Camping near Arkadelphia, Arkansas centers around DeGray Lake, with elevations ranging from 195 to 300 feet above sea level across the camping areas. The region sits within the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, creating varied terrain with limestone bluffs visible from many lakeside campsites. Seasonal wildlife viewing includes bald eagles during winter months and white-tailed deer year-round.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: The Iron Mountain trail system is adjacent to the Iron Mountain campground, offering miles of wooded trails for cyclists. "The Iron Mountain trail system is adjacent to the campground. I love the rustic simplicity of the place. It is older but well maintained and clean," notes one visitor to Iron Mountain.
Geocaching opportunities: Several campgrounds maintain geocaching routes, with DeGray Lake Resort State Park offering structured programs. "We had fun geocaching and deer sighting," reports one camper who stayed at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Photography spots: Sunrise and sunset views make for excellent photography, especially from higher elevation sites. "DeGray Lake is very pretty, and calm. The sunrise and sunsets are serene," notes one visitor, while another adds, "Depending on where you are in the park you can see the Ouachita mountains in the horizon. Great place for photo enthusiast with Beautiful sunsets and an abundance of wildlife."
Disc golf: Multiple courses exist within a short drive of Arkadelphia's camping areas. "We made a short drive over to DeGray Lake where they have a disc golf course," mentions a visitor who camped at Iron Mountain.
What campers like
Direct water access: Many campsites allow for immediate water entry without hiking to designated areas. "My friend and i stopped in here for a night with our paddleboards. We could walk straight into the water from our campsite, and there was literally no one else out on the water it was amazing," reports a camper at Edgewood.
Secluded camping options: Despite being developed campgrounds, many sites retain natural privacy. "This is not a small park. There are lots of sites, but somehow they've maintained enough wooded space between each site to feel fairly secluded," notes a visitor to DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Quality bath facilities: Most established campgrounds maintain clean restroom facilities. "The facilities were immaculate. Concrete pads and sites were well kept," according to a camper at Catherine's Landing. For those seeking more amenities, "The shower rooms are large and stone tiled" at this resort-style campground.
Wildlife viewing: Campers frequently report wildlife encounters throughout the camping areas. "Lots of wildlife and very peaceful; the Bald Eagles are an extra treat," mentions a visitor to Caddo Drive.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain that requires equipment for proper setup. "Some sites are very level and some are more challenging to level your RV. Some sites are narrow," notes an Iron Mountain visitor. Similarly, at Arlie Moore campground, "Only complaint is sites aren't level. 33 was pretty steep for us!"
Variable cell service: Coverage fluctuates throughout the camping areas based on location. "Depending on what side you are on you may have cell coverage, but on the other side (where we moved to) virtually no signal," reports a camper at Iron Mountain, while another notes, "We had great Verizon service with the use of a cellphone booster. Without the booster service was fair depending where you are."
Water access limitations: Not all waterfront sites provide direct water access. "The tents-only loops are not bad although the bathrooms are small. One loop for tents is on the water. Apart from that, the campground needs improvement," mentions a visitor to Caddo Drive, while an Iron Mountain camper notes, "This campground is on a tall ridge so there is no walk out to the water. You can view the water from most sites though."
Primitive camping options: For those seeking free alternatives, Big Fir Primitive Camping offers no-fee sites with minimal amenities. "I've used this campground multiple times and while there is no water or electricity it offers an excellent view of the lake and a few camping spots right along the shoreline. There are roughly 10 spots to camp, about six on the water and a few just off the water but they do fill fast due to the free nature of the site especially on holidays."
Tips for camping with families
Water safety measures: DeGray Lake can have sudden depth changes near shorelines. "We were able to park boat next to campsite and get kayaks and floats in and out of water easily. Boat ramp super close by," reports a visitor to DeGray Lake Resort State Park, emphasizing the importance of designated water entry points.
Trail difficulty assessment: Family-friendly hiking options vary in challenge level. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," shares a camper who visited Lake Catherine State Park, offering a specific recommendation for children.
Educational programs: Many campgrounds run ranger-led activities for children. "My son loved the snake talk and snake skin bookmark event," shares one parent, while another notes that "Each trail had a information board where you can scan a QR code to know more about the trail, what made it unique and what to look out for while you are out there. This was new to us and kept us curious."
Bug preparedness: Tick and ant encounters are common throughout the area. "Pretty and clean. Lots of ants. Only trail down to water is where the designated swimming area is," warns an Edgewood visitor, while others frequently mention ticks during warmer months.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Campground utilities vary significantly across the area. "All sites have water, 50/30 amp, sewer, cable, and wifi. Fire pits and picnic tables accompany all sites," notes a Catherine's Landing visitor, while an Iron Mountain camper explains, "They're all electric hookup only. Dump station near the entrance station. Fill up fresh water before you get there."
RV length considerations: Site dimensions can be deceptive when booking online. "Beautiful place but some of the sites are super un-level. We tried our spot 16 and it was so steep our emergency brake could barely hold and behind the pad was a huge drop off to the lake. We had to pay for second spot to move to as we did not feel safe," warns an RV camper at Iron Mountain.
Last-minute availability: The Arkadelphia area offers good options for unplanned stops. "Stopped in while traveling with no reservation on my bike. The campground was full but they did find me a spot for tent camping for the night," shares a visitor to Arkadelphia Campground & RV Park, which offers reliable availability for overnight stays.
Power reliability: Summer heat can strain electrical systems at older campgrounds. "We did have electric, and there were common areas with water spigots throughout the campground," notes an Iron Mountain visitor, highlighting the need to check amperage and hookup status before arrival.
