Best RV Parks & Resorts near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake, AR

The View is spectacular! The host is very nice and the bathhouse is clean. We didn’t get a chance to do any hiking. I’m sure it would have been beautiful. There is only one site with electricity for RV hook ups.

Super nice camp ground, 20 sites with full rv hook ups , extra nice facilities, park is clean and quite, kids loved the swimming pool and water park. Lots of trails around the lake

Awesome campground right on Mulberry River. From Full hookups, 50 amp to primitive camping right on the river. Mile long river hike , atv trails, 4 swimming holes, fishing kayaking , rafting( after spring rains). Owners are great and helpful. Surprisingly quiet. Park sells ice and wood. No w/ d. Offers long term camping for $500/ mo. Park well kept and clean. Very scenic.

Full hook ups. 30 & 50 amps. Level sites and very spacious. AT&T might get 1 bar might be none. None is better for me.

Great place to watch boats or go out in one yourself. Large campground lots of sites. Wasn’t impressed with the one to the right as you first get there, looked like more long term residents and almost left after riding through there but then I could see there was a campground further down the road and it was a very nice. Level sites. You can watch the boats on the river.

This campground is just okay. The sites are full hookup on level gravel. Most sites are out in the open with very little shade. There seems to be several permanent campers but not like a trailer park. We really like it because it is very close to the Razorback paved trail starting at mile 0 of more than 40 miles of excellent trails and near Arkansas University.

Our timing for our second stay was more expensive.  Usually rates are $38 nightly and $34 for Good Sam's members however; there are special event weekends where the rate is $50 for the weekend.  This weekend is graduation weekend so the lot was full.  Another note is that the WIFI here is very weak and it comes and goes.

Very clean & open camp spots. Easy to maneuver in & out of camper spots. Full hook ups which is fantastic. Bathroom/Shower house is very well kept!!

We stayed at RV site #3 on Quarry Island. The concrete pad was perfectly level and took no time to set up. There were 5 RV sites with full hook ups on isle, even though #4 and # 5 are so close to each other that slide outs could bump into each other, and 2 very nice RV sites with only water and electric on the isle. There was also a lot of tent camping, flush and vault toilets, dump station, pavilion, 5 cabins, picnic tables with grills, boat ramp and swimming anywhere you wanted except for 150’ of the boat ramp. The ranger station was on the isle, so traffic was high at check in. There were 2 hiking trails that looked very nice, but never hiked because we were kayaking. My parents stayed in cabin #4 on the isle and my brother tent camped at Wister Ridge. The view from both of their places was breathtaking and his tent site was well shaded with maple, oak and pine. Fishing was very good and wasn’t a whole lot of boat traffic. There is also primitive camping which looked very nice, except for a couple of sites where the campers didn’t clean up too well behind themselves.

Pros: Beautiful area and amazing views. Everyone was very helpful and friendly. Plenty of options for accommodations and outdoor activities. The Heavner Ruinstone and Spiral Mounds are close. Tons of wildlife areas and we even spotted a bald eagle. The campgrounds and cabins were very clean.

Cons: RV sites can be very crowded and not well spaced, especially at Victor Landing. The Wards would be the least crowded for RVs. The booking website is not very good and not very accurate. The cabins bed was not very comfortable, the shower was small and flooded the bathroom while using and the kitchen light and living room ceiling fan was on one switch, so there was no way to have the fan going without the light on. Not all RV sites have picnic tables.

Very Spacious sites with full hook-ups.  Well maintained with spotless bathrooms and a great pool area.  Lots of hiking opportunities as well as small boat use and paddle boards.  

 We have stayed several times and enjoyed it each time.

We have stayed here several times and will stay again. Owner is great and mostly around checking on things. Clean, well maintained, safe, easy in and out, quiet, small park. 8 full hook up pull through sites in front. We will be back.

Spacious and peaceful sites.  The loop we stayed in had full hook ups at each site and 2 very well maintained bathrooms with showers.

The creek was right behind us and there is a pond for paddle boats or paddle boarding.  The pool (we didn't use) looked d to be very nice also.  Plenty of easy access to many different hikes, none of which are too difficult.

Great park with beautiful trails, caves, a plethora of wildlife, and lots of CCC history. This park offers everything from primitive, hike-in camping to cabins and everything in between (including a full hook-up area). Park also has a pool. Remember, if pulling a camper, take exit 53, do NOT go through Winslow. The road is beautiful but VERY curvy and steep. Lots to do and see. A must.

We will BE back!! I’ve lived in OK for 30+ years and didn’t know of Cedar Lake in the Quachita mountains near Heavener, OK. It’s incredible!! Clean site, right in the national forest. At the time we went they had a camp host that met you, took you to your site, and checked in on us several times during our three night stay. She was really friendly, helpful, and our two boys thought she was the best when she gave them Smokey the Bear pins! While they do have bathroom and shower facilities our section of camps were down along with several others do to septic tank system issues that they were waiting on parts to arrive to fix. They provided portable toilets in the interim which worked fine. There is a really fun trail that runs right around the entire lake, and it’s a little over two miles. Nearly all natural terrain throughout the hike which makes it especially nice. Though we didn’t visit they have a section also for equestrian camping and riding as well as RV hookup sites. Can’t speak highly enough of this camping area!

Very nice state park with level sites with full hookups. Very interesting visitors center with exhibits explaining history of the park and a replica wagon (I asked). Nice large pool area with a water playground/splash pad. You can’t swim or Paddleboard but can kayak or fish here.

Very nice park! Did not expect it to be so picturesque! Very well kept. Campground AAA sites (1-20) offer full hook-ups and are spread out for privacy and offer longer pads. Site 4 is my favorite. Camp B sites are quite short but perfect for tent camping. The visitor's center is EXTREMELY nice and a must. There is a pool at the park as well. Lake Fort Smith also has cabins which offer a lake view. Group lodging is available. Marina rents canoes, party barges, fishing boats, kayaks, etc. The entire place is beautiful and a great place for family outdoor activities.

White Rock Mountain Recreation Area, in the western Arkansas Ozarks, has a campground with 9 tent sites. One of these is a large group site. 8 sites are arranged along a gravel loop road. In addition to tents, these tent sites will accommodate a camper van; the best sites for vans are #1 thru 4. These are level. Sites 5 thru 8, on the west side of the loop, have great views, but are probably not level enough for van, truck and car camping. Each site has a level gravel tent pad, grill, table & fire pit. The sites are not large enough for RVs. The forest roads leading to the recreation area are rough in places, but passenger cars can make it. Amber, our host, is fantastic. She delivers firewood to your site after purchase. The vault toilet is clean. Pump water is available. No hookups. The campground appears well maintained. The OHT runs though the recreation area. There is a really good hiking trail that loops around the rim of the mountain, offering fantastic views of the Ozarks. T-mobile cell service is available with sporadic LTE data service.

Aux Arc is clean and well maintained by the Corps of Engineers. It is in a weird location literally next to the Ozark Powerhouse.

The campground is modern and each site has some nice upgrade with pave spaces and table with small pavilions. Personally I would camp towards the bottom of the campground to try and avoid being forced to stare at the dam.

If there was better scenery this would have a higher ranking. Also, it tends to be geared more towards RVs and Camper Trailers rather than tents, but you can tent camp if you want.

The showers and bathrooms are clean and they have a good crew driving around in thier golf carts keeping everything maintained.

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). We stayed in campsite 9 which was a pull through site and had stunning views of the lake. My brother stayed in site 8. Sites 1-20 have full hook-ups with sewer. The bathhouse was clean and fully functioning.

Pros: Many activities at the Visitor Center for children. Ozark Highland Trail is directly behind the campsites on the lake side. Recreational area with a playground that is updated. Sites have gravel which limits how much dirt/mud you have to deal with.

Cons: Many of the campsites are on a grade. They all have multiple levels with stairs and have no railings. We had 5 children <6 years of age and the sites were somewhat perilous. If you are a parent with small kids, sites 17-20 and sites 2-3 are better. The other sites are excellent, but not necessarily best for small kids. Last, the playground requires that you drive to it which is inconvenient.

Overall: Great family park with updated amenities. We’d like to give it a try in the spring/summer when the pool and splash pad are open! If you’ve got small kids, Petit Jean State Park would be my suggestion in this area of Arkansas.

We really enjoy Lake Wister. It is never overcrowded. Nestled in a ring of pine and oak covered mountains: the Sans Bois, Jackforks, Kiamichis and Ouachitas, lodging facilities at Lake Wister State Park include 15 cabins, RV sites with full hook-ups or some with water and electric only, and tent sites. They have a nice splash pad and miniature golf. Nice hiking trails. Lots of animals like raccoons, squirrels, skunks and deers. It is a very remote State Park. It is a nice lake with the most beautiful sunsets and bald eagles fly overhead. It is one of my favorite lakes. It has a big spillway damn with great fishing for catfish and crappie. I go to Lake Wister to catch fish for my fish fries, and to fill my freezer. The park has nice campgrounds with big whispering pines. They have a boat ramp, boat dock and fishing dock. The bathrooms do need to be updated. I love the little rustic cabins that overlook the lake. They were built around the 1940's I believe. They do have a full kitchen and provide coffee, linens and towels. They have heat, air, and fireplace with a fire pit and picnic table outside. Very reasonably priced.. The rangers and employees are very nice and helpful. The campsites run $16-$29 dollars. They give discounts to disabled, military and seniors.

Website: https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/lake-wister-state-park

Address: 25567 US Hwy 270 Wister, OK 74966

Park Office: Phone# 918-655-7212

I some other reviews that described it as more like a small RV park. That’s unfair in my opinion.

I’ve been stuck using a couple of RV parks out west and they packed us in tight.

These spots aren’t super roomy, but you aren’t bumper to bumper either.

The spots are paved and all seemed pretty level. Spots 1-35 back up to the forest. Higher numbers back up to an open field.

Restrooms and showers were spectacular. Everything was clean and well kept.

The lodge is a pretty short walk up hill. It has a restaurant and small gift shop. It also has a lookout, and two trailheads. The lobby is spacious with a great view.

One of the trails connects to Ouachita trail. The drive in from Oklahoma is stunning and the drive to Mena, AR is only about 20 minutes. Several shops and restaurants and a Walmart.

There is a mini golf course, ice cream shop and train ride - but they said it’s only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and they haven’t gotten word of it will open for 2021.

Also has a playground and an Old Steam Train to explore.

21 RV spots available around a small, family lake. Water and electric hook ups and clean dump station. Small park/play area and two large pavilions. Hiking trail located at the back of the park. Lake is great for fishing and kayaking. Not a major boating or water sport lake. First come first serve spots. Camp host is helpful and friendly. Calm and quiet stay

The campground is small with limited pads. Each site is close to the next and are generally occupied with RVs or camper trailers. I would suggest that this campground is most appropriate for the camper who prefers a more modern feel. There is ample cell phone service, WiFi is nearby, facilities are clean and modern. It is approximately a 15 minute drive into Mena, AR where you can find significant shopping. The campground is also near a large hotel. There are many hiking and mountain bike trails available in the area. A few miles down the road you can find an old fire tower which is interesting and can be accessed if you are daring. This area is dog friendly, dogs can access the trails as well. There are also some very neat driving trails, the bypass is a popular destination for motorcyclists which can offer some noise during the day. The park is also approximately a mile from the Oklahoma state line. This is a nice area for the avid cyclist, hiker, and motorcyslist.

This Loves RV stop is not at a truck stop so not as much noise. Great sites that are flat and level. 1-15 are full hookup but 16-18 do not have sewer. BUT the train that comes through several times a night uses their horn more than I have ever heard.