Private camping options near Jones Mill, Arkansas include waterfront sites along Lake Catherine and Lake Ouachita. The region sits at approximately 300-700 feet elevation, located in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, creating a terrain with numerous bodies of water. Most camping sites near Jones Mill are accessible year-round with summer temperatures reaching into the 90s from June through August.
What to Do
Hiking trails: Lake Catherine State Park Campground offers several trails including Falls Branch, which leads to a waterfall swimming area. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," notes one visitor who stayed at a lakefront site.
Water activities: Kayaking on Lake Catherine provides a peaceful experience away from motorized traffic. "We enjoyed the hiking trails and rented a few kayaks. It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water," reports a camper who rated their experience 5 stars.
Disc golf: Catherine's Landing offers disc golf among its recreational facilities. This activity is free for campers who bring their own discs. "There are so many amenities such as a pool, store, boat rentals, zip line and trash pickup," writes one camper who visited to explore Hot Springs.
What Campers Like
Waterfront access: Sites backing up to lakes offer premium views and direct water access. "We took my nieces on a weekend trip in our camper to Lake Catherine State Park. Our campsite backed up to the lake, so we had a great view. The campsite was a great size and well spaced out from our neighbors," explains a visitor who appreciated the lake views.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers rank highly among camper priorities. At Hot Springs National Park KOA, "Shower house was always clean. Loved the dog park! We are just starting to travel with our 2 boxers and was so nice to have an area for them to run a bit."
Proximity to Hot Springs: Campgrounds in the area offer convenient access to Hot Springs National Park. "This park is beautiful. It has camping for all types," writes a camper at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground, which sits about 15 miles from Hot Springs and offers a mix of tent sites, RV spots, and cabins.
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "Lake Catherine offers many different outdoor options close to Hot Springs. The camp sites are spaced for privacy and are level for both campers and tents. This SP will fill up quickly in the spring and fall, reservations are recommend."
Campsite spacing: Privacy levels vary between campgrounds. At Gulpha Gorge Campground in Hot Springs National Park, "Beautiful location next to a stream, although the sites are tightly packed in comparison with most state and national parks. Lots of hiking trails accessible from the nearby trailhead."
Shower availability: Not all campgrounds offer showers, so check before booking. "We enjoyed our camping trip here only thing missing was a shower in the bath house," reports a camper who otherwise rated their Gulpha Gorge experience positively.
Tips for Camping with Families
Splash zones: Several campgrounds offer dedicated water play areas beyond the lakes. "Kid friendly. Great upkeep and sites that are easily accessible. 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," writes a visitor to Catherine's Landing.
Kid-friendly trails: Choose trails with waterfalls to keep children engaged. "We absolutely love it here. Wonderful trails, fishing, cabins and camp sites and tons of photo opportunities. The waterfall was flowing a little on the low side. That's not unusual since it is the end of summer," reports a Lake Catherine visitor.
Wildlife experiences: Many campgrounds offer wildlife viewing opportunities safe for families. At DeGray Lake Resort State Park, "Depending on where you are in the park you can see the Ouachita mountains in the horizon. Great place for photo enthusiast with Beautiful sunsets and an abundance of wildlife."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many RV sites require minimal leveling blocks. At Hot Springs National Park KOA, "D26 Back-in full hook-ups, fire ring & picnic table. 2 nights - Memorial Day weekend. Good spot, close to bath rooms/shower house/cafe. Pretty level - just 1 leveling block was all we needed for our pop-up."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging. "Gravel parking lot with painted stripes, a patch of grass growing under the picnic table, and full hookups. Be sure to back in centered, others are complaining about hitting their slide outs," cautions an RVer about site conditions at one local campground.
Hookup availability: Full hookups aren't universal, so verify your needs before booking. "We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 12 for 1 night in mid September. The CG is clean and well maintained but showing its age. The CG roads are paved, but narrow, winding, and fairly bumpy in spots."
