Is Horsehead Lake Recreation Area first-come first-served or reservation?

Horsehead Lake Recreation Area 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 Horsehead Lake Recreation Area before I book?

Yes! Horsehead Lake Recreation Area has 4 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.

Are there showers at Horsehead Lake Recreation Area?

Yes, Horsehead Lake Recreation Area has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Horsehead Lake Recreation Area have?

Horsehead Lake Recreation Area has 8 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Horsehead Lake Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Horsehead Lake Recreation Area. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Horsehead Lake Recreation Area?

Horsehead Lake Recreation Area offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Horsehead Lake Recreation Area

4.19

81 reviews

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Top 23%Summer

B-Report Card

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

705 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

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Get Directions

Quick Facts

705 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on null Official Website

Get Directions

Horsehead Lake Recreation Area

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Weather at Horsehead Lake Recreation Area

Best Time to Camp at Horsehead Lake Recreation Area

Best season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Horsehead Lake for warm, lake-centric recreation—expect daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to low-90s°F (24–32°C) with cooler mornings around 55–65°F (13–18°C). Water-based activities are at their peak: swimming, boating, kayaking and shore fishing are easiest and most enjoyable when the water is warm and calm. Expect the busiest weekends and holidays, so arrive early for first-come, first-served sites or plan weekday visits for quieter camping and better cox Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 23% in US

Reviews and overview: summer is best for swimming, kayaking and warm weather activities.

Planning Tips

About Horsehead Lake Recreation Area

Horsehead Lake Recreation Area sits in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests of Arkansas, offering a handful of lakefront sites for tent and RV camping. Visitors come for swimming, kayaking, and shore fishing on a quiet lake surrounded by low-elevation Ozark forest. The small campground provides flush and vault toilets, showers, fire rings, and picnic tables.

Horsehead Lake Recreation Area primarily offers primitive camping facilities suitable for tents, with no electricity or water hookups. A few sites are designed for RVs, but visitors must be self-contained.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Horsehead Lake for warm, lake-centric recreation—expect daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to low-90s°F (24–32°C) with cooler mornings around 55–65°F (13–18°C). Water-based activities are at their peak: swimming, boating, kayaking and shore fishing are easiest and most enjoyable when the water is warm and calm. Expect the busiest weekends and holidays, so arrive early for first-come, first-served sites or plan weekday visits for quieter camping and better cox Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation705 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe lake anchors the campground, with sandy beaches and water calm enough for kayaking and swimming. Tall trees shade most sites, creating dappled light patterns across the campsites. Bald eagles fish these waters. The surrounding forest reflects off the lake surface in the mornings. It's a quiet setting, though ticks are a persistent problem according to reviews. The scenery delivers on the promise of a lakeside retreat, even if the facilities don't always match the setting.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

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Guests Allowed Per Site

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Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be directly made upon arrival using the Scan & Pay feature of the Recreation.gov mobile app. Advance reservations are not applicable as the sites are first-come, first-served.

Site SizeSites are described as large, with ample space for camping. 'Sites are big,' noted one user, who also described some areas as poorly maintained with weeds and washouts.

PrivacySites offer varying levels of privacy. Some reviews mentioned a peaceful and quiet environment, while others noted potential for rowdiness depending on other campers.

Total Campsites8 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose campsites near the lake for better views and access to the water. Site #7 is highly recommended for its location and features.

Best CampsitesSite 7 gets mentioned most in reviews for its proximity to the lake, spacious layout, and standard amenities (fire ring, picnic table, lantern hook). Campers describe sites as large overall, though some areas suffer from weeds and washouts.

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Recreation.gov Guide

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Amenities available

Horsehead Lake Recreation Area offers basic amenities suitable for day-use activities and camping. Visitors can enjoy a lakeside setting with picnic areas and grilling facilities. 'There are plenty of areas to grill and sit and eat,' noted a user. Some campsites are equipped with fire rings, picnic tables, and hooks for lanterns or trash. Vault toilets are available in the camping area, while flush toilets and showers are located in the day-use section. Notably, the showers in the day-use area are air-conditioned. However, user reviews highlight inconsistencies in cleanliness and maintenance of restrooms. 'Showers were clean with hot water,' said one user, but another described them as 'absolutely filthy.'

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Horsehead Lake Recreation Area offers a variety of outdoor activities centered around its lakeside location. Swimming, fishing, kayaking, and hiking are popular. Visitors can also enjoy wildlife viewing and relaxing by the lake. 'We spend our day kayaking around the lake and then stopping to swim and eat,' one user shared.

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

81 reviews

Satisfactory

Horsehead Lake Recreation Area is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews highlight the serene lakeside setting and opportunities for outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, and swimming. However, there are concerns about inconsistent maintenance of facilities such as restrooms and campsites.

Review Summaries

Based on 81 reviews

What Campers Love

'We love it here,' one user stated, praising the lake's activities. Many users appreciated the peaceful atmosphere, spacious campsites, and opportunities for swimming and fishing. 'Highly recommend,'...

Based on 81 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues include poorly maintained restrooms, with reports of 'filthy' conditions, and lack of cell service. Some users also noted safety concerns due to unsupervised campsites, potential...

Based on 81 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #7 received specific praise for its lakeside location and spacious layout. 'This site (#7) is right on the lake with plenty of space,' noted one reviewer.

Based on 81 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

1. Bring your own bug spray and be prepared for ticks. 2. Be cautious with vehicles as roads may flood during spring. 3. Carry sufficient supplies, as amenities are limited. 4. Download the...

Based on 81 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Users recommend visiting during summer for the best experience, especially for water-based activities. Spring may pose access challenges due to potential flooding. Fall and winter reviews are sparse.

Based on 81 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'We spend our day kayaking around the lake.' 2. 'The site was $15 at a self-serve station.' 3. 'I love to watch the bald eagles soaring across the lake.'

Based on 81 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but users expressed frustration over other visitors not adhering to leash rules, causing disturbances.

Based on 81 reviews

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Horsehead Lake Recreation Area

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

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

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Go if

You want a small, lake-focused campground with water activities and don't mind occasional maintenance issues.

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You need spotless facilities or expect strict enforcement of campground rules.

Nearby Campgrounds

Wolf Pen Campground sits on the Mulberry River in Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, offering primitive tent camping at low elevation. This very small campground attracts paddlers and swimmers who value seclusion and direct river access. Summer brings warm water and calm flows ideal for canoeing and natural pool swimming, though flash flooding can occur.

Spadra sits on Dardanelle Lake near Clarksville, offering Arkansas River views and access to fishing and boating. Managed by Spadra Campground Management, this small seasonal campground provides electric and water hookups, showers, and a dump station. Spacious sites accommodate tents, RVs, and groups, with fire rings and picnic tables throughout.

$22.00 - $75.00 / night

1314 AUX ARC PARK ROAD

Aux Arc is a Corps of Engineers campground on Ozark Lake near Ozark, Arkansas, offering electric and water hookups, tent sites, and primitive options. The very large facility provides boat ramp access for anglers targeting bass, crappie, and catfish, plus showers and a dump station. Reviewers praise the spacious sites and river views, though some note industrial and train noise from nearby operations.

$16.00 - $75.00 / night

Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

Ozone Campground sits in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests near Clarksville, offering direct access to the Ozark Highlands Trail. This small, primitive Forest Service campground provides vault toilets and tent sites in foothill terrain at 1,867 feet elevation. Hikers use it as a trailhead base for multi-day backpacking trips and wildflower walks through the surrounding hardwood forest.

White Rock Mountain Recreation Area

21923 Bowles Gap Rd, Winslow, AR 72959, USA

White Rock Mountain Recreation Area sits atop an Ozark ridge in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests near Winslow, Arkansas. The Forest Service operates this small, premium campground known for its panoramic views, historic cabins, and the scenic Rim Trail that loops the mountaintop. Visitors come for sunrise and sunset vistas, fall foliage, and wildlife viewing across the surrounding hardwood forest.

$15.00 - $215.00 / night

SHOAL BAY ROAD BOX 499, NEW BLAINE, AR 72859, USA

Shoal Bay sits on the shores of Lake Dardanelle in west-central Arkansas, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This mid-sized campground offers electric and water hookups, a dump station, and modern amenities including showers and flush toilets. Campers fish the lake's bays and inlets, launch boats from the on-site ramp, and watch for wildlife along the shoreline.

$22.00 - $75.00 / night

189 PRIVATE ROAD 2720, LONDON, AR 72847, USA

Piney Bay sits on the shores of Dardanelle Lake near London, Arkansas, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. This mid-sized campground offers electric and water hookups, a swim beach, and direct lake access for boating and fishing. Wooded sites accommodate tents, RVs, and groups, with amenities including showers, flush toilets, and a dump station.

$16.00 - $75.00 / night

Highly Popular

4.4

(56)

Haw Creek Falls Point Of Interest

Haw Creek Falls Campground, Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, Arkansas

Haw Creek Falls Point of Interest sits in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests near Hagarville, offering 10 primitive campsites scattered among mature hardwoods at 853 feet elevation. The campground delivers direct access to waterfalls, swimming holes, and the Ozark Highlands Trail. Vault toilets and picnic tables are the only amenities. There's no potable water, trash service, or cell phone coverage.

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Frequently Visited

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(160)

Cove Lake Recreation Area

19 COVE LAKE LOOP, PARIS, AR 72855, USA

Cove Lake Recreation Area sits on a 160-acre lake in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests near Paris, Arkansas. The Forest Service runs this foothills campground with tent sites, RV spots, primitive options, and rental cabins. Visitors fish, swim, boat, and hike during the seasonal operating window, with showers and a camp store on-site.

$15.00 - $35.00 / night

Campgrounds you may also like

Shady Lake Recreation Area, Ouachita National Forest, Athens, Arkansas, USA

Shady Lake sits in the Ouachita National Forest near the Caney Creek Wilderness, offering 51 sites across four loops with fees from $10 to $40 per night. The campground dates to 1937, when the Civilian Conservation Corps built it around a 25-acre lake. Sites range from primitive tent spots to RV sites with full hookups (up to 32 feet), and modern bathhouses include flush toilets and hot showers.

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Campgrounds

Horsehead Lake Recreation Area

B-

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 62% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 34 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade A+.Value
Grade A+.Safety
Grade A.Belonging

Watch-outs

Grade C-.Bugs & weather
Grade C-.Rules & policies
Grade C-.Staff & hosts

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how Arkansas grades overall