Bear Creek Horse Camp offers equestrian camping opportunities in the Ouachita National Forest. The small primitive camp has four sites available on a first-come, first-served basis and serves as access to the Bear Creek Equestrian Trail system. Located about 1 mile north of Forest Road 11 on Forest Road 772, the camp features hitching posts for horses, a vault toilet, and accommodates tent and hammock camping. While the campground isn't regularly maintained and has some erosion issues where creeks cross the access road, it provides a secluded base for exploring the surrounding forest trails.
What to do
Trail riding: Horse enthusiasts can access the Bear Creek Equestrian Trail system directly from the Bear Creek Horse Camp trailhead. The network features interconnecting loop trails that wind through the dense Ouachita forest. "These trails are also open to hikers," notes Fred S., who visited in May 2025.
Hiking and photography: Mount Magazine State Park Campground offers excellent hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. "The trails are mostly shaded and well defined. Remember you are on a mountain so there will be elevation changes as you walk," shares Gary F. The Mount Magazine State Park is also known for spectacular views that photographers will appreciate. "Mount Magazine boasts as one of the top spots for fall foliage," adds Gary.
Fishing and water activities: Lake Catherine State Park provides multiple water-based recreation options. "Lake Catherine offers many different outdoor options close to Hot Springs. The park has a couple hiking options along with the lake activities," explains Chad K. The Lake Catherine State Park Campground is situated on a calm lake perfect for fishing and paddling. "We absolutely love it here. Wonderful trails, fishing, cabins and camp sites and tons of photo opportunities," adds Tina B.
What campers like
Privacy and space: Campers appreciate the well-spaced sites at many horse campgrounds near Mount Ida, Arkansas. At DeGray Lake Resort State Park, "This is not a small park. There are lots of sites, but somehow they've maintained enough wooded space between each site to feel fairly secluded," according to Stacy M. who camped there with her family.
Clean facilities: Most area campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and amenities. At CMA Iron Mountain Cabins and Campground, campers consistently mention the cleanliness. "Bathrooms and showers are spotless. The staff is extremely kind and helpful," writes Norbert B. who tent camped off his motorcycle. Another camper, Jason L., adds about CMA Iron Mountain: "There's INSTANT hot water, no waiting for 10 minutes for luke warm water. About a dozen of each... toilets, showers, urinals."
Scenic views: The mountainous terrain around Mount Ida provides stunning vistas. "The experience begins with the climb: the road winds up and around the bends and crooks of the mountain," describes Charles H. about Mount Magazine State Park. "But the views ARE the reason to experience this park! They are simply delicious!"
What you should know
Weather and temperature fluctuations: The elevation in this region causes significant temperature differences. At Mount Magazine State Park, "the temperature is literally about 10-15 degrees cooler on the mountain than below. One night we were there it got down to mid teens," warns Donny S. "So unless you're going in July, I would recommend you pack a pair of pants, long sleeves and maybe even a light jacket."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely throughout the Ouachita Mountain region. At Buck Knob and other dispersed camping areas, cell service may be nonexistent. Similarly at Bear Creek Horse Camp, one visitor reported "no T-Mobile cell service." Plan communications accordingly when exploring remote horse trails.
Reservation needs: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "This SP will fill up quickly in the spring and fall, reservations are recommend," advises Chad K. about Lake Catherine State Park. Similarly for DeGray Lake, Jason W. suggests: "Be sure to reserve well ahead of your desired dates."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly trails: Some parks offer more accessible trails for younger hikers. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," shares Alison C. about her family trip to Lake Catherine State Park. "We will definitely camp here again."
Choose appropriate parks: Not all campgrounds are equally suitable for children. "For anyone with kids, I would say at the outset that this isn't a very kid-friendly park. No playgrounds, very, very mountainous, and generally just not a park for kids," cautions Donny S. about Mount Magazine State Park.
Water activities for all ages: Erwin Estate High Point offers family-friendly fishing opportunities. "Our natural spring pond is a place to fish where it's an almost guaranteed catch as we have stocked it well!" notes Susan E. This private camping area is just 15 minutes from Hot Springs and provides additional activities like wildlife viewing and rock collecting.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should be prepared for uneven sites at some campgrounds. Ray & Terri F. reported about DeGray Lake: "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."
Road conditions: Access roads to horse campgrounds near Mount Ida can present challenges. At Bear Creek Horse Camp, visitors note "some minor erosion on FR772 where small creeks cross the road." For Mount Magazine, Donny S. warns about driving conditions: "due to the elevation and drastic temperature change from the base of the mountain and the campground, it frankly isn't safe at all to drive on the mountain in the early morning or evening."
Connectivity options: RVers relying on internet access should research signal availability. As Ray & Terri F. noted at DeGray Lake, "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."
