Hot Springs National Park KOA
Really nice cabin w/ lots of amenities. koa was flexible in letting us rent the cabin for our daughter and grandkids while we slept in the Rv out front.
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Mount Nebo State Park houses exceptional glamping accommodations situated 1,800 feet above the Arkansas River valley, approximately 44 miles northwest of Nimrod Lake. The park's yurts combine rustic appeal with modern comforts, offering electricity, comfortable sleeping arrangements, and unobstructed views from sites positioned directly on the mountain rim. At Petit Jean State Park, glamping options feature climate control and basic amenities, all positioned within easy access to hiking trails and scenic overlooks. Lake Catherine and Lake Ouachita State Parks also provide upscale outdoor accommodations with water and electric hookups, situated near swimming areas and picturesque waterfront views. These boutique camping experiences maintain proximity to natural attractions while delivering creature comforts not found in standard camping. According to a camper, "Beautiful campsites right on the edge of the mountain. Wonderful showers at the bathhouse. Sites are fairly close together but it's wonderful with the views of the city."
The luxury outdoor stays across these Arkansas destinations feature abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, with multiple reviewers noting encounters with deer that approach visitors. Mount Nebo's distinctive mountain setting includes access to the 3.5-mile Rim Trail that circles the summit, offering both sunrise and sunset viewing points for photographers and nature enthusiasts. The park's proximity to hang gliding launch sites adds an unexpected adventure element for those seeking thrills beyond traditional outdoor activities. Seasonal considerations include summer access to Mount Nebo's swimming pool with water slide, particularly appreciated by families with children seeking relief from Arkansas heat while maintaining elevated comfort levels. Lake-adjacent glamping cabins provide water recreation opportunities including boating and fishing. One visitor noted, "Great views. You're above the clouds when you wake up in the morning. The sites are a good size and depending on your needs there are sites overlooking the mountain and others a bit further away more suitable for bringing kids."
"PROS No reservation transaction fee
Senior discount
Quiet
Moveable metal picnic table on a concrete pad, pedestal BBQ grill, fire ring with cooking grate, and one hook lantern pole
Site 14 partially"
"The open closet had plenty of shelving and hangers for clothing and bags. The bathroom was standard with water that quickly got hot for your bath or shower."
from $25 - $40 / night
"The “Rim Trail” is just that…a 3 1/2 mile trail running the top rim of the mountain, with long views."
"It was such a nice campsite and the staff was super helpful. The views were amazing. The drive up the mountain is seriously windy though, so be cautious."
"There is a loop on a peninsula that are reserved for walking in your gear to a tent site. These sites have GREAT views of the lake."
"Camping in the state park of lake ouachita in a tent. never. been. better. was on site T04 for tents and basically sites t01-t11(maybe 12) are on a small peninsula with the lake on both sides. you can"
"Has fire pit with grill, separate bbq, siting area and great hook ups. Bear proof refuge container on site as well. Half off if disabled! Site 3 wasn't completely level, but quick fix."
"Nice shady spot with a picnic table, grill and fire pit. Was also a space for a tent. The picnic table had a few steps up to it."
from $35 / night
"PROS Senior discount
Reserved on-line 365 days prior to arriving
Site #68 allowed parking RV 12 feet from water edge which was fabulous
Totally level site
Asphalt campsite pad
Pea gravel and"
"Lake Catherine is a popular spot that’s on a first come first serve basis so arrive early. Most campsite have fire pits and grills. Nice space in between campsites."
from $15 - $25 / night
"12 a night, full hookup potential AND you are walking distance to the mine!!! For $20 you can go spend the day diggin through dirt and finding crystals."
"It had an AC, shower, full bathroom, kitchen, TV, a charcoal grill with charcoal, and the camp host brought over fire wood with no charge."
from $13 / night
"The camp ground is hilly, but all the site are flat and level, the basic site comes with a picnic table, electric, water, and a fire ring."
"Would like to revisit without our dogs to check out the theme park nearby next time!"
"There are no water hook-ups at the sites. only electric. The cell signal on the “down the hill” portion of the campground is pretty non-existent."
"On the lake and perfect for canoeing, but close to Hot Slrings if you want to tour the bathhouses or Dane the night away at the hotel."
from $50 / night
"Full hook ups, big campsites with table, fire pit, and level gravel. River is close by with playground. Booked up fast for us on the weekend. 20 to hot springs."
"We arrived at this wonderful little COE with 9 sites and headed into back-in site 3 with FHUs. After we settled, we self-registered per instructions on the information board at the entrance."
Available this weekend
from $35 - $60 / night
"The park is set on 400 acres with one mile bordering Lake Catherine and about eight or nine miles from downtown Hot Springs. "
"Gorgeous setting on pristine Lake Catherine close to historic Hot Springs. I was in lakefront site 123 for one night but would have liked to stay longer."
Really nice cabin w/ lots of amenities. koa was flexible in letting us rent the cabin for our daughter and grandkids while we slept in the Rv out front.
Nice quiet neighborly (most) pet friendly laundry showers wifi pool community gathering
Facilities look dated, but staff was great. Had an electrical problem on our pole after we were already set up and working. Allowed us to use neighboring site electricity, and started fixing ours. Lots of mature trees. Right off interstate so decent amount of road noise, but not a big deal.
Nice, spacious, clean rv park with solid amenities. Very near lots of outdoor activities and Hot Springs National Park
Been camping here for a few years now. Quiet at night. Clean bathroom and showers. Campground a little rocky and hilly. Some sites need some attention, minor water dripping or damage to facets mostly great place. Wonderful hosts. Gary and Michele. Good price.
The camp ground is hilly, but all the site are flat and level, the basic site comes with a picnic table, electric, water, and a fire ring. The staff are very friendly and helpful, as we were a last minute check in. The bathroom facilities are very clean, air conditioned, and individual room that include a nice size shower. They have a very nice pool and offer shuttle service into Hot Springs!!
We stayed a week at Petit Jean in one of their gorgeous cabins. It was a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend. The check-in and check-out was easy. Finding the cabin was easy with the directions and map we were given. They were clearly marked, with parking for two vehicles, as they were setup like a duplex. The cabin was beautiful and clean, inside and out. There was a large, heavy, all wood porch swing on each side. Relaxing in it was a peaceful experience, listening to the sounds of birds and the breeze through the tall pines. Inside it was all beautifully stained wood and roomy enough for two people, much like a hotel room, except for the cathedral ceiling. In fact, the setup was better than most hotel rooms we have stayed in. There was a mini-fridge with a small freezer, microwave, coffee pot(with coffee, cups, creamer, sugar, etc,) a Keurig, blow-dryer, iron, ironing board, and broom. It had all the toiletries: soap, shampoo, conditioner, tissue, cups. The open closet had plenty of shelving and hangers for clothing and bags. The bathroom was standard with water that quickly got hot for your bath or shower. There were two full size beds with comfortable mattresses, plenty of pillows and warm bedding, with a nightstand between. There were plugs to charge your phone and a landline. There was also a fireplace, however it was locked closed. The air unit in the room had cooling/heating that was easy to operate and sufficiently cool. We were near the highway, close to the lodge, but did not hear traffic while in the cabin. Parking at Mather Lodge is just like any other, with a short, easy walk to the entrance. Once inside, you pass the check-in desk, a small, well-stocked gift shop,(with something for every age,) an open meeting area and bar before reaching the restaurant. It is beautifully constructed from large logs stained and polished to a gleaming shine. From floor to ceiling, it is the epitome of rugged elegance. We ate breakfast and dinner exclusively at the lodge. The food was exemplary, every meal, cooked to perfection and delicious. The atmosphere was relaxing and we were never rushed or made to feel as if we overstayed our welcome. The service was fast, even when every table was occupied. The servers were friendly and attentive. We had only one server, one time that was"less than," maybe she was new, not sure, but we did not see her again. Tommy, Thomas, Jessie, Brad, Rebekah, and Lindsay were all so pleasant, always greeting us, even when they weren't our servers, remembering us and making us feel like family. The view of the gorge with it's tall trees and towering rock formations was incredible! There was a common area behind the lodge, just outside the restaurant with tables, chairs and benches for observing the gorge, taking photos, relaxing and socializing. You could walk right down to the edge of the huge flat rocks for photos with a stunning background. We spent every evening there, watching the exquisite sunsets. This place is a nature lovers paradise. There is a pool surrounded by loungers behind and to the side of the lodge. It was clean and well-kept with a small waterfall at one end. Thick thirsty towels are provided for your convenience. The grounds are beautifully maintained. We never saw or heard a mower but the grass was cut to perfection and there wasn't a single piece of litter in the entire park. At check-in we were given a map, brochure and weekly schedule of events/tours at the park. The map was very necessary for navigating around this extensive park of which the lodge area was only a small part. The brochure described the hikes and other available activities(such as climbing and repelling) with descriptions of what could be observed, length and difficulty levels. Trust the brochure! If it says strenuous, it is. Plan accordingly. There were four ranger guided tours the week we were there. We took two of them. They were genuinely interesting and pleasurable. Baron, our ranger, was exceedingly knowledgeable about the geology, animal and plant life and history of the area. Exceptionally so, for someone who was seemingly so young. He was attentive to the needs of those attending the tours, stopping to rest if necessary and moving a bit slower for us older folks. He was so affable and easy to talk with, it seemed as if we were old friends. Willing to spend extra time after the tours, talking with us, was an indication of how much he enjoyed his job. We were very appreciative of someone of his character and enjoyed spending time with him. He is the perfect model of what one would think a park ranger is and should be! Any hike can be taken unguided and there are plenty of them. In fact, we had plans to go outside the park on other hikes, but never made it off the property for those. We actually did not have enough time to do all we wanted to do within the park. If you are looking for a phenomenal vacation, this is the trip you should take!
Well maintained state park especially for its age. All sites have a picnic table, ground grill, and tent pad. Roads and campsites are paved. Nicely spaced sites. Clean bathhouse.
We stayed in the tini cabin because it was 98* out, and we were sun burnt from digging crystals. It had an AC, shower, full bathroom, kitchen, TV, a charcoal grill with charcoal, and the camp host brought over fire wood with no charge.
Glamping close to Nimrod Lake offers diverse accommodation options within a 45-mile radius of Ouachita National Forest. At 1,300 feet lower than Mount Nebo, the area showcases the central Arkansas River Valley's natural features with easy water access. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F while summer months regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity.
Kayaking at Lake Ouachita State Park: Enjoy paddling on crystal-clear waters with rentals available directly from the park. "Kayak rental was cheap (and didn't charge extra for staying out longer!)" notes Amanda H., who found the well-maintained shoreline perfect for water activities.
Hiking at Petit Jean State Park: Explore trails rated from easy to difficult within 45 minutes of Nimrod Lake. "The Cedar Falls hike is beautiful and a quick fun adventure. I recommend going to the Petit Jean Grave. The view is vast!" explains Sondra M. who camped there with a hammock.
Crystal mining near Royal: About 60 miles southwest of Nimrod Lake, Crystal Ridge RV Park offers unique geology activities. "For $20 you can go spend the day diggin through dirt and finding crystals... we came after a rain and cleaned up," reports Justin M., who even found crystals around his campsite fire pit.
Mountaintop perspectives: The elevated position at Mount Magazine State Park creates unique atmospheric experiences. "The experience begins with the climb: the road winds up and around the bends and crooks of the mountain," writes Charles H., noting the "views ARE the reason to experience this park!"
Waterfront proximity at Lake Catherine: Sites positioned directly on the water create convenient swimming access. "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. There were trees to hang our hammocks," shares Alison C.
Site spacing and privacy: Many glamping spots near Nimrod Lake offer greater separation than standard campgrounds. "Full hook ups, big campsites with table, fire pit, and level gravel. River is close by with playground," writes a reviewer about Stephens Park Campground, noting the generous site dimensions despite only having 9 total spots.
Site selection strategy: Choose camping locations based on your preferred views and weather conditions. "Great views. You're above the clouds when you wake up in the morning. The sites are a good size and depending on your needs there are sites overlooking the mountain and others a bit further away more suitable for bringing kids," advises a visitor to Mount Nebo State Park Campground.
Lake clarity variations: Ouachita Lake offers exceptional water transparency. "Water is ice cold and clear. Clearest I have seen," notes Sandy H. at Stephens Park, while other lakes in the region may have different visibility depending on rainfall.
Roadway challenges: Access to certain elevated glamping sites requires careful driving. "The drive up the mountain is seriously windy though, so be cautious," warns Rebecca P. about Mount Nebo, while another reviewer mentions "Grades are up to 18%" with restrictions on trailers over 24 feet.
Swimming options: Lake Ouachita State Park provides swimming areas with gradual entries. "It was a last minute Memorial Day weekend plan... 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 Chelsea K., who appreciated the direct water access for children.
Trail selection: Choose appropriate hiking paths for children at multiple parks. "The hike up to the highest point in Arkansas is easy and family friendly for kids," shares Jeremy C. about Mount Magazine State Park, contrasting with more challenging options elsewhere.
Wildlife encounters: Expect frequent deer sightings at several parks. "Deer will walk up to you and you can pet them," reports Steve S. about Mount Nebo, an experience kids typically find memorable.
Loop selection important: At Petit Jean State Park, different camping areas offer varying experiences. "A loop pros: it's new, it's laid out ideally, full hook up sites with sewer, and plenty of gravel and concrete to keep from dealing with too much dirt, mud, sand (we've got 2 small kids)," explains Ryan S., who compared multiple loops during his stay.
Leveling considerations: Pack adequate leveling equipment for many sites. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level," warns the same reviewer about B loop at Brady Mountain - Lake Ouachita, a common situation in mountainous terrain surrounding Nimrod Lake.
Water access variations: Water hookup locations vary significantly between sites. "Some 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. Pay attention when you book your site to campsite photos," advises an experienced RVer, highlighting the importance of researching specific site layouts before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Nimrod Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Nimrod Lake is Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 109 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Nimrod Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 glamping camping locations near Nimrod Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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