j
jared H.
Scout
ScoutBelow the Dam Campground — Lake Wister State Park
Nice quiet little place
Nice quiet little place nobody was here when we came in staying four days, no one ever came in
Cabin Camping near Fort Smith, AR
1 campground with availability this weekend
Search destinations
Add dates
Lake Fort Smith State Park offers cabin accommodations with modern amenities including full hookups and climate control systems. The cabins feature lake views and multiple rooms suitable for families or groups. "The cabins which offer a lake view are beautiful and a great place for family outdoor activities," noted one visitor at The Dyrt. Devil's Den State Park and Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA also provide cabin options with varying levels of furnishings and amenities, ranging from rustic to fully equipped units.
Rustic log cabins and more luxurious options are available throughout the region, with most requiring advance reservations, especially during peak summer months. KOA-style cabins at Sallisaw-Fort Smith West feature basic furnishings with electricity and climate control. While many cabins welcome pets, policies vary by location with some charging additional fees. A review mentioned that Lake Fort Smith cabins are "very well maintained with good space between units for privacy," making them popular for weekend getaways.
Most cabins include beds with mattresses but require guests to bring their own linens, pillows, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities range from simple microwaves and mini-refrigerators in basic units to full kitchenettes with cookware in premium cabins. Several campgrounds maintain on-site markets with basic provisions, including Devil's Den and White Rock Mountain Recreation Area. Firewood is available for purchase at most locations for outdoor cooking and evening campfires, though fire restrictions may apply during dry periods.
Best Cabin Campgrounds near Fort Smith (27)
1. Devil's Den State Park Campground
"sky friendly Quiet during weekday stay
Campground E has lots of trees
Campsite asphalt parking pad level
Metal picnic table (on concrete pad), pedestal BBQ grill, metal fire ring with cooking grate"
"paved road The sites are not all level so be picky with what site you choose, we always go find an empty spot that will work first, they have horse camps, tv sites, and camper spots as well as small cabins"
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
2. Fort Smith-Alma RV Park
"Was headed to Lake Fort Smith but area was booked so we stopped here and was pleased with our stay. Spaces are quite small but it has become the norm everywhere."
"Small older park but full hookups were available in January. Staff personable service, laundry facilities adequate . Antenna Tv good , TMobile service good"
3. Clear Creek - Ozark Lake (AR)
"This park is located on the Arkansas River. There’s a boat ramp, so bring your boat and enjoy the beautiful Arkansas River. Pets are allowed, there is a leash law. Bring your own firewood."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $16 - $75 / night
4. Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground
"An excellent park. With $12 million from Fort Smith and $10 from the state the renovation is all first class. There is a covered wagon in the new visitor center. The sites are lovely."
"This is a nice modern park on the shore of the man made Lake Fort Smith."
Check Availabilityfrom $23 - $163 / night
5. Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA
"We didn't get to use the playground area this visit as pool and hot tub were closed for the year."
"This was our second stop at the KOA in Fort Smith AR. They have many improvements since out last stay. The campground is convenient to I-40. It’s far enough away to not have traffic noise."
6. White Rock Mountain Recreation Area
"White Rock Mountain Recreation Area, in the western Arkansas Ozarks, has a campground with 9 tent sites. One of these is a large group site. 8 sites are arranged along a gravel loop road."
"The drive to White Rock is part of the fun. The campground, general store, and cabins are all at the top of the mountain."
1 Site AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $15 - $215 / night
7. Mount Magazine State Park Campground
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $35 / night
8. Lazy Acres RV Park and Campground
from $24 - $50 / night
9. Barker Gap
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $130 / night
10. Byrd's Adventure Center
"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!"
Check Availabilityfrom $10 - $22 / night
Drive Time
- 46 min from Fayetteville, AR
- 1 hr 40 min from Tulsa, OK
- 2 hrs 1 min from Joplin, MO
- 2 hrs 20 min from Hot Springs, AR
Recent Cabin Photos near Fort Smith, AR
23 Photos of 27 Fort Smith Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Cabin Reviews near Fort Smith, AR
314 Reviews of 27 Fort Smith Campgrounds
Erin L.
GuideFort Smith-Alma RV Park
B-1 Pull thru
We stayed here while en route to SWMO. Hubby had been in the area working 10-15 years ago and knew quite a few of his colleagues had stayed at this park while working. We knew it was not far from the highways. Park was clean and mowed, but couldn't really distinguish the unpaved roads/pull-throughs from the grass. Gravel needs to be redone. Driving through the park, the back in sites were needing some maintenance and gravel work as well. There were very few signs pointing directions upon arrival and we had come into the park through the exit. We were asked if we had used Google Maps to navigate(yes, we had and we weren't the only ones as several others entered from Newberry). The entrance is off of Hwy 71, just on the north side of the church(Park entrance& church lot are shared). One centralized dumpster beside the propane tank/fill, pool& office. Cabins available for rental. Mostly residential in the North side of the park. Fishing pond for catch& release. Used to be, from the looks, an old KOA from the color scheme and some of the signs had a faded emblem. Park is dated. Staff was friendly and helpful. Our site was B-1. Right beside the exit on Newberry Rd. Mixture of gravel& grass. Picnic table, BBQ grill, and fire pit, although we were in a burn ban. Level, did not need blocks. It was quiet enough in our camper at night, but could tell when people left for work in the morning. It served our purpose to park our camper while we explored Ft. Smith and surrounding areas during the day; however, if back in the area we will stay elsewhere(cheaper places with more amenities). We camped at Fort Smith/ Alma RV Park in a Travel Trailer.
Jenny
RangerLake Fort Smith State Park Campground
Site 16 - little piece of paradise
Very nice park - clean and quiet. We did the kayak tour this morning which was nice. There’s also a kayak rental Kiosk down by the boat ramp through Whenever Watersports (download the app). There’s trails and also a pool. Pool closed down Aug 9, 2026 since lifeguards had to go back to school. Not having a pool was the only bummer this trip cause temps are still close to 100.
- JennyRanger
Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground
Beautiful and peaceful
Clean state park. We enjoyed the trails, kayak rental at the marina. Other amenities include nice bathhouses and a pool.
- JJon L.Guide
Hog Valley RV & Treehouse Resort
Still a nice park, but...
We last stayed here five years ago when the park was new. Some of the areas and amenities that are now available were still under construction during our last trip. The bottom line… still a very nice park, but it's starting to show its age a little.
Parking for registration is located right next to the office. All the park staff we dealt with were very friendly and helpful. The road from the highway to the park is easy to navigate for any size rig. The same inside the park; it's well-marked and easy to navigate, though several roads have asphalt failures that need attention. Even though it's not too far from Interstate 49, we didn't hear any traffic noise at all- very peaceful.
We were assigned to pull-thru site number 36. Most of the sites are gravel, but the pull-thru row that we were in had concrete pads. For the most part, all sites appear fairly level.
Power, Water, and Sewer were all conveniently located, and the power supply had no issues at all. We use a power management system, and all electrical parameters were spot on during our stay. Water pressure was very good, and the in-ground sewer connection was conveniently located.
Two bathroom areas also have showers and laundry facilities- one at the front of the park and one in the rear. The pool area and playground are located at the front of the park.
Wi-Fi, Satellite, Cable, and OTA: there is Wi-Fi in the park, but the park info sheet that they provide you with notes that the Wi-Fi is spotty. We were able to get AT&T 5G with 4 bars. AT&T achieved 418 Mbps down and 21 Mbps up. Satellite reception should not be an issue at most sites, and if you do need clear access for satellite reception, there are plenty of sites available with no trees. There are plenty of OTA stations available, and they all had great reception with clear HD pictures. Cable was not available.
Dog Park: They have two nice fenced-in parks that are in great condition. The one in the front of the park is divided for big and small dogs, while the one in the back is larger but not divided. They both have benches, which are all in good shape. They also provide doggie bags and a trash can. NOTE: I've included a photo of the sign posted at the entrances to the park indicating that they might be shut down. So if having a fenced dog park is mission-critical for your stay, you might want to verify that they are still open when you make your reservation
Amenities: Lots of items are listed on their website, and you are only a few miles from Fayetteville, where you can find plenty of stores and restaurants. Summary: A great place for an overnight or an extended stay. Although the park is starting to show its age, it still deserves a high rating, and I would not hesitate to recommend it- enjoy your stay!
Bryce N.GuideCameron Bluff
Beautiful views
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!
- KKarolina M.
TravelerClear Creek - Ozark Lake (AR)
Beautiful and quiet
Small, charming, green campground with specious sites. Fantastic view of the water.
- BBrian K.Ranger
Devil's Den State Park Campground
Nice park, terrible phone reception
Park has lots of hiking trails and lots of pro mountain bike trails too. The main Devils Den trail was closed for repairs when I arrived but still enjoyed the park. I have Verizon and the reception there was awful.
Josh B.GuideQueen Wilhelmina State Park — Queen Wihelmina State Park
Great campsite
Great campsite. Beautiful area. The lodge is open 24 hours and park rangers are around all the time. Limited spots, so get them while they last!
Guide to Fort Smith
Cabin camping near Fort Smith, Arkansas occurs across a range of elevations from 400 to 2,700 feet, creating distinct seasonal experiences. The region's cabins typically see temperature variations of 10-15 degrees between valley and mountain locations. Seasonal closures affect some facilities, particularly during winter months and maintenance periods.
What to do
Hiking near Devil's Den State Park: The Yellow Rock trail outside the campground leads to unique rock formations. "The large rock 'mountain' it leads you to are so much fun to play on. They have tiny caves and are incredibly easy to crawl around on. P.S make sure and bring lots of bug spray," notes Cj C. at Devil's Den State Park.
Fishing at Clear Creek: The recreation area provides river access for fishing enthusiasts. "Fish this place often and also camp. They keep this place clean and have never had issues with other campers. Stays quiet. Only issue is, they do not have a cleaning station," shares Charles Q. from Clear Creek Recreation Area.
Off-road adventures: Byrd's Adventure Center offers trails for various skill levels on private land. "They not only have their own trails on private land, but off-roaders can hit trails in National Forest territory not too far down the road. Good place for vehicles that need to hook up or primitive," explains Eric L.
Water activities: Many cabins provide lake access for boating and swimming. The marina at Lake Fort Smith "rents canoes, party barges, fishing boats, kayaks, etc.," according to Steve S.
What campers like
Privacy between cabin sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between accommodations at Lake Fort Smith State Park. One visitor noted the "great space between sites" and mentioned that "Sites 1-20 have full hook-ups with sewer." Ryan S. specifically recommends "sites 17-20 and sites 2-3" for families with small children.
Clean, modern facilities: The facilities at many cabin sites exceed expectations. "This is a very nice state park that mostly offers hiking and beautiful views. Campground and bathhouse were well maintained and nice. Camping spots are spaced out pretty well," shares Jeremy C. from Mount Magazine State Park.
Convenience options: Some parks offer unexpected amenities. "They have a shuttle runs that is wheelchair accessible that will take you into town for Wal-Mart runs and more," notes Cheryl T. at Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA.
Mountain views: Cabins positioned on higher elevations provide spectacular vistas. "White Rock is a great little campground. With only 8 tent camp sites it is very quaint. Sites 5-8 are smaller with smaller tent pads and the view from these sites is AMAZING! Just know that with the view comes the wind and less space to stretch out," advises Erin-Frannie R.
What you should know
Road conditions to remote cabins: Some cabin locations require careful driving. At White Rock Mountain Recreation Area, "It's a slow, beautiful drive. The reviews are correct that the last hour of the drive is only 20 miles. Make sure to stop for gas! It is an unpaved road that in some spots is maybe wide enough for 2 small vehicles to pass each other."
Maintenance closures: Check ahead for temporary shutdowns. "Campground is currently (April 7) closed for maintenance and flooding. Call before you go!" warns Jo from Devil's Den State Park.
Bug considerations: Some areas have seasonal pest issues. "I don't have many nice things to say about this campground. The bugs were out of control," reports Kat M. about Clear Creek Recreation Area.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between parks. "There's no cell service whatsoever but Wifi (paid) is offered by the park. Make sure to stock up on supplies beforehand - there are not many options within that area as far as food and services," advises Gonzo A.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities for children: Several cabin locations offer swimming pools. "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!" shares Melissa M. about Devil's Den.
Site selection for safety: Choose appropriate sites when traveling with small children. "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," cautions Ryan S.
Food planning: Limited dining options require advance meal planning. "We love camping at Devils Den every spring! The trails are great and have beautiful views. The rangers and staff in the shop are very nice. Bring what you need the nearest store is about 20 minutes out and the restaurant is not that good," advises tiffany H.
Varying accommodation options: Different cabin styles accommodate different family needs. "This facility has everything you need. If you are a glamper there is a place for you, but if you like to primitive camping there is also a place for you. Great place to Hike and explore," notes Dam J.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Many RV campers note proximity issues at some parks. "It's a bit tight, we found ourselves sharing our front yard with our neighbor. You have to keep your blinds closed otherwise you find yourself looking right into the windows of your neighbors on both sides," reports Julie F. from Fort Smith-Alma RV Park.
Extended-stay preparations: Plan accordingly for longer visits. "Spaces are quite small but it has become the norm everywhere. Site A2 had fire pit, grill, picnic table was pretty level even with gravel. Fishing pond, dog walk area, propane station all on property for reasonable rates," shares Craig E.
Road access for large rigs: Consider vehicle limitations when booking. "If you have a large rig - make sure to take the West Fork exit off I-49 vs. the south exit (Winslow)," recommends Gonzo A. about Devil's Den State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin
campsite near Fort Smith, AR?
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Fort Smith, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Fort Smith, AR is Devil's Den State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 88 reviews.
What is the best site to find
cabin camping near
Fort Smith, AR?
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Fort Smith, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 cabin camping locations near Fort Smith, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring