Hot Springs National Park KOA
Really nice cabin w/ lots of amenities. koa was flexible in letting us rent the cabin for our daughter and grandkids while we slept in the Rv out front.
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Lake Ouachita State Park Campground houses several glamping accommodations on the shores of Arkansas' largest lake, providing upscale outdoor experiences with stunning water views. The park features yurts and cabin-style glamping options equipped with modern amenities while maintaining a connection to nature. Guests enjoy private accommodations with comfortable bedding, climate control, and easy lake access. One reviewer highlighted, "Cabins were awesome, hiking was beautiful and kayaking the lake was fantastic! By far the best part of the trip was the events hosted by the Park." Other glamping options near Jessieville include Catherine's Landing in Hot Springs, offering yurt accommodations with full hookups and resort-style amenities, and Crystal Ridge RV Park with unique cabin glamping near the area's famous crystal mines.
The crystal-clear waters of Lake Ouachita provide glamping guests with exceptional recreational opportunities, from swimming at dedicated beaches to kayaking, snorkeling, and fishing. Glamping accommodations at Lake Catherine State Park and Petit Jean State Park connect visitors to extensive trail systems and water activities while providing comfortable shelter with essential amenities. A visitor noted, "The water was beautiful and clear, the bath house was clean and the campgrounds were well maintained." Most glamping sites in the area operate year-round, though summer brings higher occupancy rates and expanded programming. Evening activities include ranger-led star cruises and nature programs, with the option to explore nearby Hot Springs National Park for its historic bathhouses and thermal springs just a short drive from most glamping resorts.
"There is a loop on a peninsula that are reserved for walking in your gear to a tent site. These sites have GREAT views of the lake."
"Camping in the state park of lake ouachita in a tent. never. been. better. was on site T04 for tents and basically sites t01-t11(maybe 12) are on a small peninsula with the lake on both sides. you can"
"PROS Senior discount
Reserved on-line 365 days prior to arriving
Site #68 allowed parking RV 12 feet from water edge which was fabulous
Totally level site
Asphalt campsite pad
Pea gravel and"
"Lake Catherine is a popular spot that’s on a first come first serve basis so arrive early. Most campsite have fire pits and grills. Nice space in between campsites."
from $15 - $25 / night
"The camp ground is hilly, but all the site are flat and level, the basic site comes with a picnic table, electric, water, and a fire ring."
"Would like to revisit without our dogs to check out the theme park nearby next time!"
"12 a night, full hookup potential AND you are walking distance to the mine!!! For $20 you can go spend the day diggin through dirt and finding crystals."
"It had an AC, shower, full bathroom, kitchen, TV, a charcoal grill with charcoal, and the camp host brought over fire wood with no charge."
from $13 / night
"The park is set on 400 acres with one mile bordering Lake Catherine and about eight or nine miles from downtown Hot Springs. "
"Gorgeous setting on pristine Lake Catherine close to historic Hot Springs. I was in lakefront site 123 for one night but would have liked to stay longer."
"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"
"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."
from $25 - $40 / night
"Full hook ups, big campsites with table, fire pit, and level gravel. River is close by with playground. Booked up fast for us on the weekend. 20 to hot springs."
"We arrived at this wonderful little COE with 9 sites and headed into back-in site 3 with FHUs. After we settled, we self-registered per instructions on the information board at the entrance."
Available this weekend
from $35 - $60 / night
"There are no water hook-ups at the sites. only electric. The cell signal on the “down the hill” portion of the campground is pretty non-existent."
"On the lake and perfect for canoeing, but close to Hot Slrings if you want to tour the bathhouses or Dane the night away at the hotel."
from $50 / night
"The only downside while we were there was the bathrooms were not open."
"Lots of activities here, we stayed at the De Roche Ridge campsite area, love the view of the lake no matter which site you stay and enjoyed beautiful sunsets from ours."
"Well maintained, lodge on site, family and pet friendly."
Really nice cabin w/ lots of amenities. koa was flexible in letting us rent the cabin for our daughter and grandkids while we slept in the Rv out front.
Nice quiet neighborly (most) pet friendly laundry showers wifi pool community gathering
Facilities 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.
Nice, spacious, clean rv park with solid amenities. Very near lots of outdoor activities and Hot Springs National Park
Been camping here for a few years now. Quiet at night. Clean bathroom and showers. Campground a little rocky and hilly. Some sites need some attention, minor water dripping or damage to facets mostly great place. Wonderful hosts. Gary and Michele. Good price.
The camp ground is hilly, but all the site are flat and level, the basic site comes with a picnic table, electric, water, and a fire ring. The staff are very friendly and helpful, as we were a last minute check in. The bathroom facilities are very clean, air conditioned, and individual room that include a nice size shower. They have a very nice pool and offer shuttle service into Hot Springs!!
We 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!
Well 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.
We stayed in the tini cabin because it was 98* out, and we were sun burnt from digging crystals. It had an AC, shower, full bathroom, kitchen, TV, a charcoal grill with charcoal, and the camp host brought over fire wood with no charge.
Lake Ouachita offers glamping opportunities near Jessieville, Arkansas with campsites positioned at an elevation of 578 feet above sea level. The region experiences mild winters with occasional freezes and humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s. Water visibility in Lake Ouachita can extend to 30+ feet, making it one of the clearest lakes in the region.
Kayaking the islands: Lake Ouachita features over 210 islands accessible by kayak from Brady Mountain - Lake Ouachita. "I visited several [islands] each day on a kayak. I arrived at Memorial Day and basically had the place to myself. I left my kayaks on the beach about a hundred yards from my campsite for a few days with no problems," notes Kyle G.
Crystal hunting: Visit Crystal Ridge RV Park for a unique glamping experience with direct access to crystal mining. "For $20 you can go spend the day diggin through dirt and finding crystals. I don't think everyone has the luck we had but we came after a rain and cleaned up. Hundred bucks in gems," shares Justin M.
Hiking waterfall trails: Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park offers spectacular hiking about 45 minutes from Jessieville. "The Cedar Falls hike is beautiful and a quick fun adventure. I recommend going to the Petit Jean Grave. The view is vast!" writes Sondra M., highlighting one of the most popular trails in the area.
Lakefront views: Campers at Catherine's Landing consistently mention the quality of waterfront sites. "We stayed in site 204 which is a back in site with FHU on driver's side. We loved this site because it was on the back side of the campground, near the dog park and lots of open space behind us to play with our dog," reports Jennifer H.
Clean facilities: Stephens Park Campground maintains exceptional cleanliness standards. "The sites were basically level. There's a restroom/shower facility that sits up the hill from the CG. Hot Springs offers lots of things to do and all of the big box stores if you need them," shares MickandKarla W., highlighting the park's well-maintained facilities.
Family-friendly activities: Luxury glamping in Jessieville area includes pools and recreation options. "Kid friendly. Great upkeep and sites that are easily accessible. Playground, splash pad, and pool. We were not able to access the pool because of the time of year, but we will definitely be back in warmer weather," writes Bridget C. about her experience at Catherine's Landing.
Site selection matters: At Lake Catherine State Park Campground, waterfront sites offer superior experiences. "We took my nieces on a weekend trip in our camper to Lake Catherine State Park. Our campsite backed up to the lake, so we had a great view. The campsite was a great size and well spaced out from our neighbors," explains Alison C.
Seasonal considerations: Fall and spring offer the best weather for glamping near Jessieville. "Go Spring or Fall for the View. If in Arkansas, Petit Jean State Park is a must. With a ton of trails, lodge, restaurant, and waterfalls it is a nature lovers dream," advises Andrew S.
Limited cell coverage: Reception varies significantly between parks. "Received good AT&T 5G cell service, but little to no T-Mobile 2G service. Areas C and D are in the woods. Most of the sites in these areas are on the small size but should easily accommodate a truck camper and smaller," notes Fred S. about Petit Jean State Park.
Pack water toys: Clear lake conditions make water play a priority. "A paradise for everyone! The property is so peaceful and quiet. We came with little kids and they explored their hearts out. Along the river there's a trail and fun places for the kids to play and play," recommends Lauren N. at Catherine's Landing.
Consider glamping yurts: Several parks offer alternative accommodations for families without camping gear. "The canoe, kayak and boat rentals are in good condition, the paved sites and roads are very smooth and level. The tent campsites are on their own in a grassy meadow away from the RVs. The Yurts looked very nice from the outside," notes Taylor D.
Visit ranger programs: Hot Springs National Park KOA offers excellent access to educational opportunities. "We only stayed here one night on our way home, so we didn't really get to use everything at our disposal. The sites are close to each other, but they are stair stepped, so you feel like you have more privacy which was really nice," shares Chris H.
Choose loops wisely: Different camping loops offer varied experiences for RVs. "We stayed in A35 which is a triple A site with level site with all the trimmings! Wooded campsite with adequate shade, picnic table, fire pit and raised grilling station. It was very clean and well kept," recommends Don L. about Lake Ouachita State Park.
Arrive with supplies: Some campgrounds are remote with limited nearby services. "We stayed here only as an overnight on our trip cross-country trip, but overall nice campground. It is about 20 min off the main highway. Things close up early here and once off main highway there really is nothing as you drive to the park," cautions Roxy V. about Hot Springs National Park KOA.
Water hookup tips: Some sites have unusual utility layouts. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level. Some sites have water and the picnic table on the opposite sides of the camper. It's purely inconvenient and I'm not sure why this is this way," warns Ryan S. about camping at Petit Jean State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Jessieville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Jessieville, AR is Lake Ouachita State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 51 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Jessieville, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 glamping camping locations near Jessieville, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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