microwave, coffee pot(with coffee, cups, creamer, sugar, etc,) a Keurig, blow-dryer, iron, ironing board, and broom. It had all the toiletries: soap, shampoo, conditioner, tissue, cups. The open closet had plenty of shelving and hangers for clothing and bags. The bathroom was standard with water that quickly got hot for your bath or shower. There were two full size beds with comfortable mattresses, plenty of pillows and warm bedding, with a nightstand between. There were plugs to charge your phone and a landline. There was also a fireplace, however it was locked closed. The air unit in the room had cooling/heating that was easy to operate and sufficiently cool. We were near the highway, close to the lodge, but did not hear traffic while in the cabin. Parking at Mather Lodge is just like any other, with a short, easy walk to the entrance. Once inside, you pass the check-in desk, a small, well-stocked gift shop,(with something for every age,) an open meeting area and bar before reaching the restaurant. It is beautifully constructed from large logs stained and polished to a gleaming shine. From floor to ceiling, it is the epitome of rugged elegance. We ate breakfast and dinner exclusively at the lodge. The food was exemplary, every meal, cooked to perfection and delicious. The atmosphere was relaxing and we were never rushed or made to feel as if we overstayed our welcome. The service was fast, even when every table was occupied. The servers were friendly and attentive. We had only one server, one time that was"less than," maybe she was new, not sure, but we did not see her again. Tommy, Thomas, Jessie, Brad, Rebekah, and Lindsay were all so pleasant, always greeting us, even when they weren't our servers, remembering us and making us feel like family. The view of the gorge with it's tall trees and towering rock formations was incredible! There was a common area behind the lodge, just outside the restaurant with tables, chairs and benches for observing the gorge, taking photos, relaxing and socializing. You could walk right down to the edge of the huge flat rocks for photos with a stunning background. We spent every evening there, watching the exquisite sunsets. This place is a nature lovers paradise. There is a pool surrounded by loungers behind and to the side of the lodge. It was clean and well-kept with a small waterfall at one end. Thick thirsty towels are provided for your convenience. The grounds are beautifully maintained. We never saw or heard a mower but the grass was cut to perfection and there wasn't a single piece of litter in the entire park. At check-in we were given a map, brochure and weekly schedule of events/tours at the park. The map was very necessary for navigating around this extensive park of which the lodge area was only a small part. The brochure described the hikes and other available activities(such as climbing and repelling) with descriptions of what could be observed, length and difficulty levels. Trust the brochure! If it says strenuous, it is. Plan accordingly. There were four ranger guided tours the week we were there. We took two of them. They were genuinely interesting and pleasurable. Baron, our ranger, was exceedingly knowledgeable about the geology, animal and plant life and history of the area. Exceptionally so, for someone who was seemingly so young. He was attentive to the needs of those attending the tours, stopping to rest if necessary and moving a bit slower for us older folks. He was so affable and easy to talk with, it seemed as if we were old friends. Willing to spend extra time after the tours, talking with us, was an indication of how much he enjoyed his job. We were very appreciative of someone of his character and enjoyed spending time with him. He is the perfect model of what one would think a park ranger is and should be! Any hike can be taken unguided and there are plenty of them. In fact, we had plans to go outside the park on other hikes, but never made it off the property for those. We actually did not have enough time to do all we wanted to do within the park. If you are looking for a phenomenal vacation, this is the trip you should take!
Cabins near Blue Mountain, Arkansas dot the Ozark National Forest region where elevation reaches 2,753 feet at the summit of Mount Magazine. Winter temperatures in cabin areas often drop 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands, making heat sources essential for comfort during overnight stays. Most forest service cabins and state park accommodations require reservations at least 6 months in advance for peak seasons.
Hiking to overlooks: At Mount Magazine State Park Campground, trails offer varying technical difficulty levels. "The hike up to the highest point in Arkansas is easy and family friendly for kids," notes Jeremy C. "The various trails are well marked and offer several levels of technical expertise."
Kayaking and canoeing: Cove Lake Complex provides boat rentals directly on site. "Boating, fishing, swimming, cabins available, lots of trails to hike," says James N. Taryn S. adds: "Boat rentals right onsite, concessions, even a small beach area!"
Rock climbing opportunities: Mount Magazine stands out as one of few parks offering climbing opportunities. "Magazine is one of the few parks that offers climbers great opportunities to work their skills. The park essentially sits on top of a bluff that is nearly surrounded on all sides by straight rock face," explains a visitor.
Cabin privacy levels: White Rock Mountain Recreation Area offers secluded cabin options with panoramic views. "The views are exquisite. The people are warm and inviting. The cabins are very comfortable and clean," says Shelia H. However, Matt B. notes: "One warning on the cabins though - in summer be prepared for some bugs."
Year-round accessibility: Cabin availability varies seasonally. "We stayed in overflow site was great beautiful views," mentions Steve S. about Mount Magazine's alternative options when cabins fill up. The elevation means weather patterns differ from lowland areas.
Waterfront cabin locations: Lake Ouachita State Park Campground features cabins with direct water access. "The cabins are beyond wonderful to stay in and well worth the price. Beautiful scenery and tons of activities for the whole family to enjoy," notes Josh H. Another camper adds: "Mount Magazine's cabins dot the ridge line with views of the valley below."
Road conditions: Some cabin areas require careful driving. About White Rock Mountain, Clarissa F. warns: "The twisty, steep, narrow dirt road makes for quite an adventure. It has many large rocks in the road and the decently sized potholes."
Seasonal temperature differences: Cabins at elevation experience significant temperature variations. One visitor noted about Mount Magazine: "The temperature is literally about 10-15 degrees cooler on the mountain than below. One night we were there it got down to mid teens."
Bathroom facilities: Cabin bathroom options vary widely. Petit Jean State Park cabins typically include private facilities, while others may have shared accommodations. "So here's the thing, me and my partner do not like fruit, fruit and frills. I'd rather be in the middle of the woods with out a bathroom in sight, then having loads of facilities. But something about this location, turns all of that on its head for us," explains Elise A.
Playground access: Most cabin areas lack dedicated play spaces. "For anyone with kids, I would say at the outset that this isn't a very kid-friendly park. No playgrounds, very, very mountainous, and generally just not a park for kids," notes a visitor about Mount Magazine.
Swimming options: Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground offers family-friendly water activities. "Recreational area with a playground that is updated," notes Ryan S. Another camper mentions: "There is a pool at the park as well."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Forest cabins provide chances to spot native animals. "We were able to listen to a Barred Owl before going to sleep," shares Greg D. about Cove Lake Complex. Another visitor mentioned: "I saw a bear go lumbering in front of my truck on the road to White Rock. Only time in 40+ years I've seen a bear in the wild in Arkansas."
Site leveling requirements: Cabins typically have level foundations, but RV sites vary. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level," reports Ryan S. about Petit Jean State Park.
Water and electric hookup locations: Connection placement can be problematic at some sites. "Many sites have water and the picnic table on the opposite sides of the camper. It's purely inconvenient and I'm not sure why this is this way. Pay attention when you book your site to campsite photos," advises a frequent camper.
Winter RV camping considerations: Cabins provide better winter insulation than RVs. "If you're a hiker, photographer or someone who can't wait to chase down the spectacular view, this park is for you," notes a winter visitor about Mount Magazine's off-season appeal, though RVs must prepare for temperature drops and potential freezing of water lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Blue Mountain, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Blue Mountain, AR is Mount Magazine State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Blue Mountain, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 28 cabin camping locations near Blue Mountain, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
