Dierks, Arkansas provides access to multiple established campgrounds along lakes and rivers in southwestern Arkansas. Jefferson Ridge on Dierks Lake offers water and electric hookups with 50-amp service for $25 per night, while Cossatot Reefs near Gillham Lake features riverside camping below the dam spillway. The region includes several Army Corps of Engineers sites with varying amenity levels, from primitive camping at COE Lake Greeson Star of the West to more developed facilities at Parker Creek and Cowhide Cove campgrounds. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with a few specialized options like Mama Gaia's Zen Garden offering yurts and glamping accommodations.
Campground availability follows seasonal patterns, with several sites operating March through October or November. Water levels can fluctuate rapidly at riverside camping areas, particularly at COE Lake Greeson where warnings about sudden water rises are posted throughout the campground. "The water is very low at this time," noted one camper at Arrowhead Point on Lake Greeson. Many campgrounds in the region maintain vault toilets rather than flush facilities, though showers are available at some locations including Shady Lake Recreation Area. Cell service varies considerably, with limited coverage for T-Mobile users at Cossatot Reefs and spotty AT&T service at Star of the West. Most campsites require fees between $8-25 per night, with discounts available for America the Beautiful Pass holders at Corps of Engineers sites.
Waterfront camping dominates the Dierks area landscape, with many sites offering direct lake or river access. At Parker Creek, campers appreciate the spacious and well-maintained grounds. "This beautiful park has 60 or more sites... the lake was gorgeous, we walked in the evening to see lots of bats catching bugs," shared one visitor. Jefferson Ridge remains popular during special events, with one camper noting it was "the last campground with availability in the Path of Totality for the Solar Eclipse." Several campgrounds feature boat launches, swimming areas, and fishing opportunities. While primitive sites typically offer basic fire rings and picnic tables, more developed campgrounds include electric hookups, water access, and occasionally sewer connections. Campers consistently rate the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere of these locations highly, with Cossatot River State Park and Cossatot Reefs receiving particularly strong reviews.
"Daisy SP is a fantastic SP located in the southwest corner of Arkansas. The Camper and RV sites are level and big for any size vehicle. The walk in tent sites are some of the best in the Midwest. "
"We are parcel to sites 95 and 96 due to their close proximity to the bathroom. The bathrooms are very clean and we have observed the camp staff regularly checking and maintaining them."
$15 - $50 / night
"This camp is ideally located in the Crater of Diamonds State Park with easy access to the Visitors Center by foot or car."
"The campground has 47 nicely shaded RV sites with water/electric/sewer hookup(many of which have tent pads and five walk-in tent sites."
$14 - $40 / night
"There's a canoe launch, volleyball, basketball, playground, horseshoes... showers and toilets are clean and there is easy access to hiking trails."
"Near Gillham Lake but on the river below the spillway."
$15 - $40 / night
"We have been coming to Shady Lake for decades and it is one of our most favorite places."
"Shady Lake is a great place to get away from it all. It has a beautiful lake, a creek and trails to hike on. There is tent and RV camping sites."
"Awesome location right near and easy access to the falls. No water and there is a “out house” type of restroom."
"We take our border collies and they are able to follow with minimal assistance."
$10 - $45 / night
"I jumped on it, it was the last campground with availability in the Path of Totality for the Solar Eclipse."
$10 / night
"v=Hi2oXYKQ2ww&list=UUijzn2RV4Ma58cBAFBqz9MQ&index=2) Great campground just a short distance into Arkansas from Oklahoma."
"Couple downsides are that the bathrooms are pit style bathrooms and kind of nasty and unless you snag one of the sites far back in the woods you are pretty close to the highway so some noise."
$20 / night
"Mama Gaia's Zen Garden & Yogic Retreat is a quiet place to relax and connect with nature in this great region of Arkansas! Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!"
$16 - $22 / night
"It was near a little town and the locals are very friendly. There is a lake that's really big and is a hike already just walking around it."
"On a whim, I reserved a site driving from Tennessee to Texas. Had to book through the recreation.gov app, which does not give you a good idea of what is booked or not."
$16 - $22 / night
"There's a lower loop near the playground that is perfect for families with kids. The only con is you have to walk up the hill to the bathrooms."
"We have a beautiful spot backed up to the lake with a wonderful view. There are two widely separated camping areas: New Cowhide Cove and Old Cowhide Cove."
RangerMy friend and I visited in October and there was barely anyone else there so it was very peaceful and quite and shocked us with it’s beauty as we didn’t think it would be as pretty as it was but we were wrong
RangerA very pretty location and depending on the time of year you come you may also see bald eagles like we did also it gets very crowded in the summer but other than that it’s a great campsite and the swimming pools are way deeper then they seem to be
RangerThis is a nice and quite campsite very small and will only fit 1 maybe 2 tents but worth it if able to fit and has a nice water fall across the river with a small pool at the base of it if you come at the right time of year
RangerBest view along the Eagle Rock Loop and totally worth it, my friend and I cowboy camped up at the vista and had the hands down best sunrise and view I’ve seen in a long time, there was also no animals to bug us during the night other than a few coyotes howling near us down near the Little Missouri River, the Window Rocks are also really close and pretty although a bit of a scramble to get down to but are worth it for the cool cave/arch window view
RangerMy friend and I cowboy camped at this location and at dusk the mosquitoes were absolutely terrible and I honestly would compare them to the mosquitoes up in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota then when they went away and pesky Armadillo kept running past us as loud as possible and getting super close to us, I assume he had been fed by backpackers in the past but after about 4 hours he officially left us alone and other than those reasons to hate on the campsite it was good with a good view and a nice breeze from the wind
RangerIt’s a great campsite with some spotty cell service down at the campsite but if you go up to the vista there is better cell service and my only issue with the site is how small the tent spots were when we camped there as they barely fit my Durston X-Mid 1 but other than that it was a great dry camp along the trail
RangerMy friends and I were backpacking around the Eagle Rock Loop and decided to camp up on the vista and it works only if you have hammocks and the 3 of us barely found enough space for each of our hammock on the few trees but it works and it was beautiful and worth it
RangerMy friend and I hiked to the top of Tall Peak and slept in the top story of the fire lookout and we hooked up hammocks and slept in them but I guess a front was coming in cause we were getting huge gusts of wind all night and it dropped about 20 degrees overnight but it was way worth it as the sunset was amazing and sunrise as well.
GuideThis was a nice spot with water view. There are a couple of small loops. I think there were 5 of us on a Thursday evening in January, so I'm guessing this is a popular place. I enjoyed the rocky beach and peace. .
Camping opportunities near Dierks, Arkansas encompass over 1,600 acres of water recreation areas across multiple lakes and rivers in the Ouachita Mountains region. Sites range from fully-equipped campgrounds at elevations between 300-600 feet to primitive riverside options with seasonal availability. Most campgrounds in this southwestern Arkansas region experience humid subtropical climate with summer temperatures typically reaching 90°F and winter lows around 30°F.
Hiking mountain trails: Visitors at Shady Lake Recreation Area can explore surrounding mountain trails while enjoying the natural beauty. "There is a good size lake for fishing and a short trail for day hiking. Other than that, it's just sitting around the campfire," notes Marcus H., highlighting the simplicity of outdoor activities available.
Diamond hunting: The Crater of Diamonds State Park offers a unique opportunity to find and keep diamonds. "The Crater of Diamonds State Park is an exciting place full of rich history and, of course, finding lots of rough diamonds. The State Park is listed as the eighth largest reserve of diamonds in the world," explains Prospector J., who recommends visiting after heavy rainfall for optimal conditions.
Rock exploration: At Cossatot Falls Campsites, visitors can climb on river boulders and swim in clear waters. "It's not for the faint of heart or people avoiding physical activity because trekking the huge river boulders is not easy. But the beauty is worth it. The water is crystal clear and you can watch fish swim by," shares Cindy W.
Spacious camping pads: Campers appreciate the generous space at Cossatot Reefs. "Campgrounds are set up for RV, boast grills, firepits, and improves surfaces. There's a canoe launch, volleyball, basketball, playground, horseshoes," explains Vanessa M., highlighting the numerous recreational amenities available at this riverside location.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Parker Creek offers excellent opportunities for nature observation. "The lake was gorgeous, we walked in the evening to see lots of bats catching bugs," shares Mr. H., who was impressed by the park's size and natural setting, noting "this beautiful park has 60 or more sites."
Creek sounds at night: Many campers enjoy the natural soundtrack at night in certain campgrounds. At Shady Lake Recreation Area, Alana T. recounts, "Loved my overnight stay at Shady Lake! Slept right above a babbling creek and heard peaceful water flowing all night."
Seasonal weather considerations: Summer camping requires preparation for hot conditions. "Spring and Fall camping is pleasant with moderate temperatures. Summer camping temperatures are very hot. Make sure you have fans or some way of staying cool," advises Richard T. about Daisy State Park.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly across campgrounds in the region. At Cossatot Reefs, Steph C. reports, "Almost no cell service with T-Mobile for any interested parties." Similar challenges exist at other campgrounds, requiring advance planning.
Water level fluctuations: River and lake levels can change rapidly. At COE Lake Greeson Star of the West, signs warn that "WATER SUBJECT TO SUDDEN RISE," and Crystal C. notes, "The water here is perfect for fishing or kayaking but can rise quickly with rainy season (warnings are posted throughout different areas of camp indicating this)."
Playground proximity: At Cowhide Cove Campground, certain sites offer convenient playground access. "There's a lower loop near the playground that is perfect for families with kids. The only con is you have to walk up the hill to the bathrooms. You have a perfect line of sight to the large playground from sites 3, 4, and 5," advises Casi M.
Swimming options: For families with children, several campgrounds offer swimming areas. Myranda shares about Cowhide Cove, "We were at site 4 on the bottom loop and it was beautiful. We loved watching the sun go down over the lake. Also, we have 3 boys so being close to the playground was awesome."
Budget-friendly passes: Families can save money with passes at certain campgrounds. Crystal C. mentions, "If you have an America The Beautiful Pass this campground is half off making it only $4 per night to stay," referring to COE Lake Greeson Star of the West.
Site leveling challenges: Some sites require additional equipment for leveling. Wayne J. from Crater of Diamonds State Park warns about site 30: "Ended up with a 3 inch riser to level the trailer side to side, which puts the first step about 17 inches up. To add to it, there is no level surface much further than the step before the site slopes off steeply with pine needles."
Reservation timing: RVers note that popular times require advance planning at the best places to camp near Dierks, Arkansas. Jon D. shares his experience at Jefferson Ridge: "This campground was fantastic! I jumped on it, it was the last campground with availability in the Path of Totality for the Solar Eclipse."
Hookup considerations: Water hookup locations can present challenges. Steph C. notes at Cossatot Reefs, "Make sure you bring a Y-connector to share with the person next to you. There was only 1 water station to share between campsites."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Dierks, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Dierks, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 181 campgrounds and RV parks near Dierks, AR and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Dierks, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dierks, AR is Daisy State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 28 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dierks, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Dierks, AR.
What parks are near Dierks, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 parks near Dierks, AR that allow camping, notably Dierks Lake and Gillham Lake.
Keep Exploring
