Joplin
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Mt. Ida · Arkansas · Lake Ouachita
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Lake Ouachita |
| Location | Mt. Ida · Arkansas · Lake Ouachita · 34.57519, -93.44264 · Map |
| Sites | 58 public sites counted from the federal listing — 28 standard electric; 17 rv electric; 13 tent only electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 64 of 58 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 22 of 58 sites Sewer hookups at 2 of 58 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 2 of 58 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 90 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 33 sites · 30 ft: 30 sites · 35 ft: 16 sites · 40 ft: 11 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 6:00 PM · Out 4:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 63 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 870-867-4472 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview Joplin Campground on Lake Ouachita is an excellent destination for pristine lakefront camping. Joplin is perched on a slender peninsula with plenty of attractive scenic views of the water and surrounding mountain terrain.
World-class striper fishing goes on in the lake, and wildlife watchers can find everything from bobcats to rare freshwater jellyfish.
Click here for the Lake Ouachita Virtual Tour.
Recreation Prized as one of the clearest lakes in the nation, Ouachita Lake is ideal for scuba diving.
Visitors also enjoy hiking, biking, scenic driving, water skiing, fishing and hunting, as well. Facilities All 59 campsites have electric hookups, but keep in mind the spaces are small and unpaved. Campsite pad lengths vary greatly from site to site due to the terrain. No campsite lengths are posted on the website due to the varianciances of camper slidout configurations and the visitor trailer towing skills. For questions contact the fee booth at 870-867-4472. Water hookups are not available, but a water faucet is located in each loop. Other amenities include a dump station, fish cleaning station, hot showers, boat ramp and a swim beach.
Natural Features Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains of Central Arkansas, Lake Ouachita spans a surface area of over 40,000 acres, making it the biggest lake completely within the state of Arkansas.
The region has a climate with four seasons. Spring and fall are mild, summer is hot and humid, and winter is variable with temperatures ranging from below freezing on up to the 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (501) 767-2101. Nearby Attractions Head to Hot Springs National Park and discover how it earned the nickname, "The American Spa." Or take a scenic drive through the 1.8 million-acres of Ouachita National Forest.
Boat rentals, horseback riding rentals and the Hickorynut Mountain Vista are not far from the campground.
Directions, from the listing
From Hot Springs, Arkansas: Take US 270 west for 23.5 miles to Mountain Harbor Road. Turn right and follow access road three miles north to the park.
Nearest federal campgrounds
2 mi straight-line · Mt. Ida ArkansasUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersTompkins Bend Day-Use
2 mi straight-line · MT. IDA ArkansasUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersDenby Point
3 mi straight-line · Mt. Ida ArkansasUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersLittle Fir
4 mi straight-line · ArkansasFSU.S. Forest ServiceCharlton Recreation Area
5 mi straight-line · Royal Arkansas
Trip Card — Joplin
Mt. Ida · Arkansas · Lake Ouachita
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | Mt. Ida · Arkansas · Lake Ouachita |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 64 · full hookups at 2 |
| Max RV | Up to 90 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 58 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233526 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.