Are you planning a trip to John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake with your horse? We've got you covered. It's easy to find John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake campgrounds for horse camping with The Dyrt. These scenic and easy-to-reach Arkansas campsites are perfect for your horse camping excursion.
Devil’s Den includes 17 cabins with kitchens and fireplaces and 6 camper cabins. The park also offers 135 campsites (44 Class AAA, 4 Class B, 13 Class C, 24 Class D [no hookups], eight hike-in [tent only], and 42 sites with hookups in the horse camp that includes a bathhouse and access to the horse trails). The park’s cafe is open seasonally. The pool is open in summer only. Also on-site is a group camp, standard pavilion, playground, store, and meeting room.
Join park interpreters on hikes along trails including the 15-mile Butterfield Hiking Trail and for a variety of programs and special events year-round, like the Ozark Mountain Bike Festival held annually in the spring.
$20 / night
Nestled between the Ozark National Forest to the north, and the Ouachita National Forest to the south, Mount Magazine State Park boasts the highest point in the state of Arkansas: Mount Magazine at 2753 feet. Located just 100 miles northwest of Little Rock, this area has been a recreation destination since the late 1800s. Recreation at Mount Magazine really started booming in the 1930s and 40s with the construction of a lodge, campgrounds and trails. Visitors came to beat the heat of the surrounding valleys, as well as to enjoy the panoramic views, abundant wildflowers, autumn color, and numerous opportunities to play outdoors. The area finally became a state park in 1998.
Whether you prefer a posh lodge or cabin, a fully-equipped RV pad, or a rustic campsite, there’s a place for you to stay and play at Mount Magazine. The park’s campground offers 18 spacious sites with full or partial hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, hot showers and a dump station. Campers are required to store food and trash properly to minimize black bear encounters. For more luxuriant accommodations, the park’s lodge offers 60 guest rooms and spa suites with a variety of comforts, as well as 13 full-equipped cabins with up to three bedrooms. Not in the mood for hot dogs over the campfire? The large dining room at the Skycrest Restaurant serves daily meals while overlooking the Petit Jean River Valley.
When you’re ready to play on Mount Magazine, you can do it by foot, wheels or wings. Hikers have access to 14 miles of trails, ranging from 1 to 3 miles, with connecting options for going farther. The 34-mile Huckleberry Mountain Trail is great for mountain biking and horseback riding. For gravity-defying activities, the park offers more than 100 climbing routes on its southern bluff, as well as a hang gliding launch point over the Petit Jean River Valley. Less strenuous activities include bird and wildlife watching, guided ranger walks, historic site tours and various interpretive programs and outdoor skills workshops. There’s also spectacular leaf-peeping in the fall when the forest takes on its vibrant autumn transformation.
$35 / night
Welcome to our KOA, a green oasis only 3/4 mile off I-40, with long, level, shaded Pull-Thru RV Sites, Deluxe and Camping Cabins, a tiny house and large, grassy Tent Sites. You'll find fast, streamable, and secure free Wi-Fi and great satellite reception. Enjoy the pool, jump pad, walking trails, fishing pond, playground, gaga ball pit, box hockey, washer toss, volleyball and Kamp K9. The rec room has a kitchen, treadmill, board games, books, puzzles, and a 50-inch TV/DVD player with movies. Make this KOA your base camp while you discover all the area has to offer, including restaurants, antique stores, Native American history, casinos, farmers' markets, train rides, all while just 25 miles from Fort Smith, Arkansas. Explore the beautiful Ouachita or Boston mountains, Robert S. Kerr Reservoir or Lake Tenkiller, where hiking, biking, boating, scuba diving and fishing are plentiful. We also fill propane tanks mounted on RVs or portables from 20#-100#! Pool: May 20 - October 1. Max pull thru: 90 feet. Your hosts: the Maust family.
Let us help make your stay in Fort Smith a great one. William O. Darby RV Community is family-owned and operated with 47 RV sites providing local and cross-country RV campers with a wonderful place to stay and great service. Whether you are visiting for a day, a week, a month, or even longer, we offer great rates to make your stay the most affordable and enjoyable it can be. Our prices include WiFi, cable, & full hook-ups, which only helps make your decision even easier.
At William O. Darby RV Park, the level of comfort is incomparable. We like to consider ourselves to be a friendly community. We are located in a secluded country setting at Chaffee Crossing, but we are just minutes from all the amenities that Fort Smith has to offer. We are the perfect retreat whether you are just passing through, on vacation, visiting family, or on a job for an extended time in the area. We have something for everyone to enjoy and look forward to you coming to stay with us!
$22 - $25 / night
Experience the best tent and RV camping in Arkansas at Byrd’s Adventure Center. Right on the Mulberry River, Byrd’s offers a host of activities not found at any other Ozark campground.
Enjoy our comfortable RV and tent campsites as you relax in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Byrd’s Adventure Center offers spacious camping in a beautiful setting along the Mulberry River.
A variety of grassy and wooded campsites are available. Some sites have small shelters with picnic tables and campfire rings. In addition to our new Riverfront Restaurant (open weekly Friday-Sunday), we have more amenities than you’ll find in other Ozark campgrounds. These include a large heated shower house, a convenient on-site store with deli, stages, pavilions, an extensive trail network, two backcountry airstrips, rental cabins, plus floating and fishing on the pristine Mulberry River. All of this is located on our private 800-acre ORV park surrounded by the Ozark National Forest.
$10 - $22 / night
Cedar Lake is located in southeast Oklahoma, in the pine and hardwood-forested mountains of the Ouachita National Forest. The campground is situated on the shores of the scenic lake, a popular destination for boating, fishing, horseback riding and hiking.
The campground is a popular starting point for the Winding Stair Mountain Equestrian Trails, a system of over 70 miles of marked horseback riding trails. Hiking, swimming, boating and fishing on Cedar Lake are popular activities. A swimming area, boat ramp and fishing piers are available within the recreation area. A hiking trail traverses around the the perimeter of Cedar Lake offering varied views of the lake and its tributaries. The Talimena Scenic Byway is located within 10 miles of the campground, offering mountain top views of the valleys around Cedar Lake and historic sites along the way. The Talihina State Park, the western terminus of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), is located 21 miles from the Cedar Lake Campground. The OT extends across the Forest for 192 miles, the longest continuous trail system on the Forest. Kelly Branch Rifle Range is located 10 miles from the recreation area. Cedar Lake Campground offers a wide variety of camping opportunities, from campsites with electric and water at the campsites, basic campsites with no electric or water at the campsites and tent sites. Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp is one of the largest equestrian campgrounds in the Southern Region with amenities such as electrical/water connections and corrals at the campsites.
Cedar Lake covers 86 acres and is situated at an elevation of 900 feet. Fall foliage season usually occurs from the last two weeks in October to the first two weeks in November. The Ouachita National Forest covers 1.8 million acres in central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. The forest encompasses 700 miles of trails, 43 vistas, six wilderness areas and the highest elevations between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Rockies.
Talimena National Scenic Byway is located 10 miles from the campground. Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), western terminus trailhead is located at the Talihina State Park, 21 miles from the campground. Heavener, Oklahoma, Heavener Runestone Park is located 14 miles from the campground.
Refunds may be requested for the following: Death Medical emergency Storm event Mechanical
$25 / night
$35 - $40 / night
Head to Chicken Creek Campground for tons of fun on Tenkiller Ferry Lake. As one of the most popular campgrounds on the lake, Chicken Creek boasts modern facilities, impressive vistas, convenient access to boating and plenty of opportunities to view wildlife. It's no wonder why so many campers return each year.
Water skiing, boating, fishing, hiking, and swimming are some of the activities enjoyed by visitors. Prevailing winds and secluded coves create an ideal environment for sailing. Scuba divers enjoy the lake's clear waters and high visibility. Fishing is good for black bass, white bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish. The trout stream below the dam is one of only two year-round trout fisheries in Oklahoma, and is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Hunting is also permitted in parts of the lake area, in accordance with federal and state laws.
Tenkiller Ferry Lake is often referred to as "Oklahoma's clear water paradise." The 12,500 acre lake is sourced by the Illinois River and the Baron Fork, which are both designated as Oklahoma Scenic Rivers. It is nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in the northeastern part of the state. This area, known as Green Country, is surrounded by dense oak-hickory forests, tall bluffs, and rolling hills. The lake has 130 miles of shoreline with plenty of wildlife such as deer and turkey. It serves as one of the flyways of migratory birds, including bald eagles, common loons, and white pelicans.
Visit the Tenkiller State Park for its nature center and scuba diving park, the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge near Vian, or the historic city of Tahlequah - the capital of the Cherokee Nation. The scenic upper Illinois River near Tahlequah is great for canoeing and rafting, and the lower Illinois near Gore offers prime trout fishing.
$50 / night
$10 - $23 / night
Traveler
The experience begins with the climb: the road winds up and around the bends and crooks of the mountain. The entrance and welcome center is grand and very accepting of anything from small vehicles to large diesel pushers. The camping spaces are large and accommodating, most are level and can fit almost anything you travel in. The amenities were clean and - while dated - all in good working conditions. The various trails are well marked and offer several levels of technical expertise. At the top you can camp or stay at The Lodge - which offers a myriad of services from food to catered events.
But the views ARE the reason to experience this park! They are simply delicious!
Guide
Great camp ground, pleanty of shady spots. Would have given 5 stars, but they are limited on sites with 50amps. Showers were in rough shape as well
Scout
Absolutely beautiful from the Senic Overlook!! The trails are easy to traverse, and the nature here is breathtaking!!
GuideThere is not a lot to do, and it is pretty far from the city. However, there are big RV sites and amazing sunsets. There is also a lake nearby.
Dog friendly.
There are lots of nature trails, but none very long.
Lots of ticks, tricky to get good starlink connection.
Scout
With so many trails that you can access just by walking out of the camp site. This is my favorite spot to camp in Oklahoma
Scout
Contacted owner late in the evening looking for a spot after a 9hour drive. This place had everything and the bathhouse was just like taking a shower at home! Would stop here again when passing through!!
Legend
Beautiful and lush and QUIET. I love it. Asphalt and gravel sites. Clean bathrooms. Water and electric only. Gorgeous 3 mile hike around the lake. I hear it’s a fishing lake but we don’t fish. Enjoyed the scenery and peace. Would come again and again. Don’t forget the ice, there’s nothing close. Site 33 looks to be my fav.
LegendI’ve lived within 2 hours almost 20 years and hadn’t visited. I’m so mad! LARGE, well spaced sites with two bath house within 50 yards in either direction. There were trails out of the campground. Riverfront spots are most ideal but the anything on the outside of the loop is beautiful. Visitors center with wood. Small store with small amount of camping supplies and snacks. Cafe onsite offering three things. The hikes are short and just amazing!!!!!
TravelerMy husband and I have yet to have a camping trip together. Both of us have always talked about and loved doing it as a kid but never found the time to do it until now. We had a blast.
We tent camped and stayed in Site 80 on the RV camping area as it was the only area that had electric and water. We weren’t quite ready to go without electricity just yet as we kind of scrambled to make this trip happen before the weather turned cold and gets jammed with holidays.
We stayed a Sunday & Monday night. Upon checking on Sunday the park was PACKED as expected. Rangers were advising people to avoid Yellowrock and find other trails to do. We weren’t even going to bother until the Monday afternoon. So we went down to check out our site and get set up. Site was clean and close to the bathrooms. Neighbors were a little noisy at night but calmed down around 9:45.
Slept great and had a great day exploring the park and walking along the creek and went to Yellowrock which was gorgeous. Just download your maps before you go. No service so be mindful of that. I loved that aspect though.
Monday night was great and previous neighbors had check out that day so a peaceful nights sleep was had.
Can’t wait to come back and visit again!
TravelerGreat get away close to the Ozarks. Clean, quiet, beautiful views!
Legend
This was our second stop at the KOA in Fort Smith AR. They have many improvements since out last stay. The campground is convenient to I-40. It’s far enough away to not have traffic noise. The sites are level, there is a pool, Propane, fishing pond, and camp store. Also hiking trails. Also some tent sites. There is a whole new section for Class A and large 5th wheel campers now. The are located behind a highway department facility, and last visit the smell of the treated power line poles was overwhelming. No problem this time. This is one of the few campgrounds I’ve been to that have a storm shelter!
TravelerWe absolutely loved our stay in Site #11 in Campground A. The site was absolutely massive, and turned out to be even better than the one that we had initially picked out, but was already reserved. We were a little concerned about lack of shade in this site, as it only had one tree in it, but it shaded at least some of the site all day every day, and even provided a nice umbrella to hang out under during the brief bouts of rain. Hiking was fantastic, with each trail being dramatically different than the one before, and we did at least 7 of them in the 4 full days we were there.
Things I loved:
- no cell signal. They did offer ViaSat WIFI for a fee, but I love to unplug when I get the chance.
- the quiet natural beauty and dark sky
- very clean bathrooms, which were cleaned daily, even though there might have been a total of 4 sites occupied at any given time during our stay.
- frequent patrols by park rangers
- beautiful trails
Things I was not fond of:
- the park rangers that patrolled did nothing to enforce the rule that dogs must be on-leash, even when we know they saw this multiple times. Thanks to this, we had two dogs in the site next door that would randomly wander over to and through our site, much to the consternation of our two on-lead dogs. Thankfully, this couple left the day after we got there.
- the firewood was soaking wet when we purchased it, even though it was stored in a shed near the visitor's center. Decent price for the amount, but it was very difficult to start.
- a few more people than I would have expected during the week at this time of year. I would hate to see it on the weekends.
TravelerWe stayed at Devil’s Den state park over indigenous peoples holiday weekend (Sunday-Tuesday) and had a really relaxing time. The site are large and clean, most of them are shaded and the bathroom is a full bathroom with flush toilets, sinks, and showers. The trails are gorgeous and plentiful. We saw deer, armadillos, and skunks and while we are not bird watchers there were a ton of birds. We were at site 5 which is a very spread out site. You park in the middle between your fire pit and the tent pad, which was big enough for our 8 person tent. We also had a small meadow to ourselves and then woods between us and site 3 which was great for privacy. Site 7 is close to the tent pad but not too close. Site 6 was vacant the first night but the second night had 2 large families (about 15 people) that were closer than we would have liked but still fine. All the even sites are in the center and all odd site are on the outer ring, which I think giver more privacy. Sites 4 and 1 are the least shaded with almost no trees. 1 has the advantage of direct access to the creek and a gorgeous view. My husbands favorite site was 16 which has about 10 trees and would be perfect for hammocking. It’s on the end of the loop. There was talk that a bear was spotted in the park, so be prepared and be sure not to leave scraps out or the skunks can get close to your site. Overall, it was a great campground and we would 100% go back!
GuideWe didn't know what to expect. This place has absolutely everything you could need. Full Hookups, level sites (mostly gravel but level), shop with souvenirs and RV gadgets. The office also has a gameroom, pantry, and propane. We didn't get to use the playground area this visit as pool and hot tub were closed for the year. They also have normal cabin rental and tiny home rentals that were perfectly positioned around campground and fishing pond. My only complaint would be that the sites are really compact. Plenty of room for your RV but so close that you can hear and smell your neighbors. Nearby Walmart and restaurants were handy.
LegendI had heard so many great things about this park but I was not that impressed. The sites are fairly close together. There’s no signs warning that if you are in a large RV you shouldn’t come in on a certain highway. They do have equestrian trails and a campground to accommodate campers with horses. They have a lot of hiking trails. There are cabins and a pool.
Scout
Dangerous dog roaming loose. I was walking up the steps of the restaurant to see if it was open. There was a full size White Pyrenees at the top of the steps. They are usually friendly dogs. This one growled and lunged at me. I had to backpedal so quickly that I almost flipped over backwards down the stairs which most likely would have broken things. Pyrenees are a protectorate breed bred to fight and kill wolves and bears. Their jaw strength exceeds a pit bull. They could kill a child and most adults instantly.
RangerGreat location with easy access. Sites were good size and folks were friendly.
We only stayed one night passing through OK.
We’ll stay again!
LegendFollow route alerts by taking AR170 at West Fork from Interstate 49!
Do not go to Visitor Center to check in while towing. Go to campsite, unhitch, and then go to Visitor Center.
Fayetteville for Walmart, Target and other box stores + Braun's Ice Cream
Jakes in West Fork Harps grocery store & fuel
PROS
Senior discount
No fee to make my own on-line reservation
Dark sky friendly
Quiet during weekday stay
Campground E has lots of trees
Campsite asphalt parking pad level
Metal picnic table (on concrete pad), pedestal BBQ grill, metal fire ring with cooking grate that consumed half of the ring and metal lantern hook
Good space between most campsites
Campground E trash bin at every other campsite
Clean toilet/shower facility
Ample TP, hand soap and an electric hand dryer in toilet facility Campground E
Climate controlled toilet/shower facility. Felt great on a 38 degree morning!
Park ranger drive thru campground during daylight hours
Good signage throughout park concerning burn ban
Good assistant park superintendent presentation at the park amphitheater regarding the CCC constructing DDSP
Nice hiking trails
Squirrels will eat from your hand in Campground E
CONS
No cell service. Pay phone at campground toilet/shower facility
Only free WiFi is at camp store by the pool. We purchased WiFi from park vendor Viasat $20 unlimited for 3 days for one device
Cannot see or hear creek from site 89
Sewer connection at rear of site pad
No privacy from any other campsite in Campground E
Cannot move site picnic table
No camp host
RangerWe ended up staying at Cameron Bluff - a different site on top of the mountain, but this area looked pretty good as well! Clean bathrooms, neat visitor center, picnic tables, pavilion, and a bunch of trailheads
RangerWe’ve visited this site many times throughout the years and there is almost always something new to see! There are trails for all levels and a bunch of caves (sadly closed) scattered around the area. Fantastic views!
RangerJoined a lot of fall campers. Good overall experience, didn’t have time to take in all the trails. No phone or internet, no problem!
ScoutThey where very rude the other day to a guest that's been coming for years and years. I only been there when they where there. They informed me today they will never be back after years of going.. guess tuner bends right down the road will get our business next year
ScoutWe’ve stayed here multiple times and love it. Beautiful place. Some sites are a little tricky backing into with 29’ trailer though.
LegendAwesome Small Campground! What a gem! 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. Has fire pit with grill, separate bbq, siting area and great hook ups. Bear proof refuge container on site as well. Half off if disabled! Site 3 wasn't completely level, but quick fix. Sights and hiking were breathtaking. No laundry, cable or wifi, but restrooms and showers were clean. Cell service was spotty. Gorgeous lodge with great overlooks and restaurant close by. A diamond in the rough.
ScoutTraveling from Pennsylvania to New Mexico "The long way" we are staying off the interstates system as much as possible! This Campground was a pleasant surprise, very quiet, lots of space between sites more than most campgrounds!!! 50a and Water, need a tote if you're staying a few days, Cell Service is bad we have Verizon was only able to get a weak signal with a Booster and outdoor antenna. Not an issue if you're looking to relax. TV reception Channel 40 is weak but is doable depending on your site. The Access road is very narrow caution if you're pulling a large TT or Class A-C. You might get stuck having to back up. It's definitely worth it once you get into the campground. Some areas are prone to flooding they are clearly marked!
GuideExtended our plans to stay 2 nights (considered for the 10 miles to the park) after arriving at our site. TMobile 3 bars at site 17 Verizon lower...
GuideLots to do here at this conveniently located spot. Basketball hoop, pool and hot tub, pond with kayaks, and more. Laundry, showers and a decent shop too.
Horse camping near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake in Arkansas offers a unique blend of scenic trails and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a perfect getaway for horse enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake is Devil's Den State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 82 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
