Lake Ouachita State Park

I have stayed in this park on 4 different occasions. 1 time roughing it with only a tent @ the other 3 were lodging in one of the cabins. My home habitat consists of terrain that is mesquite trees and that is about it when it comes to trees. I fall in love the minute I hit the Quachita forest. The park itself has it all. Many sites are very close to the lake. Tent sites, Tent sites with electric and water, great R.V. sites and the cabins are excellent. I agree with one of the other reviewers, you should bring or rent a boat. This lake is stunning. It is large enough to get lost and it is amazing to stand in a lake and look down and see your feet clearly. Our last visit was 3 years ago and they had pontoon boat rentals that were reasonably priced. Loads of fun for a family. The staff at that time, were very courteous and helpful. If you want to stay at this park, make reservations months ahead of time or they will not be available. Books up very very fast.

Would have been rated higher except the fact that when we arrived, my Girlfriend and I were not sure whose name it was under, we were not in a line or forming on, and we had a very hard time dealing with and explaining that it might be under a different name, that was by far one of the worst receptions I have ever had, but the rest of the place again was ok, we tented, and were on the peninsula, it was super stormy the entire time that we were there, all our firewood was wet, and even the dry stuff we had could not light due to low camp fire rim the wind snuffed it out every time. Everything else was ok, the bathroom was a bit far but that was ok for us, but the truck we had being so far away was a small problem, but we dealt with it as best we could.

Nice sites. Clean park. Full hook ups. Reservations Easy and professional. Staff helpful. Couldn’t ask for more. The beaches were kept up and facilities the same.

If you are camping in a RV camp area A has full hook ups. We have been camping there at least twice a year since 2006. It is one of the best in a state where all the state parks are as good or better than any other state. Most all the pads in area A are level. side to side. You will never have to use more than one leveler on either side. Area A is on a point that faces almost due west. You get incredible sunsets. The down side to that is in the spring the storms that usually come from the south west can be fierce. So keep that in mind if you have to run to town for an extended period of time. Ara C and a little cramped and only have electric and water. This year the state is upgrading area D to full hookups. And will be adding a few more cabins. I highly recommend LOSP!!!

Very pretty place and the springs are really nice too! The springs here, called the 3 sisters, are historic. The views over the lake are gorgeous from the overlook on the trail especially in spring or fall.

Lake Ouachita State Park is a great place to spend a few days camping. We are tent campers so I cannot speak to how well they maintain the RV sites.
I have brought my family here for several years. Below are a few tips for making the most of your stay:
1. Do not bother trying to use tent stakes. You will get frustrated after you break several so instead just find large rocks and tie your tent down with them.
2. There are only two trails in the state park. One is 4 miles and the other is much shorter; I think it is less than 1 mile. Neither is aggressive, but you did not come here to hike, did you? This is a lake.
3. If you are not bringing your own boat, then be sure to rent a boat at least one day. Make it a big and fast boat too. The lake is huge and you will need a fast boat if you plan to see a lot of it in a single day.
4. If you are not fishing or renting boats, then I do not recommend camping here for more than 3 days. I have found 3 days is about the perfect amount of time to enjoy the lake and not get bored. Beyond three days, you should bring a good book or something like that to occupy your time.
5. The water is super clean. While they have showers and flushable toilets near the campsites, you should not feel that urgent need to take a shower after swimming in this lake — it is one of the cleanest lakes in the country. Do take a shower at some point though ;) This will help ensure your camp-​mates are happy-​campers.
6. This one is quite important. If you get in the lake, either offshore or on a boat, immediately spray yourself with bug-​spray. Do not hesitate to use the stuff, or the biting flies will ruin your day. They are very aggressive out there. Fortunately they sell bug spray everywhere around there.
7. The visitor center sells ice, so do not worry about bringing your biggest or multiple coolers to keep your food cold. In addition, you can pick up groceries (and booze) very conveniently at stores just outside the state park.
This is a great place to spend a weekend and it is very close to Hot Springs so you can do the touristy thing there too.

Great campground, something for everyone with pull through sites for road monsters and walk-​in sites for tenters (they get the best peninsula with water views from each site). Typically close packed, I’m sure in the high season it can be boisterous.
Good part of the lake for all kinds of boating and fishing.
We stayed in a «cabin», which was really a two bedroom home that happens to be in the woods with a water view. Full kitchen, fireplace, two baths with whirlpool tubs. Um, roughing it, yeah.

I love this place! Soooo Relaxing, great to be hiking, sitting outside to drink cup of java!