The best camping near Gillham Lake

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Gillham Lake adventure.

Gillham Lake: A serene escape with lush landscapes and outdoor fun.  

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Community favorites near Gillham Lake

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Gillham Lake

Top-rated campgrounds near Gillham Lake

99%
(87)

Yearling Ridge River

1 site · RV, Tent37 acres · Waldron, AR
This beautiful property sits on the banks of the Fourche La Fave (pronounced Foosh La Fay)  River. This 151 mile long river was once the grounds of the Caddo Native American Tribe. The river is now home to a wide variety of wildlife, and offers multiple species of fish. Scott County is over 70% public national forest, with thousands of acres of public land available for the outdoor enthusiast. Though this property has the look and feel of woods and river camping, there is actually a 24 hour convenience store less than two miles away just in case you need a midnight snack!   Learn more about this land:Beautiful flowing river for swimming, fishing, canoeing. Nice open air pavilion with power,  LED lighting and a large picnic table. Firepit with added grill for cooking right at the rivers edge.  Dedicated hammocking area overlooking the river, or have some friendly competition with a game of Bag-O game (boards provided).  This area offers a wide open space for exercising, walking/bike riding along a country road, or just relaxing by riverbank.  Want a little more adventure? This area boasts an expansive network of country dirt roads and trails for your ATV/UTV, and is less than five miles from the Ouachita National Forests' Fourche Mountain Trail. All this but still close to civilization. A 24 hour convenience store is less than two miles from the campsite. This quaint little spot has a lot to offer!  
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from 
$28
 / night
98%
(244)

Ouachita River Haven

22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents14 acres · Pencil Bluff, AR
Welcome to Ouachita River Haven! Nestled between Ouachita National Forest property and the Ouachita River, our Haven is a peaceful little slice of nature for you to take a break, catch your breath, and enjoy the outdoors! Property has 1000 ft of river access, with canoe & kayak docks, swimming hole, volleyball and tetherball, horseshoes, swings. We offer hiking, mountain biking, and river shuttles as well as canoe/kayak/tube rentals and shuttles. Such trips should be reserved in advance by messaging us or visiting our website. Our office sells firewood for $5/bundle. We also have a small array of custom woodwork items from our woodshop, freeze dried snacks and hiking restocks, food from local vendors, and souvenirs! All primitive sites have a picnic table, fire ring, and campfire grill grate. Electric sites are 30 amp, if using for tent camping you will need a 3-prong converter (we can rent one to you for $5 if you do not have your own). RV/Camper MAXIMUM length is 28 feet. Tipi rental is a camping experience only; it does not have electricity, a/c or heat. There are solar lights inside. We do have a Queen Sized outdoor bed and bedding available to add to rental for $10/night. Bunkhouse is a camping experience - bring your own bedding. A/C, heat, electricity, TV & DVDs, Microwave, and Mini fridge are inside. Guests use campground restrooms Campground restrooms and showers are a short walk from campgrounds. We are pet-friendly. Dogs must be leashed at all times that they are not in a tent or camper and friendly with other dogs and people. There is a working dog on the property-he is friendly with all people and dogs.
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$25.50
 / night
100%
(91)

Thunder Mountain Private River Camp

2 sites · RVs, Tents81 acres · Caddo Gap, AR
80+ acres all to yourself!! This beautiful and very secluded property, with river, kayaks, trails, and creeks is offered to only one group at a time to ensure peace, quiet, and seclusion. No other guests will overlap your stay. You will enjoy the peaceful solitude in nature completely alone! It's a great location for romantic getaways, silent personal retreats, yoga, playing in the river, or just spending quiet one-on-one time with your spouse or significant other. The last 1/2 mile of dirt road is sometimes rough, so cars with low ground clearance are not recommended. Campers on Thunder Mountain enjoy the entire property, including the unique outdoor bathhouse with outdoor tub and shower, amazing multi-level decks, kayaks, grill, trails, hammocks, and tubes - without the cost of the cabin. The cabin will be vacant during camping stays, but you can still enjoy the WiFi and other amenities outside. ($30-90/night camping; $190-280/night cabin - listed separately) Last minute bookings may have discounted rates. Camping bookings for 1 to 2 nights are sometimes available even if the calendar does not show due to cabin cleaning days. We'll try to move our cleaning days around to help you out if possible. If you see a price of $999, that is a date that can be opened up for you at a low price ($30-50) but will have some restrictions on check-in or check-out time. Just ask!
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$45
 / night
90%
(20)

Brookside RV Retreat

7 sites · Lodging, RVs40 acres · Mena, AR
Ready to Retreat? Come discover Brookside RV Retreat, located and surrounded by the beautiful Ouachita Mountains 20 miles east of Mena and 30 miles south of Mt. Ida, Arkansas. Our RV facilities were designed by people who understand you don't want to be crowded. This is why we have a very limited number of sites, which are spaciously arranged, allowing you as much privacy and solitude as you want. Guests have private access to the Big Fork Creek, a great place to walk or picnic while listening to the sounds of the water. In the warmer months, cool off and take a dip in the crystal clear mountain stream. The creek runs along the backside of a 40 acre plot, all of which you are welcome to explore for swimming holes and waterfalls! In addition, we considered a dark-friendly campground, which means at night, the skies come alive with stars, constellations, and a view of the Milky Way. Learn more about this land: We are a new 2021 RV park located in Big Fork, AR, 20 miles east of Mena and 30 miles south of Mt. Ida. We have 5 pull-through sites with full hook-ups. Sites are very spacious at 75' x 20' plus picnic, firepit, and seating areas. Guests have private access to the Big Fork Creek with swimming holes and waterfalls. We are also located near the Wolf Pen Gap ATV trails, and guests can ride directly to the trails from their RV site. Local rental companies are available for anyone not wanting to bring their own ATVs. There is plenty of overflow parking for trailers for those that do bring their own on the property as well.
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$35
 / night
97%
(18)

Darbywoods RV Park

3 sites · RVs1 acre · Broken Bow, OK
We love Broken Bow (Hochatown) so bought a lot for our RV so we could enjoy year round. We now spend most of our time in Colorado so want to share this lot with others when we aren't there. This private one acre lot is for only ONE RV nearby Broken Bow Lake, OK (less than 2 miles away). This is a heavily wooded one acre lot comes with electric, septic and water. This lot is very close to the state parks and located in the area called Hochatown. The lot is less than 1/4 mile from the center of Hochatown but very private and quiet. There is a long level pad in the center of the lot. We have 50 amp power (30 amp if you have an adapter) for your RV.   There is a shed on the lot but that is for personal use. Our lot is right off Steven's Gap road on the way to the lake. If you like to fish the lake is less than 2 miles down the road and the river access is close by at Beaver's Bend State Park. The are is abundant with wild life with plenty to do and see.
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$89
 / night
93%
(30)

Crystal Camp

4 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Mount Ida, AR
The Crystal Camp Campground is a rock hounding paradise and is less than two minutes from the Crystal Vista, Wegner and Avatar Crystal mines. This area of Arkansas produces some of the finest quartz crystals on earth and your chances of finding real treasure at any of the nearby mines is pretty much guaranteed. If your kids like to play in the dirt and hunt for treasure they will fill their pockets with real gems at any of the nearby mines. Please Note: This is a beautiful property and ready for your trip but guests should expect a work in progress as well. The property is newly cleared, we installed new picnic tables and have fire rings, but that's the extent of the amenities right now. This property was basically a 2 acre blackberry patch. About half has been cleared and 4 campsites created but the rest is still in progress. Work will not be performed during your stay. You may see tools and signs of recent work etc.. Located on a paved section of Owley Road in Mount Ida Arkansas. This is a large 2 acre property with four cleared sites that offer plenty of room for any size tent(s). Generators are welcome and pets are too. The property is bordered by old growth national forest and an ice cold spring fed stream is located in the national forest behind the property. Like all wooded areas in Arkansas ticks should be expected while hiking and camping at the Crystal Camp Campground. Please bring tick defense for yourself and pets.
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from 
$20
 / night

The best camping near Gillham Lake guide

Overview

About

Called the “bright spot on the Cossatot”, Gillham Lake is a gorgeous gateway to outdoor fun! Chill fireside at modern campgrounds along the shoreline. Those staying overnight will snag the best fish, beach spots, and the first waves in the morning. Or hop in the Cossatot River for a cool down. A fly fisherman’s paradise, there’s also ample whitewater for river rats and calmer rides for those wanting to tube or canoe...just don’t forget the brews! Autumn is a great time to hike amongst the brilliant colors or try a lakeside picnic shelter for a day of grillin’ and chillin’ with your friends. Gillham certainly is a bright spot, so come soak it all in, that shiny smile will be hard to wipe off.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early to secure your spot at this popular outdoor destination.
  • Check for cancellations regularly as plans change and spots may open up.
  • Consider visiting during the weekdays for better availability.
  • Explore nearby camping options for additional choices if Gillham Lake is fully booked.

When to go

The best time to visit Gillham Lake is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer brings more visitors and warmer temperatures, ideal for water activities. Winters can be quiet and chilly, less suitable for camping.

Know before you go

  • Always check the weather forecast and prepare for changing conditions.
  • Be aware of any park closures or special advisories before your visit.
  • Accessibility varies across the park, so plan according to your needs.
  • Remember to pack essentials, as amenities may be limited in certain areas.
  • Practice water safety and be mindful of lake levels and conditions.

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