[engelstine]

Hi,

I am new to the Northern LA (Bossier City) and the Family (me,wife,6month old) would like to take a weekend camping trip in Oct. We are looking for some recomendations on enjoyable camp sites, one request was that there be a beach. We are willing to drive up to 3 hours. Thanks for the help.

[Luvvarkansas]

IMO, your best option, for what you are wanting, is to go on to Hot Springs and camp on one of the lakes there. Anything further south than that just isn't going to be very good (again, IMO!). I'm not positive, but it doesn't seem like it would take much more (if any) than 3 hours to get there from Bossier. I believe both of these have a swim beach, but in October you probably won't want to do any swimming anyway.

Lake Ouachita state Park near Hot Springs, Arkansas – popular fishing, camping haven

Lake Catherine State Park is near Hot Springs in the Arkansas Ouachita Mountains

[J Arp]

Lake DeGray is nice and it is a little bit closer than Hot Springs. I know of at least two beaches there. I can't say for sure that there is camping at DeGray but I don't know why there wouldn't be.

[Dirt Roads]

You can't go wrong with De Gray Lake. Check out the Arkansas State Park website.

[engelstine]

Thanks, All three of your posts I have been checking out online. It does seem that Degray is the closer choice, I was really interested in taking hte wife to that diamond mine for some the do, but it seems it is closed till the sping. Looks like we will come back then. Do these place have good hiking? mountainy views, wildlife. Looking for some good photogenic scenery. Thanks again

[marmac]

I saw 3 campers at DE Gray Lake when we were visiting Hot Springs for the opener of the horse racing track. ( a few years ago)

They were out grilling by their camper and it was a beautifull day in January.

[RTTNFAM]

I also agree, Lake DeGray is going to be your best choice as far as distnace goes. Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs is further, and there is only 1 public beach, and it isn't that great! Lake Hamilton also isn't as clean as DeGray. Lake Ouachita is a great destination also, though a bit further... Worth a look in my opinion. DeGray and Ouachita are both going to offer some great hiking and scenery... it's is simply some beautiful country! Ouachita in my opinion is going to give you more of a mountain feel.

[TX2AR]

Crater of Diamonds State Park

[Magnolia Fan]

As a starter trip you cannot go wrong with DeGray Lake, especially in the fall. Degray State Park Lodge and Marina has been voted one of the nation's best family resorts. The Corp. of Engineers has a super visitor center and good campsites. Hot Springs is 30 minutes away if you want the rush and crowds. Crater of Diamonds park is not far away either. There are two nice beaches as long as the lake is not too high.

There is a small State park with tent camping at McNeil Arkansas. It is called Logoly (low-go-lie) State park. Check it out at www.arkansasstateparks.com/logoly.
This is an environmental education park and there is no other park in like it in the Arkansas State Park System. It is small but unique.
McNeil is about 5 miles north of Magnolia. it is a nice drive thru Benton and Plain Dealing to Magnolia.

Anothe unique state park is Old Washington just west of Hope Arkansas - check it out @ Historic places in Arkansas - Historic Washington State Park.
Good place to eat and lots to see from the past.

[anjoe]

there is a small camping area at White Oak Lake near Camden that is a neat little camping area, with tent and camper camping, electrical hook-ups and hiking trails, paddle boats, boat ramps, fishing areas and a small kiddie park. If you have a boat, fishing is very good at times.....You can even fish around the boat dock. As far as DeGray is concerned, the beach area is for swimmers and people that like to picnic. You can't camp at the beach area but there is a lot of camp sites available in the area.....Hope this helps. We love White Oak State Park just for a week end getaway, especially in the Fall. Is is a great place for the kids to ride bikes around.....and there is also a small store that has ice, bait and snacks available.