Cossatot Reefs

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Cossatot Reefs

About this campsite

Overview

Cossatot Reefs Campground sits along the lush banks of Gillham Lake in southwest Arkansas.

Nicknamed the "Bright Spot on the Cossatot," Gillham Lake is a recreational oasis for outdoor enthusiasts.

Recreation

Visitors enjoy the lake for its vast boating opportunities, and a boat ramp is provided for easy water access. The river can be canoed from a point below the dam to U.S. Highway 71 South, a distance of about 16 miles. For shorter canoe trips, there are access roads to the river at Mize Crossing and Ladd Bridge.

Anglers will find smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish and various species of sunfish in the river.

A short nature trail within the campground weaves through a quaint wooded section. In spring, the trail is painted with colorful redbud and dogwood blossoms.

Facilities

Cossatot Reefs offers 31 shady campsites, including a large group shelter. Hot showers, drinking water and flush toilets help create a comfortable camping experience.

Natural Features

Gillham Lake spans 1,370 surface acres and boasts 36 miles of shoreline. The lake stems from the Cossatot River, designated as a National Wild and Scenic River.

Location

COSSATOT REEFS•AR

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Common questions about COSSATOT REEFS

Is COSSATOT REEFS free to camp at?

Yes. COSSATOT REEFS in AR is a free camp, so there is no nightly fee to stay. There is no booking system for it, so plan on first in, best dressed, especially on long weekends. We hold no facilities list for it, so go in self sufficient with your own water and a way to deal with rubbish.

Can you book COSSATOT REEFS online?

We hold no online booking link for COSSATOT REEFS, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season. If a managing authority takes bookings by phone, their number is the fastest way to confirm a site.

Where is COSSATOT REEFS?

COSSATOT REEFS sits in AR. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

2.1 km away

BIG COON CREEK

Overview Big Coon Creek Campground sits along the lush banks of Gillham Lake in southwest Arkansas. Nicknamed the "Bright Spot on the Cossatot," Gillham Lake is a recreational oasis for outdoor enthusiasts. Recreation Visitors enjoy the lake for its vast boating opportunities, and a boat ramp is provided for easy water access. The river can be canoed from a point below the dam to U.S. Highway 71 South, a distance of about 16 miles. For shorter canoe trips, there are access roads to the river at Mize Crossing and Ladd Bridge. Anglers will find smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass, saugeye, crappie, channel and flathead catfish and various species of sunfish in the river. Hunting is allowed north of Little Coon Creek Park and on the eastern shore of the lake. Check with the Arkansas Game and Fish for Season Dates, Maps, and Regulations. Facilities Coon Creek provides 32 sites, each with water and 50-amp electric hookups. Additional amenities include hot showers, a boat ramp, swimming beach, dump station and a playground. Natural Features Gillham Lake spans 1,370 surface acres and boasts 36 miles of shoreline. The lake stems from the Cossatot River, designated as a National Wild and Scenic River.

3.2 km away

LITTLE COON CREEK PARK

Overview Little Coon Creek Campground is located on Gillham Lake in southwestern Arkansas on the Cossatot River. The rugged terrain around the lake creates stunning views and provides for many opportunities for boating, fishing, hunting, and swimming. Recreation Visitors enjoy the lake for its vast boating opportunities, and a boat ramp is provided for easy water access. Anglers will find smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass, saugeye, crappie, channel and flathead catfish and various species of sunfish in the river. Hunting is allowed north of Little Coon Creek Park and on the eastern shore of the lake. Check with the Arkansas Game and Fish for Season Dates and Regulations. Lake maps are also available from any Park Attendant at the lake. Facilities Little Coon Creek provides 10 campsites and a group picnic shelter; each site has water and 50-amp electric hookups available. Additional amenities include hot showers with restrooms, a boat ramp with a handicap accessible fishing pier, a playground and a dump station nearby. Natural Features Gillham Lake spans 1,370 surface acres and boasts 36 miles of shoreline. The Dam was completed in 1975 and stems from the Cossatot River, which has been designated as a National Wild and Scenic River. Nearby Attractions The Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area and the Queen Wilhelmina State Park are both within driving distance just north of Gillham Lake. Both of these attractions offer great scenery, hiking, and interpretive programs that are fun for all ages.

11.0 km away

River Ridge Group Campground

Campground: River Ridge Group Campground. Operated by Arkansas State Parks.

11.6 km away

JEFFERSON RIDGE

Overview Jefferson Ridge Campground is located on Dierks Lake in southwestern Arkansas. Rugged ridges bordering the lake create stunning views, and visitors enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and hunting. Recreation The 1360-acre lake offers excellent boating, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming opportunities. Dierks Lake is known for its excellent bass and crappie fishing. Hunters will find nearly 600 acres of public hunting lands in the upper reaches of the project. Game species include white-tail deer, bobwhite quail, mourning dove, grey and fox squirrel, cottontail rabbit, and a variety of waterfowl. A playground, two swimming beaches and two boat ramps provide additional recreation opportunities. Facilities This year-round campground offers 85 family sites and two day-use group picnic shelters. All sites include full electric and water hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water, and dump stations. Natural Features Sitting in the Ouachita Mountain Region of Arkansas, Dierks Lake is fed by the Saline River. Nearby Attractions Crater of Diamonds State Park, Little Missouri Falls, and Cossatot River State Park are popular recreational areas located in close proximity to Dierks Lake.