Camping cabins near Ozone, Arkansas range from basic to luxurious accommodations within the Ozark National Forest, situated at elevations between 1,500 and 2,700 feet. Winter temperatures in this region can drop 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands, with fog frequently limiting visibility on mountain roads. Most cabin rental options require advance bookings, especially from April through October when the area's forests transition from spring wildflowers to fall colors.
What to do
Hike the Rim Trail: At White Rock Mountain Recreation Area, the 2-mile loop trail offers viewpoints in all directions. "The views are exquisite. The people are warm and inviting. The hiking trails are for everyone," notes Shelia H., who found the trails accessible for various skill levels.
Rock climbing: Horseshoe Canyon Ranch provides sandstone climbing routes for beginners through experts. "Horseshoe canyon is one of the biggest climbing and bouldering locations in the southeast area. Beautiful pastures and surrounded by rock that hundreds come to visit," writes Luke O., highlighting its reputation among climbers.
Water recreation: Cove Lake Complex offers boat rentals directly onsite with fishing access. "Boat rentals right onsite, concessions, even a small beach area! We will 100% be back," shares Taryn S., who visited with three families including seven children.
Trail exploration: The Mulberry River area contains numerous marked and unmarked trails. "Near the Mulberry River and White Rock recreation area, the facility is an off road enthusiasts playground! Trails directly into the outback from the facility," notes John F. about trails accessible from Mulberry Mountain Lodging.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Mount Magazine State Park Campground offers well-spaced camping areas. "Magazine Mountain is the highest peak in Arkansas at 2,753 feet. Mount Magazine SP sits at the top of Magazine Mountain. It has 18 RV campsites of varying length, all with water and most have sewer. All of the campsites have a large level tent pad, table, fire ring, and plenty of shade," reports Gary F.
Wildlife encounters: Early mornings and evenings provide opportunities to observe native species. "Cabin B in August one summer with my wife... We both enjoyed the setting, loved the cabin otherwise, and loved the hikes. 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," writes Matt B. about his White Rock Mountain experience.
Off-grid location: Limited cellular service creates a true disconnect. "No ATT or Verizon service there or in the general area, had to download a map that was essentially a PDF to get around," explains Amy & Stu B. about staying at Macks Pines, emphasizing the need for advance planning.
Cafe access: Several locations offer on-site food options when you don't want to cook. "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," recommends a visitor to Macks Pines.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to mountain cabin sites often requires navigating steep, unpaved roads. "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. It has many large rocks in the road and the decently sized potholes. I scraped the bottom of my little car quite a bit on the way up," cautions Clarissa F. about the drive to White Rock Mountain.
Weather preparedness: Mountain elevations create significant temperature differences. "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," advises Donny S. about Mount Magazine State Park.
Service limitations: Most mountain cabins lack cellular coverage. "Received good AT&T 5G cell service, but little to no T-Mobile 2G service. Areas C and D are in the woods," reports Fred S. about connectivity at Petit Jean State Park.
Reservation windows: Popular cabin locations book months in advance. "It's really hard to get a reservation if you don't book at least a year out in A loop," explains Ryan S. regarding camping at Petit Jean State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly bathrooms: Petit Jean State Park offers some of the region's best facilities. "Clean and accommodating bath house...Petit Jean is a must for family camping. Mather Lodge has an accommodating restaurant if needed. Plenty of trails for hiking. Pool, basketball and tennis courts. Marina with boats and kayaks," notes Ryan S.
Cave exploration: Several areas feature cave features safe for supervised exploration. "We had a blast hiking to waterfalls and caves. Campsites are shaded and nice," shares Jason R. about Petit Jean State Park.
Swimming options: Look for locations with dedicated swim areas. "Pool, great trails, and the creek/river kept my kids entertained and worn out!" reports Melissa M. about her family's experience at Devil's Den State Park Campground.
Educational opportunities: Visitor centers provide learning experiences. "The information center was large and the employees were very friendly," explains Amy H. about Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Research sites carefully before booking. "The RV and primitive camping are clean and well-maintained. The bathroom/shower requires a passcode to enter and is always clean to use," shares Jeff P. about Mulberry Mountain Lodging & Events.
Hookup positioning: Check the placement of utilities when reserving. "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 Ryan S. about Petit Jean State Park.
Leveling requirements: Mountain campgrounds often have uneven sites. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level," warns a Petit Jean visitor about the campground's B loop.
Electrical service: Check amperage options when booking cabin campsites. "Thirty-five of the sites are Class AAA sites which have 50 amp electrical, water, and sewer hookups. There are 90 Class B sites offering 30 amp electrical and water hookups," explains Fred S. about Petit Jean State Park.
