Best Glamping near Little Rock, AR

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. 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. A few of the sites even have access to the water for swimming, fishing, or putting in your kayak. 

The sites are pretty close together and not very level. The more level sites are in the loop nearest the parking area. There are two shared water spigots. One near the parking area and one near the end of the peninsula. There is no electricity at these sites. The two best sites, in my opinion, are sites 7, 8, and 9. They have great access to the water and wonderful views of the lake. If you decide to camp here be warned that the sites are not very large. We typically bring a canopy for our outdoor kitchen, these sites are not large enough for a big canopy. Also, this lake tends to be very windy. There are trees around the sites, but the fire pits on sites 7-9 are very exposed. This poses are problem when trying to build a fire. 

There are plenty of activities to do while visiting this SP. Some of the activities may still be suspended due to Covid 19. In July they have a boat tour that costs $10 per person. They take you out to "Bird Island" to see the purple martins. It's a neat tour. There are also plenty of hiking trails, swimming, fishing, and other typical state park activities. You can't go wrong with the views here, but there are some things to consider.

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 shady 

Good condition asphalt parking pad with gravel and grass surrounding 

Good view of lake from Site 14 

Sites well spaced 

Campground A toilet/shower building clean and sufficiently stocked. Heated but not air conditioned. 

Site 14 more than long enough for trailer and tow vehicle 

Dark sky friendly as there are no street lights in Campground A 

Very nice 6ft wide asphalt bike trail from Campground B to Mather Lodge

(approximately 1.75 miles) CCC Hike and Bike Trail 

New Visitor Center built 2021 

Beautiful CCC built Mather Lodge

(restaurant added in 2012) 

Grass throughout campground mowed 

Firewood sold in the yards of residences along State Road 154 

CONS 

Site 14 extremely unlevel side to side 

No privacy from other campsites 

No entrance security gate to the park or any campgrounds as State Road 154 cuts thru the park 

No park ranger drive thrus 

Mather Lodge Restaurant OK. Don't expect much from the menu or service but it has a full bar 

3 of our 4 day stay there was a religious group prophetlytizing at the Park Visitor Center WIFI only at Lodge and Visitors Center 

NO TMOBILE service

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 go swimming in the lake right off the back of your campsite. they have charcoal grills at each site as well as a fire pit that has a grill over itnfor cooking things over the fire. there is a concrete pad with a picnic table as well as a separate pad on compacted dirt for your tent and then plenty of space in your campsite for other things. you can’t beat the views. the bathrooms are the cleanest an moat upsated Ive seen in a camp ground (and I’ve worked in one) and the showers are great. never felt afraid of wild animals roaming the sites while walking to the bathroom in the dark or anything. the staff in the office is friendly. they offer boat rentals for cheap as well as expeditions to partake in. theres also camper and rv sites and cabIns available, a marina to bring your boat, and fun activities for kids! theres a few different trails to hike around the campground. we went on a moderate 4 mile hike and walked to the trailhead from the campsIte. a great hike with awesome views of the lake and you dont have to drive to the trailhead! couldn’t recommend this place enough!

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 grass around asphalt 

Good night sky viewing 

Squirrels ate from our hand 

Saw ranger patrolling campground frequently 

Waste containers every other campsite 

Metal picnic table on concrete slab 

One hook lantern pole 

Metal fire pit with cooking grate 

Pedestal BBQ grill 

Clean restroom/shower and adequate TP and hand soap. Women had 2 showers, 2 sinks, 3 toilets 

Weekend campground nearly filled to capacity 

4 bars Verizon LTE 

Hike to waterfall a bit tricky, but worth the effort 

Hot Springs National Park 15 miles from campground; nice to watch the crowds from Superior Bathouse Brewery 

Free water from the springs next to the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center- must have your own containers to fill 

Enjoyed Red Oak Fillin’ Station so much we dined there twice 

Diamond Head 19th Hole Restaurant, open to the public and very close to park entrance 

CONS 

Damn Canadian geese crap everywhere 

Fire pit was filled with oversized logs and once removed there was unburned charcoal and lots of ash 

Unable to move picnic table 

Site#68 no shade what so ever 

No privacy from other sites 

Lots of speed boat and jet ski noise, even after sunset 

Morning train noise 

Power plant lights and humming noise 

No security gate closure overnight 

No WIFI

19th Airlift Wing is the host for the base and supports the largest C-130 fleet in the world.  The wing supplies humanitarian airlift relief to victims of disaster in both supplies and troops.  They also provide C-130 training to over 40 allied nations.

The C-130's are the work horse of the Air Force and hero's in and of themselves.  The flight crews are amazing and will fly anywhere.  The C-130 is recognized all across Arkansas and a pleasure to watch lift off and touch down at the base.  Lumbering giants flying the skies over Arkansas they can be seen flying as far north as Mountain View in the Ozarks.

Building began in 1953 and opened on 24 January 1955.  Landowners donated 6,100 acres worth over one million dollars. Back in the day the base was responsible for 18 Titan II Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles located throughout the state.  

To me the jewel in the crown of the Little Rock Air Force Base is the C-130 you will find next to the entrance of the base alongside in the interstate.  The majestic C-130.  On A day in 1975 you would find this C-130 touched down in Saigon during the drawdown of the Viet Nam war/conflict. The payload, Humans.  Brave locals that were fleeing the Viet Cong.  The load on that last C-130 out of Saigon was more than the mighty C-130 could handle but with a fine flight crew at the helm it lifted off and numerous lives were saved.  I have flown on a C-130 and I feel honored to have done so.

While in North Little Rock check out the "Old Mill".  Drive toward Little Rock and get off at the McCain exit, go right, pass through residential area and follow signs for the "Old Mill".  The Old Mill is located in a small beautiful park and during the spring is ablaze with color.  The Mill is a recreation of an 1880's water powered gristmill.  It is famous for its part in the opening scenes of "Gone With The Wind".  It was built in 1933 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.  One thing that is so fascinating is to see what was used to create toadstools, stumps and tree branches on the mill and in the park.

The base has an outstanding golf course, equestrian trails to include boarding facilities, hunting, fishing, bowling, great gym facilities, ITW, library and more.  In Little Rock you will find the Clinton Presidential Library, Little Rock Zoo and so much more.

The campground is very open, as you can see by the pictures, and can be considered an oasis for military personnel and retirees.  There are some sites that I would love to spend a month in but there are more sites that are good for a night or two. Some sites are very nicely shaded but others little to none. The sites are nicely spaced. Bath house with flush toilets and showers with a laundry. Doors have a key pad entry which is nice since the camp is open to base traffic. Lots of trails and entertainment watching the planes overhead. Pretty pond with a nicely shaded children’s play area. No WiFi. NOTE the main exit out of the base is closed (repair work on the road not sure how long it will be closed) so you have to leave the base following a detour. Ever time we went out there was a very long line but it moves fairly well.

Happy camping and stay safe.

Camp Robinson is a training center and is home to the Arkansas National Guard Force along with other military teams.  It is 32,000 acres and is in the heart of Little Rock Arkansas.  It consist of 26 small arms ranges and premier training centers.  

Camp Robinson was named after Joe T. Robinson who was the 23rd governor of 
Arkansas.  The Camp played a very important role in various wars and continues today for training.  It also housed a large German prisoner of war facility.  The Camp was also know as Camp Pike when it was originally  built in 1917 and the CCC Civilian Conservation Corps was stationed at Camp Pike.

You will find a nine hole golf course, a PX and a fine Arkansas National Guard Museum.  Admission is free but call 501-212-5215 for hours.

This campground has not been maintained. Many trailers looked as if they have been there for sometime.  Sites are wooded and there was a picturesque pond with several waterfowl.  There are two sites and one is newer with some pull thru sites. No additional toilets, laundry or showers so you need to be self contained.

This site is ideal to visit Little Rock since it is in the heart of the city.  It is located in a residential area and away from the interstate.  Touring the downtown area will keep you very busy.  Everything is within a few miles drive.  The Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site is open from 0900 - 1630 hours (9 am to 4:30 pm), William J. Clinton Presidential Library (closed till July 1, 2021), Museum of Discovery 0900 to 1700 hours (9 am to 5 pm) Arkansas State Capitol 1000 to 1700 hours (10 am to 5 pm) also check out the Old State House Museum and the Historic Arkansas Museum, Heifer Village or Heifer International 0900 to 1700 hours (9 am to 5 pm),  Downtown has plenty of parking and some great eateries.  A splash of the whimsy is the Esse Purse Museum and Store.

Your time will be well spent checking out all the great museums, shopping and dining you can even catch Broadway plays, truck rallies, music shows, conventions and more.  Enjoy your stay and stay as busy as you want or just kick back and enjoy a peaceful stay.

This was our first time at Petit Jean and definitely won’t be the last! My 1st suggestion: RESERVE EARLY to get a spot in Loop A or Loop B. We stayed in Loop C and I felt a little too secluded. The sites in C & D appeared to be a little smaller. I noticed several sites in B & C were uneven from roots pushing the asphalt up. Beware! Loop A is full hookup while B-D have electricity & water only. We stayed on Site 64 in a pop up style camper. It was fairly level and there were a couple good places for tents. Everyone around us was tent camping. My main complaint was the bathroom. The showers are not very private other than a nasty mildewed shower curtain, but there is no where to dry off or dress that is private. The showers were nasty on the weekend that we went, but it was also a revolving door of a massive group of 30+ tent campers that was using the showers. They were a lot cleaner on Sunday thankfully. The park itself is absolutely breathtaking! We went to the Cedar Falls Overlook, Palisades Overlook and Stout Point Overlook. We also made the hike down to Cedar Falls. It was absolutely incredible, but you should be somewhat in decent shape for this hike as it was not easy! We also hiked Bear Cave. It was nice with lots of exploring around the cave. We ate dinner at Mather Lodge one night. I had the Catfish Platter and it was excellent. I’m already ready to plan another trip here during the summer so we can utilize the boat house and a few other amenities that are closed during the off season. Well worth a fall visit though!