2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several state parks and private campgrounds near Dover, Arkansas offer cabin rentals with varying amenities. Macks Pines in Dover provides cabin accommodations with electricity and basic furnishings. Mount Magazine State Park, about 30 miles southwest, features 13 cabins along the ridge line with impressive valley views and luxury features like Jacuzzi tubs on private balconies. Petit Jean State Park cabins, located approximately 45 minutes south, include modern amenities and access to hiking trails and lake activities. According to one visitor review, "We had an opportunity to peek into a cabin and we were very impressed with the setup, having a full bath and mini-kitchen. It was well appointed and inviting."
Rustic cabins and more luxurious options are available throughout the region, with most requiring advance reservations. Mount Magazine's cabins are particularly popular, often requiring bookings up to a year in advance. Most state park cabins are pet-friendly with appropriate fees, while private establishments have varying policies. Lost Valley Canoe & Lodging offers cabins with hot tubs on the deck and allows pets. Cove Lake Complex provides cabin rentals from early April through late December with access to lake activities. Cell service can be limited at many locations, with reviewers noting spotty coverage for major carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile.
Most furnished cabins include beds, basic furniture, and electricity, but guests typically need to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities vary significantly between locations, from basic microwaves to full mini-kitchens with refrigerators and stovetops. Firewood is available for purchase at most parks, though prices and availability fluctuate seasonally. The nearest substantial grocery stores are often 15-30 minutes away, so visitors should plan accordingly. State park cabins generally provide outdoor amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and grills. During summer months, cabins with air conditioning are recommended as reviewers mention that non-air-conditioned accommodations can become quite hot.
"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
"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."
"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
"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
"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!"
"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
"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."
Available this weekend
from $15 - $35 / night
"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 ranch also has cabins and horseback rides. Check out their website for more info."
"Car camp, hammock, tent camp, or rent one the cabins to enjoy the roaming goats and horses around the property. Infamously known in AR as one of the best climbing spots."
from $5 - $245 / night
"He went over the trails in the area & marked the ones I wanted to go to on a map - which was extremely helpful since I kept losing cell service/gps while driving."
"My Drive to the campsite was beautiful. The new owners are extremely kind & accommodating. My cabin was perfect for my dog & I. I’m excited to see the updates to visit again."
ScoutBeen camping here for a few years now. Quiet at night. Clean bathroom and showers. Campground a little rocky and hilly. Some sites need some attention, minor water dripping or damage to facets mostly great place. Wonderful hosts. Gary and Michele. Good price.
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!
GuideWell maintained state park especially for its age. All sites have a picnic table, ground grill, and tent pad. Roads and campsites are paved. Nicely spaced sites. Clean bathhouse.
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.
GuideSteep 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!
ScoutPeaceful and wooded. Paved parking. Enjoying our stay. Bathrooms and showers nice enough.
RangerVery nice park and clean bathrooms. The cedar falls are wonderful when it has been raining a lot. RV sites are spacious and a lot of locals like to stay there for short vacations.
GuideThe campground was really nice. The sites were spread out really well for full hookup spots. Each spot had some privacy and distance between them. Bathrooms were super clean. There’s plenty of hiking trails around but other than that it’s a pretty relaxing campsite. Weather is 10-15 degrees cooler than what you’d expect in the River Valley.
GuideConservation Corps constructed with beautiful log buildings, a pool, a restaurant with a beautiful view. Good size lake with boat rentals. The sites were well spaced and the bathrooms / clean and updated. Planned on staying 1 night but went for 2 as it was so nice.
Cabin camping near Dover, Arkansas offers rustic accommodations across several forest settings with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,700 feet. Cell service remains spotty throughout the region, with limited connectivity on certain mountain peaks. The nearby Ozark National Forest provides over 170 miles of trails suitable for hiking and off-road exploration in the immediate area.
Waterfall hiking trails: Mount Magazine State Park features numerous hiking paths with varying difficulty levels. "The hike up to the highest point in Arkansas is easy and family friendly for kids. Campground and bathhouse were well maintained and nice," notes Jeremy C. about the mountain's accessible summit trail.
Rock climbing adventures: Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, approximately 60 miles north of Dover, provides exceptional climbing opportunities. "Horseshoe canyon is one of the biggest climbing and bouldering locations in the southeast area. Beautiful pastures and surrounded by rock that hundreds come to visit," states Luke O., highlighting the specialized recreation options.
Wildlife viewing: Mulberry Mountain Lodging has access to extensive forest land ideal for nature observation. According to Jeff P., "The campground is a hidden gem. The RV and primitive camping are clean and well-maintained... It's a great escape for off-roading and overloading."
Private bathroom facilities: Lake Dardanelle State Park campground offers individual shower rooms. "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!!!" reports David B., highlighting the unexpected comfort amenities.
Swimming areas: Cove Lake Complex provides lake access right from campsites. One camper, Lindsey P., mentions, "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."
Cabins with kitchens: Some cabins in the area include cooking facilities. According to Tom C., who stayed at Dogwood Springs Campground, "We had an opportunity to peek into a cabin and we were very impressed with the set up, having a full bath and mini-kitchen. It was well appointed and inviting."
Availability varies seasonally: Petit Jean State Park cabins require advance planning. Ryan S. advises, "'Stays booked 93% of the year' -Park Office. It's really hard to get a reservation if you don't book at least a year out in A loop."
Nuclear plant visibility: Lake Dardanelle cabins have an industrial view from some sites. Matt S. cautions, "This campground would be five stars if there was not a nuclear power plant in view from my camp site... It is worth the visit, just know that your eye will continually see the power plant in the background."
Limited services in rural areas: The Dover region has restricted shopping options. Amy & Stu B. from Macks Pines note that it's a "Dry county with very few places to buy any food or groceries outside of an hour drive."
Cabin selection for space: Look for cabins with sufficient room for larger groups. Taryn S. recommends Cove Lake: "We stayed as a group (three families with 7 kiddos total, ranging from 6-15), across two adjacent sites: 1 & 3... Sites are extremely spacious and well spaced from each other."
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specific features for children. "The kids love the playground. There is a nice wide boat ramp with plenty of parking situated in a peaceful cove," mentions Harry S. about Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Educational opportunities: Mount Magazine State Park provides learning experiences about Arkansas's highest point. Charles H. observes, "The various trails are well marked and offer several levels of technical expertise. At the top you can camp or stay at The Lodge - which offers a myriad of services from food to catered events."
Site layout challenges: Some campgrounds have unusual configurations. According to Tyler D. at Dogwood Springs, "That is true that 2 campers share a row, however the owners made it clear that it's planned out that we wouldn't be blocked in... the person parked in front of you is also checking out a day before you."
Electrical connections: Petit Jean State Park offers both 30-amp and 50-amp service. Fred S. explains, "The site had water and 30amp service... Area C has an open sky above it. Received good AT&T 5G cell service, but little to no T-Mobile 2G service."
Campsite privacy: Consider the spacing between sites when booking cabin or RV accommodations. Rose Alice W. praises Lake Dardanelle: "The spots are spacious and aesthetically nice, wood and charcoal grills at the ready, most are shaded well, the shower/restrooms are air conditioned and spacious."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Dover, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Dover, 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 Dover, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 cabin camping locations near Dover, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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