The Ouachita Mountains region surrounding Bluff City, Arkansas offers varied cabin camping options at elevations between 300-500 feet. Water levels at DeGray Lake maintain an average summer temperature of 82°F, creating favorable conditions for recreation alongside cabin accommodations. Winter cabin campers can expect nighttime temperatures dropping to the low 30s from December through February.
What to do
Hiking trails: DeGray Lake Resort State Park features walking trails with educational components. "Each trail had a information board where you can scan a QR code to know more about the trail, what made it unique and what to look out for while you are out there," notes one visitor, highlighting the park's commitment to interactive nature experiences.
Wildlife photography: The area's diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife viewing. As one DeGray Lake Resort State Park camper mentions, the park is "Great place for photo enthusiast with Beautiful sunsets and an abundance of wildlife."
Golfing options: Some cabin locations offer golf access. "I do not golf however they have a pretty nice golf course," writes a DeGray Lake visitor, referring to the Diamond Trail golf course located across from camping areas.
Water recreation: Cabin sites often provide direct water access. One camper at Arlie Moore - De Gray Lake reports, "Water is warm and I swim less than 20 feet from my tent. Highly recommend tent sites 74, 75 and 76. Breathtaking views of the lake."
What campers like
Lake swimming access: Many cabins provide direct swimming opportunities. "There are yurts available for rental. Great swimming beaches and shore fishing are available too," notes a camper at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Wildlife encounters: The region's forests attract diverse wildlife. "Several nights you would hear the coyotes howling," writes one Arlie Moore visitor, adding to the natural experience of cabin camping in the area.
Scenic views: Many cabins offer direct lake vistas. "The sunrise and sunsets are serene. This is a very laid back area to camp," reports a Caddo River Access RV Park visitor who appreciated the waterfront scenery.
Level camping spots: Jubilee Farms Campground offers "All level spots with good power and water. Great place to see the stars. Fresh eggs to boot!" according to a recent visitor, highlighting the practical aspects of this location for cabin and RV campers.
What you should know
Varied amenities: Cabin facilities range widely across the region. "Yurts look very nice and have lots of amenities," notes one DeGray Lake visitor, while cabins at other locations may offer more basic accommodations.
Weather considerations: Some trails become difficult after rain. "Some trails were soggy but it had been raining for a few days making it difficult to get past. Some signs indicating this could have helped us stay off the trails," reports a Arkadelphia Campground & RV Park visitor.
Site selection importance: Not all cabin and RV sites are created equal. "Some camping on the lake but a lot of the sites cannot see the lake," cautions a DeGray Lake Resort camper, emphasizing the need to research specific site locations before booking.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between locations. "The bathrooms are bad, riddled with bugs and spiders and pretty prison like," notes one Arlie Moore visitor, while others at different locations report clean facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Some locations offer specific children's facilities. "They had cleaned all play areas and set up toys for young kids," reports a visitor at Miners Camping & Rock Shop, which also offers cabin accommodations starting at $38 nightly.
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer interactive learning. "I also highly recommend The Island Trail by the lodge and my son loved the snake talk and snake skin bookmark event," shares a DeGray Lake Resort visitor.
Activity variety: Look for locations with multiple options. "We enjoyed paddle boating, horse back riding and disc golf," states a DeGray visitor, highlighting the importance of diverse activities for family cabin stays.
Water safety: Consider locations with designated swimming areas. "Right across from the campsite was a trail to the water, which was very convenient! We took our kayaks down and were able to swim in the water right there," notes a camper who appreciated the safe water access.
Tips from RVers
Cell service reliability: Coverage varies significantly. "We had great Verizon service with the use of a cellphone booster. Without the booster service was fair depending where you are," reports an Edgewood Cabins and RV Park visitor, noting an important consideration for those working remotely from cabins.
Hookup availability: Check specific hookup types before booking. "Sewer water and electric good wifi this place is in development adding more sites bathe house and laundry to be built," notes an Edgewood Cabins visitor, highlighting the expanding amenities.
Space considerations: Site dimensions vary between locations. "The area for RVs is pretty cramped with no privacy," warns a Miners Camping & Rock Shop visitor, suggesting cabin options might be preferable at certain locations.
After-hours arrival: Some locations accommodate late check-ins. "Got there after hours, picked up an envelope to pay when we left & you can drop it in their office mail slot or mail it in. Easy peasy!" reports a visitor to Arkadelphia Campground & RV Park.
