How much does camping cost at Carter Cove?

Camping fees at Carter Cove are $24 - $75/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Carter Cove first-come first-served or reservation?

Carter Cove accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Carter Cove before I book?

Yes! Carter Cove has 2 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Carter Cove?

Carter Cove is open March 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Carter Cove?

Yes, Carter Cove has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Carter Cove have?

Carter Cove has 34 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Carter Cove?

Pets are not allowed at Carter Cove. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Carter Cove?

Carter Cove offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Carter Cove?

Popular activities at Carter Cove include Fishing, Swimming, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Carter Cove

Q: Can I have a campfire at Carter Cove?

Fire policies at Carter Cove: Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.46

211 reviews

CARTER COVE PARK, 10692 CARTER COVE ROAD, PLAINVIEW, AR 72857

CReport Card

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

404 ft

Price

$24 - $75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

34 campsites

Season

Open season runs Mar...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on NIMROD LAKE PROJECT OFFICE Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

404 ft

Price

$24 - $75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

34 campsites

Season

Open season runs Mar...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on NIMROD LAKE PROJECT OFFICE Official Website

Get Directions

Carter Cove

$24.00 - $75.00 / night

Campsite Fees

30 AMP: $24.00; 50 AMP: $26.00; GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC: $75.00; Multi-Family 30 AMP: $48.00; Multi-Family 50 AMP: $52.00. Plus Recreation.gov...

Group Site Fee$60.00

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Provider

479-272-4983

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Campground Map

CARTER COVE PARK, 10692 CARTER COVE ROAD, PLAINVIEW, AR 72857

Carter Cove

CARTER COVE PARK, 10692 CARTER COVE ROAD, PLAINVIEW, AR 72857

Nearby places

Plainview - 4 miles

Hot Springs National Park - approximately 50 miles

Petit Jean State Park - around 40 miles

Mount Nebo State Park - about 45 miles.

Weather at Carter Cove

Current alerts(6)

Check-in time: 3:00 p.m.
Check-out time: 1:00 p.m.
Group Shelters are Day Use Only. Camping is not allowed at group shelters.
Off-road vehicles not permitted. Highway legal transportation only.

Best Time to Camp at Carter Cove

Best season: fall. Fall offers the most comfortable weather and the showiest scenery — crisp days and colorful hardwoods along Nimrod Lake make paddling, shoreline fishing, and hiking particularly rewarding. Expect daytime highs around 55–75°F and cool nights in the 40s–50s°F, with low humidity and fewer bugs than summer. Fishing often remains excellent as fish feed ahead of winter, and wildlife (including deer activity) is more visible; weekends around peak color can be moderately busy but weekdays are pleasantly Peak months: October, April, May, September Avoid: January, February

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring receives favorable reviews; pleasant weather for boating, fishing and hiking as season opens.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: March 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season runs March 1 to December 31. Peak season is March 1 to October 31.

About Carter Cove

Carter Cove sits on Nimrod Lake in central Arkansas, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The mid-sized campground offers electric and water hookups, flush toilets, and showers for tent and RV campers who fish, swim, and boat on the lake. Friendly camp hosts maintain clean facilities during the seasonal operating period.

Carter Cove Campground offers various camping accommodations, including standard electric sites and group picnic shelters. The campground is suitable for both RVs and tents, with modern facilities to accommodate families and groups.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the most comfortable weather and the showiest scenery — crisp days and colorful hardwoods along Nimrod Lake make paddling, shoreline fishing, and hiking particularly rewarding. Expect daytime highs around 55–75°F and cool nights in the 40s–50s°F, with low humidity and fewer bugs than summer. Fishing often remains excellent as fish feed ahead of winter, and wildlife (including deer activity) is more visible; weekends around peak color can be moderately busy but weekdays are pleasantly Peak months: October, April, May, September Avoid: January, February

Elevation404 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a forested shoreline along Nimrod Lake at 404 feet elevation. Dense hardwood forests cover the surrounding slopes, creating shade and seasonal color. White-tailed deer and waterfowl are common sightings. The lake itself dominates the scenery, offering water access for fishing and boating. Weathered rock formations and steep terrain reflect the area's position between two mountain ranges, though the campground itself sits at lake level.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

28 nights maximum during peak season
42 nights total within a rolling 60 days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Two tents or one RV and one tent per campsite.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made on Recreation.gov and through the contact center.

AccessibilityAccessibility features include wide, spacious campsites and easy access to facilities like restrooms and picnic shelters. However, some reviews mentioned challenges for disabled visitors due to occasional restroom closures.

Site SizeCampsites vary in size and can accommodate both tents and RVs. Many are described as spacious, although some users noted that the parking pads have a drop-off of up to 6 inches.

PrivacyPrivacy levels vary, with some users mentioning that campsites are close together. One user noted, "The campsites are very close together with little privacy." Another wrote, "We especially like the distance between the campsites.

Total Campsites34 campsites

Recommended SitesSite 8 close to swim area and boat access. Sites on the hill are spacious and quieter compared to clustered family sites.

Best CampsitesSites 6, 8, and 10 get frequent mentions for lake views, proximity to swimming areas, and quieter surroundings. Reviews note these spots offer better scenery than interior sites.

Need help booking Carter Cove?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Carter Cove Campground offers a range of amenities, making it a well-equipped option for campers. Visitors can enjoy facilities such as flush toilets, a fish cleaning station, a swimming beach, a boat ramp, picnic tables, fire rings, a playground, and showers. Additionally, the campground provides electricity and water hookups, making it suitable for both RV and tent camping. A dump station is also available onsite for RV waste disposal. However, cell phone service is limited, with some users reporting poor AT&T coverage, while Verizon service was slightly better.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Carter Cove

Carter Cove Campground offers a wide range of recreational activities suitable for outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing is a major highlight, with the lake known for its abundance of crappie, bass, bluegill, and catfish. Visitors can also enjoy boating, water skiing, tubing, and swimming. Wildlife viewing, hiking, and seasonal hunting are additional attractions. The campground also has a playground and a swimming beach for family-friendly activities.

Fishing4.0/5

Boating4.0/5

Nimrod Lake boating is popular with 11 boat ramps; water-skiing and tubing noted.

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

White-tailed deer, waterfowl, wild turkey and bobwhite quail commonly sighted along shores.

Water Sports4.0/5

Swimming2.0/5

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Fire PolicyDon't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are provided onsite, but specific details about their locations or pickup schedules were not mentioned.

Cell CoverageCell phone service appears to be inconsistent. AT&T reception is mostly unavailable, while Verizon has slightly better coverage. One user commented, "Phone service extremely limited. Trying to have a working vacation almost impossible due to lack of service." Another mentioned, "If you need your communication technology to work, do not camp in any of the parks on Lake Nimrod."

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.5

211 reviews

Recommended

Carter Cove is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Carter Cove Campground has mixed reviews, with an average sentiment of 4.27 for campground-specific experiences. Positive highlights include the cleanliness of facilities, friendly and helpful staff, and excellent fishing opportunities. Negative feedback often centers on maintenance issues, such as restrooms being out of order, limited cell service, and campsite proximity.

Review Summaries

Based on 211 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 211 reviews.

Campsite 08Loved
Campsite 08 is highlighted for its proximity to the swimming area.
Campsite 07Mentioned
Campsite 07 is criticized for its bright exterior bathhouse lights.
Campsite 31Issues noted
Campsite 31 received complaints about restroom closures.

What Campers Love

Positive reviews frequently praise the friendly and helpful camp hosts, cleanliness of facilities, and excellent fishing opportunities. Many users appreciated the spacious campsites and...

Based on 211 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the proximity of campsites with little privacy, limited cell phone service, and occasional maintenance issues, such as restrooms being out of order.

Based on 211 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing your own firewood, as there is no mention of on-site availability. For better cell service, Verizon is preferable over AT&T. Booking in advance is advised due to the...

Based on 211 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews vary by season, with spring and fall generally being favorable for camping. Summer reviews highlight issues with crowded sites and limited privacy. Winter experiences are quieter, with fewer...

Based on 211 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Best shower I’ve had in years!" - Ruth H. "The Bradley’s are wonderful hosts. Keep everything clean." - Betty J. "Fishing is awesome and is known for crappie fishing and tournaments." - Edna B.

Based on 211 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility is generally positive, with spacious sites and helpful staff. However, disabled visitors reported challenges when restroom facilities were closed.

Based on 211 reviews

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Carter Cove

$24.00 - $75.00 / night

Campsite Fees

30 AMP: $24.00; 50 AMP: $26.00; GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC: $75.00; Multi-Family 30 AMP: $48.00; Multi-Family 50 AMP: $52.00. Plus Recreation.gov...

Group Site Fee$60.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

479-272-4983

Nearby Campgrounds

12394 Sunlight Bay Road, Plainview, AR, 72857, USA

Sunlight Bay sits on Nimrod Lake near Plainview, Arkansas, offering electric and water hookups for tent and RV campers. Operated by Recreation.gov, the campground provides lake access for fishing and boating during peak season, with flush toilets, showers, and a dump station. Reviewers praise the friendly hosts and clean facilities, though the peaceful setting can be disrupted by noise and some sites run short for larger rigs.

Carter Cove

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Carter Cove

Campground Map

Weather at Carter Cove

Current alerts(6)

Best Time to Camp at Carter Cove

Planning Tips

About Carter Cove

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Carter Cove?

Amenities available

RV details

Things to do at Carter Cove

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Get Notified When Available

How campers graded it

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Directions

Ask Camp Sage about Carter Cove

Current alerts(6)

Best Time to Camp at Carter Cove

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Carter Cove?

Amenities available

Things to do at Carter Cove

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns