Are you looking for a place to stay in Ozark-St. Francis National Forests with your horse? Finding a place to stay in Arkansas while traveling with your horse has never been easier. Find Arkansas equestrian campgrounds with ease on The Dyrt.
This peaceful park makes great camping near Little Rock and is located on Lake Catherine, one of five lakes in the beautiful Ouachita Mountain region. The only full-service marina on the lake is here at the park and open in the summertime for bait, snacks/drinks, and fuel. Boat rentals are available year-round. The park also includes a launch ramp, pavilion, picnic sites, playgrounds, and a well-marked trail that leads to a waterfall.
The park has 20 fully equipped cabins, including one two-bedroom cabin with a patio overlooking the water and private access to the lake from its own fishing pier. There are also many native stone and wood buildings on-site. The history of these structures dates back to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The park offers 70 campsites (47 Class AAA and 23 Class B), six primitive tent sites, one Rent-A-Camp, and one Rent-A-Yurt. Many of these sites are on the lakeshore. Park interpreters offer hikes, lake tours, and programs year-round. Guided horseback rides are offered seasonally.
$15 - $25 / night
Nestled between the Ozark National Forest to the north, and the Ouachita National Forest to the south, Mount Magazine State Park boasts the highest point in the state of Arkansas: Mount Magazine at 2753 feet. Located just 100 miles northwest of Little Rock, this area has been a recreation destination since the late 1800s. Recreation at Mount Magazine really started booming in the 1930s and 40s with the construction of a lodge, campgrounds and trails. Visitors came to beat the heat of the surrounding valleys, as well as to enjoy the panoramic views, abundant wildflowers, autumn color, and numerous opportunities to play outdoors. The area finally became a state park in 1998.
Whether you prefer a posh lodge or cabin, a fully-equipped RV pad, or a rustic campsite, there’s a place for you to stay and play at Mount Magazine. The park’s campground offers 18 spacious sites with full or partial hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, hot showers and a dump station. Campers are required to store food and trash properly to minimize black bear encounters. For more luxuriant accommodations, the park’s lodge offers 60 guest rooms and spa suites with a variety of comforts, as well as 13 full-equipped cabins with up to three bedrooms. Not in the mood for hot dogs over the campfire? The large dining room at the Skycrest Restaurant serves daily meals while overlooking the Petit Jean River Valley.
When you’re ready to play on Mount Magazine, you can do it by foot, wheels or wings. Hikers have access to 14 miles of trails, ranging from 1 to 3 miles, with connecting options for going farther. The 34-mile Huckleberry Mountain Trail is great for mountain biking and horseback riding. For gravity-defying activities, the park offers more than 100 climbing routes on its southern bluff, as well as a hang gliding launch point over the Petit Jean River Valley. Less strenuous activities include bird and wildlife watching, guided ranger walks, historic site tours and various interpretive programs and outdoor skills workshops. There’s also spectacular leaf-peeping in the fall when the forest takes on its vibrant autumn transformation.
$35 / night
$20 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
This recreation area is part of Greers Ferry Lake
Scout
I really love this place because it’s so peaceful. This is why I like places with forests and lakes. I work in cities, block blast always so noisy there…
GuideVery beautiful place to stay!! Our site on the lake was very beautiful and every site on the water has a small dock you can fish off. Bugs were not bad at all. Would recommend this place to anyone.
TravelerThis is a fantastic spot with tons of amenities (including a great pool) & many activities. Also, guests and campers were extremely nice! Clean and a well planned resort! Stay if you have a chance.
Guide
There is not a lot to do, and it is pretty far from the city. However, there are big RV sites and amazing sunsets. There is also a lake nearby.
Dog friendly.
There are lots of nature trails, but none very long.
Lots of ticks, tricky to get good starlink connection.
Traveler
Thank goodness there is a slight breeze. 90 degrees. Summer swampy area. Picked up a med bag of trash; cans, bottles, and paper. Looks better now. I definitely put on bug spray right away. Nice place to sleep and get back on 40East in the morning. Doing a cross country from San Francisco to Pennsylvania.
Scout
Camp Conway is quiet with excellent bird-watching. Must have seen 12 bird varieties thriving in the park. Convenient to Conway and even Little Rock. Camp ground is friendly to monthly guests as well as nightly.
ScoutThe lake has been partially drained to allow work to be done on stumps. The road back to it is well maintained and we had good cell reception with AT&T and Spectrum. The sunset was beautiful. Peaceful and quiet. The birds and frogs sang all evening.
Traveler12 mi off the Interstate. The office is only open until 5 PM. There are toilets next to the tent area, but the showers are over in the RV area. Nice swimming beach. A few hiking trails.
TravelerBeautiful park, large sites, good hiking!
LegendBeautiful landscape. The trees are so tall and mature and the sites are all sitting on a serene lake. The spaces are so far apart you can enjoy your own spot without interruption. Bathhouses were super clean with showers. C loop has sewer and B loop doesn’t not much wildlife in the campground but herons and geese on the lake. The power plant across the lake was weird but also quirky. We had fun telling zombie stories about it. Three beautiful hikes right out of the campground. Camp store was well stocked and friendly. Overall fantastic stay and we would DEFINITELY be back. 100%.
ScoutGreat spot to pitch a tent by lake Conway. Isolated but not too far out.
GuideI really enjoyed my stay here! I spent a week in an E/W hookup site. The park was clean and quiet (even when full). People were generally kind and respectful. Facilities were well cared for and it was just a generally nice atmosphere. The staff were all very kind and friendly. There are a few close hiking trails with some beautiful views and of course it’s only about a 20 or so minute drive to Hot Springs National Park. The town of Hot Springs is fairly small, but the main drag along bathhouse row has a lot of cool little shops to browse. Cell reception with Verizon was good along with reception for my T-Mobile 5g internet. It worked even better with my booster. I would definitely stay here again. My only complaint was the hot water in the showers…it lasts for about a minute and then the rest of the shower is generally somewhat (not ice) cold. I took some record showers!
Guide
Out of the Arkansas State Parks that we have already visited, Woolly Hollow has been the best!! It’s a very beautiful park!! The sites are all asphalted and the bathhouse is located in the center of all of the sites so access is easy. I wish we could have stayed longer but we are planning to go back once the water level of the lake gets up and can swim.
TravelerGreat get away close to the Ozarks. Clean, quiet, beautiful views!
Traveler
Beautiful! So peaceful. If tent camping, sites 17,14,16 have the best views of an overlook. Cabins 11 and 14 have great views as well.
RangerThis is a great place to visit . Trailers under 20’ only , steep road and switchbacks up the mountain . No RV’s will make it . Also home to a Monument Trail mountain biking system that’s is world class . There is a swimming pool showers and hiking for days . Only the park store is on top of the mountain . Hike in camp sites are available , group sites and 30 amp hookups with water . Some sites are a little un level . Spend some time here , you will not regret it . Most cell carriers work well up here
GuideSuch a beautiful park and amazing view from our campsites! The trails were nicely kept and the waterfall we hiked to on Lizard Trail was so picturesque! Not a big park and like how the community blended in with the park. We aren’t cyclists but it’s a great spot to bring your bikes.
My favorite park so far in Arkansas.
GuideSteep switchbacks up to the campground. The campground has private residences dispersed throughout. The outlay of the park is somewhat confusing. Be sure to study a map well. The campground is almost immediately to the right as you get to the top, but you have to go past that quite a ways to the visitor's center to check in. The views are amazing, but it is windy being at the top of the mountain. There are cabins but I stayed at a campsite (#14) with a view. The bathroom facilities near the campground are a bit of a walk from the campground. If you have your own potty tent, you may consider bringing it. My site was not level so I used leveling blocks. I have my Jeep outfitted for sleeping in. The more interior sites looked to be more level. No big rigs are allowed up the mountain, I think nothing longer than 24'. I did not take any of the hiking trails, so I can't comment on those. My old dog just can't do too much hiking anymore. Staff were friendly. The electricity worked great, but the water spigot was barely functional. Bathroom was kept clean and had one shower with typical camp wall spigot. The road down the mountain leads into a small, industrial type town. Walmart, Dollar General is nearby as well as many typical restaurants. I utilize a WeBoost, and a hotspot on my iPhone. I was able to stream shows without much buffering. I got anywhere from 1-4 bars on ATT LTE.
RangerWe ended up staying at Cameron Bluff - a different site on top of the mountain, but this area looked pretty good as well! Clean bathrooms, neat visitor center, picnic tables, pavilion, and a bunch of trailheads
TravelerVery Clean and well kept campground. We stayed in a full hookup spot near a bathroom. Quiet for how busy the campground was - only heard the geese through the night. Lots of hiking trails from the campground. Would stay again.
Guide
this campground is geared more to the atv / utv / jeep / offraod vehicle crowd. if you are use to / expecting an rv resort that is the same as staying at your own home this is not for you. if you want outdoors, get lost in the woods and want to unplug from society then this is the spot. some sites require a bit of leveling, lots of full hookup and good amount of 50 amp. some sites are close, so are not. cafe onsite during the weekend with good breakfast and AWESOME burgers. i know many folks love to cookout when rving, but the burgers are worth a stop.
in just the 3 years since our first visit, greg has improved / continues to improve at an incredible rate. as with my title, and review above, greg and his wife are top notch hosts. they truly love what they do and want to do everything to make sure your stay is enjoyable. neighbors are friendly and respectful, no issues.
short drives from the campgrounds to beautiful scenery with a little bit of research, or ask greg. alot are even accessible by car. take the 30 min drive to hillbillys lims bbq as well.
GuideWe 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. I’m betting the fishing is better if you have a boat. We did not use the restrooms/bathhouse. This site is smaller but fit our 22’ trailer perfectly. We had our ebikes with us and road around a little, but the campground is not ideally set up for using them like we did at Petit Jean. We did have some pretty tall weeds that we wished would have been taken care of before we arrived, but not a deal breaker for sure. We hiked several trails that were challenging and beautiful. Close proximity to Hot Springs so spent one day there. If I had it to do over again, I would have skipped it. Casino close by for those folks so inclined. Wish we would have brought our kayaks🤨
LegendPROS
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 grass around asphalt
Good night sky viewing
Squirrels ate from our hand
Saw ranger patrolling campground frequently
Waste containers every other campsite
Metal picnic table on concrete slab
One hook lantern pole
Metal fire pit with cooking grate
Pedestal BBQ grill
Clean restroom/shower and adequate TP and hand soap. Women had 2 showers, 2 sinks, 3 toilets
Weekend campground nearly filled to capacity
4 bars Verizon LTE
Hike to waterfall a bit tricky, but worth the effort
Hot Springs National Park 15 miles from campground; nice to watch the crowds from Superior Bathouse Brewery
Free water from the springs next to the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center- must have your own containers to fill
Enjoyed Red Oak Fillin’ Station so much we dined there twice
Diamond Head 19th Hole Restaurant, open to the public and very close to park entrance
CONS
Damn Canadian geese crap everywhere
Fire pit was filled with oversized logs and once removed there was unburned charcoal and lots of ash
Unable to move picnic table
Site#68 no shade what so ever
No privacy from other sites
Lots of speed boat and jet ski noise, even after sunset
Morning train noise
Power plant lights and humming noise
No security gate closure overnight
No WIFI
GuideNot great for camping. Not peaceful. Not private. Campsites are next to playground and pool. Along with a neighborhood. Imagine camping in a public park. That’s this place. Hikes are pretty and trails are designed for mountain biking. My buddy said they’re awesome. If I camped here again, I’d do it in a camper. Not a hammock. Also, bugs are horrible.
LegendWe stayed here for some backwoods hiking in the Ozarks and it was about 40 minutes from the various hikes we had planned. There are some trails nearby, but the area and trails are really designed for ATVs.
It doesn’t offer a lot in terms of comfort—there are full hookups but no real fire rings, no trees or shade and it’s HOT in early June. It’s an all gravel path so not great for any elderly walkers or those in need of ADA. The showers are ROUGH, but they exist. They have hot water, but there’s a literal nail to operate the handles. Toilets are okay. No laundry. It has stables for horses and seems to really be built for ATVers.
No ATT or Verizon service there or in the general area, had to download a map that was essentially a PDF to get around.
Nicest people in the world own it and work there. They have a shop and cafe on site that is open only on the weekends. The cafe is okay. It does have WiFi, but that does not extend to the camp/ RV sites. The real draw is the folks who work there, can’t state enough how wonderful and helpful they are.
Dry county with very few places to buy any food or groceries outside of an hour drive.
Very beautiful sites close by: falling water falls, big creek cave falls, glory hole falls, pedestal rocks and kings bluff trails, alum natural bridge—and so much more.
GuideI enjoyed our recent stay at Woolly Hollow. The park stays booked full and you have to be fast to grab a spot, it’s THAT great! Everything was perfect for a well needed rest. There are lots of trails, bike paths, water activities and BEAUTIFUL scenery. Very photogenic. Arkansas State Parks are always enjoyable. Staff was excellent and friendly. You won’t be sorry you stayed!
LegendAwesome Small Campground! What a gem! Not a glamping campground, but beautiful peaceful change. Only 16 sites, with only 2, 50 amp sites. We were lucky enough to get one. Site is huge and private. 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. Sights and hiking were breathtaking. No laundry, cable or wifi, but restrooms and showers were clean. Cell service was spotty. Gorgeous lodge with great overlooks and restaurant close by. A diamond in the rough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests is Mount Nebo State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, with real photos and reviews from campers.
