Searching for the best camping near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake, AR? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake campgrounds just for you. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake camping trip.
$16 - $75 / night
"It’s in between the Arkansas river and Massard creek. You can launch a boat or you can go kayaking in Massard creek. There’s Cat fish, Perch and, Bass."
"Really nice campground you have two options in the A section you are right one a small river and one the B side it’s more of the wooded option but most sites have the Arkansas rive close by with mountain"
$20 / night
"Devil's Den is a gorgeous parked tucked in the mountains of Arkansas. The primary campground for RVs is one of the better campgrounds I have seen. The facilities and amenities have been great. "
"Devil’s Den is an oasis of trails and amenities."
$15 - $35 / night
"Simply put, this is a great little rustic place to get away from the hustle and bustle. The sites offer 20/30/50A hookups with water and septic."
"He greeted us with his precious dogs and hung out with us until we were settled in, telling us all about the property, trails, and nearby waterfalls."
"The campground is set among tall trees adjacent to the John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake and James W. Trimble Lock and Dam of the Arkansas River."
"Nice area with many spots that back up to an outlet of the Arkansas River. Great bank fishing! Friendly staff. Highly recommend."
"Was headed to Lake Fort Smith but area was booked so we stopped here and was pleased with our stay. Spaces are quite small but it has become the norm everywhere."
"It’s just far enough away from the highway so you have a quiet nights rest without hearing the traffic. The pond on the property has soothing sounds of peepers to fall asleep too."
"Beautifully maintained, sits right on the Arkansas river. Pool is cold but clean and well maintained. The park was not even 1/4 full while we were there. I hope business picks up because it’s nice."
"Only one year old on Arkansas river great location if you like being close to restaurants staff very friendly"
$16 - $75 / night
"This park is located on the Arkansas River. There’s a boat ramp, so bring your boat and enjoy the beautiful Arkansas River. Pets are allowed, there is a leash law. Bring your own firewood."
$22 - $25 / night
"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!"
$23 - $163 / night
"Lake Ft. Smith State Park is a beautiful park in the Boston Mountains. We drove over from Memphis to meet my brother’s family (who lives in Tulsa)."
"This is a nice modern park on the shore of the man made Lake Fort Smith."
"Conveniently located near Fort Smith AR."
LegendSpringhill Park in Fort Smith is yet another great U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground and recreation area. We are huge fans of Corps parks for numerous reasons and this one did not disappoint. The campground is set among tall trees adjacent to the John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake and James W. Trimble Lock and Dam of the Arkansas River. The park is located in Barling, Arkansas which is just a short drive from downtown Fort Smith. The area offers plenty of sights to see (especially for history buffs) and interesting things to do.
The campground is open year-round. Campsites can be booked on-line at recreation.gov except during the off-season (Nov- Feb) when all sites are walk-in. The park has 44 total sites divided into two loops– one with 30 amp electric (A loop) and the other with 50 amp (B loop). Water is available at some sites and at the centrally-located dump station. Finding out which sites have water on recreation.gov is a bit confusing. When looking at the “site list” page you will notice no sites have water listed as an“amenity” but it does list the electric. To find out if a site has water, click on the link for specific details of a particular site and it will indicate if there is water hook ups.
All sites and roads are paved and easy to navigate in a big rig. Many sites are very long with only eleven sites being less than 45’ in length(and only seven under 40’). One major downside of this park is that only about half the sites(in Loop B) were not flat enough for us to get level without having the wheels off the ground. Smaller RVs or trailers that use blocks instead of automatic leveling jacks should be able to get level. All sites have a picnic table and fire pit. The sites in A Loop(pictured below) have a paved parking space adjacent to the paved RV pad. Campsites are closer together and have fewer trees creating a more open feel than in the B Loop but do back-up to a small pond that makes for a nice view.
We stayed in site B1 and loved the privacy and tall trees surrounding the site and the large grassy field next to us. Sites B9 and B11 have great views of the water and offer plenty of room between you and your neighbor while others are tucked nicely into the trees. The patios in B Loop(pictured to the right) have a concrete patio on a cement pad. Most of the patios are located at the back of the campsite. We picked up roughly 15 television channels (including the three major networks) with our antenna. Trees may prevent you from getting satellite if your dish is fixed on the roof.
Located in both loops are a bath/shower building(which were very clean), playground, and pavilion. There are hiking/mountain biking trails that leave from the campground. Mountain biking is a big deal here and there is a 10-mile"fast" trail where experienced bikers race frequently. Other amenities include basketball courts, boat launch and picnic pavilions.
The park is a few miles from Fort Smith proper and about eight miles to downtown attractions including the National Historical Park. Within two miles are a few restaurants, gas station, and a super Walmart is less than four miles away. The area immediately surrounding the park is a nice part of town that felt safe to us. What we liked was that this park has well-spaced sites, a nice wooded setting and a site with the amenities of electric, water, and a pavement. The location was great to downtown Fort Smith so you didn’t feel isolated if you wanted to go sight-seeing, out to eat, or shopping. Being right on the lake meant we could easily go kayaking or fishing and there were plenty of places to walk throughout the property. Access to the park is easy and manageable for a big-rig towing a car. The price$20/night (or$10 for senior pass holders) is quite the deal. This park is great for dogs with lots of room to walk, trails, and places to swim.
The only ding was that if this park would have had sewer at the site. But we loved it anyway and would definitely stay here again. The other ding this park gets is the fact that so many sites are unlevel.
TravelerThis park is located on the Arkansas River. There’s a boat ramp, so bring your boat and enjoy the beautiful Arkansas River. Pets are allowed, there is a leash law. Bring your own firewood. Campsites are both Electric and primitive. Flush toilets and Warm Showers are available. Good cell service. Very clean and peaceful.
LegendWebbers Falls is a very small community in Muskogee County Oklahoma with a population of just over 600 people. on the Arkansas River. The park is located right next to the river. Wonderful views of the river and the bridge spanning the Arkansas. The campground is dotted with large mature trees. The grass provides a soft carpet for parking any size rig. There is a circle drive and you will pull thru All sites are good sites with view of the river.
Hunting, fishing, and wild flowers and colors to keep you entertained. Directions off US 64 turn off at the Webber Falls exit; continue straight onto E1040(Weatherly Drive; keep left to continue on Commercial; turn right onto S. River Road; turn left onto Commercial Street
LegendThis is KOA, not my favorite place to stop, but they have good, basic facilities, sort of like Motel 6. They are just off I-40, so it was convenient for a one night stop. The sites were level, and were Pull-Thru so we didn’t even unhook. Full hookups, Some shade, a dump station. The shower/bathroom was clean. There is a small store. They also have cabins and tent sites; Free Wi-Fi, cable tv, a pool and playground, and a pond for fishing. There is a small Kamp K9 (dog park). When we were there everything was wet, and the smell of wet creosote from the log yard next door was terrible.
LegendAddress 801 S. Main Street, Gore, OK
PROS Free
CONS Lonely
ADA Compliant Pets allowed Picnic tables Basketball goal ADA porta pot Water Boat ramp(steep) Patrolled by police nightly
In the early 1900’s there was a ferry that crossed the Arkansas River and now there is an extremely high bridge that you may view from this quaint small park. This are is where the picnic tables and grill are located.
The parking area is paved and we pulled up next to the grassy wooded area to park.
This park is located just before the town of Gore and we felt safe but you would need to use your judgement. Great cell service. Just down the road at Love’s you will find a dump station.
Directions: Going north on Highway 100 as soon as you cross the bridge turn to the left at the first road. The park is a short distance located in a nice wooded area.
TravelerSimple, but nice. No frills. Quiet. If you are looking for a peaceful, quiet place, away from the city, this is a great place. I love it. Have stayed several times in several different sites. Will stay again. About 13 campsites, all gravel. Has a wooded trails for walking and a big open are for walking and playing with pets. Water, sewer and 30/50amp electric are easy access and to hook up. James the owner is great and has a U-Pick orchard as well.
RangerWe found this quiet spot with a small waterfall on Mountain Fork Creek that has a fairly large (semi-level) gravel parking lot right next to the natural waterfall which gives good noise cover for the road nearby. There are a few small trails along the creek and a few small bluffs with climbing spots for those who like some verticality.
Not great for solar panels but we had a good view of the north sky so Starlink works great here!
Also, a few stray dogs and cats came to see us a couple times.
ScoutThe campgrounds was amazing and the store staff was decently friendly but the owner and his wife where rude and being nasty I went to have my dgter Birthday and they charged everyone that wanted to enjoy her day $10 not a carload A PIECE my son has ptsd so we brought his service animal which is cocidered MEDICAL EQUIPMENT not a pet and these rude nasty people charged me $50 extra after I left said the Girl with the color hair snuck the dog in no that’s not even the point if your animal is service it’s medical equipment not a pet GET THAT RIGHT also said my cabin was left a mess listen here people imma a former Girl Scout leader and all the girls in my cabin was former Girl Scouts so when we leave we leave it as we found it or better so don’t go giving me that it was dirty line of crap I freaking know better then that.was definitely treated like outcast from the owner and his wife you guys should really just use that resort as a gated community with the people that’s already there since you don’t know how to be nice to the new guest☹️🤔😔😡
ScoutI have been camping out here for years but never took advantage of the A side. A12-14 are premian spots to camp. I tent camp and the view is amazing. It’s in between the Arkansas river and Massard creek. You can launch a boat or you can go kayaking in Massard creek. There’s Cat fish, Perch and, Bass.
Discover the joy of camping with your furry friends near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake in Arkansas, where several campgrounds welcome pets and offer a range of amenities and activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake is Springhill with a 4.1-star rating from 21 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 115 dog-friendly camping locations near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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