Uh oh...
It appears that you're using a severely outdated version of Safari on Windows. Many features won't work correctly, and functionality can't be guaranteed. Please try viewing this website in Edge, Mozilla, Chrome, or another modern browser. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused!
Read More about this safari issue.
Growing up in New England, my family did a lot of fall camping. Winter camping in Arkansas is quite similar to those experiences and offers a special kind of magic for outdoor lovers. There may not be loads of snow on the ground, but the days are mild enough for a nice hike, and the evenings are perfect for cuddling up by crackling campfires and gazing at starry winter skies. The crowds of summer have faded, and what remains are tranquil parks and crisp landscapes dusted with frost. From the Ozark Mountains to the Delta, year-round campgrounds invite you to enjoy and experience the Natural State during an underrated season.
Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.
Why Winter Camping in Arkansas is Great
- Peace & Quiet – With the summer crowds gone, campgrounds become serene retreats. There are times when you might feel like you have an entire park to yourself, allowing you to experience the silence of the woods and calm lakeshores undisturbed.
- Mild Climate & Scenic Beauty – Arkansas winters are generally mild, but cool temperatures bring clear views and unique scenery. The leaves have fallen, giving deciduous forests open sightlines, letting you see views that wouldn’t be possible during other times of the year. Winter rains make waterfalls flow, and many can form beautiful ice sculptures when the temperatures dip. And never underestimate the way a light dusting of snow can transform mountains into a winter wonderland.
- Wildlife Viewing – Colder months are prime time for spotting wildlife. Bald eagles migrate into Arkansas and are often seen around lakes. The elk in the Buffalo National River area are most visible in fall and winter. With fewer leaves on trees, deer, birds, and other animals are easier to spot on the trail.
- Cozy Camp Vibes – There’s nothing like gathering around a crackling campfire on a brisk night, sipping hot cocoa under bright stars and roasting marshmallows. And there is nothing more refreshing than waking up to crisp morning air. Many Arkansas parks keep some amenities and programs running year-round, offering holiday light displays, festive events, or guided winter hikes to enrich your experience.
Below are ten of the best winter-friendly camping spots across Arkansas. Each offers something special, from quiet fishing lakes to scenic mountain views. Bundle up and get ready to discover your next winter camping adventure!
1. Lake Catherine State Park (Southwest AR)
Why It’s Great in Winter: Located near Hot Springs, Lake Catherine State Park stays open all year and becomes wonderfully peaceful in the off-season. The summer boaters are gone, leaving lakeside campsites and trails mostly to yourself. You can choose from 70 campsites (many along the shore) or even rent one of the park’s cozy cabins with fireplaces for extra warmth. A highlight is hiking the Falls Branch Trail to see the picturesque waterfall and fishing for bass and catfish is still possible year-round. Plus, Hot Springs isn’t far away if you want to step back into the real world for a little while.
Visit the Lake Catherine State Park site for park maps and event schedules.
2. Merrisach Lake Campground (Southeast AR)
Why It’s Great in Winter: If you truly want to “get away from it all,” Merrisach Lake Campground is a hidden gem open year-round in the bottomland woods of eastern Arkansas. This campground is off the beaten path but not far from Dumas and the Arkansas Post area. Merrisach Lake’s winter draw is the abundant wildlife: the campground lies along the Mississippi Flyway, so you might see migrating ducks, geese, and other waterfowl resting on the lake. Anglers can cast for bass, crappie and catfish in the lake or nearby Arkansas River, even in the colder months. Pro tip: Keep an eye out for bald eagles soaring overhead, but also keep an eye near your feet. Alligators do reside here, although they’ll be pretty dormant in winter.
See https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232640 for details and off-season alerts.
3. Millwood State Park (Southwest AR)
Why It’s Great in Winter: Calling all fishermen and bird enthusiasts – Millwood State Park doesn’t slow down in winter! Set on 29,000-acre Millwood Lake near Ashdown, this park is renowned as one of the nation’s top bass fishing lakes. The fishing stays excellent all year long, so winter campers can try their luck at hooking largemouth bass, crappie or catfish. The park’s campground is relaxed and relatively quiet in winter, but you’ll still have access to modern facilities like restrooms with hot showers. Beyond fishing, Millwood is an Audubon-designated Important Bird Area, with over 300 species recorded in the area. You’re likely to see migratory waterfowl, including bald eagles, ducks and geese. If you love quiet camping by the water with abundant wildlife, Millwood in winter is hard to beat.
Check Millwood State Park’s page for campground info (open all year) and recent birding or fishing reports.
4. Lake Chicot State Park (Southeast AR)
Why It’s Great in Winter: Down in the far southeast Delta, Lake Chicot State Park offers a unique bayou-like setting that shines in winter. Lake Chicot is Arkansas’s largest natural lake. In winter, this park becomes a quiet paradise with over 120 campsites plus lakeside cabins, so you can choose to tent/RV or stay in a heated cabin for comfort. One of the biggest winter draws here is birdwatching. Lake Chicot sits on the Mississippi Flyway, making it a hotspot for migratory birds in winter – expect to see flocks of ducks, geese, pelicans, and maybe even rare waterfowl resting on the lake. Lake Chicot State Park in winter is all about relaxation and nature’s quiet beauty in the Delta.
See Lake Chicot State Park to book your stay.
5. Petit Jean State Park (Central AR)
Why It’s Great in Winter: Petit Jean is Arkansas’s original state park, famous for its dramatic bluffs and the 95-foot Cedar Falls. While it’s certainly popular in summer and fall, Petit Jean State Park is absolutely enchanting in winter and much less crowded. The park’s campground, cabins and yurts stay open year-round, making it easy to plan a winter stay. Petit Jean has many trails and overlooks to keep you busy and if you’re lucky, you might get to witness Cedar Falls (from the Cedar Falls Overlook) in a frozen state after a cold spell. Even without snow, the canyon scenery is stunning, and the views from Petit Jean Mountain’s overlooks stretch miles across the Arkansas River Valley. Warm up after a cold hike with a hot drink from the Petit Jean Coffeehouse or head over to the historic Mather Lodge for a hot meal by the lodge’s fireplace.
Check out everything they have to offer on Petit Jean State Park’s webpage.
6. Mount Magazine State Park (West-Central AR)
Why It’s Great in Winter: At 2,753 feet, Mount Magazine is Arkansas’s tallest mountain, and it often becomes a snowy wonderland in the winter. When cold fronts roll through, Mount Magazine State Park can get beautiful snow and ice, transforming the mountain into a scene straight from a postcard. The park’s Cameron Bluff Campground is open year-round, but if camping in the cold isn’t your style, Mount Magazine also has a lodge and cabins open year-round, meaning you can enjoy the park by day and sleep in a warm bed at night. The Benefield Loop or Signal Hill Trail, which takes you to the highest point marker, are short hikes with great views. If you’re lucky, you might spot eagles soaring on thermal winds below you. Or spend a cozy afternoon in the lodge lobby, gazing out floor-to-ceiling windows at the winter landscape with a warm drink in hand.
See Mount Magazine State Park’s info to plan your winter getaway.
7. Bull Shoals–White River State Park (North-Central AR)
Why It’s Great in Winter: Bull Shoals–White River State Park straddles the White River just below the Bull Shoals Dam, making it an angler’s paradise all year round. The waters are home to some of the best trout fishing in the country, especially during the winter months. The state park campground remains open year-round, and the sites are just steps from the river. Imagine waking up on a chilly morning, stepping out of your RV or tent to see mist rising off the river, and casting a line right from the campground’s trout dock – peaceful bliss! Even if you’re not fishing, the White River valley is beautiful in winter. Hiking trails in the park, like the Big Bluff Trail, offer clear views of Bull Shoals Lake and Dam in the distance. Check out the James A. Gaston Visitor Center for its exhibits and panoramic overlook of the dam and lake.
More info can be found at the Bull Shoals–White River State Park website.
8. Buffalo National River (Northwest/Central AR)
Why It’s Great in Winter: America’s first national river is the jewel of Arkansas and only gets more spectacular in the winter. The Buffalo National River park has multiple campgrounds along its 135-mile course and many are open year-round. Great winter camping spots include Steel Creek (near Ponca) with its towering bluffs, Tyler Bend (middle section, with modern facilities) and Buffalo Point (lower river, which even offers some heated cabins). Hiking along trails like the Goat Trail to Big Bluff or Lost Valley are always a highlight. The Buffalo River valley is home to Arkansas’s elk herd, and fall/winter is the best time to see them grazing in Boxley Valley near Ponca. At dawn or dusk on a winter day, you can often spot dozens of elk in the fields. Paddling the river in winter is only for the experienced, but short float trips can be possible on mild days. Even if you just drive the scenic Hwy 7 or Hwy 21 along the Buffalo in winter, the scenery will amaze you.
See the NPS Buffalo National River camping page for details.
9. DeGray Lake Resort State Park (Southwest/Central AR)
Why It’s Great in Winter: DeGray Lake Resort State Park, near Arkadelphia, is a fantastic winter destination thanks to its mild climate and special programs. This park sits on 13,800-acre DeGray Lake and features a lodge, golf course, and 113-year-round campsites. Winters around DeGray Lake are far enough south that temperatures are often comfortable for tent or RV camping, and you’re unlikely to see snow or ice. The big draw in winter is eagle watching. Grab your binoculars and try to spot a few of the birds that migrate to the area each winter. Fishing on DeGray is year-round, and the lake is known for hybrid striped bass and crappie. The park’s hiking trails, like the Island Trail, make for easy winter walks with lake views. Head to the warm visitor center or restaurant at the lodge if you need a break from the cold. Stargazing is also excellent here on clear winter nights, as the park is a bit remote.
Check DeGray Lake Resort State Park for info on campground reservations and the schedule of winter eagle cruises and other programs.
10. Crater of Diamonds State Park (Southwest AR)
Why It’s Great in Winter: Ever dreamed of finding a diamond? At Crater of Diamonds State Park you can dig for real diamonds in an ancient volcanic field and winter might be the perfect time to do it. The park is open year-round but has fewer visitors in winter. That means you’ll have plenty of space in the 37-acre plowed diamond field to dig to your heart’s content. The cooler weather and occasional rains can even improve your chances of finding a diamond. You get to keep what you find. The campground here is open year-round as well, featuring 47 full-hookup sites plus tent sites. Besides diamond digging, the park offers hiking trails, a nice playground, and interpretive programs even in winter.
See Crater of Diamonds State Park for more information.
Winter camping in Arkansas is extremely rewarding. The combination of natural beauty, tranquility and adventure during the colder months can create some of your most cherished camping memories.
Cover photo courtesy of Stephanie Bates. All other photos courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
We do the work.
You check your email.
Sign up for our weekly e-news.
Get stories sent straight to your inbox!
Like this story? Read more from Julie Kohl
Start your engines! My race-car-loving kid recently turned nine and had...
Many years ago, a group of bald eagles roosted near the water treatment...
Harding University’s season came to a close Saturday night in Texas...
Join the Conversation
Leave a Comment