Luxury camping options near Little Rock combine modern amenities with Arkansas's diverse terrain. The area sits at the intersection of the Ouachita Mountains and the Arkansas River Valley, creating distinctive camping environments with elevations ranging from 250-400 feet. Glamping destinations in the region often experience hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions ideal for outdoor exploration.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Lake Catherine State Park Campground, trails lead to scenic natural features. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," notes Alison C., who found the park's waterfront sites provided "great views" while remaining "well spaced out from neighbors."
Kayaking on calm waters: Rent watercraft to explore the region's lakes. "It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water," says Alison C. about Lake Catherine, adding that the park offers "plenty of room to hang hammocks and play yard games."
Zipline adventures: Catherine's Landing features adventure activities beyond traditional camping. "The climbing and ropes course is enormous and will make any kid's jaw drop in disbelief. There's an affiliated zip line just outside of the park," reports Taylor D., who stayed in a lakefront site and found the water activities equally engaging.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies offer excellent stargazing conditions, particularly in sites away from urban light pollution. "The view of the mountains in the morning was very pretty to wake up to," notes Roxy V. about the natural scenery at Hot Springs National Park KOA.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Petit Jean State Park offers sites that balance socialization with seclusion. "It is so well laid out that it was really nice to be there. Even though the park was booked to capacity," explains Jill B., who appreciated the "beautiful view of the lake" from site #30, which included "full hookups including 50 amp service and sewer."
Clean facilities: Most glamping locations near Little Rock maintain high standards of cleanliness. "The bathrooms and showers with a laundry. Doors have a key pad entry which is nice since the camp is open to base traffic," reports N I. about the Little Rock AFB FamCamp, noting the additional security features.
Full hook-up availability: Many sites cater to glampers seeking all comforts. "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," says Don L. about Lake Ouachita State Park Campground.
Hiking trails: Access to nature paths directly from campsites ranks highly with visitors. "Enjoyed the hiking trails and rented a few kayaks," says Lori C. about Catherine's Landing, where she spent "a day walking around Hot Springs, 3 days hiking trails in Lake Catherine State Park and a day at Garvan Gardens, all a short drive away."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular glamping sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "A loop is new, it's laid out ideally, full hook up sites with sewer, and plenty of gravel and concrete. It stays booked 93% of the year according to the Park Office. It's really hard to get a reservation if you don't book at least a year out in A loop," advises Ryan S. about Petit Jean State Park.
Weather considerations: Summer heat affects comfort at sites with limited shade. "Very little shade would be rough in summer months without shade tents, awnings, etc," warns Ryan S. about certain areas at Petit Jean State Park, contrasting with "B loop pros: plenty of shade in hot months with the pine grove."
Site levelness: Terrain variations can affect setup. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level," notes Ryan S., who also found that "some sites have water and the picnic table on the opposite sides of the camper."
Highway noise: Some otherwise peaceful locations have ambient road sounds. Stephens Park Campground offers beautiful waterfront sites, but "the proximity to the road makes the campground feel a little exposed," according to Jenna L., though she found that "the road doesn't seem to have that much traffic to it, which is really nice."
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Several glamping sites offer swimming pools for children. "The pool with splash park was well used by our kids," shares Charles S. about Catherine's Landing, adding that "the facilities were clean and there were a lot of things to do right on the campground."
Tent accessibility: Family tent sites sometimes require extra effort. "The tent sites were walk up, which was mildly inconvenient at first, but ultimately a big plus with no vehicles driving by the actual sites," says Chelsea K. about Lake Ouachita State Park, where her family found that "being so close to the water kept the temperature comfortable."
Wildlife viewing: Animal sightings enhance children's camping experiences. "Ducks and geese also made appearances that thrilled the kids," notes Chelsea K., whose family appreciated having "direct access to the lake was perfect for swimming."
Playground facilities: Look for sites with dedicated play areas. "Playground, splash pad, and pool. We were not able to access the pool because of the time of year, but we will definitely be back in warmer weather," states Bridget C. about the kid-friendly amenities at Catherine's Landing.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Hot Springs National Park KOA offers varied camping experiences depending on location. "The sites are close to each other, but they are stair stepped, so you feel like you have more privacy which was really nice," explains Chris H., who also appreciated the "multiple lines in the sites for front and back tanks."
Leveling requirements: Site terrain affects setup ease. "Not all sites are level," warns Fred S. about Petit Jean State Park, noting that "Areas C and D are in the woods. Most of the sites in these areas are on the small size but should easily accommodate a truck camper and smaller."
Trash service: Some luxury sites offer extra conveniences. "Trash pickup at your site every morning," reports Lori C. about Catherine's Landing, where she found "the park is immaculate and the grounds crew is really amazing, cleaning every site thoroughly before the next camper arrives."
Connectivity issues: Internet access varies by location. "Wifi was good during the week and we were able to stream movies, except on the busy weekend evening when it bogged down. We had 2 bars cell service with T-Mobile," notes Lori C., providing specific details about digital connectivity at Catherine's Landing.
