Arkansas offers numerous glamping options close to Bluff City, featuring serene lake views and wooded campsites with varying levels of amenities. These sites range from rustic experiences to full-hookup accommodations, with elevations typically between 200-500 feet above sea level. Weather conditions remain relatively mild through spring and fall, while summer temperatures can exceed 90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Diamond hunting at Crater Park: Just 12 miles west of Bluff City at Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground, visitors can search for real diamonds. "The best time to take a trip to the Arkansas diamond fields is after a heavy rainstorm, but keep in mind that you will get muddy during your visit so always wear the appropriate clothes and shoes," advises one experienced visitor.
Scenic hiking trails: Multiple parks offer maintained trails through wooded areas with lake views. "Walking trail, Waterview walking, The Degray Lodge close to campground is perfection. Marina is great as well!" notes a camper at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Greeson provides excellent fishing conditions. A camper at COE Lake Greeson Parker Creek Campground mentions, "We stayed in site 14 right across from the lake. The bathrooms were clean and looked like they had just been updated."
What campers like
Private camping spots: Many campgrounds offer secluded sites despite their popularity. "This quiet campsite is more tailored to primitive/tent camping with spread out spots including picnic tables and grill pits. For $10 a night (March 1 - October 31), this was a nice rest stop to cool off for a swim and hang out away from city noise and light," notes a camper at Ozan Point - De Gray Lake.
Quality shower facilities: Facilities at many campgrounds receive positive reviews. "The bath house was super clean and the shower was good and hot with plenty of pressure. The step down into the shower kept the other area from getting so wet," comments a visitor at Alpine Ridge.
Proximity to diamond mining: The unique opportunity to hunt for diamonds attracts many campers. "This place has been great, we stayed for two nights and got to rent out equipment for free to go diamond mining and the woman on staff was very friendly," shares a camper at Murfeesboro RV Park.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts both comfort and activities. "Winter, Spring and Fall are the best seasons to visit. The diamond field is a large, unshaded field," advises a visitor at Crater of Diamonds.
Campsite selection matters: Not all sites are created equal. "Very large state campground right on the lake. Clean bathrooms with showers. Would be fantastic for families," notes a camper at Daisy State Park Campground.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across the area. "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," reports an RVer at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Look for parks with structured programming. "From our stay in Mar 15 2021. Lots of activities here, we enjoyed paddle boating, horse back riding and disc golf. 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," shares a visitor at DeGray Lake.
Swimming access: Several locations offer swimming areas with safety features. "Just this past weekend, my husband and 3 kiddos set up camp at Degray for a couple of nights. 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," notes a family camper.
Educational opportunities: Diamond mining provides learning experiences. "Took my littles and we had fun panning for a hot minute but the trails were good, the playground was good and the facilities were very clean! Something way out of our normal!" shares a parent visiting Crater of Diamonds.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campsites require significant leveling. "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 an RVer at DeGray Lake.
Road access considerations: Not all campgrounds have ideal road conditions. "The CG roads are paved, but narrow, winding, and fairly bumpy in spots," notes one RV camper describing DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites may be limited. "All camper sites have 50A, 30A & 15A service along with water, with really good water pressure. Hot shower and clean bathrooms to boot. They have picnic tables and a table for your cook stove, a grill and fire ring in all spots too," shares a camper at Caddo River Access RV Park.
