Stacie P.
Scout
ScoutLee Creek Public Use Area
A beautiful view
A beautiful place to relax, but very sketchy, wouldn't stay after dark. I've taken many pics down here, the scenery is beautiful.
Camping near Ozark Lake
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds surrounding Ozark Lake in Arkansas provide a mix of developed and primitive experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Devil's Den State Park Campground and Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground offer full-service amenities including cabins, while more rustic options like Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures and White Rock Mountain Recreation Area feature tent and RV sites with varying levels of facilities. These camping areas range from riverfront locations with swimming access to more secluded forest settings within the Ozark Mountains, giving visitors multiple terrain options within a 30-mile radius of the lake.
Seasonal considerations affect campsite availability throughout the year, with most campgrounds operating year-round but experiencing different conditions. "This park is a beautiful park with 50 amps hook up and 30 amps hook up, but no showers in bathrooms," noted one visitor about Vine Prairie Park. Water levels in the Mulberry River and other waterways fluctuate seasonally, sometimes creating ideal swimming holes during summer months while limiting water access in drier periods. Many campgrounds require reservations during peak season (May through September), when temperatures typically range from 75-95°F. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with better coverage at established campgrounds like Aux Arc and Fort Smith-Alma RV Park compared to more remote sites.
Riverfront camping receives consistently positive feedback from visitors to the area, particularly along the Mulberry River. The natural swimming areas and fishing opportunities enhance the camping experience, with one camper reporting they "spent most of our time swimming, fishing, floating and kayaking in the Mulberry River." Most developed campgrounds provide electrical hookups, water access, and dump stations, while some sites like White Rock Mountain Recreation Area and Shores Lake offer more basic amenities suited for those seeking a quieter experience. Camping areas near boat launches tend to attract more day visitors, while campgrounds farther from water access points typically provide more solitude. Sites with both river views and shade are particularly sought after during summer months, with several campgrounds offering direct access to hiking trails and off-road vehicle routes in the surrounding national forest land.
Best Camping Sites Near Ozark Lake (129)
1. Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures
23 ReviewsMulberry, AR5 milesWebsite+1 (479) 462-4961$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!"
2. Devil's Den State Park Campground
88 ReviewsWinslow, AR24 milesWebsite+1 (479) 761-3325$20 / night
"Devil's Den is a gorgeous parked tucked in the mountains of Arkansas. The primary campground for RVs is one of the better campgrounds I have seen. The facilities and amenities have been great. "
"The trails are great and our campsite had a path right down to the river. The water hookup was a bit tricky, it leaks all over the place until you turn it all the way."
3. Aux Arc
20 ReviewsOzark, AR13 milesWebsite+1 (479) 667-1100$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."
4. Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground
25 ReviewsChester, AR15 milesWebsite+1 (479) 369-2469$23 - $163 / night
"Lake Ft. Smith State Park is a beautiful park in the Boston Mountains. We drove over from Memphis to meet my brother’s family (who lives in Tulsa)."
"This is a nice modern park on the shore of the man made Lake Fort Smith."
5. White Rock Mountain Recreation Area
26 ReviewsCombs, AR16 milesWebsite+1 (479) 369-4128$15 - $215 / night
"Located beyond a perfectly canopied gravel road and surrounded by miles of mostly uninhabited forests White Rock Mountain has been the most delightful treasure of 2016."
"The views, as other reviewers have said, are impressive and the Rim Trail is worth doing any time of day and any season."
6. Springhill
21 ReviewsBarling, AR17 milesWebsite+1 (479) 452-4598$16 - $75 / night
"Really nice campground you have two options in the A section you are right one a small river and one the B side it’s more of the wooded option but most sites have the Arkansas rive close by with mountain"
"It’s in between the Arkansas river and Massard creek. You can launch a boat or you can go kayaking in Massard creek. There’s Cat fish, Perch and, Bass."
7. Fort Smith-Alma RV Park
8 ReviewsAlma, AR10 milesWebsite+1 (479) 632-2704"It’s just far enough away from the highway so you have a quiet nights rest without hearing the traffic. The pond on the property has soothing sounds of peepers to fall asleep too."
"Was headed to Lake Fort Smith but area was booked so we stopped here and was pleased with our stay. Spaces are quite small but it has become the norm everywhere."
8. Clear Creek - Ozark Lake (AR)
6 ReviewsAlma, AR7 milesWebsite+1 (479) 632-4882$16 - $75 / night
"This park is located on the Arkansas River. There’s a boat ramp, so bring your boat and enjoy the beautiful Arkansas River. Pets are allowed, there is a leash law. Bring your own firewood."
9. Vine Prairie Park & Boat Launch
3 ReviewsMulberry, AR1 mileWebsite"They allow dumping of gray water BUT, it is illegal to dump gray water on the ground ANYWHERE in Arkansas! There is a city owned archery range next to the campsites."
"If you want to fish the Arkansas River and have a place to stay then this is the place for you.."
10. pathfinder rv resort
2 ReviewsAlma, AR8 milesWebsite+1 (479) 297-1551"New park with young trees (so not much shade yet), pond for fishing and a walking trail around it."
"Newly expanded to around 50 sites. Lot of extended stays but immaculate. Small lake with catch and release fishing. Community fireplace, pool and nice playground."
Recent Camping Photos near Ozark Lake
178 Photos of 129 Ozark Lake Campgrounds
RACHAEL G.
Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures
Kat M.
Clear Creek - Ozark Lake (AR)
Kerrie C.
Fort Smith-Alma RV Park
Cyndy & Selena R.
Shores Lake
George L.
Aux Arc
Daniel D.
Twin Creeks RV Park
Donny S.
Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground
Matt R.
White Rock Mountain Recreation Area
Jennifer L.
COE John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake Springhill Campground
Michelle W.
Springhill
Matt
Redding Campground
Chris C.
Mulberry Mountain Lodging & Events
Recent Reviews near Ozark Lake
626 Reviews of 129 Ozark Lake Campgrounds
Jenny
Rangerpathfinder rv resort
New, clean RV park
New park with young trees (so not much shade yet), pond for fishing and a walking trail around it. Large clubhouse is where the bathhouses are with four individual bathrooms with showers, laundry facility, propane for sale and a nice pool.
- JennyRanger
Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground
Beautiful and peaceful
Clean state park. We enjoyed the trails, kayak rental at the marina. Other amenities include nice bathhouses and a pool.
- J
Jon L.
GuideHog Valley RV & Treehouse Resort
Still a nice park, but...
We last stayed here five years ago when the park was new. Some of the areas and amenities that are now available were still under construction during our last trip. The bottom line… still a very nice park, but it's starting to show its age a little.
Parking for registration is located right next to the office. All the park staff we dealt with were very friendly and helpful. The road from the highway to the park is easy to navigate for any size rig. The same inside the park; it's well-marked and easy to navigate, though several roads have asphalt failures that need attention. Even though it's not too far from Interstate 49, we didn't hear any traffic noise at all- very peaceful.
We were assigned to pull-thru site number 36. Most of the sites are gravel, but the pull-thru row that we were in had concrete pads. For the most part, all sites appear fairly level.
Power, Water, and Sewer were all conveniently located, and the power supply had no issues at all. We use a power management system, and all electrical parameters were spot on during our stay. Water pressure was very good, and the in-ground sewer connection was conveniently located.
Two bathroom areas also have showers and laundry facilities- one at the front of the park and one in the rear. The pool area and playground are located at the front of the park.
Wi-Fi, Satellite, Cable, and OTA: there is Wi-Fi in the park, but the park info sheet that they provide you with notes that the Wi-Fi is spotty. We were able to get AT&T 5G with 4 bars. AT&T achieved 418 Mbps down and 21 Mbps up. Satellite reception should not be an issue at most sites, and if you do need clear access for satellite reception, there are plenty of sites available with no trees. There are plenty of OTA stations available, and they all had great reception with clear HD pictures. Cable was not available.
Dog Park: They have two nice fenced-in parks that are in great condition. The one in the front of the park is divided for big and small dogs, while the one in the back is larger but not divided. They both have benches, which are all in good shape. They also provide doggie bags and a trash can. NOTE: I've included a photo of the sign posted at the entrances to the park indicating that they might be shut down. So if having a fenced dog park is mission-critical for your stay, you might want to verify that they are still open when you make your reservation
Amenities: Lots of items are listed on their website, and you are only a few miles from Fayetteville, where you can find plenty of stores and restaurants. Summary: A great place for an overnight or an extended stay. Although the park is starting to show its age, it still deserves a high rating, and I would not hesitate to recommend it- enjoy your stay!
- JJon L.Guide
Riverfront RV Resort
A Hidden Gem
We needed an overnight spot on our way from Oklahoma to NW Arkansas, and I'm glad that we picked this park. It's located right next to the Arkansas River with a nice concrete walking trail along the river. Parking for registration is located right next to the office. All the park staff we dealt with were very friendly and helpful.
The road from the highway to the park is fairly easy to navigate for any size rig. The same inside the park; it's well-marked and easy to navigate. Even though it's not too far from the main road, we didn't hear any traffic noise at all- very peaceful. However, you will hear occasional train horns from the crossing a few miles away. You'll only hear them when outside your RV, never inside.
We were assigned to pull-thru site number 44. All the sites are concrete and appear fairly level. Our site was level side to side, and 5 inches from front to rear. There are no shade trees for the majority of the park sites. Power, Water, and Sewer were all conveniently located, and the power supply had no issues at all. We use a power management system, and all electrical parameters were spot on during our stay. Water pressure was very good, and the in-ground sewer connection was conveniently located. There is also a picnic table located at each site.
Bathrooms, Showers, and the pool are all located near the registration office building and are in great shape. There are no trash cans by the sites- just a dumpster area near the dog park and playground. However, they do come by your site each morning to pick up any trash that you've set out.
Wi-Fi, Satellite, OTA: there is decent Wi-Fi in the park with repeater towers spaced approximately every four sites, so each site has a fairly strong signal- we achieved 9.52 Mbps down and 2.02 Mbps up. We got AT&T 5G with 4 bars and achieved 512 Mbps down and 32 Mbps up. If you need clear access for satellite reception, trees will not be an issue. Also, you can pick up plenty of OTA stations with good HD quality reception.
Dog Park: They have a nice fenced-in park that is in great condition and is well lit at night. They provide doggie bags and a trash can, both in the dog park and along the walking paths.
Amenities: Lots of items are listed on their website.
Summary: A great place for an overnight or an extended stay. The park is only a couple of years old and is very well maintained. Only about 15-20 percent of the spaces were occupied. Note that sites 100- 115 are along the river. There is a concrete public walking path along the river, but those sites are elevated above the path, with a grass and tree buffer zone between them. There are a couple of covered pavilions in the park with built-in gas grills and comfortable seating areas. The park map provides a very accurate rendition of the park. See my attached photos for more details.
This park deserves its high rating, and I do not hesitate to recommend it - enjoy your stay!
Kimberly P.GuideHaw Creek Falls Camping
Really popular spot
We spent one night here. It was a little bit of trouble to get to, as I'm not a fan of driving in the mountains. It had a nice fire ring and a picnic table. There are 2 vault toilets here, not the worst we've seen. They did have toilet paper. Super cute but very shallow swimming hole, maybe 3 ft deep? Very popular too. Seemed every site was full when we pulled through to check it out, so we picked the only open spot, #1. But when we left at 10 am, only one other campsite was occupied so I think they were just daytime guests. We walked downstream a lot looking at small fish in the little pools and we "swam" in the swimming hole, it was nice bc it was hot. Beautiful scenery. No service for my phone.
- JJessie H.
TravelerWolf Pen Recreation Area Campground
It Was Ok
Very flea infested when we went. Water was really low and kinda hot. But the camp ground was pretty and well maintained.
Bryce N.GuideMount Nebo State Park Campground
Campground with the view!
Campground made for the smaller rigs. Access road has a 24 foot camper length limit. Fun drive with steep switchbacks. Some campsites are on the cliffs edge so the views are fantastic. Staff was helpful and the sites clean. Some good leveling will be required at a few RV sites but it's more then worth it!
- Bryce N.Guide
Cameron Bluff
Beautiful views
Steep and fun drive to get to this campground. Sites are big and spaces are wide creating a very nice experience. Short hike from the campground is the overlook road and the views are incredible!
Guide to Ozark Lake
Campgrounds near Ozark Lake offer diverse accommodation options from primitive tent sites to cabins with modern amenities. The area spans elevations from 400 to 2,100 feet with heavily forested ridges and valleys throughout the Ozark National Forest. Campers should note that cell service is non-existent in some of the more remote campgrounds, particularly at White Rock Mountain and Shores Lake.
What to do
Swimming in natural pools: Mulberry River provides excellent swimming opportunities during summer months when water levels are adequate. "We spent most of our time swimming, fishing, floating and kayaking in the Mulberry River," noted a visitor at Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures.
Hiking nearby trails: The region offers extensive hiking options ranging from easy lakeside paths to challenging mountain routes. A camper at White Rock Mountain Recreation Area mentioned, "The Rim Trail is worth doing any time of day and any season."
Archery practice: Some Ozark Lake campsites provide specialty amenities beyond standard offerings. A reviewer at Vine Prairie Park noted, "There is a city owned archery range next to the campsites. You can bike the road which is along the Arkansas River all the way to Alma to the west."
Wildlife watching: Early mornings offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. "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," shared one White Rock Mountain camper.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds around Ozark Lake maintain high cleanliness standards. A camper at Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground praised the "cleanest bathhouses" and noted it was "absolutely the cleanest and most beautiful campground we've been in."
Riverside locations: Proximity to water consistently receives positive feedback. "Great place to camp and kayak. River view from our campsite, easy access to the river," commented one visitor to Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures.
Off-grid experience: Limited connectivity appeals to those seeking true disconnection. A visitor to Shores Lake mentioned, "Off season you may just have the whole place to yourself!"
Variety of terrain: The topography changes significantly between campgrounds. "Some sites are a little uneven. And some sites are tough to get a 41ft 5th wheel into," noted one camper at Springhill Campground, highlighting the diverse landscape of Ozark Lake campsites.
What you should know
Access challenges: Some campgrounds require careful driving. At White Rock Mountain, a reviewer cautioned, "The twisty, steep, narrow dirt road makes for quite an adventure. It has many large rocks in the road and decently sized potholes."
Service limitations: Cell coverage varies dramatically. "There's no cell service whatsoever but Wifi (paid) is offered by the park," reported a visitor to Devil's Den State Park Campground.
Bathroom conditions: Facility quality differs between campgrounds. At Aux Arc, a visitor noted, "The bathrooms could have been cleaner," while another mentioned that at Vine Prairie Park there are "no showers in bathrooms. But nice clean bathrooms."
Booking requirements: Reservation policies vary by location and season. "Campground is currently (April 7) closed for maintenance and flooding. Call before you go!" warned a Devil's Den visitor, emphasizing the importance of verifying availability.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access for kids: During summer heat, swimming facilities become essential. A camper at Aux Arc shared, "No swimming but bluff hole is 15 minutes away and awesome," providing an alternative when on-site swimming isn't available.
Site selection for safety: Terrain at some Ozark Lake campsites presents challenges for families with young children. At Lake Fort Smith, a visitor observed, "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."
Bug management: Insect activity varies by season and location. "The bugs were out of control," reported a Clear Creek camper during peak season, suggesting families pack appropriate repellent.
Alternative accommodations: Beyond tent camping, cabins offer comfort for families. "We stayed in Cabin B in August one summer with my wife, who is tougher than anything but spiders. I would have been wise to get there a couple hours earlier and let her relax while I cleaned the place thoroughly," advised a White Rock Mountain visitor.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Many campsites require equipment for leveling. "Sites have gravel which limits how much dirt/mud you have to deal with," noted a visitor to Fort Smith-Alma RV Park, adding that their "site A2 had fire pit, grill, picnic table was pretty level even with gravel."
Site spacing awareness: RV sites vary in privacy and proximity. "You have to keep your blinds closed otherwise you find yourself looking right into the windows of your neighbors on both sides," cautioned one Fort Smith-Alma RV Park visitor about the tight spacing.
Water quality differences: Water supplies vary between campgrounds. At Springhill, an RVer measured "some of the best water I have ever had. Only 35 ppm on my zero water tester. Bottled water has had more than 75 ppm."
Access route planning: Some campgrounds have specific approach recommendations. A Devil's Den camper advised, "If you have a large rig - make sure to take the West Fork exit off I-49 vs. the south exit (Winslow)," highlighting the importance of route planning for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Ozark Lake?
What camping is available near Ozark Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ozark Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 129 campgrounds and RV parks near Ozark Lake and 18 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Ozark Lake?
Which is the most popular campground near Ozark Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ozark Lake is Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures with a 4.4-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ozark Lake?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ozark Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 free dispersed camping spots near Ozark Lake.
What parks are near Ozark Lake?
What parks are near Ozark Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 35 parks near Ozark Lake that allow camping, notably John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake and Lake Dardanelle.
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