Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Ouachita Lake, AR has a lot to offer. Ouachita Lake is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Ouachita Lake, AR. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
$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."
"We stayed on an inner site but several back up to Ouachita Lake. Great stay. We’ll go back!"
"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."
$34 / night
"There are many positives to this campground well beyond the proximity itself. With electricity at all sites and a flat rate it seems to have a lot of positives to check off."
"With close proximity to the town of Hot Springs, AR, this campground is well maintained and convenient but lacks in privacy. I stayed here as an overnight while driving north through the Midwest."
$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."
$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."
$16 - $50 / night
"Although the first campsites certainly looked quite close to each other, as you get further back into the campground the sites seemed to have more room."
"I was in #66 so it was a little busy with traffic (right on the main entrance and exit)."
$50 / night
"BUT the views of the lake from almost all of the 74 sites are amazing!!! There are more 1st come 1st serve sites than reservable. It seems the reservable sites go really fast in peak season."
"Proximity to Hot Springs is great, Lake Ouachita is beautiful. About 3 miles west is a fantastic smokehouse (Burl's) with excellent eats. We will return someday for sure."
"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!"
$45 - $95 / night
"All sites are pull through and some are located on Lake Hamilton."
"Nice and quite, right on the Ouachita River / lake Hamilton. Very friendly and helpful staff"
$15 - $25 / night
"We stayed in site 54 (w/e/s) that was right on the lake. We could walk to the dock right behind the site to fish, although did not have very good luck."
"Lake Catherine State Park, like all Arkansas state parks, is immaculately clean! Most RV sites have close access to the water and there are small stationary docks to park your boat.
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TravelerWe were the only campers had a great spot on the water for a morning shower. I used my own pop up toilet as there’s is not close to being clean. It is bear country and others trash was gone through by wildlife in the bathroom.
TravelerSaw the most beautiful sunset. Caught a deliscious catfish. Spent a day in a hamock with a fantastic lake view.
TravelerI’ve reviewed the campground before, for other sites. Most are level and plenty of room/parking length. This site 30 is cramped and has a passenger side tilt to it. I have a 26’ (tip to tail) TT and a crew cab pickup… they will not fit in the campsite end to end, much less with some room to get in to the tailgate. Once unhooked, I had to angle the truck in to overlap the tongue of the TT. Ended up with a 3 inch riser to level the trailer side to side, which puts the first step about 17 inches up. To add to it, there is no level surface much further than the step before the site slopes off steeply with pine needles. The site just seems like the Park wanted to jam another spot in to make 45$ extra a night on busy times. I would not recommend site 30, to anyone. Tent campers would be even worse off, as the tent pad area is back closer to the road.
TravelerThe campground was a little hard to find, about 22 miles from I-30 but we found it. Check-in was easy, directions to our site clear. Plenty of room to back into the site. Gravel site, nice and level. We only stayed 1 night. The campground was nice and clean and quiet. Good place to rest up before continuing on with our journey.
LegendCoordinates: 34.75797,-93.24530. Large, open dispersed site along Gladstone Forest Rd (FR11) in the Ouachita National Forest. Should accomodate 4 rigs - truck camper size and smaller. Easy access from the forest road onto a mostly level dirt surface. There is no privacy from the forest road. Tent camping is possible. Situated on an old, unused track that goes off into a dense forest behind the site. I believe this site can be used by a group of hunters. Very little shade; solar recharging and Starlink connectivity possible. There is a rock fire ring on the site. No T-Mobile cell service. There is nothing remarkable about this site. Should be good for an overnight stay while exploring the Forest Road 11 area of the Ouachitas.
TravelerVery secluded spot no amenities just a rock fire ring Very peaceful
LegendCoordinates: 34.75922,-93.20452. Camped here on May 5, 2025. Large wooded dispersed site in the Ouachita National Forest. Suitable for about 3 campervan-sized rigs. A truck camper will be able to enter the site, but the trees may prevent manuevering deeper into the site. Tent and hammock camping possible. Easy access from FR779. The forest roads reaching this part of the national forest were in good shape at the time of this review. The dirt and grass site is level. Poison ivy is present. Overall, the site was clean and had a large rock fire ring. The site is near the North Fork Ouachita River, which can be reached by bushwacking down a steep hill and over rocks. One can see the river from the site during the winter but not in the summer. Since the site is well above the river, it is unlilely to get flooded. The site is shaded; solar recharging and Starlink connectivity is not likely. The site is setback well enough from the forest road so road dust coming into the site should not be an issue. There is not enough foliage along the road to offer privacy. During my stay, only 2 vehicles drove by. There are no hiking trails nearby. I enjoyed walking along the forest road and strolling in the forest surrounding the site. Access to the Ouachite National Recreation Trail is a 4-mile drive on forest roads to the south (coordinates 34.73300,-93.21913). There was no T-Mobile cell service at this site. I enjoyed camping here; beautiful spot and very peaceful.
LegendCoordinates: 34.78571,-93.15988. Visited in early May 2025. Located along Forest Road 772, about 1 mile north of Forest Road 11 in the Ouachita National Forest. Some minor erosion on FR772 where small creeks cross the road. FR11 is in good condition at the time of this visit. The camp is on the western edge of the Deckard Mountain Walk-in Turkey Hunting Area. The camp serves as a small primitive camping area for equestrian riders on the network of interconnecting loop trails that comprise the Bear Creek Equestrain Trail system. These trails are also open to hikers. The trailhead is located at the rear of the camp. Free. Four sites (2 official national forest sites with metal fire rings plus 2 dispersed sites with rock fire rings), available on a first-come/first-based only. Hitching posts are available in the camp. A small creek runs along side the camp. The grounds of the camp do not appear to be maintained, but the sites were clean. There is a very clean vault toilet located at the rear of the camp; it was well supplied. Tent and hammock camping are possible. Sites are mnostly shaded making solar rechargiong and Starlink access a challenge. I received no T-Mobile cell service. The camp itself is not aesthetically pleasing, but it is located deep in a beautiful forest with easy access to a trail system. Note that, when I last checked, the Ouachita National Forest Web site no longer lists this site as a campground.
TravelerThis is a decent small campground of eight sites, right next to the lake, and there are bathroom facilities that are fairly clean and showers. The access to the lake is really lovely, the proximity to the road makes the campus ground feel a little exposed, but the road doesn't seem to have that much traffic to it, which is really nice.
Camping near Ouachita Lake, Arkansas, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful views and plenty of activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Ouachita Lake, Arkansas, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With beautiful scenery and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect spot for your next adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Ouachita Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 215 campgrounds and RV parks near Ouachita Lake and 40 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ouachita Lake is COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 43 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 40 free dispersed camping spots near Ouachita Lake.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 parks near Ouachita Lake that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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