Lake Ouachita spans 40,000 acres with over 200 miles of undeveloped shoreline in the Ouachita Mountains. The lake features unusually clear water with visibility extending up to 30 feet in some areas. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, making late spring through early fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Rent a boat: Boat rentals at Brady Mountain - Lake Ouachita provide access to the many islands. "I visited several islands each day on a kayak. I arrived at Memorial Day and basically had the place to myself. I left my kayaks on the beach about a hundred yards from my campsite for a few days with no problems," shares Kyle G.
Disc golf: Catherine's Landing offers an on-site disc golf course for active recreation. "The property is so peaceful and quiet. We came with little kids and they explored their hearts out. Along the river there's a trail and fun places for the kids to play and play," notes Lauren N.
Hiking trails: The Falls Branch Trail at Lake Catherine State Park Campground offers waterfall views. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," advises Alison C.
Crystal mining: Located about 30 minutes from the lake, Crystal Ridge RV Park provides access to nearby crystal mines. "For $20 you can go spend the day diggin through dirt and finding crystals. I don't think everyone has the luck we had but we came after a rain and cleaned up. Hundred bucks in gems," reports Justin M.
What campers like
Level, concrete pads: The RV sites at Catherine's Landing feature well-maintained concrete pads. "The sites are very spacious, concrete pads, well maintained hook ups, and most are full sun," notes Jennifer H.
Lakefront views: Campsites at DeGray Lake Resort State Park offer water views. "We stayed in 102 and 106 and had pretty views of the clear lake. Were able to park boat next to campsite and get kayaks and floats in and out of water easily," states Natalie S.
Privacy between sites: Despite proximity, many campsites offer reasonable separation. "The camp sites are spaced for privacy and are level for both campers and tents. The facilities are updated and well maintained," observes Chad K. at Lake Catherine State Park.
Clean facilities: The bathrooms and common areas receive regular maintenance. "The bathrooms were awesome but a little bit of a hike from where we were," notes Taylor C. about Lake Ouachita State Park Campground.
What you should know
Road access varies: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "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," warns Ray & Terri F. about DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have spotty connectivity. "The cell service was minimal (1 bar) but a cell booster gave us full service," reports Brenda A. from Lake Ouachita State Park Campground.
Seasonal crowding: Peak periods can fill campgrounds quickly. "This SP will fill up quickly in the spring and fall, reservations are recommend," advises Chad K.
Limited water hookups: Not all campgrounds offer water connections at individual sites. "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," shares Melissa T.
Tips for camping with families
Pack water toys: Calm lake waters provide safe recreation options for children. "It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water," notes Alison C.
Consider yurt camping: For families new to camping, yurts at Ouachita Lake provide comfort with outdoor access. "The yurts looked very nice from the outside," observes Taylor D. at Catherine's Landing, which offers yurt accommodations along with traditional camping.
Bring bikes: The paved roads at many campgrounds make biking a family-friendly activity. "Had we had our bicycles with us we could have explored more," mentions Stacy M. at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Look for ranger programs: Educational activities enhance the camping experience. "The rangers were great and offered a variety of informational classes and hikes," shares Josh H.
Tips for RVers
Reserve premium sites early: Waterfront RV sites at Stephens Park Campground fill up quickly. "This is a small campground with 9 sites and they are huge. I believe it is site 3 that is right on the water. Electric water sewer. Quiet all weekend," recommends Sandy H.
Check site levelness: Many campsites require leveling equipment. "Our site was spacious & level, I just wish I selected one on the upper loop- the views are nicer as well as the breeze," advises Bob M.
Bring extra water hose: Some campgrounds have unusual hookup arrangements. "The water spigot was in the back of the site away from the sewer and electric so we needed about 30' of water hose," notes MickandKarla W.
Confirm dump station locations: Not all campgrounds have on-site dump stations. "We stayed here because we wanted to check out Hot Springs, AK the next day and it seemed like the closest option," explains Ethan K.
