Army Corps of Engineers · Arkansas

Joplin

Army Corps of Engineers · Arkansas, United States

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Directions
Sites
64
Hookups
58 electric, 22 with water
Season
March 1 to September 29
Max RV length
90 ft
Drinking water
Yes
Dump station
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
617 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 3
Cell coverage
AT&T weak · Verizon good · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Lake
Lake Ouachita
Nearest town
Mt. Ida
Address
303 Campground Rd., Mt. Ida, AR, 71957
Phone
870-867-4472
Activities
Biking, Boating, Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Kayaking, Water Activities

64 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

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.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January49°34°10°70°8 of 11
February54°38°2°72°8 of 11
March63°47°30°80°3 of 11
April71°56°39°82°0 of 11
May82°66°53°90°0 of 11
June88°72°63°96°0 of 11
July91°76°68°102°0 of 11
August93°76°68°103°0 of 11
September87°70°59°97°0 of 11
October74°56°40°85°0 of 10
November65°49°25°77°2 of 10
December53°41°26°70°4 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Arkansas · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.