Glamping in Ozark, Arkansas offers elevated camping experiences at higher elevations ranging from 1,800 to 2,753 feet, providing cooler temperatures in summer months. The region's topography includes steep grades up to 18% on mountain roads, creating accessibility challenges for larger vehicles while rewarding visitors with consistent breezes and temperature differentials up to 15 degrees cooler than surrounding valleys.
What to do
**Off-road adventures: Explore 800 acres of trails at Byrd's Adventure Center where primitive and RV camping options sit alongside extensive trail networks. "They not only have their own trails on private land, but off-roaders can hit trails in National Forest territory not too far down the road. Good place for vehicles that need to hook up or primitive," notes Eric L.
**Wildlife viewing: Observe native species including black bears in their natural habitat. "We've done day hikes there with the kids since, and in a prior visit I saw a bear go lumbering in front of my truck on the road to White Rock. Only time in 40+ years I've seen a bear in the wild in Arkansas, and I grew up in the country!" shares Matt B. about his experience at White Rock Mountain Recreation Area.
**Water recreation: Access the Mulberry River directly from several campgrounds for fishing, swimming and boating. "The river runs right through the property. There are a ton of trails to explore. They have a store and restaurant on site," writes Desiree Y. about Byrd's Adventure Center.
What campers like
Unique tent camping locations: Some of the most memorable sites sit along bluffs and mountain rims. At Mount Nebo State Park Campground, campers value specific sites with panoramic vistas. "I would recommend calling ahead and seeing if you can get the site on the Bluff it looked beautiful. You can burn what you find around the site so that's awesome," suggests Jackie F.
Clean, accessible facilities: Even remote locations maintain quality amenities. "The bathrooms and showers were immaculate! Hiking was right next to the campground, so this made for a very fun, relaxing weekend!" reports Jennifer H. about Mount Magazine State Park Campground.
Star visibility: High elevation camping provides exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. At White Rock Mountain Recreation Area, Steve J. observed, "Peaceful spot, every star is visible. All of them. Beautiful sunrise in the morning viewed from the rim trail."
What you should know
Road conditions: Mountain access requires preparation and appropriate vehicles. "The drive up to this campsite was a slight challenge. I would recommend an SUV or other tall vehicle with 4 wheel drive. The twisty, steep, narrow dirt road makes for quite an adventure," cautions Clarissa F. about White Rock Mountain Recreation Area.
Weather variations: Temperature fluctuations between valleys and peaks can be significant. At Mount Magazine State Park Campground, Donny S. notes, "The temperature is literally about 10-15 degrees cooler on the mountain than below. One night we were there it got down to mid teens. So unless you're going in July, I would recommend you pack a pair of pants, long sleeves and maybe even a light jacket."
Seasonal considerations: Booking patterns vary by season, affecting availability. "On a Wednesday, the 1st of August, we had our pick of beautiful and spacious sights. Very few campers on this day," shares Dave V. about Mount Nebo State Park Campground in contrast to busier weekends and peak seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Certain parks offer swimming facilities during summer months. "State park with swimming pool in summer. Playground and swings for young ones. Several hammock friendly sites," describes Stan G. about Mount Nebo State Park Campground.
Site selection for safety: When glamping with children in Ozark, consider terrain and drop-offs. Ryan S. explains about Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground: "Many of the campsites are on a grade. They all have multiple levels with stairs and have no railings. We had 5 children <6 years of age and the sites were somewhat perilous. If you are a parent with small kids, sites 17-20 and sites 2-3 are better."
Wildlife education opportunities: Incorporate animal sightings into educational experiences. "The deer will walk up to you and you can pet them awesome park highly recommended," shares Steve S. about his experience at Mount Nebo State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Mountain roads limit RV access at certain locations. At Mulberry Mountain Lodging & Events, John F. notes, "The RV and primitive camping are clean and well-maintained. The bathroom/shower requires a passcode to enter and is always clean to use. It's a great escape for off-roading and overloading."
Site leveling considerations: Select campgrounds with naturally level sites to minimize setup time. "It was totally level we didn't need any leveling done at all," shares Jennifer O. about Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground, adding that "Sites spread far enough apart for privacy, full hook ups, cleanest bathhouses, and beautiful scenery!"
Storage options: Some locations offer extended RV storage. At Darby RV Community, Leslie D. found security advantages: "This was a great little park and stay at while we were in fort Smith. The price was right and operated by a family and the whole family chips in to run the park. The hosts were very accommodating and the military police patrolled the park."
