The Ouachita and Ozark Mountains surrounding Mansfield, Arkansas offer elevated glamping sites between 1,000 and 2,750 feet above sea level. These areas experience temperature differences of 10-15 degrees cooler than lower elevations, creating distinct microclimates for campers. Winter temperatures on mountaintops like White Rock Mountain can drop to the mid-teens, requiring appropriate cold-weather gear even during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Hiking the Ouachita Trail: Access points near White Rock Mountain Recreation Area connect to extensive trail systems. "The Rim Trail is worth doing any time of day and any season," notes one visitor, who also mentioned spotting wildlife: "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."
Mountain biking on forest roads: The winding routes near CMA Iron Mountain Cabins and Campground provide access to nearby trail systems. "Just a short ride to the Wolf Pen Gap trail system. Located in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains, 7 miles south of Mena," reports a reviewer who enjoyed the mountain biking options.
Fishing at multiple lakes: Cedar Lake provides fishing opportunities with dedicated docks. "There is a fishing dock and a trail that goes around the entire perimeter of the lake," mentions a camper who also observed local wildlife including "a ton of wild turkeys and two cottonmouth snakes" during their stay.
What campers like
Mountain-top temperatures: The elevation provides natural cooling during summer months. A Cedar Lake visitor emphasized this benefit, noting that campgrounds were "gorgeous and lush and QUIET... Don't forget the ice, there's nothing close." At Mount Magazine State Park Campground, a camper advised: "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."
Clean facilities: Many glamping locations maintain high standards for bathrooms and showers. A visitor to CMA Iron Mountain noted: "Bathrooms and showers are spotless. The staff is extremely kind and helpful." Another camper was impressed with the shower facilities, mentioning "INSTANT hot water, no waiting for 10 minutes for luke warm water."
Spacious campsites: At Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground, "Sites spread far enough apart for privacy, full hook ups, cleanest bathhouses, and beautiful scenery!" One camper called it "Absolutely the cleanest and most beautiful campground we've been in - in this part of the county yet."
What you should know
Mountain road conditions: Access to some glamping sites requires navigating unpaved roads. White Rock Mountain visitors warn: "The twisty, steep, narrow dirt road makes for quite an adventure. It has many large rocks in the road and the decently sized potholes." Another camper noted, "It is an unpaved road that in some spots is maybe wide enough for 2 small vehicles to pass each other."
Wildlife encounters: Beyond scenic views, campers should prepare for native animals. A Cedar Lake visitor reported seeing "a ton of wild turkeys and two cottonmouth snakes," while a White Rock Mountain camper mentioned the prevalence of "spiders, rodents, etc." in cabin accommodations.
Seasonal closures: While glamping accommodations often remain open year-round, amenities may be limited during winter. At Queen Wilhelmina State Park, "There is a mini golf course, ice cream shop and train ride - but they said it's only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day."
Tips for camping with families
Campsite selection for safety: Choose appropriate sites when traveling with young children. One camper at Lake Fort Smith advised: "Many of the campsites are on a grade. They all have multiple levels with stairs and have no railings. We had 5 children <6 years of age and the sites were somewhat perilous. If you are a parent with small kids, sites 17-20 and sites 2-3 are better."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer informative visitor centers. "Many activities at the Visitor Center for children," notes a Lake Fort Smith reviewer. Another mentions the "Old Steam Train to explore" at Queen Wilhelmina State Park.
Playground accessibility: Consider distance to play areas when selecting sites. At Lake Fort Smith, one family noted: "The playground requires that you drive to it which is inconvenient," suggesting families should factor this into their site selection.
Tips from RVers
Level site options: At Lake Fort Smith, "If you need sewer service, I would recommend site #11 as the most level pull-through site, although there's not a bad site in the park." Another visitor confirmed, "It was totally level we didn't need any leveling done at all."
Limited big rig access: White Rock Mountain isn't suitable for larger RVs. "Leave your RV or trailer at home," warns one camper. "The road to White Rock Mountain driving south on 79 is a minimally maintained one in a half lane dirt road full of rocks, erosion, bumps and a lot of up and down switch backs."
Elevation considerations for driving: Mount Magazine campers advise caution with RVs at higher elevations: "Due to the elevation and drastic temperature change from the base of the mountain and the campground, it frankly isn't safe at all to drive on the mountain in the early morning or evening" due to thick fog that can severely limit visibility.
