Cove Lake Recreation Area
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: PARIS, AR, AR
Price: From $15 per night
Price range: $15–$35 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (67 reviews)
Season: May through October
The Cove Lake Recreation Area is a perfect summer getaway and an ideal place to camp, picnic or recreate. It envelops the shores of a 160-acre mountain lake near the 2,700-foot-tall Mount Magazine, the highest point in the state of Arkansas.The recreation area provides picnic areas, campsites and a group shelter, as well as multiple activities, including miniature golf, canoe and paddleboat rentals. The campground offers multiple single-family sites for tent or RV camping.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Electric Hookups, Camp Host, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cove-lake-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Cove Lake Recreation Area offers a scenic 160-acre mountain lake near Arkansas's highest point with excellent fishing, swimming, and water sports access. Google reviewers consistently praise the easy access to fishing and swimming, quiet atmosphere, and abundant wildlife viewing.
Wildlife alert: Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Eastern Copperhead, and Timber Rattlesnake present in area. Also Gray Fox, White-tailed Deer, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Greater Roadrunner.
Insider tips for Cove Lake Recreation Area: Book early — this is a popular federal campground with limited availability Bring a self-contained RV or plan for tent camping; no hookups available at most sites Verify bathroom access hours with camp host upon arrival to avoid access issues
Skip Cove Lake Recreation Area if: You need RV hookups — no hookups at most sites. You want year-round camping — seasonal operations May through October only. You require guaranteed facility access — some reviewers reported inconsistent bathroom/shower house availability.
Best time to visit Cove Lake Recreation Area: May-October — Official operating season per verified data.
Nearby campgrounds: Waveland Park (HAVANA, AR), Outlet Area (HAVANA, AR), Sorghum Hollow (New Blaine, AR), Spring Lake Recreation Area (Belleville, AR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Cove Lake Recreation Area
Cell signal at Cove Lake Recreation Area (PARIS, AR): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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.
The Cove Lake Recreation Area is a perfect summer getaway and an ideal place to camp, picnic or recreate. It envelops the shores of a 160-acre mountain lake near the 2,700-foot-tall Mount Magazine, the highest point in the state of Arkansas.The recreation area provides picnic areas, campsites and a group shelter, as well as multiple activities, including miniature golf, canoe and paddleboat rentals. The campground offers multiple single-family sites for tent or RV camping.
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 popular federal campground with limited availability
Bring a self-contained RV or plan for tent camping; no hookups available at most sites
Verify bathroom access hours with camp host upon arrival to avoid access issues
Official operating season per verified data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Paris, take Highway 109 south, then turn southeast on Highway 309 for 9 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 — Ozark-St. Francis National Forests fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Ozark-St. Francis National Forests before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Cove Lake Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Cove Lake Recreation Area open?+
Does Cove Lake Recreation Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Cove Lake Recreation Area?+
How do I make reservations at Cove Lake Recreation Area?+
What is the cell service like at Cove Lake Recreation Area?+
What season is Cove Lake Recreation Area open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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