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Lake Dardanelle State Park and Petit Jean State Park provide cabin accommodations within a short drive of Dardanelle, Arkansas. Lake Dardanelle cabins feature water and electric hookups with essential furnishings, while Petit Jean offers more deluxe options with full kitchen facilities. Cabins at Mount Magazine State Park include heating and air conditioning systems with private bathrooms and comfortable sleeping arrangements. Basic furnishings typically include beds, tables, and chairs, with some locations offering kitchen amenities such as refrigerators and microwaves. "The cabins are adorable and feel like they are out of the 1970's but well worth the experience," notes one visitor about nearby Lake Ouachita accommodations.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Lake Ouachita State Park features both standard cabins and camper cabins, the latter providing heat and air conditioning but no bathroom facilities. Reservation requirements vary by park, with popular locations like Mount Magazine booking up nearly a year in advance. Most parks allow pets in cabin areas when leashed, though specific rules may apply. According to one camper, "I peeked into one of the cabins and they look really nice. They also have camper cabins that have heat/air but no bathroom. In all there are 93 RV/tent sites, 8 cabins and 4 camper cabins."
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Cooking facilities vary widely between locations—some feature full kitchens while others provide only outdoor grills or fire rings with cooking grates. Brady Mountain and Cove Lake Complex cabins typically include outdoor picnic tables and fire rings for meal preparation. Small camp stores at Lake Dardanelle and Petit Jean sell firewood, ice, and limited groceries, though serious meal planning requires bringing supplies from larger towns. Many cabins include outdoor water spigots, but guests should verify water availability when booking during shoulder seasons.
"Our first time in Petit Jean State Park and hopefully not our last! The area is so beautiful and the park is clean. We stayed in one of the yurts."
"PROS No reservation transaction fee
Senior discount
Quiet
Moveable metal picnic table on a concrete pad, pedestal BBQ grill, fire ring with cooking grate, and one hook lantern pole
Site 14 partially"
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"The State Park systems in the US are some of our favorite places to find beautiful camping spots, but Lake Dardanelle State Park in Arkansas tops most of them all."
"The park is clean and decently maintained. Great welcome center with aquarium displays that are quite informative."
"Nice shady spot with a picnic table, grill and fire pit. Was also a space for a tent. The picnic table had a few steps up to it."
"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."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"We stayed as a group (three families with 7 kiddos total, ranging from 6-15), across two adjacent sites: 1 & 3."
"There is swimming, boating, (stocked) fishing, hiking, and pretty drives. Absolutely beautiful lake surrounded by green that would be incredible in the fall!"
"Definitely my favorite park in Arkansas so far. It’s a really big park at the lake with lots to do. I was there in the fall so I didn’t do any lake stuff but still had a great time tent camping."
"This is an absolutely beautiful state park 30 minutes Northwest of Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is massive with a Marina, multiple swimming beaches, RV and tent camping plus cabin rentals."
"There are some trails nearby, but the area and trails are really designed for ATVs."
"short drives from the campgrounds to beautiful scenery with a little bit of research, or ask greg. alot are even accessible by car. take the 30 min drive to hillbillys lims bbq as well."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"This lake and the trails around it were absolutely gorgeous. Not far from Mt Magazine and the water was so clean and the campgrounds were fantastic."
"We enjoyed our stay at Cove Lake. The campsite we stayed at was right on the lake with a pretty view of the nearby mountains. The swimming area is pretty large and nice."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Steep and fun drive to get to this campground. Sites are big and spaces are wide creating a very nice experience. Short hike from the campground is the overlook road and the views are incredible!"
"But on cloudy days, hikes on the various trails are surreal! And it’s only a short hike to the tallest point in AR - 2753ft above sea level"
"The facility is located on 800 acres surrounded by the Ozark National Forest and Mulberry River."
"The store is well stocked an has ice cream and fresh foods. The restaurant is pretty awesome as well. Food is YUM!"
from $10 - $22 / night
Check Availability"We stayed in the tini cabin because it was 98* out, and we were sun burnt from digging crystals."
"12 a night, full hookup potential AND you are walking distance to the mine!!! For $20 you can go spend the day diggin through dirt and finding crystals."
from $13 / night
Check Availability
ScoutWe stayed in the tini cabin because it was 98* out, and we were sun burnt from digging crystals. It had an AC, shower, full bathroom, kitchen, TV, a charcoal grill with charcoal, and the camp host brought over fire wood with no charge.
RangerDefinitely my favorite park in Arkansas so far. It’s a really big park at the lake with lots to do. I was there in the fall so I didn’t do any lake stuff but still had a great time tent camping. There’s a nice hiking trail to explore. Also, the bathrooms were the cleanest I’ve ever seen at a state park. All the tent sites have a gravel pad, grill, picnic table and fire ring. There are also walk in tent sites on the peninsula which are nice and quiet. If you get one at the end I’d say it’s probably 200 meters to the parking lot and bathrooms. I peeked into one of the cabins and they look really nice. They also have camper cabins that have heat/air but no bathroom. In all there are 93 RV/tent sites, 8 cabins and 4 camper cabins. The park is also near Hot Springs so there is lots to do.
GuideThis is an absolutely beautiful state park 30 minutes Northwest of Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is massive with a Marina, multiple swimming beaches, RV and tent camping plus cabin rentals.
We stayed in campground Area A, on a concrete pad with tons of space around the camper. Many RV sites overlook Lake Ouachita, though ours didn’t.
If you are there over a weekend, I highly recommend taking the sunset tour by the park service at the marina. It is two hours, $10 per adult and stunning. With the recent heat wave it was also much cooler then the afternoon cruises.
TravelerOur first time in Petit Jean State Park and hopefully not our last! The area is so beautiful and the park is clean. We stayed in one of the yurts. The kids enjoyed the geese right outside the door and at night, the deer came out only feet from the yurt. The yurt itself is was as expected. Only beds inside with one table, 4 chairs and a fan. It does have electricity inside but no water. Outside is a nice deck, propane stove, water faucet, fire ring, picnic table and bbq pit. It also has a canoe available for use with each yurt. The boathouse was not too far away and well maintained. There is a very nice pool on the grounds also. We really enjoyed the hiking trails.
LegendPROS
No reservation transaction fee
Senior discount
Quiet
Moveable metal picnic table on a concrete pad, pedestal BBQ grill, fire ring with cooking grate, and one hook lantern pole
Site 14 partially shady
Good condition asphalt parking pad with gravel and grass surrounding
Good view of lake from Site 14
Sites well spaced
Campground A toilet/shower building clean and sufficiently stocked. Heated but not air conditioned.
Site 14 more than long enough for trailer and tow vehicle
Dark sky friendly as there are no street lights in Campground A
Very nice 6ft wide asphalt bike trail from Campground B to Mather Lodge
(approximately 1.75 miles) CCC Hike and Bike Trail
New Visitor Center built 2021
Beautiful CCC built Mather Lodge
(restaurant added in 2012)
Grass throughout campground mowed
Firewood sold in the yards of residences along State Road 154
CONS
Site 14 extremely unlevel side to side
No privacy from other campsites
No entrance security gate to the park or any campgrounds as State Road 154 cuts thru the park
No park ranger drive thrus
Mather Lodge Restaurant OK. Don't expect much from the menu or service but it has a full bar
3 of our 4 day stay there was a religious group prophetlytizing at the Park Visitor Center WIFI only at Lodge and Visitors Center
NO TMOBILE service
GuideCamping in the state park of lake ouachita in a tent. never. been. better. was on site T04 for tents and basically sites t01-t11(maybe 12) are on a small peninsula with the lake on both sides. you can go swimming in the lake right off the back of your campsite. they have charcoal grills at each site as well as a fire pit that has a grill over itnfor cooking things over the fire. there is a concrete pad with a picnic table as well as a separate pad on compacted dirt for your tent and then plenty of space in your campsite for other things. you can’t beat the views. the bathrooms are the cleanest an moat upsated Ive seen in a camp ground (and I’ve worked in one) and the showers are great. never felt afraid of wild animals roaming the sites while walking to the bathroom in the dark or anything. the staff in the office is friendly. they offer boat rentals for cheap as well as expeditions to partake in. theres also camper and rv sites and cabIns available, a marina to bring your boat, and fun activities for kids! theres a few different trails to hike around the campground. we went on a moderate 4 mile hike and walked to the trailhead from the campsIte. a great hike with awesome views of the lake and you dont have to drive to the trailhead! couldn’t recommend this place enough!
TravelerWe stayed a week at Petit Jean in one of their gorgeous cabins. It was a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend. The check-in and check-out was easy. Finding the cabin was easy with the directions and map we were given. They were clearly marked, with parking for two vehicles, as they were setup like a duplex. The cabin was beautiful and clean, inside and out. There was a large, heavy, all wood porch swing on each side. Relaxing in it was a peaceful experience, listening to the sounds of birds and the breeze through the tall pines. Inside it was all beautifully stained wood and roomy enough for two people, much like a hotel room, except for the cathedral ceiling. In fact, the setup was better than most hotel rooms we have stayed in. There was a mini-fridge with a small freezer, microwave, coffee pot(with coffee, cups, creamer, sugar, etc,) a Keurig, blow-dryer, iron, ironing board, and broom. It had all the toiletries: soap, shampoo, conditioner, tissue, cups. The open closet had plenty of shelving and hangers for clothing and bags. The bathroom was standard with water that quickly got hot for your bath or shower. There were two full size beds with comfortable mattresses, plenty of pillows and warm bedding, with a nightstand between. There were plugs to charge your phone and a landline. There was also a fireplace, however it was locked closed. The air unit in the room had cooling/heating that was easy to operate and sufficiently cool. We were near the highway, close to the lodge, but did not hear traffic while in the cabin. Parking at Mather Lodge is just like any other, with a short, easy walk to the entrance. Once inside, you pass the check-in desk, a small, well-stocked gift shop,(with something for every age,) an open meeting area and bar before reaching the restaurant. It is beautifully constructed from large logs stained and polished to a gleaming shine. From floor to ceiling, it is the epitome of rugged elegance. We ate breakfast and dinner exclusively at the lodge. The food was exemplary, every meal, cooked to perfection and delicious. The atmosphere was relaxing and we were never rushed or made to feel as if we overstayed our welcome. The service was fast, even when every table was occupied. The servers were friendly and attentive. We had only one server, one time that was"less than," maybe she was new, not sure, but we did not see her again. Tommy, Thomas, Jessie, Brad, Rebekah, and Lindsay were all so pleasant, always greeting us, even when they weren't our servers, remembering us and making us feel like family. The view of the gorge with it's tall trees and towering rock formations was incredible! There was a common area behind the lodge, just outside the restaurant with tables, chairs and benches for observing the gorge, taking photos, relaxing and socializing. You could walk right down to the edge of the huge flat rocks for photos with a stunning background. We spent every evening there, watching the exquisite sunsets. This place is a nature lovers paradise. There is a pool surrounded by loungers behind and to the side of the lodge. It was clean and well-kept with a small waterfall at one end. Thick thirsty towels are provided for your convenience. The grounds are beautifully maintained. We never saw or heard a mower but the grass was cut to perfection and there wasn't a single piece of litter in the entire park. At check-in we were given a map, brochure and weekly schedule of events/tours at the park. The map was very necessary for navigating around this extensive park of which the lodge area was only a small part. The brochure described the hikes and other available activities(such as climbing and repelling) with descriptions of what could be observed, length and difficulty levels. Trust the brochure! If it says strenuous, it is. Plan accordingly. There were four ranger guided tours the week we were there. We took two of them. They were genuinely interesting and pleasurable. Baron, our ranger, was exceedingly knowledgeable about the geology, animal and plant life and history of the area. Exceptionally so, for someone who was seemingly so young. He was attentive to the needs of those attending the tours, stopping to rest if necessary and moving a bit slower for us older folks. He was so affable and easy to talk with, it seemed as if we were old friends. Willing to spend extra time after the tours, talking with us, was an indication of how much he enjoyed his job. We were very appreciative of someone of his character and enjoyed spending time with him. He is the perfect model of what one would think a park ranger is and should be! Any hike can be taken unguided and there are plenty of them. In fact, we had plans to go outside the park on other hikes, but never made it off the property for those. We actually did not have enough time to do all we wanted to do within the park. If you are looking for a phenomenal vacation, this is the trip you should take!
GuideWe stayed at an RV site at Cameron Campground, #2. Nice shady spot with a picnic table, grill and fire pit. Was also a space for a tent. The picnic table had a few steps up to it.
This site is at the entrance, we might have preferred something at the back. Everyone coming in or out drove by our spot. But the neighbors were all very quiet.
The bathhouse had two showers, several toilets.
Several signs up say beware of bears, but we didn't see any.
We saw LOTS of deer.
Be prepared for a long winding road up the mountain. It's not overly steep, but it takes a while to get ANYWHERE in this part of Arkansas.
Went to Cove Lake (11 miles away, about a 20 minute drive) to fish, but didn't stay long, and didn't catch anything. Cove lake has camping but no hookups.
TravelerThis is a small, family run location. There are restrooms and shower facilities, as well as tent sites and RV hook ups. Plenty of room for boat parking. The cabins are adorable and feel like they are out of the 1970's but well worth the experience. Nice place to kayak. Gorgeous places to hike, watch the sunrise/sunset, and tons of room for kids to play. Pet friendly. The resident will visit you every day for belly scratches.
Lake Dardanelle offers cabin camping options at elevations between 300-400 feet, with temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler on nearby Mount Magazine than surrounding lowlands. Most cabin camping near Dardanelle, Arkansas provides lake views with water access, though accommodations vary widely from rustic options without private bathrooms to fully-equipped lodging with kitchens and climate control.
Hiking trails: Mount Magazine State Park offers numerous trails for all skill levels, including paths to Arkansas' highest point. "There is a nice wide boat ramp with plenty of parking situated in a peaceful cove," notes a visitor about nearby Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Water activities: Rent boats or kayaks at Lake Ouachita. "The lake is beautiful with very ragged edges and islands so there is a lot to explore by boat, plus two or three hiking trails that take you to a lovely overlook," explains a camper at Lake Ouachita State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Visit the Lake Dardanelle visitor center to see local species displays. "Great welcome center with aquarium displays that are quite informative. The location is close to many of the region's other recreation areas, trails, and Russellville is close enough to ensure you are well stocked," reports a guest.
Private shower facilities: Lake Dardanelle offers individual bathroom units rather than communal facilities. "Not only was it clean but it had six doors. Behind each door was a shower room complete with a toilet and lavatory and guess what? It was air conditioned!!!" shares a reviewer from Brady Mountain.
Variety of accommodations: Petit Jean offers premium sites for larger rigs. "A Loop pros: it's new, it's laid out ideally, full hook up sites with sewer, and plenty of gravel and concrete to keep from dealing with too much dirt, mud, sand," explains a visitor at Petit Jean State Park.
Quiet mountain settings: Mount Magazine's cabins sit at higher elevations for cooler temperatures. "It's a great place to achieve some seclusion. To that end, there isn't much at the park. It's definitely a place where you need to pack well and plan to cook," notes a camper.
Variable weather conditions: Mountain cabin locations can experience dramatic weather changes. "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," warns a visitor to Mount Magazine State Park.
Nuclear power plant visibility: Some Lake Dardanelle sites have views of the nuclear facility. "This campground would be five stars if there was not a nuclear power plant in view from my camp site," explains a camper, though they add, "honestly, the park itself was amazing. It is worth the visit."
Reservation requirements: Popular cabins book months in advance, especially lake-view options. "Make sure you have a boat!" suggests one Lake Ouachita visitor, highlighting the importance of planning water activities if staying lakeside.
Playgrounds and beaches: Lake Dardanelle offers kid-friendly amenities. "This was a beautiful park with lots to do, especially for kids. The information center was large and the employees were very friendly," shares a visitor at Lake Dardanelle.
Trail difficulties: Check trail ratings before hiking with children. "The hike up to the highest point in Arkansas is easy and family friendly for kids," notes a visitor at Mount Magazine, while other trails require more stamina.
Educational opportunities: Visit ranger programs at Cove Lake Complex for hands-on learning. "Fantastic smaller campground minutes from Mount Magazine. It seems to be overshadowed by much larger, better known places like Devils Den, so it's fairly quiet even when it's 'busy,'" reports a recent visitor.
Site selection considerations: Investigate individual site layouts before booking. "The electric and water hookups in 'D' area are in strange locations at each site," notes a visitor at Lake Dardanelle, highlighting the importance of researching hookup locations.
Road access challenges: Larger rigs should consider mountain road conditions. "The trip out there is amazing. They own 800 acres and have a ton of off-road trails for all," explains a reviewer at Byrd's Adventure Center, though larger RVs may find access more limited.
Weather planning: Monitor fog conditions when traveling mountain roads to cabins. "Be aware of the weather, as if it's raining hard, parts of this road are subject to being the pathway for the water to cross as it flows down the mountainside," advises a Brady Mountain visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Dardanelle, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Dardanelle, AR is Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 109 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Dardanelle, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 cabin camping locations near Dardanelle, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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