3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Petit Jean State Park and Mount Magazine State Park offer rustic cabin rentals near Jerusalem, Arkansas. Petit Jean's cabins include electricity, beds, and basic furnishings, with some featuring private decks overlooking Lake Bailey. Mount Magazine cabins provide more upscale accommodations with full kitchens, bathrooms with showers, and climate control systems. Buffalo Point cabins within Buffalo National River provide a more rustic experience with limited amenities but excellent river access. "We stayed in one of the cabins at Dogwood Springs Campground. Nothing fancy, but after a long day hiking the shower was a godsend."
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Petit Jean's cabins require advance booking, especially during summer and fall foliage seasons when availability becomes extremely limited. Most park cabins allow pets with restrictions and additional fees. KOA-style cabins at Little Rock North KOA provide standardized amenities including beds, electricity, and nearby shower facilities. "The cabin itself was as expected. Only beds inside with one table, 4 chairs and a fan. It does have electricity inside but no water," noted one visitor about the yurt-style accommodations at Petit Jean.
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities vary widely - Buffalo Point cabins offer minimal cooking options while Mount Magazine cabins include full kitchens with refrigerators and stovetops. Dogwood Springs cabins feature mini-kitchens with basic cooking equipment. Supplies can be purchased at camp stores within larger parks like Petit Jean, though selection is limited. For more extensive grocery needs, campers should stock up in larger towns before arrival, as the nearest full grocery stores are 20-30 minutes from most cabin locations.
"Our first time in Petit Jean State Park and hopefully not our last! The area is so beautiful and the park is clean. We stayed in one of the yurts."
"PROS No reservation transaction fee
Senior discount
Quiet
Moveable metal picnic table on a concrete pad, pedestal BBQ grill, fire ring with cooking grate, and one hook lantern pole
Site 14 partially"
from $25 - $40 / night
"The State Park systems in the US are some of our favorite places to find beautiful camping spots, but Lake Dardanelle State Park in Arkansas tops most of them all."
"The park is clean and decently maintained. Great welcome center with aquarium displays that are quite informative."
"There are some trails nearby, but the area and trails are really designed for ATVs."
"short drives from the campgrounds to beautiful scenery with a little bit of research, or ask greg. alot are even accessible by car. take the 30 min drive to hillbillys lims bbq as well."
from $20 / night
"This Campground is quiet, secluded jewel in Clinton, Arkansas. Tall trees everywhere you look. Every campsite is shaded. Perfectly spaced trees for the hammock lovers."
"Tall trees, a lake, and nicely spaced out sites. Loved it."
Available this weekend
from $18 - $50 / night
"Nice shady spot with a picnic table, grill and fire pit. Was also a space for a tent. The picnic table had a few steps up to it."
"Not a glamping campground, but beautiful peaceful change. Only 16 sites, with only 2, 50 amp sites. We were lucky enough to get one. Site is huge and private."
from $35 / night
"Each site has parking, for car or RV all differing in length, and you walk behind the parking to an area with benches, picinic table, lantern hanger, and fire pit."
"A number of sites are multi-level, meaning the picnic table may be on an elevated platform with steps for access."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $50 / night
"Location good. Site: one tent camp site. Which was Off to self. Had covered picnic table (all of which was positive to us) Power and water. Bathrooms; great."
"Super friendly staff,lots of trees, little store with ice cream. Nice game room with a pool table. Laundry room and a little workout room behind the store. Small fenced in playground and a huge pool."
"We stayed as a group (three families with 7 kiddos total, ranging from 6-15), across two adjacent sites: 1 & 3."
"There is swimming, boating, (stocked) fishing, hiking, and pretty drives. Absolutely beautiful lake surrounded by green that would be incredible in the fall!"
"The ranch also has cabins and horseback rides. Check out their website for more info."
"Car camp, hammock, tent camp, or rent one the cabins to enjoy the roaming goats and horses around the property. Infamously known in AR as one of the best climbing spots."
from $5 - $245 / night
"He went over the trails in the area & marked the ones I wanted to go to on a map - which was extremely helpful since I kept losing cell service/gps while driving."
"My Drive to the campsite was beautiful. The new owners are extremely kind & accommodating. My cabin was perfect for my dog & I. I’m excited to see the updates to visit again."
GuideFacilities look dated, but staff was great. Had an electrical problem on our pole after we were already set up and working. Allowed us to use neighboring site electricity, and started fixing ours. Lots of mature trees. Right off interstate so decent amount of road noise, but not a big deal.
TravelerWe stopped to camp here on a Sunday night because it was convenient to where we were headed. It is off the beaten path so it was nice and quiet. There were only a few campers but although there is a beach that had families playing and swimming, it cleared out by 7PM. Our campsite was nice but the ground was hard and full of rocks, which made tent stakes useless, but our tent will function without them. The facilities were old and dated but they were clean and neat and the family who owns the campground were really nice and friendly. All in all, a good experience and a restful nights sleep for $30 a night.
TravelerWe stayed a week at Petit Jean in one of their gorgeous cabins. It was a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend. The check-in and check-out was easy. Finding the cabin was easy with the directions and map we were given. They were clearly marked, with parking for two vehicles, as they were setup like a duplex. The cabin was beautiful and clean, inside and out. There was a large, heavy, all wood porch swing on each side. Relaxing in it was a peaceful experience, listening to the sounds of birds and the breeze through the tall pines. Inside it was all beautifully stained wood and roomy enough for two people, much like a hotel room, except for the cathedral ceiling. In fact, the setup was better than most hotel rooms we have stayed in. There was a mini-fridge with a small freezer, microwave, coffee pot(with coffee, cups, creamer, sugar, etc,) a Keurig, blow-dryer, iron, ironing board, and broom. It had all the toiletries: soap, shampoo, conditioner, tissue, cups. The open closet had plenty of shelving and hangers for clothing and bags. The bathroom was standard with water that quickly got hot for your bath or shower. There were two full size beds with comfortable mattresses, plenty of pillows and warm bedding, with a nightstand between. There were plugs to charge your phone and a landline. There was also a fireplace, however it was locked closed. The air unit in the room had cooling/heating that was easy to operate and sufficiently cool. We were near the highway, close to the lodge, but did not hear traffic while in the cabin. Parking at Mather Lodge is just like any other, with a short, easy walk to the entrance. Once inside, you pass the check-in desk, a small, well-stocked gift shop,(with something for every age,) an open meeting area and bar before reaching the restaurant. It is beautifully constructed from large logs stained and polished to a gleaming shine. From floor to ceiling, it is the epitome of rugged elegance. We ate breakfast and dinner exclusively at the lodge. The food was exemplary, every meal, cooked to perfection and delicious. The atmosphere was relaxing and we were never rushed or made to feel as if we overstayed our welcome. The service was fast, even when every table was occupied. The servers were friendly and attentive. We had only one server, one time that was"less than," maybe she was new, not sure, but we did not see her again. Tommy, Thomas, Jessie, Brad, Rebekah, and Lindsay were all so pleasant, always greeting us, even when they weren't our servers, remembering us and making us feel like family. The view of the gorge with it's tall trees and towering rock formations was incredible! There was a common area behind the lodge, just outside the restaurant with tables, chairs and benches for observing the gorge, taking photos, relaxing and socializing. You could walk right down to the edge of the huge flat rocks for photos with a stunning background. We spent every evening there, watching the exquisite sunsets. This place is a nature lovers paradise. There is a pool surrounded by loungers behind and to the side of the lodge. It was clean and well-kept with a small waterfall at one end. Thick thirsty towels are provided for your convenience. The grounds are beautifully maintained. We never saw or heard a mower but the grass was cut to perfection and there wasn't a single piece of litter in the entire park. At check-in we were given a map, brochure and weekly schedule of events/tours at the park. The map was very necessary for navigating around this extensive park of which the lodge area was only a small part. The brochure described the hikes and other available activities(such as climbing and repelling) with descriptions of what could be observed, length and difficulty levels. Trust the brochure! If it says strenuous, it is. Plan accordingly. There were four ranger guided tours the week we were there. We took two of them. They were genuinely interesting and pleasurable. Baron, our ranger, was exceedingly knowledgeable about the geology, animal and plant life and history of the area. Exceptionally so, for someone who was seemingly so young. He was attentive to the needs of those attending the tours, stopping to rest if necessary and moving a bit slower for us older folks. He was so affable and easy to talk with, it seemed as if we were old friends. Willing to spend extra time after the tours, talking with us, was an indication of how much he enjoyed his job. We were very appreciative of someone of his character and enjoyed spending time with him. He is the perfect model of what one would think a park ranger is and should be! Any hike can be taken unguided and there are plenty of them. In fact, we had plans to go outside the park on other hikes, but never made it off the property for those. We actually did not have enough time to do all we wanted to do within the park. If you are looking for a phenomenal vacation, this is the trip you should take!
GuideWell maintained state park especially for its age. All sites have a picnic table, ground grill, and tent pad. Roads and campsites are paved. Nicely spaced sites. Clean bathhouse.
GuideSteep and fun drive to get to this campground. Sites are big and spaces are wide creating a very nice experience. Short hike from the campground is the overlook road and the views are incredible!
ScoutPeaceful and wooded. Paved parking. Enjoying our stay. Bathrooms and showers nice enough.
RangerVery nice park and clean bathrooms. The cedar falls are wonderful when it has been raining a lot. RV sites are spacious and a lot of locals like to stay there for short vacations.
GuideThe campground was really nice. The sites were spread out really well for full hookup spots. Each spot had some privacy and distance between them. Bathrooms were super clean. There’s plenty of hiking trails around but other than that it’s a pretty relaxing campsite. Weather is 10-15 degrees cooler than what you’d expect in the River Valley.
GuideConservation Corps constructed with beautiful log buildings, a pool, a restaurant with a beautiful view. Good size lake with boat rentals. The sites were well spaced and the bathrooms / clean and updated. Planned on staying 1 night but went for 2 as it was so nice.
Cabin accommodations near Jerusalem, Arkansas range from basic to upgraded options throughout the Ozark region. Nestled in the Arkansas River Valley, most cabins sit between 300-1,800 feet elevation with temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees cooler at higher elevations than surrounding lowlands. Winter visitors should prepare for occasional ice storms that can affect cabin access in December through February.
Waterfall hikes year-round: Several trails lead to spectacular waterfalls near Mount Magazine State Park. "This is a very nice state park that mostly offers hiking and beautiful views. The hike up to the highest point in Arkansas is easy and family friendly for kids," notes Jeremy C.
Fishing access points: Lake-based cabin stays provide excellent fishing opportunities. At Choctaw near Clinton, "Fishing is a way of life for most lovers of the lake but you also have boating of all types," according to one visitor. Sites are approximately 1.5 hours from Jerusalem.
Cave exploration: Many cabins provide proximity to fascinating cave features. "We also made the hike down to Cedar Falls. It was absolutely incredible, but you should be somewhat in decent shape for this hike as it was not easy! We also hiked Bear Cave. It was nice with lots of exploring around the cave," shares Shana D. about her experience at Petit Jean.
Private lake views: Cabin sites at Lake Dardanelle State Park offer water proximity with unique layouts. "We were in sight number 28, which I picked because it was close to the bathroom. The sites are shaded, but VERY close together without anything in between," explains Amy H. Lake Dardanelle is approximately a 50-minute drive from Jerusalem.
Individual shower rooms: Some parks offer exceptional bathroom facilities. "When we went to the shower house we got a big surprise! Not only was it clean but it had six doors. Behind each door was a shower room complete with a toilet and lavatory and guess what? It was air conditioned," reports David B. about Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Rustic cabin interiors: Many cabins maintain a traditional aesthetic while providing necessities. "My cabin was perfect for my dog & I," states Sadie B. about Dogwood Springs Campground. Some visitors appreciate peaking into the cabins: "We had an opportunity to peek into a cabin and we were very impressed with the set up, having a full bath and mini-kitchen. It was well appointed and inviting."
Temperature variations: Higher elevation cabins experience significant temperature drops. "Unless you're going in July, I would recommend you pack a pair of pants, long sleeves and maybe even a light jacket. You will probably be cold otherwise," advises Donny S. about Mount Magazine.
Limited connectivity: Cell service ranges from spotty to non-existent at most cabin locations. At Macks Pines, "No ATT or Verizon service there or in the general area, had to download a map that was essentially a PDF to get around," reports Amy & Stu B.
Seasonal water conditions: River-adjacent cabins experience significant water level changes. "We could see the level dropping throughout the day Sunday and into Monday morning," notes Susan R. from Buffalo Point. Water levels can rise rapidly after rainfall: "By Saturday night and Sunday morning it was 13 feet."
Accessible swimming: Lake-based cabins offer family-friendly water activities. "Lots for families with swim beach and playground in addition to nature experiences," explains Michael B. about Lake Dardanelle.
Evening wildlife watching: Families appreciate natural entertainment near cabins. "We were able to listen to a Barred Owl before going to sleep," notes Greg D. at Cove Lake Complex, approximately a 45-minute drive from Jerusalem.
Wildlife encounters: Buffalo Point cabins provide opportunities for animal sightings. "Deer were everywhere and the Indian Rockhouse hike was really great," shares Heath L. Buffalo Point is about 2 hours from Jerusalem but offers extensive cabin options year-round.
Winter access challenges: RVers should research road conditions for winter cabin visits. "Due to the elevation and drastic temperature change from the base of the mountain and the campground, it frankly isn't safe at all to drive on the mountain in the early morning or evening," cautions Donny S. about Mount Magazine.
Laundry planning: Most cabins lack laundry facilities, so pack accordingly. The Little Rock North KOA, while further from Jerusalem at about 1 hour away, offers more standardized amenities for those transitioning between camping and cabins.
Groceries and supplies: Stock up before arrival at cabin sites. "Dry county with very few places to buy any food or groceries outside of an hour drive," notes Amy & Stu B. about the Macks Pines area, reflecting similar conditions near most cabin camping locations around Jerusalem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Jerusalem, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Jerusalem, AR is Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 109 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Jerusalem, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 cabin camping locations near Jerusalem, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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