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

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

Big Coon Creek Campground

31 sites · RVs, Tents In Gillham Lake

Cossatot Reefs Campground

30 sites · RVs, Tents In Gillham Lake

Little Coon Creek Park Campground

10 sites · RVs, Tents In Gillham Lake

Top-rated campgrounds near Gillham Lake

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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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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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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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The 8 Limbed Forest at Mama Gaia's

8 sites · Lodging5 acres · Umpire, AR

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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 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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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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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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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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(10)

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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Campgroundtbd and Sacred Space

23 sites · RVs, Tents9 acres · Mena, AR

Grown-up grounding getaway. Beautiful, quiet space in nature. Large pond for kayaking and fishing. Walking trail around the pond. 2400 sf building available for additional fees. Incredible sunrise and sunsets. Just off the Talimena Scenic Byway. Very simple toilet (ever improving) in the large building. Cabin spots are available as well (with lodge style baths). Grill and firepits on site for use. Cabins, and others listed on hipcamp as well. 420 friendly, we request you monitor that you and your guests keep it legal.

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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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Path of Totality Solar Eclipse Camp

298 sites · Tents20 acres · Daisy, AR

Field camping in Arkansas for the 2024 Solar Eclipse! We are a 20 acre family farm located in southwest Arkansas that’s in the path of totality of the 2024 Great American Solar Eclipse. We will experience 4 minutes and 16 seconds of total darkness. Reserve your spot to peacefully experience the eclipse in a rural setting without the chaos and noise of a metropolitan location. We are only .7 miles down a partial gravel road that is just off the main thoroughfare of Highway 70 which is your link to larger towns, festivals, tourist sites, gambling, lakes, mountains, hiking, you name it! We also have excellent cell service! We will have washing stations AND port a potties. Also, hot showers are just six miles away at the campgrounds on the lake! We will have our large shop rigged out as a vending station. Plus, it will be equipped with plenty of tables and chairs so it can serve as a gathering area throughout the day! The farm will be open from April 6 to April 9. Check in or out at anytime during those dates. Book your reservation on our website and visit our Facebook page where we will post news and updates. Feel free to call Sid at any time with questions. His number is 870-584-6002. Pets welcome

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.