Best Glamping near Chester, AR

Awesome Small Campground! What a gem! 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. Has fire pit with grill, separate bbq, siting area and great hook ups. Bear proof refuge container on site as well. Half off if disabled! Site 3 wasn't completely level, but quick fix. Sights and hiking were breathtaking. No laundry, cable or wifi, but restrooms and showers were clean. Cell service was spotty. Gorgeous lodge with great overlooks and restaurant close by. A diamond in the rough.

This is a nice modern park on the shore of the man made Lake Fort Smith. To me, the most interesting parts of the park were destroyed in order to make the lake (and thus, the park); the Works Progress Administration (WPA) had several cabins and shelters on the property from building the dam and surrounding areas. However, they were flooded under when the lake filled. The ranger in the visitor’s center said the buildings were not able to be moved. There was a nice exhibit about the building of the park and the role of the WPA in the surrounding area. The campsites are all really RV only with water and electric, although most sites also have a tent pad. There were no other tent campers while I was there. The campground is really clean and well maintained; it seemed that the trash cans were emptied almost hourly by the nice fellow buzzing around in his golf cart. The bath house was super clean, too. There are some nice hiking trails, although none very long. However, this park marks the western end of the Ozark Highlands Trail that stretches across northern-ish Arkansas for 150+ miles. This might be a good starting or ending spot. The boat ramp seemed quiet, but that might have been the weather. If you are into group glamping, there are several lodges that are available that could house a small family to a small army.

This was our first time to visit an Oklahoma State Park! We were blown away by the beauty of this oasis! The waterfall is beautiful. The yurts are really cool! The park was busy with lots of campers and day use hikers as well as families picnicking. Great park!

First time here we stayed in a Yurt. Our group had 3 of the 5 Yurts and they were very well appreciated as the rain swamped some of the tents in our group.

2nd and 3rd trips here we stayed in our TT. Site #21 was awesome with electric, water and sewer hook ups as well as a lot of space all around our site. Site #18 was very cramped and only had electric and water hook ups. Our neighbor's water and electric hookup was literally closer than our picnic table. We walked around and found other sites with more space for next time.

The area is beautiful. Lots of trails, wildlife and a year round waterfall that is fed by a pump from a pond downstream. There is opportunity to fish in the pond. The waterfall is magnificent and can be viewed from an overlook that is easily accessible. The hike to the bottom and back out is moderately strenuous but there are places to take a break as needed.

Took a detour on our road trip to visit this park. There are tent sites, RV sites, and yurts available. Tent sites don't have electric and approximately half dont have water. Sites are equipped with fire ring, grill, and concrete tables. The park has some fantastic trails, just get someone taller than you walk ahead to clear the spider webs. There are playgrounds, a volleyball net, horseshoe setups, and paved walking paths.

Natural falls has been our weekend getaway spot for a few years now. It's normally pretty quiet, the hiking trails down to the falls are fun and challenging. They have added yurts which are pretty cool.

Tent camping is normally what we do and it's a great setup for that. The camping areas are spacious and flat for good easy tent setup. Water is centrally located in the middle of the campgrounds.

The restroom and shower areas have never been dirty and are always in clean working order. There is disc golf, a park, and playground equipment for your kids.

Definitely worth the visit.

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Nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks, Natural Falls State Park boasts a unique beauty which is unmatched through other state parks within Oklahoma. Perhaps best known for its beautiful waterfall, there are many other things to do here that make this a great place to visit during camping season. 

I visited during the summer months, it was hot and sticky outside, but slightly overcast making it a perfect day to visit and enjoy the park itself as well as some of the camping options. 

Exploring this park is fun as trails wind around and meander through some of the most beautiful areas of Oklahoma. If you are a person who likes mountains more than plains, this area of Oklahoma is one for you as lush tree coverage and rocky crags abound. 

The campsites themselves are pretty typical of an Oklahoma campground. 44 RV sites, also which can accommodate tent campers who are in need of power and 17 tent sites are available in addition to yurts they have on property. Yurts are pretty common in many Oklahoma State Parks in this region I have found. The sites are pretty standard with fire rings, picnic tables and some lantern hooks, just the basic ground work laid for you to set up your own unique adventures. 

When visiting I noticed that the Yurt section had no visitors during the week day and the campground itself was sparse as well. During the weekends I can imagine this fills up much more as it is a great place to visit. 

Visiting is fun with lots to do including the hiking trails however they also have playgrounds, volleyball and disc golf. The one downside for those visiting during the heat of summer however is, unlike many parks in Oklahoma which offer swimming beaches or pools, this park does not have any swimming resources. This was not a deal breaker for me personally but I would think for many it could be. 

A few things I noted that apply at the park that could be negatives to visitors passing through. They do currently have a reservation system, this can have both pros and cons. The reservation system is pretty easy to navigate but does state that on weekends you must book for the 2 days of the weekend no exceptions. When visiting the park in person I was told you can also get a site on the day of, however there is no guarantee of sites being available. Unlike many parks which hold a certain number for arrivals they are moving toward a fully online booking system like many other states.

We frequently take 412 from Tulsa to the Arkansas Ozarks and have always wondered what lies behind the gates of Natural Falls State Park. If you have to pay $5 a car it must be magnificent and grand, I thought every time I passed the turn off sign .5 mile from the city street that leads to the entrance. Well, it is a place you can stop at if you are late in the day and need a spot to camp without much fan fair or activities. The $5 day price is not worth it if you just want to hike and see the park as it is quite small and you can complete every trail in just a few hours if you tried. The falls itself is pretty nice for the area and would provide a pleasant respite from the road. As far as the campground goes, it is just as small as the park itself. It abuts a barb wire fence designating the difference between private property and the park and has some in vogue features such as yurts but the small size and the layout make it one I will not go back to. With 2 dogs who like to bark and a desire to go on longer hikes and activities, there just isn't much here for me. As far as the sites, the layouts were nice with a table and fire ring and adequate space but overall pretty forgetful.

Fairly small state park but they have a lot to do. They have 17 tent sites and about 45 RV sites. There are also nice looking yurts you can tent. Our tent site had a picnic table, lantern hook, charcoal grill and a fire ring. Bathrooms were clean and had flush toilets and a shower.

There are 4.5 miles of great hiking trails at the park. You can find some great hidden spots along the river and enjoy the quiet.

Of course, the best part of the park is the 77 foot tall waterfall. The hike to the bottom is fairly steep but there is a sidewalk that takes you to an overlook at the top.

The park has probably the longest disc golf course I’ve ever seen.

Overall, I highly recommend Natural Falls State Park.

General: Located near the Oklahoma/Arkansas border, this is a surprisingly quiet campground given its proximity to the highway. Once you reserve a site, you receive an e-mail instructing you to register your vehicle for a parking pass, which must be done prior to arrival. (There is a $10 charge for non-campers). You will then receive several updated e-mails and/or text messages. The weird thing is that the parking pass is activated at 9 am on the day you are scheduled to arrive, however, check-in to the campsite is not until 4 pm. The pass expires 24 hours later (9 am), however, check-out from the campground is not until 2 pm. I’m not sure if the parking fee is enforced in the campground or just in the day-use parking lot. 

Sites/Facilities: There is an RV loop and a tent loop. There are also five yurts. Sites 41-45 are VERY long pull-throughs that could easily fit two large RVs plus another vehicle. All other sites are back-in. All sites are paved. 

Bathhouse: Restrooms/showers are located between the tent and RV sites and are easily accessible to both sections. They were clean. I did not use the shower so cannot comment on this other than it looked clean. 

Activities/Amenities: The main attraction here is the short hike to see Dripping Springs. There are also other (paved) walking trails plus a volleyball net, basketball, disc golf, and catch and release fishing. There is a small store which is also where you check-in for camping. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

A gem of a state park in Oklahoma, it is a very popular destination. There is a day use charge of $5, which is included in the campground cost. First, the campground: There is separate tent and RV camping, but I think the RV portion is nicer. The tent area, “Airy Tent Area”, is in a small grassy section of the park, with few sites having enough trees to hang a hammock. If that is your thing, try to get a site on the outside edge that backs up against the woods. While there were picnic tables and grills, there didn’t really seem to be specific sites for tents, and there was no privacy. The playground and shower house are directly next to the tent area, which compounds the lack of privacy. However, you could choose to get a larger RV/Camper site in the woods. If you do that, try and get on the Bluff View loop. It was a pretty quiet campground at night, but I understand that it can be loud on nights that the cars are running on the nearby speedway across the road. There are Yurts available for rent in the back of the park behind the falls if that is your thing (not sure how much they cost a night; might be fun for a night if they aren’t too expensive). The park: a beautiful park for hiking and hanging out. There are a few nice trails for hiking, though none are very long or difficulty. You can hike out and around the falls as well as along the creek at the bottom of the falls. There are some beautiful bridges over the creek/river as well. It’s understandable why this park was the location for the movie “Where The Red Fern Grows”. There is also a pretty little botanical garden and nice lawns for picnicking.

The campground is a hidden gem. The RV and primitive camping are clean and well-maintained. The bathroom/shower requires a passcode to enter and is always clean to use. It's a great escape for off-roading and overloading. Be sure to stop by the Oark Cafe in Oark, Arkansas, which is a 25-minute drive from the campground. They serve one of the best burgers in Arkansas (Wednesday-Sunday).

Near the Mulberry River and White Rock recreation area, the facility is an off road enthusiasts playground! Trails directly into the outback from the facility. Plants of space to stretch out and enjoy the deep Forrest areas of Arkansas

The views, as other reviewers have said, are impressive and the Rim Trail is worth doing any time of day and any season.

One warning on the cabins though - in summer be prepared for some bugs.  Stayed in Cabin B in August one summer with my wife, who is tougher than anything but spiders.  I would have been wise to get there a couple hours earlier and let her relax while I cleaned the place thoroughly.  They were pretty thick throughout.

It's not that they're dirty, it's just that they're old buildings which aren't used every day surrounded by forest.  Naturally, you get spiders, rodents, etc.   It didn't bother me at all, but it did her.  Water pressure and hot water were not what one would hope if you want a shower as well.  

We both enjoyed the setting, loved the cabin otherwise, and loved the hikes.  We've done day hikes there with the kids' since, and in a prior visit 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, and I grew up in the country! 

Still recommend White Rock, but if you're considering the cabins it's worth bringing cleaning supplies.  Even with that, they're a great bargain.

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. All sites were level for both campers and tents  Each site had a good table, fire pit and lantern pole.  The only drawback is the limited hiking options but the lake offers opportunities to fish and boat.  This park was a surprise as we were scouting the area.  We will be back

Got a nice little spot on the lake to do some hammock camping for two nights. Was able to get this spot within the week which was a surprise as busy as it was. Campground is close to Rogers, Arkansas if you need any supplies. I used it as a gateway to head in to the Ozark National Forest which is about 1.5 hours away.

Great state park. Checked out Arkansas high point of course. Hike some trails, enjoyed the views and rock formations. Tent camping area was very clean, with nice flat tent pad surface to set up tent on. Also ate a very nice meal on Easter Sunday at the lodge. Saw several deer while we were there. Definitely recommend this state park to others. Hope to go there again some day.

I grew up in Arkansas but had never been here until this past winter. It's an absolutely beautiful place.

I can't wait to return here for summer activities. Awesome lodge with great food, the best view I have seen in ages. The park staff was also great and very helpful. One day we were there the visibility was nil, turns out we were in low clouds, not fog. Pretty cool.

This is a very nice state park that mostly offers hiking and beautiful views. We stayed in our camper, but there is a beautiful lodge and a good restaurant here as well. The hike up to the highest point in Arkansas is easy and family friendly for kids. Campground and bathhouse were well maintained and nice. Camping spots are spaced out pretty well. We enjoyed our visit here!

Mount Magazine is a beautiful State Park with great hiking trails. We hiked Signal Hill (highest point in Arkansas) and the North Rim Trail. Both were beautiful. This is a great place for families to camp. There is a welcome center with a small gift shop. Our campsite was spacious with water and electric although we were tent camping. Shower and bathroom facilities were nice and clean. They also had a place to hang glide. We checked out some of the cabins for future options, and they looked amazing with beautiful views.

We stayed in a Monday night in early November and there were only two other groups in the tent loop. The TV loop seemed a little busier. The shower house is right next to the RV loop and a bit of a walk from the tents. We had a picnic table and fire ring. The campground is not far from a busy road so we had some noise. Conveniently located near a large town in Arkansas for supplies and good cell signal. We did the short hike to the falls and they were gorgeous. $16 for the night.

We made a return trip in the late fall to Mt Mag and ended up in the unofficial campground on the back side of the park.  The sites had a table and a fire pit along with a pit toilet.  Mt Mag has some amazing trails and view to explore.  The park also has a lodge if that is your thing that over looks the Arkansas valley below. The staff at the visitor center was friendly and helpful in directing us on which hikes to take in the area.  I would defiantly recommend making reservations if you want to stay in establish camp.

Found this gem tucked away in Northwest Arkansas. Corps of Engineers Campground. Very well-maintained. Gorgeous lake with lots of lakefront sites. Several bathhouses. Some with vault toilets but some with flush toilets and showers. Sites have electric but not water so fill your tank before you come.

Swimming area was very spacious. Nice playground for kids. (Closed currently due to COVID.) Dump station has easy access.

Sites are in several smaller groups so it would be great for camping with friends and family. Paved, smooth roads in and out. Quiet and good spacing between sites. Deer roaming around throughout. Fantastic price for lakeside camping.

Located beyond a perfectly canopied gravel road and surrounded by miles of mostly uninhabited forests White Rock Mountain has been the most delightful treasure of 2016. When we arrived at 10:00 PM, the full moonlight guided us as we set up camp, later able able to watch the stars through our open tent (which was much needed during this hot Arkansas summer). When we awoke, shortly after dawn, we hiked the cliffs' edge where we saw miles of inviting green landscape. As our hike around the mountain progressed we saw much vegetation and wildlife! Once the hours grew hotter we decided to leave for a swim in the Mulberry, learning that a trail leads all the way down the mountain meeting the winding road in several locations. Despite having slight reservations with a toddler, I'm looking forward to our next experience at White Rock.