NW Arkansas CG/park recommendations?

[Iraqvet05]

The DW and I are planning a week long trip to Arkansas and plan to meet some friends of ours to go hiking at Devil's Den SP one of the weekends. I have found mixed reviews on camping and the reservation process at Devil's Den so I'm looking for another SP or CG with attractions for our kids (8 and 13) in NW Arkansas.

[Magnolia Tom]

Not sure if it's close enough but Degray is very nice. Also, hot springs was nice on our day trip there.


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[BigJohnD]

Petit Jean is pretty nice. No laundry facilities and have to drive a bit to get to civilization. We still like it though.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

Petit Jean is pretty nice. No laundry facilities and have to drive a bit to get to civilization. We still like it though.

X2

Bob

[RedHorse1]

The bride and I stayed at the Eurika Springs KOA and found it and the local area excellent. We stayed there to visit the Pea Ridge battleground.

[BigJohnD]

RedHorse, was the entrance still quite the slope? I may be wrong but I think I remember it being a little steep going in with the potential for some rigs to drag the tail. Thought I remembered seeing gouges in the asphalt from a few unlucky campers. Been too long ago since I've been there.

[nwa.dmb]

Lake Fort Smith SP is beautiful and not too far from Devil's Den, however, it is sometimes booked up. You should check with them on availability.

[troutslayer]

Originally Posted by Iraqvet05

The DW and I are planning a week long trip to Arkansas and plan to meet some friends of ours to go hiking at Devil's Den SP one of the weekends. I have found mixed reviews on camping and the reservation process at Devil's Den so I'm looking for another SP or CG with attractions for our kids (8 and 13) in NW Arkansas.

That surprises me. I've stayed there and hiked most of the trails and find it to be a great place to camp. I hiked there just last week and they are building new cabins (not that you would need those ).

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

RedHorse, was the entrance still quite the slope? I may be wrong but I think I remember it being a little steep going in with the potential for some rigs to drag the tail. Thought I remembered seeing gouges in the asphalt from a few unlucky campers. Been too long ago since I've been there.

Hey BigJ! Yeah, the entrance was a bit steep but we didn't drag getting in. Our site had a bit of front to back slope too. Had to use the legos so the rear stabs would reach. That said, it's a beaut of a CG. We're staying there again this summer.

[BigJohnD]

Good to hear on the KOA. We were supposed to go to eureka earlier this year but diverted to San Antonio due to snow and ice.

[podunker]

Love Lake.Fort Smith State Park. One of the best we have ever stayed at!

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

Good to hear on the KOA. We were supposed to go to eureka earlier this year but diverted to San Antonio due to snow and ice.

Just saw your response John. We got back from a trip to Tucson today. Our last 3 nights were San Antonio. Had to run the A/C one day and the furnace the next.

[Iraqvet05]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! We have 4 nights booked at Petit Jean and 3 at Devil's Den. I have read some warnings about the drive on 74 HWY into Devil's Den but there really isn't much choice if you are coming from the south or east....should be interesting.

[BigJohnD]

I can't remember which one is the suggested route for RVs at devils den, but we definitely took it. Driving just the truck through the other route, I'm glad we took the easier one. One has some hair pin turns. I've done turns like that before with past rigs, but the other route was just easier.

[troutslayer]

Originally Posted by Iraqvet05

I have read some warnings about the drive on 74 HWY into Devil's Den but there really isn't much choice if you are coming from the south or east....should be interesting.

You are a brave person!

[Iraqvet05]

Is 74 that bad?? We'll be heading north on 49 so I guess we could pass 74 and go catch 170 at West Fork.

[BigJohnD]

It's the hair pin turns that are bad if I remember. It's been a while so I can't remember for sure.

[Iraqvet05]

I called the Devil's Den visitors center and they confirmed 74 is indeed that bad. The lady told me anything over 26' is prohibited on 74. If you are coming up 49, you will have to take exit 53 (I'm assuming that's hwy 170) into Devil's Den.

[BigJohnD]

Can't remember the hwy, but what you were told sounds like what we were told.

[poohbear]

We will be at Withrow Springs SP from June 8th thru 12th. My DW & her siblings has to take care of some estate issues on some land her late parents owned. We would camp there but can't get our rv down the hill from the county rd.