Lake Ouachita campgrounds near Story, Arkansas offer a range of camping options from primitive tent sites to full hookup RV sites at elevations between 700-1,300 feet. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Several campgrounds in this area feature terraced campsites built into hillsides, providing both challenges for leveling and spectacular views of surrounding forests.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Ouachita provides excellent fishing access from shoreline camping areas. "Great place. Quiet and beautiful right on Lake Ouachita. Very remote so make sure you have everything you need before you get out there because there aren't any stores even convenience stores or gas stations nearby," notes a visitor at COE Lake Ouachita Little Fir Campground.
Hiking trails: Several trails surrounding Story offer routes for all skill levels. At Petit Jean State Park Campground, a camper reported, "We spent most of our days hiking the many trails the park is known for. It was at peak Dogwood season, so the understory of the Forest was beautiful!"
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide the best opportunities for wildlife spotting around Story. "You can rent boats onsite and you will want to! Clean and renovated facilities, nice and simple... Exceptionally lovely views, good wildlife, amazing sunsets," writes one visitor about Lake Ouachita State Park.
What campers like
Swimming beaches: Many campgrounds offer designated swimming areas with gradual entry points. At Brady Mountain - Lake Ouachita, a camper shared: "The park was clean as any national park is. Lake Ouachita has over 210 Islands. I visited several each day on a kayak... the showers were cleaning and had hot water."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathhouses and campsites. "Campsite and bathrooms were well maintained and nice. Hiking was right next to the campground, so this made for a very fun, relaxing weekend!" notes a visitor to Mount Magazine State Park Campground.
Spacious sites: Several glamping locations close to Story, Arkansas feature larger-than-average sites. A camper at Stephens Park Campground commented, "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. Shaded."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campsites have spotty coverage. A reviewer noted about Brady Mountain Campground: "The cell signal on the 'down the hill' portion of the campground is pretty non-existent."
Reservation requirements: Most luxury glamping sites require advance booking, especially during summer months. "Sites are full hookup. There is a day use area with access to be able to fish from the bank. Also, just minutes from the nearby Lake Ouachita," reports a Stephens Park visitor.
Water access variations: Not all sites have equal lake access. "We had a lovely time tent camping at Lake Ouachita. The campsites were walk up, which was mildly inconvenient at first, but ultimately a big plus with no vehicles driving by the actual sites."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play equipment for children. At Hot Springs National Park KOA, a visitor shared: "There were lots of activities to keep the kiddos busy. I would recommend this campground to anyone going to or passing through Hot Springs."
Kid-friendly hiking: Look for shorter trails with interesting features. "The Cedar Falls hike is beautiful and a quick fun adventure. I recommend going to the Petit Jean Grave. The view is vast!" notes a Petit Jean State Park camper.
Safety considerations: Some sites have steep drop-offs to water. "The sites were pretty close to each other, and some people might not prefer that. There was a family reunion happening while we were there, so that feature was pretty convenient for them."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require substantial leveling equipment. A visitor to Little Fir Landing noted: "Site is very remote with little access to any stores or fuel. It is located on a hill to that is very rocky and not very level.. our 38ft RV has a hard time leveling as the camp sites are not very level to begin with."
Water hookup locations: Check site maps carefully before booking. "We stayed in site 55 and had a great view of the lake and the beautiful sunsets. Our friends stayed in space 1. It was more shady but didn't have a view of the lake."
Campground layout considerations: Some parks have challenging navigation for larger rigs. "You have to drive through the entire campground to get to the lower sites. Felt a little tight at times and we just have a 13 footer."
