The area surrounding Paris, Arkansas contains multiple camping options within the Ozark National Forest and Arkansas state park system, including Mount Magazine State Park and Cove Lake Complex. Campgrounds range from more developed sites with RV hookups to primitive areas for tent camping, with cabins and glamping accommodations available at select locations. The region's mountainous terrain shapes the camping experience, with Mount Magazine standing as the highest point in Arkansas at 2,753 feet above sea level, offering dramatic views and cooler temperatures compared to lower elevations.
Road access varies depending on elevation, with fog and visibility issues common during mornings and evenings on mountain routes. "Words absolutely cannot describe the views here!! So many deer and the sunsets are incredible," noted one visitor to Cameron Bluff. Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with some like Waveland Park open only from March through October, while others such as Mount Magazine State Park and Cove Lake operate year-round. Temperature differences between mountain peaks and valley floors can reach 10-15 degrees, requiring additional warm clothing even during warmer months. Cell service is limited throughout the region, particularly at higher elevations.
Waterfront sites at Cove Lake attract families seeking swimming and boating opportunities, with boat rentals available onsite. Several campgrounds feature electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities, though amenities vary significantly between locations. A camper described Cove Lake as "a good place to camp with cabins, concessions and rentals." Mount Magazine's campground, while smaller with only 18 sites, receives consistently high ratings for its spectacular views and proximity to hiking trails. Sites throughout the region tend to be well-spaced and shaded, providing privacy, though many require reservations well in advance, especially during peak seasons. The combination of mountain vistas, lake activities, and forest settings creates diverse camping experiences within a relatively compact geographic area.
$35 / night
"The picnic table had a few steps up to it. This site is at the entrance, we might have preferred something at the back. Everyone coming in or out drove by our spot."
"There is an unofficial overflow campground with a well kept pit toilet that offers the best view from the campgrounds over the Arkansas valley."
"Boating, fishing, swimming, cabins available, lots of trails to hike. Just minutes from Mt Magazine and the town of Paris. Friendly staff."
"Located at the base drive up to Mount Magazine this is a good back up to the state park campground."
$16 - $75 / night
"Boat launch and lovely views of the Arkansas river. Close to restaurants and shopping ."
"We used it as a base camp to visit several Arkansas state parks such as Devil’s Den and Lake Fort Smith. The camp was clean, a little crowded, but very nice and relaxed."
$24 - $75 / night
"Plenty of places to walk. Nice swim beach. All around good place to go and keepers are very friendly. Spots are kinda close together but you have lots of room. Fire pit and grill stand."
"The sites have different characteristics, dependent on where they are located."
$15 - $35 / night
"This lake and the trails around it were absolutely gorgeous. Not far from Mt Magazine and the water was so clean and the campgrounds were fantastic."
"We enjoyed our stay at Cove Lake. The campsite we stayed at was right on the lake with a pretty view of the nearby mountains. The swimming area is pretty large and nice."
"If you are looking for a peaceful, quiet place, away from the city, this is a great place. I love it. Have stayed several times in several different sites. Will stay again. "
"Not to far off of I-40 and has beautiful surroundings. It is on the wine trail and there are vineyards across the road."
"This is an abandoned former campsite in a beautiful location."
"There is a boat ramp, fishing, you can pull an RV in here right next to your camp spot. There are fire rings and hiking trails. Off leash for dogs that are voice command and friendly."
"But on cloudy days, hikes on the various trails are surreal! And it’s only a short hike to the tallest point in AR - 2753ft above sea level"
"Reservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by."
"A great Arkansas destination for outdoorsy people.The steep road climbing to the top of Mount Nebo keeps the big RVs away. Stop your car at the lookout point before you reach the top."
$15 - $35 / night
"Simply put, this is a great little rustic place to get away from the hustle and bustle. The sites offer 20/30/50A hookups with water and septic."
"Very close to off-road trails and river float activities .. the owners are super nice and we liked hanging out with them. We’ll be back!"
TravelerThis is an abandoned former campsite in a beautiful location. It's free and quiet, which is nice, but the camper next to us gave us such bad vibes that we moved to another site to get a bit of space from them. Overall it's good with little to no litter, but take obvious safety precautions.
TravelerThis is an abandoned former campsite in a beautiful location. It's free and quiet, which is nice, but the camper next to us gave us such bad vibes that we moved to another site to get a bit of space from them. Overall it's good with little to no litter, but take obvious safety precautions.
TravelerFirst come first serve camping. This area is meant for daytime picnics, but the park rangers at the state Park office allows camping here for a cheaper rate, if you ask. It's great for a quiet camping, if you're okay with practically no amenities. They have a glorified outhouse there with no power. No running water. Individual camp sites each with a fire pit and picnic table. If you're lucky, there are two camp/picnic spots with an amazing view.
ScoutThis was our second time coming back, and it was just as amazing as the first! I’d recommend this place to anyone of all ages. He does a great job making everything fun and fair while still letting you have control over how you want to play. He even gave us a trial of Splatterball to try, which was a really cool bonus. Great guy with tons of experience, and it definitely shows. We’ll absolutely be back again!
RangerBeautiful setting in the Ouachita Natl Forest --peaceful and calm. Only a few UTVs and trucks drove by in our 5 days there. Challenging & fun UTV trails! Narrow gravel road to arrive --lots of overhanging branches in April. Amour site was approx 1/2 mile in, a pull through on the right with plenty of room. There were 2-3 other campsites farther down the road for a tent, van, or small camper. Easy access to trails.
GuideSmall campground with picnic tables, fire rings and a boat launch. Its has a restroom building but the doors have plywood over them. I don't know if its this way because they haven't opened it yet for the season or if its permanent. Be prepared! No water or dumpster. Civilization is only a few miles up the road.
RangerMaybe a camp used to exist here, but currently there's only the Fourche Mt UTV staging area, and a crumbling, overgrown road ending in a pile of rocks and a downhill slope not navigable by any vehicle other than UTV. Don't make our mistake--we drove our 43' RV in a ways, and had to unhook our towed truck, back to the staging area to get turned around to leave.
GuideWe stayed in section D, site 114! It was so nice and quiet, the trees made it feel so spacious and like you weren’t right on top of other campers! The bathrooms were eh. Not the best but not the worst! All the trails in walking distance was absolutely amazing! Would definitely camp here again :)
ScoutThis would be a great campsite but too many people have trashed it. Cans, tp, and broken glass everywhere. Some local charity should clean it up.
Camping options near Paris, Arkansas span both national forest and Arkansas state park lands within the Ouachita Mountain region. Sites range from 1,800 to 2,753 feet in elevation, creating temperature variations that affect camping conditions year-round. Most campgrounds in this area have accessible hiking trails directly from campsites, with trail difficulty varying significantly based on elevation gain.
Fishing and water activities: At Cove Lake Complex, visitors can enjoy multiple water-based activities. "Cove lake use to be my all time favorite place to go. We have a huge family and we would all meet there a few times a summer. Their food was awesome. The camping was good. But we love the lake and renting boats and tubes," reports Tina D.
Hiking to high points: The region contains multiple elevation-based hiking options. At Mount Magazine State Park Campground, "The hike up to the highest point in Arkansas is easy and family friendly for kids," according to Jeremy C. For more challenging terrain, "The trails are mostly shaded and well defined. Remember you are on a mountain so there will be elevation changes as you walk," notes Gary F.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer wildlife encounters. "We were able to listen to a Barred Owl before going to sleep," reports Greg D. at Cove Lake. The region hosts diverse wildlife viewing opportunities across various elevations.
Mountain-top temperature differences: Mount Nebo State Park Campground offers notable temperature advantages. "On a Wednesday, the 1st of August, we had our pick of beautiful and spacious sights. Very few campers on this day. So we chose site 17, directly on the Rim with unimpeded long views and unobstructed breezes," writes Dave V.
Space between sites: Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. At Aux Arc, "Sites in all areas are well spaced apart," according to MickandKarla W. This contrasts with some mountain sites where "Campsites are close together with little privacy," as Stan G. notes about Mount Nebo.
Lakefront positioning: Water access is a priority for many campers. At Waveland Park, "There is camp spots that over look the bay and some right down on the water," reports Myra P. Waterfront sites fill quickly during summer months.
Road challenges: Access roads present significant seasonal challenges. At Mount Nebo, "The drive up the mountain is seriously windy though, so be cautious," warns Rebecca P. Similarly, "Due to the elevation and drastic temperature change from the base of the mountain and the campground, it frankly isn't safe at all to drive on the mountain in the early morning or evening," notes Donny S.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by carrier and location. At Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures, reception allows limited communication but varies by provider. One camper at Cove Lake Complex noted "No cell service whatsoever with Verizon."
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary widely. At Cameron Bluff, facilities remain basic while Mount Magazine maintains "The restrooms/showers are a 4.5 out of 5 for state park facilities," according to Gary F. Some locations have modern flush toilets while others maintain vault toilets.
Beach access considerations: Ozark National Forest Cove Lake Campground offers family-friendly water features. "The swimming area is pretty large and nice. I like that the beach area is just a big grassy area," notes Lindsey P. Several campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas with varying terrain.
Campground selection by age: Not all sites suit all ages. "For anyone with kids, I would say at the outset that this isn't a very kid-friendly park. No playgrounds, very, very mountainous, and generally just not a park for kids," warns Donny S. about Mount Magazine.
Rental options: Equipment rentals reduce packing requirements. "You can rent tubes and float the river, fish or rent a buggy to off-road," mentions Sarah R. about Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures. Water equipment rentals typically operate seasonally from late May through September.
RV sizing limitations: Road access restricts larger vehicles at some campgrounds. "Limited number of sites. Full hookup. A lot of trees," notes Rob W. about Mount Magazine State Park. At Mount Nebo, signage warns "Crooked and Steep, no trailers over 24 ft," which Dave V. confirms "these warnings are to be heeded. Grades are up to 18%."
Hookup variations: Utilities differ substantially between parks. At Shoal Bay, "Paved level sites with water and electricity and clean bathrooms," reports Don L. For fuller services, Aux Arc offers "50/30 AMP with water. There is no sewer here but you can use a hose connection to let your grey water drain on the ground," according to MickandKarla W.
Seasonal access: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Waveland Park maintains a March through October season, requiring advance planning for shoulder-season visits when facilities may be partially operational.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Paris, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Paris, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 165 campgrounds and RV parks near Paris, AR and 36 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Paris, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Paris, AR is Mount Magazine State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 34 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Paris, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 36 free dispersed camping spots near Paris, AR.
What parks are near Paris, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 parks near Paris, AR that allow camping, notably Lake Dardanelle and Ozark Lake.
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