DeGray Lake Resort State Park offers a range of camping and glamping options in Arkansas, located within a 70-mile radius of Chidester. The park spans across 13,800 acres, with elevations ranging from 174 to 248 feet above sea level. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters where overnight temperatures can drop below freezing.
What to do
Wildlife photography opportunities: At DeGray Lake Resort State Park, visitors can capture exceptional wildlife images. "Depending on where you are in the park you can see the Ouachita mountains in the horizon. Great place for photo enthusiast with Beautiful sunsets and an abundance of wildlife," shares Tina B.
Diamond mining adventures: The Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground offers a unique opportunity to hunt for precious stones. "The Crater of Diamonds State Park is an exciting place full of rich history and, of course, finding lots of rough diamonds... this park sets itself apart from anywhere else by allowing visitors to keep any diamonds that they find," explains Prospector J.
Lake swimming access: The clean waters at Alpine Ridge - De Gray Lake provide excellent swimming spots. "Some spots are reservation only and run about $20 or less depending on the hookups... even a swimming beach (when the lake is up)," notes Cultivating Fire L.
What campers like
Secluded waterfront sites: Ozan Point - De Gray Lake offers quiet camping away from crowds. "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," shares Cultivating Fire L.
Clean, maintained facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high on visitor priorities. "The CG is clean and well maintained but showing its age. The CG roads are paved, but narrow, winding, and fairly bumpy in spots," notes Ray & Terri F. about their DeGray Lake experience.
Variety of trail options: Multiple hiking trails with educational features enhance the glamping in Chidester, Arkansas region. "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. This was new to us and kept us curious," mentions P about DeGray Lake.
What you should know
Weather-dependent mining conditions: When planning a trip to Murfeesboro RV Park near the diamond fields, timing matters. "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 Prospector J.
Connectivity limitations: Cell service and internet access vary widely across the region's campgrounds. "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 Ray & Terri F. about DeGray Lake.
Seasonal water levels: Lake access can change throughout the year. "Lake was low at the time, but the beach area is nice," reports Duke L. about Alpine Ridge, highlighting the importance of checking current conditions before planning water activities.
Tips for camping with families
Amenities for kids: Many glamping options near Chidester, Arkansas cater specifically to families. "We enjoyed paddle boating, horse back riding and disc golf. They had cleaned all play areas and set up toys for young kids," mentions P about DeGray Lake.
Diamond hunting with children: Make diamond searching educational and age-appropriate. "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 Becca H. about Crater of Diamonds.
Multi-generational activities: The Mill Pond Village RV Park provides a convenient base for family explorations around Hot Springs. Located near numerous attractions, it offers full hookups for families traveling with different accommodation needs.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for leveling: Choose your site carefully at DeGray Lake. "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 Ray & Terri F.
Shower facilities worth noting: Bathroom quality varies between campgrounds. "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," reports Brent & Lisa A. about Alpine Ridge.
Reservation timing: Plan ahead, especially for popular campgrounds during peak seasons. "Be sure to reserve well ahead of your desired dates," advises Jason W. about DeGray Lake, noting that the popular sites fill quickly, particularly during summer months and weekends.
