Campgrounds around Gillham Lake in southwestern Arkansas provide both tent and RV camping opportunities in natural settings. Cossatot Reefs, located below the spillway of Gillham Lake dam, serves as a popular destination with improved sites featuring water and electrical hookups. The area includes several established camping options including Little Coon Creek Park and Cossatot River State Park, which offers more primitive tent camping at its Cossatot Falls and Sandbar Area locations. Nearby Shady Lake Recreation Area, approximately 15 miles northeast, provides additional camping facilities within the Ouachita National Forest.
Access to campgrounds varies seasonally, with most developed sites operating between March and November. Cossatot Reefs and Little Coon Creek Park feature paved surfaces suitable for RVs, while the State Park campgrounds require navigation on gravel logging roads that can be challenging after rain. Many campsites require advance reservations through recreation.gov or the Arkansas State Parks reservation system. Bathroom facilities range from vault toilets at primitive sites to cleaner facilities at developed campgrounds. One camper noted, "The road will test your suspension! There is NO water except what you bring with you or if you pull some from the river."
Waterfront proximity ranks highly among visitor priorities, with the Cossatot River attracting campers seeking both recreational opportunities and natural beauty. The Falls campground at Cossatot River State Park features six large tent pads adjacent to the river with hiking access and swimming opportunities. According to one visitor, "The tent pads were huge and the waterfall area was beautiful. Our children enjoyed climbing on the rocks and splashing in the river." Campers frequently mention the peacefulness of sites near flowing water, though some note that generator use at developed campgrounds can detract from the natural experience. Most campgrounds provide standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and trash collection, with developed sites adding electrical and water hookups for RVs.
"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."
$23 - $40 / night
"Near Gillham Lake but on the river below the spillway."
"There's a canoe launch, volleyball, basketball, playground, horseshoes... showers and toilets are clean and there is easy access to hiking trails."
$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."
$25 / night
"It was off the beaten path. Very quiet and peaceful. It seemed most people were gone during the day, maybe working. We explored the state park down the road and went on some fun drives."
"The campground is tricky to locate, I would recommend familiarizing yourself with the directions especially if you are arriving after dark."
"This place is a beautifull forested remote area and you have to drive over 4.5 miles to get to the campsite, its a two lane dirt road, lookout for deer and other critters crossing."
$20 - $40 / night
"We had initially planned to go camping at Lake Ouachita in Arkansas; however, unfortunately we were unable to go due to the COVID crisis and Arkansas only allowing in-state residents to begin camping again"
"Watched a lot of people walk there in the dark without lights with their kids."
$10 - $45 / night
"I jumped on it, it was the last campground with availability in the Path of Totality for the Solar Eclipse."
$23 - $45 / night
"Four more parks close by."
"Every site had an unobstructed view of the lake due to the unique terraced landscapes. Paved, mostly level sites with good power 30 and 50A service and shade."
"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."
ScoutRemote enough to feel like a getaway but close enough to food and direction access if needed. Beautiful trees and fall changes colors and lots of wildlife to watch- deer, squirrels, eagles, armadillos, cranes and fishing. Just know that you may need extra hose as some spigots are shared. The electric has both 30 and 50amp plugs. Bathrooms have showers and are clean. Beautiful view of the creek from our site.
GuideReally cool hosts. Very helpful had all you need to find diamonds. Offers tours. People living their dream.
GuideDidn’t book ahead. They had space. Gracious host. Provided more than a place to stay. I’m glad we found you.
TravelerThe drive-in was easy. It’s pretty much a one lane road. Beautiful spot with trees all around! It is one of two or three spots. In my opinion, this is the best one. You can fit probably three or four vehicles in here if you had a group too. The creek was dry when we came at our spot. It seems like there is also a tent spot down below our actual camp spot.
We enjoyed walking down the road, a mile past our campsite, but there were wolf spiders on the road! It was in the evening so that could’ve been why they were out. We haven’t seen any in our campsite though.
ScoutThis was my first camping trip alone and first sleeping in my car. The site was well maintained, restrooms were clean, and it was very peaceful. Plenty of trails around to hike and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
ScoutMe and my husband loved this campground!! There were tons of lots to choose from and it felt very private. There were hot showers which is a huge bonus when you’re camping! The owners showed us around and are very friendly and nice to talk to.
TravelerIf you are heading this way this is a deffo stop the tranquility nature and river is absolutely stunning The owners are amazing friendly and accommodating one of the best on this road trip so far Thank you so much
TravelerA beautiful rustic site with hook up clean showers and toilets, and beautiful bbq and eating area, The river is just a 2 second walk to the river and they hire kayaks for a 4 hour kayak $25 Brilliant, the owner is super friendly and welcoming would defiantly recommend a visit i could easily stay longer ❤️ love it And Thankyou x
ScoutThe scenery is lovely with so many options for how you can stay there. The owners are helpful and very friendly.
Gillham Lake campgrounds occupy the picturesque Ouachita Mountain foothills in southwestern Arkansas at approximately 900 feet elevation. Most camping areas remain open from March through October, though specific opening dates vary by site. Water levels fluctuate seasonally with spring typically bringing higher water and more challenging river conditions at associated camping areas.
Kayaking opportunities: Near Cossatot Falls Campsites, visitors can experience the river when conditions are right. "Great swimming and kayaking opportunities. Some boulder hopping possibilities," notes Nicki M., who hiked into the area.
Swimming at natural features: The summer heat makes water activities essential. At Shady Lake Campground, families can cool off in the lake's swimming area. "There's a dock a little way out from the shore to swim to and jump off of. The bottom is covered with leaves, but hey, it's a lake," shares Brian.
Fishing access: Multiple sites offer fishing opportunities with varying levels of accessibility. One visitor at Cossatot Reefs mentioned, "Fun fishing. Definitely will return," highlighting the popular activity below Gillham Lake's spillway.
Spacious campsites: The region's campgrounds often feature larger-than-average sites. At Cossatot Falls, "These pads were huge and fit our tent, which was super nice because our original plans fell through," according to Summer H., who appreciated the extra space for larger camping setups.
Natural sounds: Many campers value the auditory experience at Jefferson Ridge - Dierks Lake, located about 20 miles east of Gillham Lake. Though not directly on Gillham, this alternative offers similar amenities with power hookups at reasonable rates. One visitor noted sites are "at perfect price points, you can get water/50a sites for $25/night."
Waterfall proximity: The cascades near camping areas provide both visual appeal and recreational options. "We parked at the visitor center and hiked the 5-6 miles to the state park. Beautiful moderate hike. If you go right after some heavy rain, all the falls along the trail will be flowing at full blast!" reports Nicki M. about her experience near Cossatot Falls.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires preparation and appropriate vehicles. Phil B. warns about Cossatot Falls: "It's 5 miles to pavement. On a good day, depending what you're driving, that's 20 to 30 minutes of dirt, gravel, rocks, and washboards."
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites now require advance booking. "These sites are now reservable, not first come. You can luck out, but I would recommend reservations," advises Phil B. about Cossatot Falls sites.
Water availability: Cossatot River RV Park offers full hookups when primitive camping isn't preferred. "The park is clean, has standard RV hookups, and the highway isn't full of noisy traffic," notes Vanessa M., clarifying this is a good option for RVers wanting basic amenities while still being near the river.
Scout appropriate swimming areas: Not all water access points are suitable for young children. At Shady Lake Campground, one visitor reported: "We spent 3 nights in a campground on loop C and loved it (we have 4 boys under 12). There is a picturesque babbling creek that runs by most of the campsites, and we could have spent at least a couple days just exploring up and down the creek."
Check for playground access: Bellah Mine camping area, approximately 15 miles west of Gillham Lake, offers "clean shower house, playground with pea gravel surface, boat ramp, and lake access," according to Vanessa M., making it suitable for families needing recreational facilities.
Plan for connectivity limits: Cell service varies dramatically throughout the region. One visitor at Shady Lake noted: "No cell service. You can decide whether that is a good thing or not (I loved it). If you're really desperate, you can drive 5 mins down the road and get a signal."
Hookup availability: Little Coon Creek Park offers accessible options for RVs with electrical needs. "This was a wonderful place to go fishing with the family! The park was well taken care of, and the bathrooms were very clean, and stocked," notes Franklin R.
Site terrain considerations: When selecting a site at Bellah Mine, Michael M. observed, "Every site had an unobstructed view of the lake due to the unique terraced landscapes. Paved, mostly level sites with good power 30 and 50A service and shade. No sewer but the dump station is right at the exit."
Generator restrictions: For those needing power, check campground regulations. Summer H. at Cossatot Falls noted: "They did allow generators which is unfortunate because the river is so close. Part of what we love about camping is being in nature and hearing the sounds around us but one person's generator use ruined the quiet... all day every day."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gillham Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gillham Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 182 campgrounds and RV parks near Gillham Lake and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gillham Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gillham Lake is Cossatot Falls Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area with a 5-star rating from 13 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gillham Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Gillham Lake.
What parks are near Gillham Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 parks near Gillham Lake that allow camping, notably Dierks Lake and DeQueen Lake.
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