DeGray Lake campsites are positioned within Arkansas's Ouachita Mountains, with most grounds situated at elevations between 200-400 feet. The lake spans approximately 13,800 acres with 207 miles of shoreline, creating numerous waterfront camping opportunities. Water clarity peaks in fall and early spring, with summer visibility ranging from 4-8 feet depending on rainfall and boat traffic.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Iron Mountain Campground provides direct access to a complete trail system. "The Iron Mountain trail system is adjacent to the campground. I love the rustic simplicity of the place. It is older but well maintained and clean," notes one Iron Mountain visitor.
Disc golf course: Multiple courses available within short driving distance of most campsites. "We made a short drive over to DeGray Lake where they have a disc golf course," shares a camper who stayed at Iron Mountain.
Geocaching: The state park areas offer organized geocaching activities. "Loved almost everything about de roche ridge! We stayed in 102 and 106 and had pretty views of the clear lake. Had fun geocaching and deer sighting," mentions a visitor at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Kayaking to islands: The lake contains multiple small islands accessible by kayak or boat. "We also rented a kayak and kayaked out to a little island on the lake for lunch," writes a reviewer from Iron Mountain.
What campers like
Clear water quality: The lake maintains excellent clarity compared to many regional lakes. "DeGray Lake is very pretty, and calm. The sunrise and sunsets are serene. This is a very laid back area to camp," shares a camper from DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple species can be spotted throughout the lake area. "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," notes one reviewer at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Waterfront tent sites: Some campgrounds offer tent-specific sites with direct lake access. "Amazing spot to camp. Tent and RV + boating and fishing. Camping is diverse enough to be in a the forest or on the lake. Water is warm and I swim less than 20 feet from my tent," explains a camper at Arlie Moore.
Off-peak solitude: Winter and early spring visits offer extreme quiet with few neighbors. "Not many people here this time of year. No hiking trails but a nice place to walk. I got to experience a beautiful sunset every night and snow flurries my first morning here," reports a camper from Caddo Drive.
What you should know
Winter water access: Some campgrounds turn off water hookups during colder months. "Electric hookups only at this campground. Dump station near the entrance station. Fill up fresh water before you get there," advises a visitor to Iron Mountain.
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds feature significant slopes requiring additional equipment. "We tried our spot 16 and it was so steep our emergency brake could barely hold and behind the pad was a huge drop off to the lake. We had to pay for second spot to move to as we did not feel safe," warns an Iron Mountain camper.
Cell service variability: Coverage differs dramatically between campgrounds and even within the same campground. "Depending on what side you are on you may have cell coverage, but on the other side (where we moved to) virtually no signal," notes a visitor to Iron Mountain.
Campsite selection strategy: Certain areas offer more privacy and better access. "Highly recommend tent sites 74, 75 and 76. Breathtaking views of the lake," suggests a reviewer from Arlie Moore.
Tips for camping with families
Boat rentals: Multiple locations around the lake offer affordable boat rentals. "We rented a pontoon boat for a day and had a blast (price was much less than I expected)," shares a reviewer from Crystal Springs.
Beach areas: Dedicated swimming beaches separate from camping areas reduce boat traffic concerns. "Swimming/beach area away from the campground. Two campgrounds, one for tents only and one for RVs," notes a Caddo Drive camper.
Nighttime wildlife sounds: Many campers report memorable nighttime nature experiences. "It was very quiet here, and several nights you would hear the coyotes howling," shares an Arlie Moore visitor.
Park activities: Ranger-led programs offer structured options for kids. "Super nice workers at Marina, lodge and visitor center. Cute merchandise at lodge and visitor center. Had fun geocaching and deer sighting," mentions a DeGray Lake Resort State Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric-only sites are common, with water access points nearby. "There is electric and water. The water is a bit of a pain to use because you have to twist the top to open but it doesn't stay on. It made it hard to wash dishes or your hands," reports an Iron Mountain visitor.
Site width considerations: Some campgrounds offer significantly wider parking areas. "We camped on Site 7 which was 3 asphalt parking spots wide which was nice to set up chairs on," shares a visitor to Iron Mountain.
Alternative water access: For sites without direct hookups, common facilities are available. "There were only one or two other campers in this section of the CG while we were there. AT&T coverage was basically nonexistent with 1 bar of LTE service but very little if any throughput," explains a camper at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Dump station locations: Most sites include dump stations at entrances rather than at individual sites. "Dump station on the way out. Fill up fresh water before you get there. I prefer the simplicity of these sites and appreciate the lower cost because they don't have full hookups," notes an Iron Mountain visitor.
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