Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Greers Ferry Lake

I often distinguish in my reviews the places I find preferable for families and those I think are better for people with no kids. I didn’t think about this until I started camping with my 3 boys, all currently under 4. Greers Ferry Lake is one of those places. However, as I said in a review of “Heber Springs,” if I’m reviewing campgrounds here, it isn’t accurate to review “Greers Ferry Lake.” Instead, you would probably be camping at Devil’s Fork Rec Area, Dam Site Rec Area & Campground, Sugar Loaf Campground (in Higden, AR), or Cove Creek Rec Area & Campground (in Quitman, AR). I’ll review those separately; reviewing “Greers Ferry Lake” for prospective campers isn’t all that helpful, in my view.
Despite that, I’ll just say that I love the town of Heber Springs which is located on the Lake. It may be because I have so many memories in Heber from my time in college so I should drop that disclaimer. I also love Sugar Loaf; there’s some great hiking and views. As for Greers Ferry generally, the lake is north of the dam on the Little Red River. There is a ton to do on the lake from fishing, boating/skiing, swimming, etc and it’s a very, very clean lake. The Dam Site Marina has boat rentals, tackle, etc and it’s really nice. For anyone who likes to or is planning on doing a lot of water activities on their trip, the [area around Greers Ferry Lake] is definitely a great spot for anyone wanting to camp with a family due to the lake’s proximity to civilization (ie WalMart) if you need it, activities, amenities, and cleanliness. Plan a trip.

Dates: May 15 Sep 15   Booking

            Sep 15  May 15 Out of season

Travelers will find a very steep entrance road and the fact that this campground is very rural. Carry your supplies with you. Many sites are not level but there is the bonus that the sites are not on top of each other and there are some water sites. We had good service with Verizon.

This is an excellent camp for enjoying the song of the birds and the bounty of the lake. This campground offers 31 non-electric sites. Additional amenities include vault toilets and boat ramp. 

A dense mix of red cedar, black gum, red oak, elm, pecan and sweet gum trees forest the area, providing shade in the summer months and beautiful fall colors in autumn. Wildlife is plentiful around Greers Ferry Lake. Visitors commonly see white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, rabbits, squirrels and a wide variety of birds.

 Greers Ferry Lake is an outdoor enthusiasts' dream, with boating, sailing, water skiing, swimming, scuba diving and fishing opportunities. Hikers enjoy the area's three National Nature Trails and one multi-purpose fitness trail. The William Carl Garner Visitor Center is just west of the dam, with exhibits, a children's touch table, and a replica of the world record 40 lb. 4 oz. brown trout caught in the Little Red River downstream of the center.•

Standard Nonelectric• Overnight• Boating• Camping• Hiking• Boat Ramp• Drinking Water• Picnic Table• Parking Area• Campfire Rings• Paved Sites• Pets Allowed 

With over 30,000 acres of water surface, the lake serves as a playground for all kinds of water sports. 

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

LNT 

Better than when you found it

Stay safe  Happy travels

Don't confuse 'Cove Creek' campground with 'Cove Lake' at the bottom of Mount Magazine, a couple hours drive to the west. This campground on Greers Ferry Lake is shared by RVers and tent campers. It does not allow advance reservations, which can work for or against you, depending on the circumstances. My favorite sites are: C13, C18, C19, C30. If you're coming with friends, make a beeline for the best doubles: C29+C29A (or, backup: C28+C28A) so you can camp side-by-side and are just a few steps down to the water for fishing, nature viewing, and floating.

While in college, and subsequent thereto, I frequently visited Sugar Loaf Mountain for day hikes. The locations and names of “parks” are confusing on Dyrt so I would note that the camping area is called Sugar Loaf Park. I think this is a beautiful area of the state and the mountain is located W-NW Greers Ferry Lake and Dam. There is a $5 day entry fee if you drive in and $2 for walk in. The camp sites are $16 (no hookups) & $18 (30/20 amp) per night. Overnight camping is only allowed mid-May through mid-September but is otherwise available for day use year around. I personally think this is the preferred camping area around Greers Ferry Lake bc of the hiking and views, which I am more into. If that is your thing, Sugar Loaf is a solid spot for you to visit. Plenty to do and see within a 10-15 mile radius that can keep you busy for several days. Would recommend.

• Mid May to Mid Sep

• 30 sites with electric

• 10 non electric

• Reservations accepted

• Beach/swimming

• Boat ramp

• Drinking Water

• Dump station

• Marina

• Day use picnic area

• Flush toilets

• Showers

• Directions:  At Drasco, Arkansas follow SR 92 west for 12 miles, then SR 225 northwest for 3 miles, take Hill Creek Road south for 1 mile  Address is 474 Hill Creek Road, Edgemont, Arkansas 72044

• GPS 35.610830  -92.149170

If using GPS the address will take you to the campground.  A lot of the sites are double sites which puts you in close proximity to your neighbor.  The campground has a large number of trees giving most campsites a shaded area.  Picnic table are large concrete tables and site pad are on the older side.  There is also a fish cleaning station at the sites.  Bathroom and shower facility is fairly new.

The boat launch is large with a lot of parking for trailers and boats.  There is a nice, large group shelter that can be reserved.  When we were there the park had very few visitors.  The Greers Ferry area is, some would say, remote but in Arkansas we just consider it typical "out in the country".  Edgemont proper is located on the north side of Greers Ferry Lake and has a population of less than 1000 people.  The main draw for this area is water sports including fishing.  There are several sights to see in the area and the drive in the rolling small country towns will be a delight.  Check out the towns of Heber Springs, Mountain View, Batesville and so many more.  Pack a lunch or stop at one of the many mom and pop diners.

Greers Ferry Lake has over 30,000 acres of crystal clear water so whether you fish, dive, water ski or boat it is a beautiful, natural spot to kick back in.

• May - Sep
• Reservation accepted
• 60 Sites with electric
• 56 without electric
• Boat Ramp
• Drinking water
• Dump station
• Marina
• Showers and flush toilets
• Day use picnic area
• Address:  1350 Shiloh Road, Greers Ferry, AR  72067

Directions:  From Greers Ferry, go south 3 miles on SR 110 to park entrance

The camp host was very nice and doing a good job.  Super large marina.  Sites are nicely wooded which is great as long as you don't need the sun for a solar charge.  Some of the pads are rather short and uneven.  Some sites are angled quite a bit so leveling will become an issue so be prepared.  The sites are well marked so even if you arrive late you will be able to find your site.  Many of the sites are double sites and most still have a bit of distance with trees in the middle.  The double sites are nice if you are traveling as a group.  The swim beach had actual sand which made  for a real "beach" but it is not actually smoothed down so you need to look at it with one eye closed.  I have to give them an A for effort but it could be nicer.  The issue is when the rains come or they have to let the water level rise or lower it will tend to mess up the sand.

Fishing on Greers Ferry Lake is excellent.  Whether you are a local or a visitor fishing is a sport year round.  Every game fish natural to Arkansas is stocked and maintained by Arkansas Game and Fish.  Depending on the time of the year you are able to look forward to trophy size striped bass, walleye and trout.  You could even hook your share of channel catfish, bigmouth and white bass and crappie.  Bring your boat or rent a boat from the multitude of marina's around the lake.  Use a guide or take a chance and fish on your own.  Greers Ferry Lake is waiting for all to explore.  I didn't mention all the different types of boating, skiing, scuba diving, or SUP.  Outdoor adventures await.

Have Fun, Stay Safe

LNT

Leave it better than when you found it

Shiloh is one of many Corps of Engineers (COE) campgrounds around Greers Ferry Lake. It has lake access including swim beaches, a playground, and more. The sand tends to get dumped in ad-hoc piles, leaving the wide, concrete approach to the water slimy and slick. You'll likely place your chair directly on the concrete, for lack of a better place, so bring ample sun protection. Watch for poison ivy if you wander into the wooded areas. The group campsite area is nicely forested but is typically closed and some other sites near the water might be closed if there has been flooding.