Best Glamping near Fort Smith, AR

We stayed in the non-electric sites (North Shore loop). Campgrounds were incredibly peaceful and quiet. There is running water and bathrooms which were relatively clean.There was no campground host and nobody came to check our reservations, but it was not crowded so that could be why. There is a fishing dock and a trail that goes around the entire perimeter of the lake. Each site has a tent pad, picnic table, grill, lantern poles, fire pit, parking spot and small counter-like food prep area. The setting is absolutely beautiful with tall pines, rolling hills and a gorgeous lake. Saw a ton of wild turkeys and two cottonmouth snakes.

This campground is one of my all time favorites!! It has everything you want in a campground and more. Hiking here is definitely the best, because the views are amazing!! The campground is always really well kept as well which I appreciate. The campsite spots themselves are pretty big in size and are separated by trees and bushes. Feels very private. They do have a quiet hour which is after 10pm. This is nice because there aren’t people partying all night long. There are tent spots and also RV. We camped, so I’m not sure if th RV spots are set up for electricity. The lake nearby is great. We brought our kayaks and had so much fun hitting the lake in the morning. It does get busy as the day goes on, especially in the summer on the weekends. Hiking is great, and there are multiple good spots nearby. Again, go early to beat the crowds! Dogs are welcome but must be on leash. Vaulted toilets on site and a place to fill up your water! Can’t wait to come back.

Awesome Small Campground! What a gem! 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. Has fire pit with grill, separate bbq, siting area and great hook ups. Bear proof refuge container on site as well. Half off if disabled! Site 3 wasn't completely level, but quick fix. Sights and hiking were breathtaking. No laundry, cable or wifi, but restrooms and showers were clean. Cell service was spotty. Gorgeous lodge with great overlooks and restaurant close by. A diamond in the rough.

This is a nice modern park on the shore of the man made Lake Fort Smith. To me, the most interesting parts of the park were destroyed in order to make the lake (and thus, the park); the Works Progress Administration (WPA) had several cabins and shelters on the property from building the dam and surrounding areas. However, they were flooded under when the lake filled. The ranger in the visitor’s center said the buildings were not able to be moved. There was a nice exhibit about the building of the park and the role of the WPA in the surrounding area. The campsites are all really RV only with water and electric, although most sites also have a tent pad. There were no other tent campers while I was there. The campground is really clean and well maintained; it seemed that the trash cans were emptied almost hourly by the nice fellow buzzing around in his golf cart. The bath house was super clean, too. There are some nice hiking trails, although none very long. However, this park marks the western end of the Ozark Highlands Trail that stretches across northern-ish Arkansas for 150+ miles. This might be a good starting or ending spot. The boat ramp seemed quiet, but that might have been the weather. If you are into group glamping, there are several lodges that are available that could house a small family to a small army.

This park is a small, secluded gem in northwest AR right on Lake Fort Smith, about 30 miles NE of Fort Smith proper. The campground is practically brand new due to a flood a few years ago which caused the state to relocate the campground. The bathhouses are unbelievable (generally true of all AR parks), sites are immaculate, and views are amazing. The visitor center is also unbelievable. Our boys got to feed the snakes and turtles when we last visited. The park is small and there aren’t many sites. I found this to be a positive as you actually get the feeling you’re alone in nature. To that end, the only negative thing I can say about this park is that almost every site is elevated and has multiple levels due to retaining walls that were used to build up each site in the side of the mountain along the lake. The ledges of these retaining walls do not have any railing. So for us, having 3 small boys, this just meant toms of opportunities for them to fall and get hurt. Some of the drops from one level To the next were 6 ft or higher. This is the only reason I’m not giving the park 5 stars (though in fairness, I probably should). Beyond that small issue, however, the Park is absolutely gorgeous. The pool and splash pad are also very nice, though we weren’t able to use them because we went in January. There is a grill that serves food in the pool area which I think is really convenient. The playground is also nice, as is the marina and rental prices are very low, in my opinion. Also, I did not use them, but there are quite a few mountain bikers who visit this park and the trails were clearly well kept. In sum, beyond the beautiful scenery, the Park is generally very clean and new feeling. There’s not much I can say that would be negative at all. In my opinion, it’s a cant miss Park for anyone who enjoys camping.

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. The sites are level, there is a pool, Propane, fishing pond, and camp store. Also hiking trails. Also some tent sites. There is a whole new section for Class A and large 5th wheel campers now. The are located behind a highway department facility, and last visit the smell of the treated power line poles was overwhelming. No problem this time. This is one of the few campgrounds I’ve been to that have a storm shelter!

Peak Season April 01, 2021- September 30, 2021

First-come, First-served October 01, 2021- November 30, 2021  

All campsites are equipped with electric hookups, and the group shelters have electricity, too. 

flush toilets, hot showers, water hydrants, a swim beach, playground, dump station and a boat ramp complex playground

Lake Tenkiller is an amazing location to scuba dive.  It's waters are clear and cool from a distance of 8 to 28 feet.  A diver will have the opportunity to investigate a sunken airplane fuselage, school bus, helicopter and two boats.  In some areas of the lake divers can see the remains of homesteads.  The underwater terrain ranges from gently sloping hills to rocky cliffs.  The water ranges in depth up to 165 feet.

Tenkiller Ferry Lake is often referred to as "Oklahoma's clear water paradise." The 12,500 acre lake is fed by the Illinois River and the Baron Fork . It is nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in the northeastern part of the state. This area, known as Green Country, is surrounded by dense oak-hickory forests, tall bluffs, and rolling hills. The lake has 130 miles of shoreline with plenty of wildlife such as deer and turkey. It serves as one of the flyways of migratory birds, including bald eagles, common loons, and white pelicans.

Water skiing, boating, fishing, hiking, and swimming and even sailing.  Scuba divers enjoy the lake's high visibility and the beautiful clear waters.  Fish for black bass, white bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish. The trout stream below the dam is one of only two year-round trout fisheries in Oklahoma, and is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Hunting is also permitted in parts of the lake area, in accordance with federal and state laws. 

Latitude 35° 40' 54.0001" N Longitude 94° 57' 46.0001" W 

Directions:  From Gore, Oklahoma, go 17.5 miles northeast on Highway 100, take the turn left and go 1.5 miles northwest on the paved access road. Follow signs into the campground.

Check-out time: 3:00 pm. Check-in time: 6:00 pm. Quiet hours: 10:00 pm- 6:00 am.

Entrance gate will be closed during this time. 

Grey water and sewage must be properly disposed of in the provided dump station receptacle. 

Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. 

Group shelters are for day use only. Fireworks are prohibited. Fishing and hunting are regulated by federal and state laws.