DeGray Lake offers over 13,800 acres of water surface for recreation, situated in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains at 408 feet above sea level. The lake has 207 miles of shoreline with access points spread around the perimeter. Winter temperatures range from 30-50°F while summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with high humidity.
What to do
Horseback riding: Available at DeGray Lake Resort State Park with guided trail rides that meander through wooded areas. Terry L. noted it has a "Walking trail, Waterview walking, The Degray Lodge close to campground is perfection. Marina is great as well!"
Disc golf: DeGray Lake Resort State Park has a dedicated course for disc golf enthusiasts. Rachel P. described it as having "So many amenities! Glamping. Anything you can think of you can find here."
Kayaking: Lake Catherine State Park offers kayak rentals at reasonable rates. Alison C. confirmed "It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water."
Zip-lining: Catherine's Landing features an extensive zip-line course near the camping area. Taylor D. described it as "enormous and will make any kid's jaw drop in disbelief."
Hiking trails: Multiple difficulty levels exist across the various parks, with Lake Catherine offering waterfall views. Susan B. mentioned Brady Mountain has "Tent sights on top of the hill offer fantastic views of Lake Ouachita."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Hot Springs National Park KOA maintains well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. Roxy V. confirmed "The restrooms/showers were all very clean."
Water access: Many sites allow direct water access for swimming and fishing. Gary M. at Arlie Moore explained, "I swim less than 20 feet from my tent. Highly recommend tent sites 74, 75 and 76. Breathtaking views of the lake."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer opportunities to spot deer and other wildlife. Michael H. described DeGray Lake as "very pretty, and calm. The sunrise and sunsets are serene. This is a very laid back area to camp."
Spacious campsites: Lake Ouachita State Park Campground offers sites that aren't crowded together. Amanda H. noted, "The well-Manicured and large sites under the tall trees and pines were Top-Notch!"
Proximity to Hot Springs: Several campgrounds provide easy access to Hot Springs National Park. Lori C. at Catherine's Landing appreciated its "quiet remote feel with easy access to sightseeing in Hot Springs."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabin locations fill quickly, especially in summer months. Jason W. noted for DeGray Lake State Park, "Be sure to reserve well ahead of your desired dates."
Cabin amenities vary significantly: Some offer full kitchens while others provide minimal facilities. At Hot Springs National Park KOA, Rachael H. stayed in "a basic one room cabin. Had a double bed and bunk bed. Heat/air and cable tv."
Site levelness concerns: Brady Mountain and other campgrounds have uneven sites that may require leveling equipment. Don L. mentioned at Arlie Moore, "Only downside is sites aren't level. 33 was pretty steep for us!"
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by location and carrier. Ray & Terri F. found at DeGray Lake State Park, "AT&T coverage was basically nonexistent with 1 bar of LTE service but very little if any throughput."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow or winding access roads. Susan B. warned about Brady Mountain: "Plan on arriving during daylight hours or you might think you have lost the way."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When selecting a camping cabin near DeGray Lake, check for nearby playgrounds. Stacy M. noted DeGray Lake State Park has "walkable access to two hiking trails and the water. The water was just beautiful."
Swimming areas: Arlie Moore - De Gray Lake has designated swimming beaches with gradual entry points suitable for children. Darin D. confirmed "swimming is great, shade from the sun is great."
Boat rentals: Several parks offer boat rentals for family outings. P. at DeGray Lake Resort State Park "enjoyed paddle boating, horse back riding and disc golf."
Educational opportunities: Look for ranger-led programs specifically designed for children. Josh H. found at Lake Ouachita State Park, "The rangers were great and offered a variety of informational classes and hikes."
Multi-activity areas: Choose cabins that offer several activities within walking distance. Charles S. said of Catherine's Landing, "The pool with splash park was well used by our kids."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Not all sites offer sewer connections. Heather S. noted DeGray Lake State Park had "no sewer. some camping on the lake but a lot of the sites cannot see the lake."
Site width considerations: Many older campgrounds have narrow roads and tight turns. Ray & Terri F. warned about DeGray Lake State Park, "The CG roads are paved, but narrow, winding, and fairly bumpy in spots."
Laundry facilities: Catherine's Landing offers laundry facilities at reasonable rates. Lori C. found "at $1.50 per load the laundromat was one of the least expensive I've seen (and the dryers were great!)"
Electric reliability: Some campers report electrical issues at certain sites. Cami S. at Arlie Moore had initial problems but "we went to the registration office they called a Ranger. Which the ranger called an electronic. Within an hour the election had it fix."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds with cabins have on-site dump stations. Nancy W. noted Catherine's Landing is "Very nice, clean, well-manicured" with full hookup options.
