Nimrod Lake covers 3,550 acres of central Arkansas water surrounded by Ouachita National Forest, with its maximum depth reaching 52 feet. The lake sits within a wooded valley at 334 feet elevation, experiencing hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters where overnight temperatures rarely drop below freezing. Several campgrounds around Nimrod Lake remain open year-round with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Forest Service Road 132 in the nearby Ouachita National Forest offers multiple starting points for day hikes. "The area is clean and lots of things to do. Near Hot Springs so we did a lot of exploring there," notes a visitor to COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Nimrod Lake and surrounding waters provide excellent fishing spots, particularly for bass and crappie. "Trails to walk to find nice fishing spots. Bathrooms mostly clean. Electric and water. Hosts very nice and helpful," reports a camper from Carter Cove.
Swimming areas: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming beaches for cooling off. "We had a lovely time tent camping at Lake Ouachita. The campsites were walk up, which was mildly inconvenient at first, but ultimately a big plus with no vehicles driving by the actual sites," explains a visitor to Lake Ouachita State Park.
Bird watching: The wooded areas around Nimrod Lake attract diverse bird species, especially during migration seasons. "In the hike you can see a lot of bird watchers," notes a Crystal Springs visitor who appreciated the natural surroundings.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Sites at several Nimrod Lake campgrounds offer good separation. "We stayed in B loop and grabbed an extra night in A loop on this trip. B loop has plenty of space between sites for privacy," writes a visitor to Petit Jean State Park, located about an hour from Nimrod Lake.
Waterfront views: Many campsites offer direct water views. "We had 05, which turned out to be a double, family space. We had tons of room and a direct view of the lake. Sunsets at this lake are beautiful!" shares a camper from Quarry Cove.
Clean facilities: Despite being rustic, campgrounds maintain good cleanliness standards. "The bathrooms are nice and hot and free," notes a recent visitor to Crystal Springs about their shower facilities.
Shaded campsites: Tree coverage provides welcome relief during hot Arkansas summers. "The sites are shaded, but VERY close together without anything in between," reports a camper from Lake Dardanelle State Park.
What you should know
Uneven campsites: Some sites require significant leveling equipment. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level," warns a visitor to Petit Jean State Park about their B loop.
Cell service limitations: Signal strength varies significantly across the area. "No cell service or wifi. Had to walk to the dam to get it, but that can be a good thing when camping," explains a camper from COE Nimrod Lake Carter Cove Campground.
Seasonal crowd differences: Summer brings more visitors while spring and fall offer quieter experiences. "If in Arkansas, Petit Jean State Park is a must. With a ton of trails, lodge, restaurant, and waterfalls it is a nature lovers dream," recommends one camper who suggests visiting during shoulder seasons.
Water hookup distances: At some campgrounds, water connections may be far from sites. "The sites have water and the picnic table on the opposite sides of the camper. It's purely inconvenient and I'm not sure why this is this way," shares a Petit Jean State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Dog friendly campgrounds Nimrod Lake: Most campgrounds welcome pets but require leashing. "Very nice clean campground. Hosts are nice and helpful. Mostly shaded. Water and electric hookups. Nice launch and has swimming area," reports a Quarry Cove visitor who brought their dog.
Playground access: Several area campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "The kids love the playground. There is a nice wide boat ramp with plenty of parking situated in a peaceful cove," shares a Lake Dardanelle visitor.
Swimming safety: Designated swimming beaches offer safer water entry points. "There's a small, sandy swim beach and plenty of places to put in a boat or kayak. It was pretty quiet too, since it was small," notes a Quarry Cove camper.
Pet-friendly hiking trails: Many trails accommodate four-legged family members. "Large site if you are sleeping on the ground bring plenty of padding it is rocky and not very flat," advises a camper at Forest Service RD 132 Ouachita National Forest, a pet-friendly dispersed camping area.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric service ranges from 30-50 amp depending on campground. "The hosts were very friendly and very laid back. The bathhouses were clean but need updating. The sites are a little tight for larger rigs to maneuver and many sites don't have water," reports a Carter Cove camper.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer sewer hookups, so plan accordingly. "There is no sewer hook up but there is a dump station. All sites are shaded and MOST are well spread out to where you are not bumping into your neighbors," notes a visitor to River Road.
Site selection for big rigs: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger RVs. "Areas A and B can accommodate large rigs and towables," advises a Petit Jean State Park visitor who recommends careful site selection.
Leveling challenges: Bring adequate leveling equipment for uneven terrain. "Not all sites are level," warns a Petit Jean visitor who suggests researching specific sites before booking.
