The best camping near Gillham Lake

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

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

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Gillham Lake

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Gillham Lake

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Deer Run

100 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Grannis, AR
40 acres of open pastureland located at center of totality, a full four minutes and eighteen seconds of total eclipse, located at the foothills of the beautiful Ouachita Mountains, perfect for tent camping. A peaceful, clear view of the mountain range, rolling hills, ponds and a forest on the north fence line. The entire property is fenced & gated with a gravel road leading into the property, circle drive with a few mature pine trees located in one spot, the remainder of the property is wide open for sky viewing. This property is located less than ten minutes from Gillham Lake, forty minutes from Mena, Arkansas, famous for the Ouachita National Forest, Queen Wilhelmina State Park, hiking trails, local culture is rich in tradition with world famous antique shops, local dining experiences such as specialty cuisine & coffee, complete with craft beer at the Ouachitas, downtown Mena. The UTV trails at Wolfpen Gap are second to none for outdoor recreation. Bike trails coming soon. Only one hour from Hochatown, Oklahoma, a national vacation hotspot. Hochatown is famous for Broken Bow Lake Activities, Zip Line Adventures, Safari Parks, Shopping, Food, Night life, Maze, Escape Adventures, Kayak Mt. Fork River or travel to nearby Broken Bow to the Choctaw Casino & Choctaw Landing Casino will be open in Hochatown soon. Southwest Arkansas is peaceful but offers many adventures suitable for the entire family.
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$100
 / night
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(2)

The 8 Limbed Forest at Mama Gaia's

8 sites · Lodging5 acres · Umpire, AR
Embark on an extraordinary adventure through the serene 8-Limbed Forest at Mama Gaia’s Zen Garden. Lose yourself in the tranquil embrace of nature as you explore towering trees and winding trails, uncovering hidden treasures along the way. Whether you crave solitude or seek inner peace, our forest sanctuary offers the ideal backdrop for your outdoor escape. Enjoy pristine camping sites, luxurious yurts, and a range of amenities, including our herbal teahouse, labyrinth, and seated meditation patio. With eco-friendly touches like communal composting toilets and refreshing cold showers, your stay promises comfort and sustainability in perfect harmony with nature. Book your retreat today and discover the magic of the 8-Limbed Forest at Mama Gaia’s Zen Garden.
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$88
 / night
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(164)

Bluegill Hill

3 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Kirby, AR
Located at the southern foothills of the Ouachita Mountains and the northwestern edge of Lake Greeson, this 6 acre plot of land is part of a gentle hillside that descends into the lake.  Enjoy two trails to Lake Greeson and easily access nearby boat launches, public beaches, parks, and much more!  Come make yourself at home on Bluegill Hill and enjoy the small lake village lifestyle!
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$18
 / night
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(20)

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 a weekly maintained porta potty on site. 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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$20
 / night
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End of the Trail

5 sites · Lodging65 acres · Boles, AR
This property was once home to American Indians and arrowhead are abundant.Learn more about this land:65 acres on the Foursch La Fave river surrounded by Ouachita National Forest.. This property has access to ATV trails, horse back riding, Kayaking, hiking, along with great sunrises and beautiful sunsets. At the property entrance we have a 3 bedroom 2 bath home that is available for rent thru Evolve.
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$50
 / night
88%
(17)

Brookside RV Retreat

5 sites · 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
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(6)

Diamond Glamping

13 sites · Lodging, Tents5 acres · Anaconda Deer Lodge County, AR
Welcome to Diamond Glamping, Murfreesboro, Arkansas's premier luxury outdoor retreat, nestled in the scenic beauty of nature and just a stone's throw away from the world-renowned Crater of Diamonds State Park. Here, we offer a unique blend of adventure and tranquility, making it the perfect getaway for those seeking both excitement and relaxation.
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$30
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(7)

Sunset Farms Sanctuary

4 sites · Tents45 acres · Cove, AR
We are 45 acres with many different pastures that house cows, sheep, goats, alpacas, and pigs.  The chickens, turkeys, and emus are free range so are found in all the areas  We are home to many special needs animals: cows, goats, sheep, dogs and cats
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$40
 / night
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(2)

Four Bears Grove

10 sites · RVs, Tents28 acres · Cove, AR
Discover the convenience and coziness of Four Bears, nestled on 28 acres predominantly covered with trees. Situated along a main highway on the front side and bordered by a dirt county road at the back, the property provides easy access to various destinations. Rivers, lakes, hiking trails, ATV trails, and state parks are mere minutes away, offering a myriad of outdoor activities in almost every direction. Additionally, enjoy fishing in the onsite pond, adding to the allure of this versatile and nature-rich location.
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$75
 / night
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(11)

Sacred Pines

14 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents75 acres · Boles, AR
Surrounded by thousands of acres of National Forest, enjoy secluded time in nature! Stay in our off-grid treehouses, peaceful campsites, cozy tiny homes, and handcrafted cabins, allowing you to connect with others in the wild. We are located near many hiking trails, kayaking spots, swimming holes, atv and bike trails and so muchg more!
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$30
 / night
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(62)

Glampin' In Style - Broken Bow

5 sites · Lodging2 acres · Broken Bow, OK
The Beaver's Bend State Park is within minutes, as it the Broken Bow Lake. We have owned our property for 12 years, and decided to buy in Hochatown because we had been camping in this area for over 28 years. This area brings us joy, love, peace, tranquility, and seclusion. We love the nature, the water, animals, and sunshine. We even love the rain! Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Our little piece of Heaven on Earth. We are also close to all of the Hochatown events, eateries, wineries, & breweries. You can go golfing, swimming, get lost in a "secret room" or get a massage, within a 5 minute drive of our location. Grab your pillow, towels, swimsuits, toiletries and come on to Broken Bow Lake (2 miles) or Beaver's Bend State Park (5 miles) and enjoy the great outdoors, in style!
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$110
 / night
100%
(3)

Ouachita Wilde

2 sites · Lodging27 acres · Mena, AR
WELCOME TO OUACHITA WILDE LUXURY TENTS!Ouachita Wilde Luxury Tents, located in Mena, AR, offers a unique camping experience for visitors and expect to stay in luxurious tents that are fully equipped with comfortable furnishings and all the amenities you need for a memorable camping trip.Enjoy a relaxing retreat in the Ouachita Mountains surrounded by nature and tranquility. Our cozy stargazer tent is outfitted with heat and air conditioning, making it a perfect getaway year-round. This tent sits on a ridge just inside the tree line with a stunning view of the mountains. Our 27-acre property has only one other tent located on it and a beautiful modern bathhouse at the top of the ridge for your convenience! Our tents are beautiful cotton canvas bell tents. They come standard with a memory foam queen mattress and can also be equipped with memory foam twins as well. The tent includes a drip-style coffee maker, micro-fridge for drinks, bedside lamp, table and chairs, an outlet for charging your devices, and heat and air-conditioning. Outside, you'll find a BBQ grill perfect for making dinner under the stars, a firepit with seating for four guests, and a hammock for lounging in the shade and maybe reading a book or just enjoying the lovely sounds of the forest. The bathhouse for the property is at the top of the ridge and it includes family-style restrooms so no sharing a bathroom with a guest in the stall beside you. There is a walk-in style tiled shower, towel hooks, a bench for convenience, and tankless hot water heaters so no running out of water.Our kitchen kit is fully equipped to make your glamping experience even more enjoyable. With everything you need to prepare and enjoy a delicious meal, you can leave the hassle at home. The kit includes a pot, skillet, can opener, spatula, cooking spoon, cutting board, lighter, knife, tongs, four plates, four sets of silverware, insulated cups with lids, dish soap, dish towel, and sponge. Whether you're whipping up breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you'll have everything you need to make your meal a success.Our glamping property is pet-friendly and welcoming to your furry friends. However, we do have some guidelines in place to ensure everyone has a pleasant stay. There is a non-refundable pet cleaning fee, and we limit the number of pets per tent to one. To ensure the comfort of all guests, pets must be house-trained and never left unattended in the tent. In accordance with public spaces, pets must be kept on a leash and their waste disposed of away from the tent site. With these guidelines in place, you and your pet can enjoy a relaxed and peaceful glamping experience.
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from 
$160
 / 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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