Several campgrounds surround Prairie Grove, Arkansas, with a variety of accommodation types across the Ozark Mountains region. Devil's Den State Park Campground, located about 20 miles southwest in West Fork, offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with electric hookups and modern amenities. Lake Wedington, approximately 10 miles northwest of Prairie Grove, provides similar options with water access for boating and fishing. Natural Falls State Park Campground across the Oklahoma border features tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and yurts in a scenic woodland setting. Lookout Tower Road offers dispersed camping opportunities with minimal amenities for those seeking a more primitive experience.
Access to campgrounds in the Prairie Grove area varies seasonally, with most sites open year-round but experiencing peak visitation during summer months. Many established campgrounds require reservations, particularly on weekends and holidays when waterfront sites fill quickly. Devil's Den State Park and Natural Falls State Park maintain paved roads suitable for most vehicles, while dispersed camping areas may require high-clearance vehicles during wet conditions. Cell service can be limited in more remote locations, particularly at Devil's Den where visitors note a complete lack of service. Weather considerations include hot, humid summers and occasional thunderstorms. "Devil's Den is a gorgeous park tucked in the mountains of Arkansas. There's no cell service whatsoever but WiFi is offered by the park," noted one camper.
Lakefront camping locations receive consistently positive reviews from visitors to the Prairie Grove region. Beaver Lake, with its 500-mile shoreline, offers multiple Corps of Engineers campgrounds with water views and boat access. Several visitors highlight the peace and tranquility of camping near water bodies, particularly at locations like Horseshoe Bend Recreation Area. Campsites in Devil's Den State Park provide trail access directly from camping areas, with some sites featuring paths leading directly to streams or rivers. Reviewers frequently mention wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly deer sightings at Horseshoe Bend. Natural Falls State Park offers family-friendly amenities including playgrounds and wheelchair-accessible trails to view the park's namesake waterfall, though some visitors note that campsites are positioned close together with limited privacy.
$20 / night
"Devil's Den is a gorgeous parked tucked in the mountains of Arkansas. The primary campground for RVs is one of the better campgrounds I have seen. The facilities and amenities have been great. "
"The trails are great and our campsite had a path right down to the river. The water hookup was a bit tricky, it leaks all over the place until you turn it all the way."
$20 - $300 / night
"My son and I love the Lake Weddington trails. Haden loves running across the small bridges, throwing rocks in the water, and picking up pine cones."
"A gorgeous park in the Ozarks National Forest close to the civilization in Fayettville Arkansas."
"General: Located near the Oklahoma/Arkansas border, this is a surprisingly quiet campground given its proximity to the highway."
"It’s on border of Arkansas and Oklahoma, near Siloam Springs. It’s peaceful. You can take your wheelchair on some of the trails and look at the Falls."
"PROS: *CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN: you can’t camp in your RV any closer to downtown Fayetteville than at Southgate."
"Close to food, gas, and shopping"
$25 - $150 / night
$23 - $163 / night
"Lake Ft. Smith State Park is a beautiful park in the Boston Mountains. We drove over from Memphis to meet my brother’s family (who lives in Tulsa)."
"This is a nice modern park on the shore of the man made Lake Fort Smith."
"We were in Bentonville, Arkansas and decided to take a gamble on this and it was about 40 minute drive when we got there."
"Bike trails are worth using. Bring it in take it out, it's that easy."
$16 - $75 / night
"Found this gem tucked away in Northwest Arkansas. Corps of Engineers Campground. Very well-maintained. Gorgeous lake with lots of lakefront sites. Several bathhouses."
"Got a nice little spot on the lake to do some hammock camping for two nights. Was able to get this spot within the week which was a surprise as busy as it was."
$18 - $75 / night
"We stayed in space 33 without looking first and we had to back our 30 foot fifth wheel down about 100 foot hill around the corner to get into the space. Campsite did have electric and a picnic table."
"We didn't have a lake site, but it looked like there were a few sites directly on the lake which would be amazing."
$20 / night
"Long gravel drive (important for motorcyclists). Tent and RV sites. Beer garden. Bands. Food trucks. Open the weekend of Bikes Blues and BBQ only."
ScoutOne of the best campgrounds I've stayed at. No RVs but they have about six van/truck spaces and then lots of tent platforms- just bring plenty of guy lines/ropes/string or whatever as pegs are no use. Beautiful place and all facilities are super nice.
TravelerMy go to spot at a no wake lake. Small with a handfull of hook up spot and a dozen + primitive spots
RangerDevil’s Den SP had a great campground with full hookups available. The natural beauty of this area is breathtaking! Plenty of hiking opportunities and tons of activities. Very pet friendly. And close to so many attractions in Northwest Arkansas!
GuideWe got in at dark but the road was fine under dry conditions. Quiet, remote location. It’s a smaller site but accommodated us and two others rigs comfortably. Grass is tall in spots but the sites were matted down well enough, all things considered it’s a cheap, reliable, quiet option, we’d recommend.
GuideThe road into the site was in good shape but would be difficult under wet conditions. The location is in a heavily wooded area that is very deserted. We got in at dark and weren’t able to explore during the daylight so we didn’t feel comfortable tent camping. Good spot, just very isolated.
GuideThe dam is beautiful and worth a stop but the facilities are just a gravel lot. We got there just before dark and there was quite a few people. If you have a campervan it’d be a fine place to park for the night but we didn’t feel comfortable tent camping, there was quite a bit of empty alcohol bottles and it seemed like it was used as a party spot so just be aware, definitely recommend to visit the dam and camp at your own discretion.
LegendRight on the water if you want that and shade if you want that. Not sure the bigger bathroom is open as it is off season, but water is on electric is available. And they have a dump station. For activities there's a couple of nice trails. There's a rental for canoes, boating fishing and I took and rode my bike around the lake, which was a nice ride.
LegendI didn't get to stay cause it's winter and it closes after November 1st. But what a beautiful park. Great view of the water. Nice spaces, lots of trees and all regular amenities.
LegendFirst, don't rely on the G. P. S point go to the below campground, which has 2 duplicate G. PS points, but both will take you to the right place. And then follow the road up the hill to this campground. It has 32 primitive spots and effectively. No services except for picnic tables. There is a pit toilet. It has not been cleaned in forever and is quite disgusting. The water spigots all seem to be broken. And I do not believe there is any electric anywhere in the campground, except for lights in a couple of places. What it does have going for it is an adorable view of the Blake and easy access to the lake in several places, but no actual R. V spots, so it would even be hard to find a flat place to put a tent.
Camping spots near Prairie Grove, Arkansas range from waterfront locations to remote forest settings in the Ozark Mountain region. The terrain typically consists of forested hills with elevations between 1,300-1,500 feet, creating moderate temperature swings between day and night even in summer months. Road access varies significantly between established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas, with some forest roads requiring higher clearance during wet weather.
Hiking and exploring caves: Devil's Den State Park offers extensive trail systems with unique geological features. "4 days of camping with the guys, exploring caves and trails, and overall having a blast!" notes Brian E. The Yellow Rock Trail receives particular attention from visitors for its distinctive rock formations.
Fishing and water activities: Beaver Lake provides ample fishing opportunities with its 500-mile shoreline. "Small clean lake with lots of wildlife and close to Fayetteville. Kayak, canoe, and fishing, with bird watching, RV and tent camping, and day use areas among the trees!" according to Donna H. from Lake Wedington.
Trail access from campsites: Lake Fort Smith State Park offers direct trail access from camping areas. "Absolutely the cleanest and most beautiful campground we've been in - in this part of the county yet. The hiking trails were right out of our campsite," reports Jennifer O. The Ozark Highland Trail runs directly behind lakeside campsites.
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer good separation between sites for a more secluded experience. At Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground, campers appreciate the spacing: "Sites spread far enough apart for privacy, full hook ups, cleanest bathhouses, and beautiful scenery!"
Shade coverage: Tree cover provides relief from summer heat at many locations. Erik R. notes about Lake Wedington: "We loved it here. Tons of trees throughout the campground. The sites are spread out and feel very private. Bathrooms and showers are clean too."
Swimming options: While not all lakes permit swimming, several campgrounds offer alternatives. "The pool and splash pad are open!" notes one visitor to Lake Fort Smith State Park. Mary D. mentions about Horseshoe Bend: "Swimming area was very spacious. Nice playground for kids."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across campgrounds. One camper notes Devil's Den has "no cell service whatsoever but Wifi (paid) is offered by the park," while sites closer to towns typically maintain better connections.
Seasonal closures and flooding: Some areas close temporarily due to weather conditions. As one camper noted about Devil's Den: "Campground is currently (April 7) closed for maintenance and flooding. Call before you go!"
Campsite levelness: Many campgrounds in the region's hilly terrain have uneven sites. At Hickory Creek - Beaver Lake, one camper warns: "Site 23 is very un-level. Water holds right where you come out of your camper, therefore, you are stepping into a mud hole each time you enter and exit your camper."
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with specific amenities for children. Melissa M. from Devil's Den State Park Campground shares: "My favorite camping spot yet. Aside from the extreme humidity this was a great family getaway. Pool, great trails, and the creek/river kept my kids entertained and worn out!"
Safety considerations: Some sites are more suitable for families with small children than others. Ryan S. notes about Lake Fort Smith: "Many of the campsites are on a grade. They all have multiple levels with stairs and have no railings. We had 5 children <6 years of age and the sites were somewhat perilous."
Trail difficulty: Assess trail difficulty before hiking with young children. At Natural Falls State Park, accessibility varies: "There are 4.5 miles of great hiking trails at the park. The hike to the bottom is fairly steep but there is a sidewalk that takes you to an overlook at the top."
Access road challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. Lisa M. advises for Hickory Creek: "I would stay on highway 264 to come into the campground as that road is quite a bit wider and not quite so curvy and hilly. That is the way Google maps was going to send us in the first place."
Site size limitations: Many campgrounds have restrictions on larger RVs. At Natural Falls State Park Campground, "The road is paved and each site has cement pad. So if you have a special needs person with you they can get around with no prob."
Limited hookups: Water and sewer connections aren't universal. Chris M. notes about Hickory Creek: "The worst thing about this campground is that there is only one shower/flush toilet facility. There are some pit toilets available. Also no water hookups."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fish at Prairie Grove Lake, and are there camping facilities nearby?
Prairie Grove Lake offers fishing opportunities, though specific camping directly at the lake is limited. For nearby camping with excellent fishing access, Prairie Creek (AR) on Beaver Lake is a great option with waterfront sites suitable for RVs like the 24' Winnebago Trend. Another excellent fishing destination is Dam Site River - Beaver Lake, one of northern Arkansas's hidden treasures with sites close to the water and fantastic hiking opportunities nearby. Both campgrounds provide good access for fishing enthusiasts while offering clean facilities.
What camping options are available near Prairie Grove, Arkansas?
Northwest Arkansas offers excellent camping options near Prairie Grove. Devil's Den State Park Campground features spacious RV sites along creeks, gorgeous mountain scenery, and well-maintained facilities with hiking trails. For lakeside camping, Horseshoe Bend Rec Area & Campground is a Corps of Engineers campground with lakefront sites, electric hookups, and multiple bathhouses. The area also offers private options like Rocking S Ranch and Hog Valley RV & Treehouse Resort that provide water, toilets, and reservation options for those seeking alternatives to public campgrounds.
What accommodations are available in Prairie Grove for non-campers?
For non-campers visiting Prairie Grove, Mulberry Mountain Lodging & Events offers lodging options beyond traditional camping. The facility features clean, well-maintained accommodations near the Mulberry River with bathroom and shower facilities that require passcodes for entry. Another option is Natural Falls State Park just across the Oklahoma border, which offers cabins for those who prefer not to camp. The park provides peaceful surroundings with wheelchair-accessible trails to view the falls, making it an excellent base for exploring the Prairie Grove area while enjoying more comfortable accommodations.
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