Best camping on Beaver Lake? (Springdale, Rogers: estate, hoa, business)

[RTTNFAM]

Was wondering if anyone could clue me in on the best campground on Beaver Lake. I would prefer to be closer to Bentonville/Rogers than Eureka Springs area.

[DC at the Ridge]

I was out to Indian Creek this past weekend, and the lake is still quite high from this spring's flooding. So campsites are pretty limited. Prairie Creek is probably closest to Rogers, but it tends to get pretty crowded on the weekends. Horseshoe Bend also gets crowded but it gets alot of Lowell and Springdale people. Past Prairie Creek on Highway 12 is Rocky Branch. I like it because it's cleaner and less crowded than Prairie Creek, but with the lake still so high, a lot of campsites are underwater. Rocky Branch is close by the hiking trails on the Hobbs Estate and out towards War Eagle which is a definite plus in my book. If you head up Hwy 62, Lost Bridge is beautiful (and the Across the Creek Restaurant gets a lot of business with their seafood buffet). Another good hiking trail in Lost Bridge, too. Further up, is Indian Creek and the Dam Site. If you don't have to be on the lake, check out the campsites behind the Dam. They are clean and right along the river. Behind the lookout is a short Boy Scout trail, it's steep but on one side you get look out over the lake, and on the other side you can look out over the river. I like it in the winter when the leaves are gone and the views are much clearer, but it's still doable.

[RTTNFAM]

Thank you! I had been considering I had been considering, Horseshoe Bend, Prairie Creek, and Lost Bridge. I have never been to Beaver Lake, so I wasn't sure which was best. I know I have to have showers and restrooms. I wasn't aware that the lake was flooded.

[DC at the Ridge]

I don't know if the Corps is saying the lake is flooded, but back in April when the White River was flooding, Beaver Lake hit a record 1130.4 feet, and on July 3rd it was at 1128.5 feet. It rained quite a bit July 4th weekend, and it rained last week as well, so I don't think it's really receding too much.

[Stormcrow73]

Since Beaver's at the top of the White River, I'd imagine the Corps want's to make sure the downstream areas are safe before releasing the excess. So, Norfork gets it's excess released first, Bull Shoals second, and Beaver last. I'd imagine they're being very cautious about the releases.

[DC at the Ridge]

I just checked today's level, and it's over 1129 feet, so quite high. They are being cautious about the releases, not only because of the potential for flooding further downstream, but also because so many people use the river between the lakes for fishing and camping and recreation. With so many campsites underwater on the lake, the river campsites are getting even more campers this year than usual. So they are being cautious for good reason.

I'm planning on visiting Lake Leatherwood this upcoming weekend. It's close by Eureka Springs, but I'm interested if they still have any flooding.

[RTTNFAM]

Well we may have to postpone our Beaver Lake Camping Weekend until September. Thanks for the info!