Hot Springs National Park KOA
Really nice cabin w/ lots of amenities. koa was flexible in letting us rent the cabin for our daughter and grandkids while we slept in the Rv out front.
1 campground with availability next weekend
Lake Ouachita State Park Campground houses some of the most distinctive glamping options near Story, Arkansas, with accommodation choices ranging from luxury yurts to fully-equipped canvas structures. These accommodations feature comfortable beds with quality linens, climate-controlled interiors, and private viewing decks that showcase the natural beauty of the Ouachita region. The park offers glamping units with kitchenettes, electricity, and modern bathrooms, allowing visitors to experience nature without sacrificing comfort. "The cabins are beyond wonderful to stay in and well worth the price," noted one visitor about Lake Ouachita's luxury accommodations. Little Fir Landing provides additional upscale glamping experiences with spacious canvas tents featuring rustic-luxe interiors. Each unit includes amenities like picnic tables, drinking water access, and fire pits, creating an ideal setting for luxury outdoor stays without the hassle of traditional camping equipment.
Lake activities dominate the glamping experience on Lake Ouachita, with direct water access from Brady Mountain's luxury canvas accommodations. Guests can launch kayaks directly from their glamping sites, explore the lake's 210 islands, or simply enjoy spectacular sunset views from private decks. A visitor remarked, "Saw the most beautiful sunset. Caught a delicious catfish. Spent a day in a hammock with a fantastic lake view." Hot Springs National Park lies within easy driving distance, offering historic bathhouses and thermal springs as a perfect day trip from these glamping locations. Year-round operations at most sites allow for seasonal variations in activities, from summer swimming to fall foliage viewing, though some locations like Brady Mountain operate seasonally from March through October. Reservations are recommended for these in-demand glamping accommodations, especially during peak summer months.
"There is a loop on a peninsula that are reserved for walking in your gear to a tent site. These sites have GREAT views of the lake."
"Camping in the state park of lake ouachita in a tent. never. been. better. was on site T04 for tents and basically sites t01-t11(maybe 12) are on a small peninsula with the lake on both sides. you can"
"Beautiful location and you can park your RV or pitch your tent right by the lake. Is a bit remote so I recommend that you make sure you have everything you need before you head out this way."
"Spots have good room and most have water and electricity. Not as maintained as other campgrounds but the isolation and quiet area are nice"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 / night
"There are no water hook-ups at the sites. only electric. The cell signal on the “down the hill” portion of the campground is pretty non-existent."
"On the lake and perfect for canoeing, but close to Hot Slrings if you want to tour the bathhouses or Dane the night away at the hotel."
from $50 / night
"New bathrooms were well maintained. Lake (or river) on the side. Nice view"
from $25 - $85 / night
"PROS 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"
"Lake Catherine is a popular spot that’s on a first come first serve basis so arrive early. Most campsite have fire pits and grills. Nice space in between campsites."
from $15 - $25 / night
"Full hook ups, big campsites with table, fire pit, and level gravel. River is close by with playground. Booked up fast for us on the weekend. 20 to hot springs."
"We arrived at this wonderful little COE with 9 sites and headed into back-in site 3 with FHUs. After we settled, we self-registered per instructions on the information board at the entrance."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $35 - $60 / night
"PROS No reservation transaction fee
Senior discount
Quiet
Moveable metal picnic table on a concrete pad, pedestal BBQ grill, fire ring with cooking grate, and one hook lantern pole
Site 14 partially"
"The open closet had plenty of shelving and hangers for clothing and bags. The bathroom was standard with water that quickly got hot for your bath or shower."
from $25 - $40 / night
"The only downside while we were there was the bathrooms were not open."
"12 a night, full hookup potential AND you are walking distance to the mine!!! For $20 you can go spend the day diggin through dirt and finding crystals."
"It had an AC, shower, full bathroom, kitchen, TV, a charcoal grill with charcoal, and the camp host brought over fire wood with no charge."
from $13 / night
"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."
"Nice shady spot with a picnic table, grill and fire pit. Was also a space for a tent. The picnic table had a few steps up to it."
from $35 / night












Really nice cabin w/ lots of amenities. koa was flexible in letting us rent the cabin for our daughter and grandkids while we slept in the Rv out front.
Nice quiet neighborly (most) pet friendly laundry showers wifi pool community gathering
Nice, spacious, clean rv park with solid amenities. Very near lots of outdoor activities and Hot Springs National Park
Been camping here for a few years now. Quiet at night. Clean bathroom and showers. Campground a little rocky and hilly. Some sites need some attention, minor water dripping or damage to facets mostly great place. Wonderful hosts. Gary and Michele. Good price.
The camp ground is hilly, but all the site are flat and level, the basic site comes with a picnic table, electric, water, and a fire ring. The staff are very friendly and helpful, as we were a last minute check in. The bathroom facilities are very clean, air conditioned, and individual room that include a nice size shower. They have a very nice pool and offer shuttle service into Hot Springs!!
We stayed a week at Petit Jean in one of their gorgeous cabins. It was a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend. The check-in and check-out was easy. Finding the cabin was easy with the directions and map we were given. They were clearly marked, with parking for two vehicles, as they were setup like a duplex. The cabin was beautiful and clean, inside and out. There was a large, heavy, all wood porch swing on each side. Relaxing in it was a peaceful experience, listening to the sounds of birds and the breeze through the tall pines. Inside it was all beautifully stained wood and roomy enough for two people, much like a hotel room, except for the cathedral ceiling. In fact, the setup was better than most hotel rooms we have stayed in. There was a mini-fridge with a small freezer, microwave, coffee pot(with coffee, cups, creamer, sugar, etc,) a Keurig, blow-dryer, iron, ironing board, and broom. It had all the toiletries: soap, shampoo, conditioner, tissue, cups. The open closet had plenty of shelving and hangers for clothing and bags. The bathroom was standard with water that quickly got hot for your bath or shower. There were two full size beds with comfortable mattresses, plenty of pillows and warm bedding, with a nightstand between. There were plugs to charge your phone and a landline. There was also a fireplace, however it was locked closed. The air unit in the room had cooling/heating that was easy to operate and sufficiently cool. We were near the highway, close to the lodge, but did not hear traffic while in the cabin. Parking at Mather Lodge is just like any other, with a short, easy walk to the entrance. Once inside, you pass the check-in desk, a small, well-stocked gift shop,(with something for every age,) an open meeting area and bar before reaching the restaurant. It is beautifully constructed from large logs stained and polished to a gleaming shine. From floor to ceiling, it is the epitome of rugged elegance. We ate breakfast and dinner exclusively at the lodge. The food was exemplary, every meal, cooked to perfection and delicious. The atmosphere was relaxing and we were never rushed or made to feel as if we overstayed our welcome. The service was fast, even when every table was occupied. The servers were friendly and attentive. We had only one server, one time that was"less than," maybe she was new, not sure, but we did not see her again. Tommy, Thomas, Jessie, Brad, Rebekah, and Lindsay were all so pleasant, always greeting us, even when they weren't our servers, remembering us and making us feel like family. The view of the gorge with it's tall trees and towering rock formations was incredible! There was a common area behind the lodge, just outside the restaurant with tables, chairs and benches for observing the gorge, taking photos, relaxing and socializing. You could walk right down to the edge of the huge flat rocks for photos with a stunning background. We spent every evening there, watching the exquisite sunsets. This place is a nature lovers paradise. There is a pool surrounded by loungers behind and to the side of the lodge. It was clean and well-kept with a small waterfall at one end. Thick thirsty towels are provided for your convenience. The grounds are beautifully maintained. We never saw or heard a mower but the grass was cut to perfection and there wasn't a single piece of litter in the entire park. At check-in we were given a map, brochure and weekly schedule of events/tours at the park. The map was very necessary for navigating around this extensive park of which the lodge area was only a small part. The brochure described the hikes and other available activities(such as climbing and repelling) with descriptions of what could be observed, length and difficulty levels. Trust the brochure! If it says strenuous, it is. Plan accordingly. There were four ranger guided tours the week we were there. We took two of them. They were genuinely interesting and pleasurable. Baron, our ranger, was exceedingly knowledgeable about the geology, animal and plant life and history of the area. Exceptionally so, for someone who was seemingly so young. He was attentive to the needs of those attending the tours, stopping to rest if necessary and moving a bit slower for us older folks. He was so affable and easy to talk with, it seemed as if we were old friends. Willing to spend extra time after the tours, talking with us, was an indication of how much he enjoyed his job. We were very appreciative of someone of his character and enjoyed spending time with him. He is the perfect model of what one would think a park ranger is and should be! Any hike can be taken unguided and there are plenty of them. In fact, we had plans to go outside the park on other hikes, but never made it off the property for those. We actually did not have enough time to do all we wanted to do within the park. If you are looking for a phenomenal vacation, this is the trip you should take!
Well maintained state park especially for its age. All sites have a picnic table, ground grill, and tent pad. Roads and campsites are paved. Nicely spaced sites. Clean bathhouse.
We stayed in the tini cabin because it was 98* out, and we were sun burnt from digging crystals. It had an AC, shower, full bathroom, kitchen, TV, a charcoal grill with charcoal, and the camp host brought over fire wood with no charge.
We liked Lake Catherine State Park. My husband tried fishing, to no avail. I chose swimming and was also a little let down. The water by camp is extremely shallow. Even 50 ft from bank youre only in 2 ft of water.. so I opted for floating and it was perfect. My husband had my float tied around his waist while he waded around trying to fish. It was honestly magical. The bathrooms, which contain a couple of stalled showers, are some of the cleanest we've seen in all our travels. A lot of the sites are directly on the water and it looks like each group of sites has its own dock, so thats really cool. The waterfall had no falls bc it hasnt rained here in some time. There was a really nice shop that had ice, wood, souvenirs, a few groceries, and practical items like sunscreen and bug spray as well as rv stuff, like pipes and hoses. There is watercraft rental here but we didnt check that out. 2 nights cost us $52 for 30 amp, water hookup, right by the bathhouse and a site on the water. It was honestly worth it. Probably would have stayed longer if it had been a little cheaper though.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Story, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Story, AR is Lake Ouachita State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 51 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Story, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 33 glamping camping locations near Story, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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