Best Camping in and near Lake Catherine State Park

100% (10 reviews)

Peace, quiet, and mountain views on the shores of Lake Catherine.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Catherine State Park

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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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Fishers Pond at the Treehouse

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Little Rock, AR

Fishers Pond at the Tree House was built as a tree house for my son. There is wildlife to view: cranes on the pond, squirrels, deer out the windows. I have seen as many as 6 at one time. Catfishing is great. We have pulled fish as big as 10 lbs. I have trails cut through the woods on my 10 acres for short nature walks

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Sunsets on the Arkansas River

2 sites · Tents13 acres · Fourche, AR

Learn more about this land: Sitting above the Arkansas River you have an excellent view of the river from two vantage points. With a large almost 2 acre clearing there is plenty of room to roam. Magical sunsets and more stars than you can count! When it's a full moon, you can watch it coming up through the trees as you are sitting in front of the fire. If you are really lucky, sometimes you can watch the searchlight from the river barges as they navigate the big bend in the river. If you are a nature lover this place has it all. We try to keep fire wood stocked at the sites, but sometimes it gets used up before we can restock. If that is the case there is TONS of dead wood all around the site. If it's on the ground it's fair game. We only ask that you don't take down live trees. You guys know the deal, we all love the trees so lets show them some love, cool? If you find there is no wood around, give us a ring and we will do our best to get some to you. Navigate to the entrance here (tinyurl.com/ArkRiverOverlook) and you will find the main entrance to both sites: Site 1 (tinyurl.com/OverlookSite1)(34.949993, -92.569705) The first of the two that sits at the top of the hill as you enter Rock Island road (this is the name on old county maps). The narrow entrance is just to the left, right before you start to head down the hill. It's a bit of a tight squeeze for anything larger than a full-size pickup truck. Secluded, with stupendous views of the river and Lollie Bottoms on the other side. If you have a pair of binoculars you can watch the farmers working the fields and count all the cows over in the bottoms. This site has an 8'x8' deck where you can pitch a tent or just set up some chairs and sit under the stars. Site 2 (tinyurl.com/OverlookSite2)(34.951358, -92.569561) Is located near the bottom of the road but actually has two views of the river. It is very secluded and a little more concealed, which can be good on hot days as there are more trees for coverage. There are a lot more trees on this site so if you don't want to be out in the open this is the one for you. The canopy protects you from the sun so your tent doesn't get too hot during the day. NOTE: Site 2 can only support tents and small popups. Both sites will allow for multiple vehicles to be parked, so no problem there. If you bring any vehicles please do not ride them on the property as they damage the grass, there are lots of good off-road riding to be had in the area. If you have 4wd, then find your way to the Million Dollar lookout (tinyurl.com/MillionDollaView). It's been a favorite lookout for years, and I promise it will not disappoint! If you have 4wd or at least a vehicle with decent clearance you can head down to the end of the road (tinyurl.com/DownByTheArkRiver). At the end of Ledwedge Rd, it becomes an unmaintained road that goes all the way down to the river and crosses the railroad tracks. If you are really lucky you will get to see a train pass by, up close and personal. The road is pretty rocky so be warned, you really do need clearance on this road! If you want to fish on Lake Maumelle go to North Shore Landing (tinyurl.com/NorthShoreLanding), it's only 5.8 miles from the property. North Shore Landing on Lake Maumelle is a beautiful short hike to the edge of the lake, surrounded by wildlife and greeted by an amazing view of the lake. Set up a picnic and just hang out and fish! The Rock Island railway is down below next to the river and there are plenty of trails you can ride around on as well. You aren't far from two National Forests so day trips from here are a breeze. If you are into gardening or local farm-to-table cuisine you should check out Moss Mountain Farm. Toadsuck Lock and Dam park are about 30 minutes away, and if you need a big Walmart there is one 10 minutes past that. There is also a big Walmart about 30 minutes in the other direction at the intersection of Chenal Parkway and Cantrell Road. And if you like hiking and climbing then you cannot miss Pinnacle Mountain State Park! Climb to the top and get the best views in all the area, 360 degrees views up there. And if you want something a little less steep, the Kingfisher trail at the bottom makes a nice gentle loop next to the Little Maumelle river where you can see absolutely GIANT cypress trees. Also, the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (tinyurl.com/OuachitaNRT) passes just 5 miles from our place, and it loops around the entire north side of Lake Maumelle. There is a trailhead and parking near North Shore Landing. There is plenty of mountain biking in the area too. Here's a link to some of the trails: mtbproject.com/directory/8007059/pinnacle-mountain-state-park-monument-trails There is something for everyone here!

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Jubilee Farms Campground/& Rentals

34 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents80 acres · Leola, AR

James and Jimmilea Berryhill are delighted to offer 5 RV camping sites with water and electric service; 12 tent campsites; and 5 nightly rentals. Shalom Suite Guest Room, Yachov 2 br tiny house, Ahava House (1 br apt), and The Dove, luxury RV sleeps 2 adults and 1 0r 2 small children. The Berryhills have been hosting guests for 8 years with over 300 excellent reviews. They welcome respectful and happy guests to this place where Christian families enjoy the outdoors and where country life is celebrated. There are ducks chickens, and guineas. Guests receive a sample of the lovely bars of goat's milk soaps made with the finest oils and goat's milk from their granddaughter's prize-winning goats. James and Jimmilea enjoy hosting their guests and will offer as much or as little interaction as guests prefer. They welcome groups as well. Summer catch-and-release fishing, hiking, and enjoying the small dipping pool, playground, game court, and a large fire pit by the pond and three other fire-pit areas near the RV and campsites as well as by Yacht and the Cottage. These are just a few of the things that help make a stay at Jubilee Farms special. Picnic tables and charcoal grills provide for family enjoyment. The farm is surrounded on three sides by timber and the camping and lodging sites are situated away from the road making it a quiet and restful place.

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Hot Springs Campground & RV Park

55 sites · RVs, Tents75 acres · Hot Springs, AR

Welcome to Hot Springs Campground! Located just a 4 miles from downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas, Hot Springs Campground & RV Park is the perfect destination for RV enthusiasts seeking relaxation, natural beauty, and convenient access to the city’s vibrant attractions. Nestled in the heart of the scenic Ouachita Mountains, our campground offers a serene and picturesque setting for your camping adventures. Hot Springs National Park: Situated in the heart of the city, Hot Springs National Park is renowned for its therapeutic thermal waters. Immerse yourself in the soothing hot springs, which have been enjoyed for centuries for their healing properties.

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Spa City HipCamp Now

5 sites · RVs5 acres · Hot Springs National Park, AR

Welcome to Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas! Are you looking for a convenient space to rest your RV, motor home or tent for a night or two? You’ve come to the right place 😊. Let my space be your space! Welcome to my beautiful oasis with 5 acre blessed with trees, pond and creek. Conveniently located just right outside city limits. Close to everything yet secluded enough to have privacy , peace and quite. It has green grass most of the year with lots of lightning bugs at night, abundant wildlife: deers, bunnies, possums, raccoons and squirrels 😁. Very well spaced out mature trees that provides shade and fresh air. Well house for water supply in property as well but no hookups of any kind in place at the moment. Also has concrete custom made swimming hole that freshly feeds off the pond and streams but may be dry right now due to extreme heat and no rain in forecast. My space is suited best for well prepared campers as I don’t offer any amenities on site at this time. Land is close to everything Hot Springs, Arkansas has to offer. 1.3 miles away from Magic Springs 2.5 miles from Gulpha Gorge 4.9 miles from Oaklawn Racing & Gaming 6.1 miles from Hot Springs mall 3.6 miles from historic downtown Hot Springs and Arlington Hotel.

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Petit Jean Farm Orchard

2 sites · RVs, Tents9 acres · Morrilton, AR

Learn more about this land:Pitch your tent or park your small trailer or RV in a picturesque orchard on the edge of Petit Jean Mountain. You'll have a backdrop of woods and grazing sheep, with the Petit Jean Farmer's Market barn -- offering locally sourced produce, cheese (some made on the premises), baked goods, honey, preserves, meat, and crafts -- only steps away. The market operates on Saturdays, when hot lunches are often served, but it is open on a self-serve basis the rest of the week. Petit Jean State State Park is a very short drive, with spectacular hiking trails, a CCC-built lodge and restaurant, and a lake. Campers are welcome to use the fire pit, grill, and trampoline, and they have access to the half-bath in the barn. They're also more than welcome to help Ed with the chores : ) An electric hookup is $10. Firewood is available for $10.

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Caddo River Camp: Tent, RV, Cabins

126 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Caddo Gap, AR

We are surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest. Within an hour or less, you will find hiking and bike trails, 4-wheeling/ATV, crystal mining, diamond mining, historic Hot Springs, museums and so much more. Or, you can just put your chair in the water and hang out on the gravel bar. Arrowhead has been rated as "The Best Swimming Hole in Arkansas" by the Arkansas Times®. Our facilities, located in Caddo Gap, include, cabin rentals, bunkhouse accommodations for 50 (w/separate quarters for boys & girls), screened pavilion with kitchen, RV sites with full-hook-ups and septic, semi-primitive campsites, bathhouse, nearby canoe and kayak rentals, swimming, fishing, basketball court, and tether ball.

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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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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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Caddo River Secluded Shack w/Kayaks

1 site · Lodging2 acres · Glenwood, AR

Enjoy a park-like and secluded 2 acres on the Caddo River with over 1/4 mile of river frontage. This clean and comfortable shack is pet friendly! Watch the river and deer from the porch, kayak up and downstream from the property, swim in the 8-foot-deep swimming area or wade in the shallows. Sit around the fire as owls call out and eagles and osprey soar through the valley. It's a great place for a couple or the lone-traveler seeking a beautiful spot on the river!

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Starlight Haven Hot Springs

21 sites · Lodging27 acres · Hot Springs, AR

Surrounded by beautiful views, gorgeous lakes, and abundant wildlife, Starlight Haven Hot Springs has plenty of experiences for nature lovers and urbanites alike. Come enjoy the charming and unique town of Hot Springs. Whether you are a mountain biker looking to hit the Northwood Bike Trails, or a wanderer looking to experience America’s oldest National Park, there’s something for everyone in Hot Springs.

The best camping near Lake Catherine State Park guide

Overview

About

Set on the shores of the vast Lake Catherine and framed by the forested slopes of the Ouachita Mountains, Lake Catherine State Park is an idyllic spot to escape from it all. Rent a pedal boat, kayak, or canoe to explore the lake, try your luck fishing, or cool off at the swimming beach. Away from the water, hike to Falls Branch Falls, enjoy a horseback ride along the mountain trails, or take a day trip to nearby Hot Springs National Park. When it’s time to camp, take your pick of RV sites, yurts, and cabins, some right by the lakeside.

Notable campgrounds

Best for RVs: Lake Catherine State Campground has Class AAA (with full hookups) and Class B (with 30-amp electric hookups) sites, all with picnic tables and fire rings.
Best for family camping: The Lake Catherine Cabins offer 20 heated and air-conditioned cabins ranging from rustic to duplex, with queen beds and wood-burning fireplaces.
Best for glampers: Rent-A-Yurt has a single yurt with bunk beds, basic furniture, a stove, and an ice chest.

Tips for snagging a campsite

You can reserve campsites, yurts, and cabins online via the Arkansas State Parks website. Weekend reservations require a minimum stay of two nights or three nights for holiday weekends.
Online reservations can be made up to one year in advance.
Campsites can book up as fast, especially for holiday weekends, so book at least three months in advance.

When to go

Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day is peak season in Lake Catherine State Park, when Lake Catherine is the ideal spot to cool off from Arkansas’s summer heat. The marina is closed out of season, but you can still take to the water to fish and boat free from the summer crowds. The park’s campground, cabins, and yurts stay open year-round.

Know before you go

Lake Catherine State Park is located along the Ouachita River, 55 miles southwest of Little Rock or about a 1-hour drive. The towns of Hot Springs and Rockport are both about a 20-minute drive away, where you can fill up on gas or stock up on groceries.
There are no entrance fees for Arkansas State Parks, but campsite booking fees apply.
Facilities at Lake Catherine include a Visitor Center, camp store, gift shop, restrooms, and picnic areas. There’s also a boat launch, boat and canoe rentals, and a full-service marina open in summertime.
There are accessible restrooms, picnic areas, and campsites at Lake Catherine State Park.