250 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Story, Arkansas provides access to multiple camping options within the Ouachita National Forest and along Lake Ouachita. Washita Primitive Camping Area sits directly in Story with a 4.8/5 rating, offering both tent and RV sites with electric hookups, drinking water, and showers. Several Corps of Engineers campgrounds surround Lake Ouachita within 20 miles, including Crystal Springs, Joplin, and Little Fir campgrounds. These established sites typically feature electric and water hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, with many providing boat-in access to the lake.
Road conditions vary throughout the region, with some forest roads requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain. Most developed campgrounds remain open year-round, though services may be limited during winter months. The Ouachita National Forest also offers dispersed camping options on forest roads, particularly along FR132 and FR179, where campers can find primitive sites with fire rings but no facilities. Cell service is spotty throughout the forest areas but generally reliable at developed campgrounds near the lake. As one visitor noted about dispersed camping in the Ouachita National Forest, "There are other dispersed sites along the road. Beautiful site in the woods. Quiet."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Story area, with Lake Ouachita providing swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. Reviews indicate that Crystal Springs Campground is particularly popular among boaters, though this can create challenges for non-boating campers. "If you have a boat, this is the place for you. If you don't, expect to be annoyed by the boaters," reported one camper. For those seeking more solitude, the dispersed sites along forest roads offer greater privacy and a more rustic experience. Hikers appreciate the proximity to trails, including the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, which passes near several camping areas. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region, with deer sightings common at many campgrounds.
"Site 40 water faucet is broken Showers are hot and free Arkansas is very pretty but the trash on the road sides and road kill is too much. Clean up after yourself people!!!"
"found (they were on their boat). after 45 minutes, had to have rangers come down to tell them to leave. then our neighbors (also had a boat), was about to charge his boat on our electric. moral of the story"
from $16 - $100 / night
Check Availability"This was our second stay here, and it confirmed what we’re starting to realize: Arkansas state campgrounds are next level."
"This state park sits on one of the prettiest and clearest lakes in the state of Arkansas. The area that I will be focusing on is the primitive tent sites."
"I took off one star because this site, while located right on the water, is very unlevel."
"If I’m being nit-picky, the only criticism I have is that the groups sites don’t have a shower adjacent."
from $16 - $75 / night
Check Availability"We arrived on Friday evening and found our site was even closer to the lake than expected. We were nearly surrounded by water and it made for a pretty view--especially at sunrise."
"The campground is nicely situated near the end of the LOViT cross country MTB/hiking trail. There are sites ranging from primitive to water and electric."
from $16 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Hidden off road to the top for scenic view. If the gate is open then explore an hour worth moderate off roading. This place also offers great hiking trails and primitive camping."
"Right next to the trails! Beautiful view of lake below. Only issue was some broken glass around the picnic area. Please pack out all of your trash!"
"This is our second favorite State Park in Arkansas. We had a spot overlooking the lake, which was beautiful. It's a super quiet and peaceful lake. Lots of kayaks and canoes."
"I arrived at my campground - site 68 in Loop D to realize I booked a site right next to the road."
"Hike in electric spot that overlooked the lake. Easy to walk down and swim in the water!"
"We enjoyed our 2 nights here on the lake. The campground is literally on a mountain in the lake. Tent sites right on the lake and so are some RV spots. Warning."
from $18 - $26 / night
Check Availability"We stayed in Loop C at the very back past the group campsite, which is tent camping only and a short walk from the bathroom."
"Despite being close to the main road, it was very quiet."
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Quiet and beautiful right on Lake Ouachita."
"Beautiful location and you can park your RV or pitch your tent right by the lake. Is a bit remote so I recommend that you make sure you have everything you need before you head out this way."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"There are many positives to this campground well beyond the proximity itself. With electricity at all sites and a flat rate it seems to have a lot of positives to check off."
"With close proximity to the town of Hot Springs, AR, this campground is well maintained and convenient but lacks in privacy. I stayed here as an overnight while driving north through the Midwest."
from $34 / night
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ScoutI visited this property a year ago and came back after I heard it had new ownership and had been updated and remodeled. WOW, I was so impressed with it! We will be coming back again.
TravelerThis was our second stay here, and it confirmed what we’re starting to realize: Arkansas state campgrounds are next level. Full hookups, free WiFi, top-notch facilities, and great rates — it’s a combination you just don’t find everywhere.
The lake itself is unbelievable. This reservoir is a boater’s and swimmer’s dream — clear, clean water as far as you can see. The campground is large, but the sites are still wonderfully spacious — no crowding, no feeling like you’re on top of your neighbors. The whole place is clean, well organized, and clearly well run.
The proximity to Hot Springs provides easy access to restaurants, shops, and a real town if you want a break from camp life. It’s about 15 minutes away, so you get the best of both worlds: peaceful lakeside camping with civilization just down the road when you want it.
If you’re road-tripping through Arkansas, don’t skip this one. This campground is by far one of the best you’ll stay at.
GuideAfter driving what seemed like forever I finally reached the spot. It is a lovely spot, very shady. I did not see a river at the bottom of the steep bank. Someone who had been there before me left eggshells all over the ground and trash in the fire pit. After cleaning out the trash which included a soiled baby diaper it improved the looks a great deal. I did not pick up all the eggshells.
LegendHad a large time here!! Great staff, park and marina! Will definitely be back!
GuideI stayed 2 nights and it was a great location. I had water views on 3 sides. Site 20 is a good location for tenting, it has pretty good shade coverage. There is water and electric at the site. There are bathrooms and showers available to campers. There is a sandy beach area for swimming. The water is refreshing on a hot and humid day. The camp host is very nice and reassured me to reach out if I had any questions or problems. After dark it was surprisingly very quiet, there was a loud group camped 2 spots away from me but they were quiet after dark. The views around the lake are beautiful. I will definitely stay here again if I’m in the area. Just a side note, if the geese are troublesome, the park rangers will shoot off blanks to scare them out of the cove. This is done without warning, so it’s a bit startling.
GuideI stayed 2 nights and enjoyed the time I was there. The grounds are nice and well maintained. The staff is very friendly. Stay 2 nights or longer and you can get a free demo of how to sift for diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, which is just down the road. They also lend out, for free, equipment to use to hunt for diamonds (if you stay 2 nights or longer).
I stayed at tent spot 2 and it was a great choice for staying in a tent, nice and shady. I car camp with an attached SUV tent and was able to have my set up arranged how I needed it. There were electric outlets at the site. The bathrooms were clean and air conditioned.
I will definitely stay here again if I’m in the area.
ScoutI grew up around this area so Waveland is always a safe choice for some casual casual camping. We chose site 06 because it’s a bit separated from the other areas and since there was hardly anyone there, it was almost dead quiet. Very private and peaceful. My only complaint is that there was no one working the station where you’re supposed to check in— we tried three separate times thinking maybe they were on break or at lunch, but no luck. We also tried calling several times but no one picked up. It rained quite heavily and stormed in the area, and a part of me wonders if it got bad enough, would anyone have come notified us to leave? The lake is currently closed to swimming and most everything except fishing/boating and in a certain area— but it’s in an effort to improve wildlife and fish populations, which was already quite noticeable!
GuideThis is our second time here, and both times we were the only people camping here! My grandson did a little fishing, but no swimming and there is a cool bamboo forest to explore. Bathrooms were clean and the sites were huge! (In case there were other campers) LOL NO phone signal however!!
GuideNice spot, especially if you get one of the old campsites. However those were taken by long term folks who either just left their trailer there with no one in it, or they ran generators through the night. The remaining campsites were inaccessible by car, so we ended up staying in the bathroom parking area. Bathrooms boarded up, no trash cans, a fair bit of trash lying around.
The Ouachita National Forest surrounds Story, Arkansas, providing campers with access to a 1.8 million acre wilderness area featuring dense pine forests, mountain ridges, and clear streams. Lake Ouachita, Arkansas's largest lake with 975 miles of shoreline, borders many campsites near Story, creating numerous opportunities for waterfront camping. Winter temperatures in the region can drop below freezing at night, while summer humidity levels often exceed 80%.
Hiking the LOViT Trail system: Tompkins Bend Campground provides direct access to the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail. "The campground is nicely situated near the end of the LOViT cross country MTB/hiking trail," notes one visitor. Another camper adds that "There are several great trails nearby, including Lake Ouachita Vista trail system - great for hiking and mountain biking."
Crystal digging: Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground serves as a convenient base for mineral hunting. "We went crystal digging at Coleman which was also unbelievable. Will definitely go back when half the US isn't underwater!" reports one camper. Another visitor mentioned, "It is near enough to Hot Springs. Also near plenty of quartz mines. My favorite place in Arkansas."
Creek swimming: Unlike the warmer lake water, Charlton Recreation Area offers a cold-water swimming option. "The swimming area at the entrance of the campground is a big draw, accessible to the public for day use, and has quite chilly water. On the hottest summer days, it's a better bet for cooling off than warm lake water on nearby Lake Ouachita," explains a camper who visited in summer.
Clear water visibility: Joplin Campground visitors frequently comment on the water clarity. "Just about every sit is on the water...clearest water in the state. 45,000 acre lake I believe," one visitor notes. Another camper adds that it's "Such a dreamy spot on the lake. Facilities were nice and close enough by."
Secluded tent sites: Primitive camping options at Hickory Nut Mountain offer more isolation than developed sites. "Great campsite with parking, picnic tables, fire rings, grills, and a restroom. Right next to the trails! Beautiful view of lake below," explains one tent camper. The site also features a unique nighttime experience: "You get a view of the lake from the trees and at night you're surrounded by 'lightning bugs'. Which makes the experience a little enchanting."
Wildlife viewing: Denby Point campers regularly spot wildlife near their sites. "We saw tons of deer everyday in the campground," reports one visitor. Another camper describes, "Sunsets and views of the stars are amazing from this campsite on the lake." The diverse wildlife extends to birdwatching opportunities, with one Lake Ouachita camper noting: "We saw eagles every day and fishing was great."
Limited shower facilities: Several campgrounds have minimal or no shower options. At Gulpha Gorge Campground, "the only thing missing was a shower in the bath house." Similarly, at Denby Point, the bathrooms were "clean and more than adequate" but lacked showers.
Water level fluctuations: Lake Ouachita's level varies significantly throughout the year. "The lake is very low right now. I was told that the state is drawing down the lake for hydro power and because there hasn't been any rain in awhile it's starting to show," explains one recent visitor. Another camper warns: "One thing to note is when the lake floods the water does come up to some of the tables that are near the edge."
Wildlife precautions needed: Bears have been spotted near some camping areas. A Tompkins Bend camper reports: "There seems to be a bear that likes to roam around. He stayed clear of my tent but was getting into every trash can around camp and created quite a ruckus a few times. I just remote started my truck when he got near the trash cans near my tent and it spooked him a bit to run off."
Playground access: Lake Ouachita State Park Campground offers dedicated facilities for children. "Ranger programs, educational displays, swimming beach, cabins and traditional tent/RV camping" are available according to one visitor. Another notes the campground has "volleyball nets near the lake" for family activities.
Protected swimming areas: Families with young children will appreciate designated swim zones. At Tompkins Bend, one parent notes: "Water/boat access. Coves for kids to play in." Another family mentions that Lake Ouachita "has camping for all types" with "tons of activities for the whole family to enjoy."
Varied accommodation options: Families needing more comfort can find non-tent options. "The cabins are beyond wonderful to stay in and well worth the price. Beautiful scenery and tons of activities for the whole family to enjoy. The rangers were great and offered a variety of informational classes and hikes," explains one family that visited Lake Ouachita State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds near Story have uneven sites due to mountainous terrain. At Charlton Recreation Area, "Loop A, atop a hill, has the forested primitive sites, and is the prettiest of the three loops." For RVers, "the sites on loop B offer a nicer setting than Loop C, in my opinion, but neither are bad."
Hook-up availability: Full-service sites aren't available at all campgrounds. A visitor to Lake Ouachita State Park notes: "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." At Denby Point, "Our site had 50, 30 and 20 amp electric as well as a frost hydrant with decent water pressure."
Electric options vary: Determine power requirements before arrival. At Joplin Campground, sites have electric hookups, but backup options are limited. "No wifi or sewer hookups. We stayed for 5 days with 4 teenage grandkids and had a blast," reports a Lake Ouachita camper, highlighting the balance between modern conveniences and rustic experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Story, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Story, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 250 campgrounds and RV parks near Story, AR and 43 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Story, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Story, AR is COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 46 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Story, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 43 free dispersed camping spots near Story, AR.
What parks are near Story, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 parks near Story, AR that allow camping, notably Ouachita Lake and Ouachita National Forest.
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