Mount Ida, AR is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Mount Ida. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Mount Ida, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$14 - $80 / night
"Arkansas has variable weather in January. Cold clear day today but higher temps predicted for later in the week. Many sites available. Beautiful views."
"This site also backs to the lake which is nice except that people would park their boats on the shore and walk through the site at which I was camped. This was a first for me."
$14 - $65 / night
"I took off one star because this site, while located right on the water, is very unlevel."
"We booked late but were able to find a great spot with lots of trees surrounding us, spread out, and a lake view."
"Located in Ouachita National Forest, this campground is easy to get to. Ideal for tent, vans, even tear drop campers. No hook ups. Some sites had really good solar potential, most were well shaded."
"It is located very central to a lot of quartz crystal mines. 3 miles down the road is collier spring where 1 can get all the drinkable fresh mountain spring water 1 wants."
$14 - $50 / night
"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."
"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!"
$15 - $40 / night
"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."
"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."
"Definitely my favorite park in Arkansas so far. It’s a really big park at the lake with lots to do. I was there in the fall so I didn’t do any lake stuff but still had a great time tent camping."
$16 - $24 / night
"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."
"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."
$50 / night
"After a day of quartz mining at Jim Coleman we drove 30 minutes south to this campground on Lake Ouachita. This was our first time to this lake and it was beautiful and quiet."
"I tell everyone that Lake Ouachita is one of the cleanest and most beautiful lakes in the US. Our sites were on the water except for 77."
LegendCoordinates: 34.86190,-92.90667. Camped here Sept 9, 2025. Large dirt and grass site; very clean. May accommodate a truck camper or 2 smaller vehicles. Mostly level. Tent and hammock camping possible. No privacy from the road. The site has a rock fire ring. The site is surrounded by forest with the Flatside Wilderness Area just across the forest road. There are no hiking trails near the campsite, but there are opportunities to stroll and explore in the forest. The site is mostly shaded; Starlink connectivity may be a challenge. AT&T LTE service. Sporadic T-Mobile service. Quiet location. No one drove by during our stay. Note that there are a couple of dead trees in the middle of this site; choose the position of your vehicle and/or tent carefully. The Flatside Pinnacle hiking trailhead and parking for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail are located 3/4 of a mile north of the site along FR94. The forest roads approaching the site from the south are in good condition. In my opinion, I don't recommend anything larger that a truck camper. The approach from the north, however, is not as good. FR94 and FR805 are eroded at the higher elevations; lots of exposed embedded rocks. I believe a 2wd passenger car can very carefully get through this area with air-downed tires.
TravelerBeautiful campground! Sites are spacious. Area is clean and lots of things to do. Near Hot Springs so we did a lot of exploring there.
TravelerThis is a nice little gated park. Close to the national park in Hot Springs Arkansas. And right next door to the flat track/casino. It’s pretty new, but not really any extra amenities. 20/30/50 amp full hookups. Concrete pads, and paved streets. Laundry and bath house. Inexpensive. We’d definitely stay here again!
LegendWe 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. Few if any of the sites in this section of the CG were anywhere close to level and our site, one of the few pull-throughs, was one of the worst, I mean seriously sloped even after ratcheting up the front levelers as far as they’d go. The CG is very quiet and peaceful. There was only one other camper in this section of the CG while we were there.
AT&T coverage was basically nonexistent with 1 bar of LTE service but very little if any throughput. The CG is heavily wooded, so Starlink was unusable.
RangerWhat a lovely state park campground. Sites are just close enough not to be crowded. Facilities on site were clean and well maintained. Nice to have a hot shower after mining for diamonds. Will make note that best time to come is October-November. Visitor center was somewhat dated, would have thought they would have basic food stuff and more camper supplies. Other than that it was a nice place and we will come again!
PS if you have a dog who likes to dig this is a nice place for them to help you dig.
GuideNice lake with beach area. Playground for kids. Clean restrooms. Some of the sites are small so check the length. Not far from Hot Springs.
ScoutWe couldn’t even get to the campsite in our AWD Subaru Outback. There are drainage pipes exposed on the road
GuideWe decided to island camp here and boy was it an experience. Day one was perfect, despite some storms, we really enjoyed ourselves. Day two we had to pack up early, flies got so horrible and wouldn’t stop biting us!
GuideWe were the only campers had a great spot on the water for a morning shower. I used my own pop up toilet as there’s is not close to being clean. It is bear country and others trash was gone through by wildlife in the bathroom.
Camping near Mount Ida, Arkansas, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With beautiful landscapes and plenty of activities, there’s something for everyone.
Camping around Mount Ida, Arkansas, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a peaceful spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What outdoor activities can you enjoy while camping near Mount Ida?
The Mount Ida region is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. At Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground, you can dig for real diamonds in the world's only public diamond mine. Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite offers access to a short 1/4-mile hike to a beautiful cascade. The area is famous for crystal mining, with numerous fee-dig sites nearby. Lake Ouachita provides excellent opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail offers miles of hiking and mountain biking. Wildlife viewing is exceptional throughout the region. Hot Springs National Park is within driving distance, where you can enjoy historic bathhouses and thermal springs for a relaxing soak after a day of adventures.
What campgrounds are available near Mount Ida, Arkansas?
Mount Ida offers diverse camping options in the Ouachita National Forest area. Tompkins Bend provides scenic lakefront sites with boat-in access and full amenities. For a more rustic experience, Hickory Nut Mountain offers free camping with basic facilities and spectacular views. Other nearby options include Denby Point on Lake Ouachita and the Joplin Campground. For those seeking less developed sites, several dispersed camping areas exist along Forest Road 132, allowing for a more immersive forest experience. The area's campgrounds range from developed sites with reservations to primitive free camping, accommodating both RVs and tent campers.
What amenities do Mount Ida camping areas offer?
Camping areas near Mount Ida offer varying levels of amenities. Caddo Drive - De Gray Lake features clean bathhouses with hot showers, separate tent and RV camping areas, and beautiful lake views with swimming areas. Lake Catherine State Park Campground provides picnic tables, fire rings, and campground grills in its tent-only area. For those seeking luxury camping, upscale RV parks in the region offer full hookups, Wi-Fi, and lake access. Dispersed camping options in the Ouachita National Forest typically have primitive amenities with just fire rings. Most developed campgrounds provide potable water and toilet facilities, while dispersed sites require campers to be self-sufficient.
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