Best Tent Camping near DeGray Lake
DeGray Lake provides several shaded tent camping locations across multiple recreation areas in Arkansas, including Ozan Point and Hickory Nut Mountain. These established campgrounds offer tent-specific sites with varying amenities, many featuring lakeside locations within the Ouachita National Forest system. Access roads to most tent areas remain unpaved, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain events.
Tent sites at DeGray Lake typically include picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby toilet facilities, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Ozan Point features shaded tent pads suitable for primitive camping with access to flush toilets and water for $10 per night during peak season (March through October). Other areas like Hickory Nut Mountain provide free primitive tent camping with more basic facilities such as vault toilets. Most tent campsites have fire pits and designated parking areas, though some locations restrict fires during dry periods. Surface conditions range from flat dirt pads to rocky terrain with limited leveling, making site selection important for tent stability.
Areas farther from main recreation zones offer more secluded tent camping experiences with fewer crowds, particularly on weekdays. The heavily forested sites provide natural shade throughout summer months, with several locations offering direct access to swimming areas and hiking trails. Tent campers can expect varied terrain with some locations providing elevated views overlooking the lake. A visitor commented: "Quiet place. Clean, more primitive and not developed. Does have flush toilets. Great place to go tent camping." Hickory Nut Mountain's walk-in tent sites require a 3-mile drive on gravel roads but reward campers with ridge-top views of Lake Ouachita and surrounding forests. During peak summer weekends, rangers patrol more frequently, while weekdays typically offer greater solitude for backcountry tent camping experiences.
