Big Coon Creek
Gillham Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Gillham, AR, AR
Price: From $14 per night
Price range: $14–$18 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (80 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.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.Gillham Lake spans 1,370 surface acres and boasts 36 miles of shoreline.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Showers, Dump Station, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/big-coon-creek to be notified when sites open up.
Big Coon Creek offers direct access to Gillham Lake with a boat ramp and 16 miles of canoeable river below the dam, plus fishing opportunities—all at just $23/night in a federal campground setting.
Wildlife alert: Wapiti (elk) have been observed in the area within 8km of the campground. Also note Western Slimy Salamanders and Dwarf American Toads are present.
Insider tips for Big Coon Creek: Book early—this is a federal campground with only 32 sites and seasonal operations Electric hookups are available but only on select sites; confirm hookup availability when reserving if you need power The river below the dam is canoeable for approximately 16 miles to U.S. Highway 71 South, with shorter access points available
Skip Big Coon Creek if: You need water or sewer hookups—the campground has no sewer and water is not provided at most sites. You're visiting outside May through October—the campground is closed seasonally. 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms expected tonight through early morning with lows around 75°F.
Best time to visit Big Coon Creek: May through October — Campground operates seasonally during this window only, as verified in official records.
Nearby campgrounds: Little Coon Creek Park (Grannis, AR), Cossatot Reefs (Gillham, AR), Jefferson Ridge (DIERKS, AR), Blue Ridge Park (Dierks, AR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Big Coon Creek
Cell signal at Big Coon Creek (Gillham, AR): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.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.Gillham Lake spans 1,370 surface acres and boasts 36 miles of shoreline.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 32 sites and seasonal operations
Electric hookups are available but only on select sites; confirm hookup availability when reserving if you need power
The river below the dam is canoeable for approximately 16 miles to U.S. Highway 71 South, with shorter access points available
Campground operates seasonally during this window only, as verified in official records
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Gillham on Hwy 71, go east on Tower Rd. for 1.3 miles; Turn left onto Gillham Lake Rd. for 4.3 miles; Turn left onto Polk Road 474 for 1.7 miles.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Gillham Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Gillham Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Big Coon Creek cost per night?+
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Does Big Coon Creek have hookups?+
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●Data sources on this page
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