Prairie Creek Campground and Horseshoe Bend Recreation Area offer waterfront camping near Hindsville, Arkansas, with sites for tents and RVs at elevations between 1,100-1,300 feet above sea level. The Ozark Mountain region provides distinct camping seasons with humid summers reaching into the 90s and mild winters rarely dropping below freezing. Campsites across Beaver Lake's 500-mile shoreline range from basic tent pads to partial hookup RV sites with 30-50 amp electric service.
What to do
Swimming beaches and facilities: Prairie Creek Campground on Beaver Lake has a dedicated swimming area with beach volleyball courts and playground equipment. "There are a lot to do if you are a family and like to spend time on the lake. There are nice recreational areas with play equipment, pavilions and beach volley ball," notes Matt S.
Mountain biking access: Blowing Springs RV Park provides direct trail access to popular mountain biking routes. "Perfect for the mountain bikers and hikers. Great location to access Bentonville," explains Nathan V. The park connects to both Back 40 and Slaughter Pen trail systems.
Fishing options: Horseshoe Bend Rec Area & Campground offers productive fishing spots directly from the shoreline. "Beaver Lake is known for small and large mouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish, stripers and white bass," reports a camper. The campground includes two boat launch ramps for anglers bringing their own watercraft.
Historic sites: Within 30 minutes of most campgrounds, visitors can explore War Eagle Mill, built in 1832. According to a reviewer, "War Eagle Mill is a working gristmill that was built in 1832. At the mill there is a beautiful stream with an old one lane wooden plank bridge."
What campers like
Secluded waterfront sites: Rocky Branch Campground offers direct lake access from waterfront sites. "The lower camp sites are on the water so you have easy access to the water," reports John F. Another camper mentioned, "We stayed in site 39, up the hill from the beach, very secluded site with lots of shade."
Well-maintained facilities: Lost Bridge North campground receives positive feedback for its upkeep. "The campsites are clean and level. Camped with a few disabled campers, and the sites were very accessible," writes Stephanie M. Facilities include flush toilets at the upper section of the park.
Off-season tranquility: Many campgrounds around Hindsville operate year-round with reduced crowds from October through April. "Stay during off-season. The park was very clean and quiet. Park rangers routinely patrolled and it felt very safe," notes Leslie D. about Horseshoe Bend.
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings are common at several campgrounds. According to Susan C., at Lost Bridge North, you can see "many deer to watch" throughout the campground areas. This adds a natural element to the camping experience without requiring special excursions.
What you should know
Unlevel campsites: Most campgrounds in the Hindsville area feature sloped terrain requiring leveling equipment. A camper at Prairie Creek warns, "Be prepared with as many leveling blocks as you can bring if you have a trailer. All spots seemed to have unlevel pads." This is particularly important for larger RVs.
Limited hookup options: Lake Leatherwood City Park and other area campgrounds often have electric-only sites. "There are no full hookups maybe shares water but no sewer hookups," reports John F. Water access points are typically shared between multiple sites.
Seasonal shower availability: Some facilities close during winter months. "Showers were miles away and looked pretty rough," notes Mike S. about Rocky Branch's upper campground. Always verify which amenities remain operational during your planned visit dates.
Reservation requirements: During peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), advance bookings are essential. According to one camper, "If traveling during the summer I would recommend reservations and if you have a particular site you would prefer I would reserve as soon as possible."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated playground areas: Prairie Creek (AR) offers family-friendly recreation options. "There is a lot to do if you are a family and like to spend time on the lake. There are nice recreational areas with play equipment, pavilions and beach volley ball," says Matt S.
Choose sites near swimming beaches: Multiple campgrounds feature designated swimming areas with varying facilities. "There is a swim beach with drive up access," mentions Stephanie M. about Lost Bridge North, making it convenient for families with children and beach gear.
Consider yurt camping: Yurt camping near Hindsville, Arkansas provides a comfortable family option. At Eureka Springs KOA, families appreciate the sturdy structures: "Better than hotel and cat friendly. No pets in yurts. Yes to Cats," explains Star L. The KOA also offers a "24 hour rec room w AC and a wall of movies and games and books and cozy couch."
Check for seasonal activities: Some campgrounds host special family events during holiday weekends. Susan C. notes that at Horseshoe Bend, "Last Saturday weekend in October people decorate there sites and kids trick or treat the campers."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions for certain loops: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "The upper sites are tough to negotiate and are not very level.. large Motorhomes are not recommended for these sites," warns John F. about Rocky Branch Campground.
Low voltage issues: Some electric hookups may not support air conditioning units during peak season. One camper reported, "Power at our site had low voltage so the AC wouldn't run correctly. Probably a better destination when it is cooler."
Dump station availability: Most campgrounds offer dump stations rather than full hookups. "There is a dump station has easy access," mentions Mary D. Always check the location and accessibility of dump stations before selecting a campground.
Seasonal campground section closures: During slower seasons, certain loops may close entirely. "The bathrooms were locked for the season, I presume," reports Jody D. when visiting during off-peak times. Verify which sections remain open during your planned visit.
