Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

I've always tent camped and backpacked in to places, but I bought a 31 foot trailer last year to get the wife and kids involved more. I'm looking for a place to camp this week that's within 100 to 120 miles of Hot Springs. I'm way more familiar with places to go with a backpack. I'm not as familiar with RV friendly places except ones near town. Degray and Lake Catherine are nice, but wanting to venture out. I love the Albert Pike and LiL Mo area but since the FS closed that one I'm not sure of an alternative. I also thought about camping near the Womble and doing some MTB. Are there any nice RV campgrounds near? I'm open to any other fun winter places this time of year. Although, I'd much rather be on the ONT or BNT camping from my pack, unless I want to be permantely living out of my pack, I need a place to accommodate the "not so roughing it" types. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Clay,

Two suggestions; First is Lake Sylvia S.P., it's located in the Ouachits Nat. forest near Perryville. this little lake and park is quite scenic and the Ouachita Trail crosses one end , near the RV camp. From going up there over the years I know the swimming/picnic area is closed in the Winter usually, but it seems like the RV and tent camping is open. Best to check with the ranger station in Jessieville or Perryville, I don't remember which.. My second suggestion is a private camp called Ouachita River Haven near Mt. Ida. These folks seem very nice and their camp is right on the Ouachita River (just above Dragover). They have several little cabins, a tent camping area, and 5 RV spots with hook-ups. This place is certainly convenient for river trips, but also handy to the Womble Trail close by. Hope this helps.
I have certainly enjoyed many trips tent-camping over the years, however, Marlo and I bought a little 27 foot Airstream several years ago and it's been real fun to use. Happy Trails

Best Regards
Jim

Lake Sylvia is a nice campground and the forest roads in the neighborhood are great for not-quite-mountain-biking. However, I'm fairly certain the campground is closed and gated through the winter months. If you decide to go there, please mind Jim's advice to call first to be certain it's open. If you can't go to Lake Sylvia this winter, please add it to your list of places to visit next summer.

Cossatot.

Thanks! I checked on Lake Sylvia and its closed for the winter like you said. Another potential one is South Fourche right off Hwy 7. I've got to call and check on that. I'm also told that Forked Mountain area is nice, but that would have to be dry camping on battery in a clearing on the National Forest. Doug, the Cossatot might be a good idea. I've been wanting to check it out and it would be a good chance to do it before I see it for the first time in a boat. We've thought about Petit Jean mountain as well. Regardless of where, we will have fun being outside and active.

arkansas.com used to have a list of out of the way spots as well as commercial campgrounds. Corps parks often have rv slots as do most state parks.

Some comm parks often have showers and laundry facilities. May be short on scenery, but this time of year are not so crowded

I remember one early spring when 3 of us putted in on imitation harleys to a state park. Put up a tent, started a fire, and the young family with 4 or 5 kids that was all over the area quickly gathered in their truck camper for the night. Often wondered if they were scared the bikers would get they childrens. Hey... we took showers.