Lake Charles State Park, located 7 miles southwest of Hoxie, Arkansas, offers camping options set along a 645-acre reservoir within the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures frequently above 90°F and mild winters, making spring and fall ideal for pet friendly camping near Hoxie. Campgrounds in this area typically have varying levels of shade coverage, with most sites situated within hardwood forests providing natural cooling.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Charles State Park has a reputation among anglers for bass and crappie fishing. "This is a pretty park with a man-made pond and surrounded by pretty natural setting. The roads into this area are narrow, winding and have no shoulder. Not the best for an old Class A, but worth the trip," shares Arkansas F.
Water recreation: Crowley's Ridge State Park Campground offers dual lake recreation within 35 miles of Hoxie. "The lake area is beautiful with a small spring fed waterfall, a swim beach area and even a slide into the water. No fishing in this lake, but there is another lake across the street that looks perfect for fishing!" explains Shana D.
Hiking trails: Lake Frierson State Park Campground provides several trail options through typical Ozark terrain. The trails range from paved to natural surfaces, offering exercise opportunities for both campers and their pets. "Nice trails, water recreation and quiet. The campground is small. 7 sites near one of the boat ramps," notes Shelly S.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention the condition of bathhouses at campgrounds around Hoxie. "The bath houses have just been renovated and the facility is maintained very well. The staff are very friendly and helpful," writes Jeff E. about Lake Charles State Park.
Privacy between sites: Davidsonville Historic State Park Campground receives praise for its site arrangement. "Larger sites, beautiful trees and surrounded by the changing colors of the leaves in mid-October," notes Kim C. The campground layout provides good separation between camping neighbors.
Affordable options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the no-frills camping available in the area. "Two pull in spots with concrete picnic tables in the woods. Quiet, rural area," explains Kevin S. about Greene Road Camp Dispersed, offering primitive camping without facilities for those wanting a basic experience.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer heat and insects can affect camping comfort. "Cons: the biting flies + mosquitoes were ROUGH in the morning. You'll need your bug spray," warns Mandy J. about Lake Charles State Park. Most reviewers recommend early spring or fall visits for better conditions.
Limited services: Many campgrounds near Hoxie have minimal amenities. "The drawback for me is that this campground only has vault toilets and no showers," shares Shana D. about Lake Frierson State Park. Cell service can also be limited in more remote campgrounds.
Distance to supplies: Pocahontas City Park offers camping closest to retail services. "Kids had fun on the playground! Places to eat and shop nearby!" notes Donna M. For more remote locations, campers should plan ahead with supplies as grocery options can be limited.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple parks offer child-friendly recreation areas. "Several different playgrounds and walking trails! Great fishing and even a splash pad for the kids to enjoy!" explains Donna M. about Craighead Forest Park, which features multiple play structures for different age groups.
Swimming options: During summer months, designated swimming areas provide supervised water recreation. "Really lovely lake with a great area for swimming. We had kind neighbors and felt very safe," shares Mandy J. about Lake Charles State Park. Most swimming beaches are open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Educational opportunities: Crowley's Ridge State Park Campground offers nature programs for children. "The weekend we went there were lots of park activities and visitors. The camping area is kept away from the rest of the park activities, which made it nice when you wanted to get back away from the crowds," explains Gabe S.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Several campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. "Not all of the sites are level, so consider that if you're in an RV," advises Mandy J. about Lake Charles State Park.
Road access: Some parks have challenging access roads for larger rigs. "The roads into this area are narrow, winding and have no shoulder. Not the best for an old Class A, but worth the trip," cautions Arkansas F. about Lake Charles State Park.
Hookup availability: Full-service RV sites vary by location. "We stayed in site 1, which was a pull through with full hook ups. Each site has a designated tent pad as well as a lantern hook. Sites on the outside of the loop back up to the woods, sites on the inside of the loop are more exposed to other campsites," explains Sue M. about Davidsonville Historic State Park.
