Tompkins Bend Day-Use

Star4.71
262 reviews
Tompkins Bend Day-Use

Quick Facts

Price

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Booking

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Sites

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Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Electric

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Tompkins Bend Day-Use
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
(501) 767-2101

What Campers Say

4.71

Top-Rated

Based on 262 reviews

313 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewssceneryquietpeaceful

"Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Tompkins Bend, describing it as clean, quiet, scenic, and relaxing, with many saying they return regularly. Campers highlight lakeside views, good facilities, friendly staff/hosts, and great options for boating, fishing, hiking, and day use gatherings."

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Best Time to Camp at Tompkins Bend Day-Use

Winter transforms Tompkins Bend into a wildlife watcher's paradise, when majestic bald eagles soar overhead and roost in the surrounding forest. The area welcomes visitors year-round, with each season painting the landscape in different hues—from spring wildflowers to autumn's golden canopy—though the cooler months bring the added thrill of spotting these magnificent raptors hunting above the lake's surface.

Best
Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips

    About Tompkins Bend Day-Use

    Nestled along the pristine shores of Lake Ouachita, Tompkins Bend Day-Use Area offers a perfect mountain escape where families and groups can gather beneath towering pines and alongside crystal-clear waters. The well-appointed pavilion with electrical hookups, modern amenities, and a playground creates an ideal setting for reunions and retreats, all framed by the breathtaking backdrop of the Ouachita Mountains.
    Tompkins Bend is described as a Day-Use Area; the source does not specify any overnight camping types or facilities.
    Weather and SeasonsWinter transforms Tompkins Bend into a wildlife watcher's paradise, when majestic bald eagles soar overhead and roost in the surrounding forest. The area welcomes visitors year-round, with each season painting the landscape in different hues—from spring wildflowers to autumn's golden canopy—though the cooler months bring the added thrill of spotting these magnificent raptors hunting above the lake's surface.
    Natural Features and SceneryLake Ouachita's legendary crystal-clear waters stretch across more than 40,000 acres and wind for 30 miles through the ancient Ouachita Mountains, creating one of the cleanest lakes in America. The surrounding Ouachita National Forest teems with life—bobcats prowl the hillsides, black bears forage in the dense woodland, white-tailed deer browse at dawn and dusk, and during winter months, bald eagles command the skies. The convergence of mountain and water creates a landscape where emerald forests meet sapphire waters, offering visitors a glimpse of Arkansas at its most pristine.
    Geological RegionOuachita Mountains / Ouachita National Forest / Lake Ouachita
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    Campsite details

    Total Campsitesnull campsites
    Recommended CampsitesDay-Use Pavilion has electrical hookups, picnic tables and lighting. Other onsite amenities include a bathroom facility and a playground.

    Best Campsites

    Curated by campers, for campers
    Reveal picks

    Reserving a campsite

    Tents
    Tents are not allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are not allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are not allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are not allowed

    Site layoutDay-use pavilion with electrical hookups, picnic tables and lighting; restroom facility and a playground within a grassy wooded area overlooking the lake.

    Amenities available

    Picnic tables
    Electricity hookups

    Activities you can enjoy

    The area supports a range of water-based recreation (water skiing, jet skiing, angling) on Lake Ouachita, hiking on the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT), and wildlife viewing in the surrounding forested Ouachita Mountains.
    Hiking
    Site is located on the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT), which meanders across the south end of the lake.
    Fishing
    Anglers can enjoy the crystal clear waters of Lake Ouachita.
    Boating
    Water skiing and jet skiing are explicitly mentioned as popular water activities on the lake.
    Wildlife viewing
    Forested mountains support wildlife including bobcats, black bears, deer, and bald eagles (often spotted in winter).
    Winter Activities
    Bald eagle viewing in winter.
    Water Sports
    Water skiing and jet skiing.
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are not allowed

    Hazards

    General hazardsPresence of wildlife including bobcats and black bears; general lake/water recreation inherent risks (not specifically detailed in source).

    Weather at Tompkins Bend Day-Use

    38
    °F
    Dec 11
    Thursday
    Mainly clear
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 51%
    Wind: 5.1 mph
    Mainly clear

    Weather History
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    Good to know

    Proximity to water featuresLocated on Lake Ouachita (lake shoreline access).
    HostThis location is unstaffed. For general information contact the main office at (501) 767-2101.

    Campground Map

    Tompkins Bend Day-Use
    Driving directionsFrom Hot Springs, Arkansas: take US 270 west approximately 24.5 miles to Tompkins Bend Road. Turn right and follow access road 2.4 miles north to park. From Mount Ida, Arkansas: take US 270 east about 10.7 miles to Tompkins Bend Road. Turn left and follow access road 2.4 miles north to the park.
    Accessible via US 270; turn onto Tompkins Bend Road and follow access road 2.4 miles to the park.
    Nearby places
    Hot Springs: approximately 24.5 miles
    Mount Ida: approximately 10.7 miles

    Reviews from booking and map sources

    4.7
    262 reviews
    Top-Rated
    Top-Rated
    Tompkins Bend Day-Use is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Tompkins Bend, describing it as clean, quiet, scenic, and relaxing, with many saying they return regularly. Campers highlight lakeside views, good facilities, friendly staff/hosts, and great options for boating, fishing, hiking, and day use gatherings.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 262 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Campers consistently praise the beautiful lake views and scenery, noting many sites are right on or very close to the water and offer easy water access. Reviews mention clean bathhouses and...
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    Based on 262 reviews

    Common Concerns

    There are very few complaints in the reviews. One camper notes that bathhouses can have spiders due to the natural setting, but mentions this more as a nature caveat than a serious issue. No other...
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    Based on 262 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Several reviewers suggest this campground is especially good if you have a boat, thanks to lakeside sites, a quality boat launch, and easy lake access. One reviewer advises wearing shoes you don’t...
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    Based on 262 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    "Everything we were expecting. Clean, beautiful view of the lake, pets welcomed. Our campsite was clean with water and electricity, fire pit grill and picnic table. Helpful and friendly staff. Well...
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    Based on 262 reviews

    Site-Specific Reviews

    One reviewer mentions that tent sites do not have power while nearby RV sites do, and notes there is no septic hookup but a dump station is available. Another review of Pavilion 1 in the day-use area...
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    Based on 262 reviews

    Accessibility Features

    Boat users describe the concrete boat ramp as able to handle up to three boats launching at once, with a dock for tying off and restrooms near the parking area, suggesting convenient access for...
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    Based on 262 reviews

    Pet-Friendly Features

    One camper explicitly notes "pets welcomed" and describes a clean campsite with standard utilities and amenities, indicating that pets are allowed and integrated into the general camping experience....
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    Based on 262 reviews

    Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers

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    Last updated December 10, 2025
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