Ozark-St. Francis National Forests — lakeside, fishing, hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
PARIS, AR, AR★ 4.6 (67 reviews)From $15/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
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.
Best for:AnglersHikersBoatersWildlife watchersFamiliesSites:TentRV
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMay through October
Stay limit14 days
Max RV68 ft
HookupsNo hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
ADA sites2 sites
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire RingsDrinking WaterCamp Host
Recreation
Picnic TablesShowersFishing
Family & Pets
Flush ToiletsElectric HookupsBoat Launch
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it 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
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
Best: May-October
Official operating season per verified data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 0%
Verizon
4G · 0%
AT&T
4G · 0%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Eastern Copperhead, and Timber Rattlesnake present in area. Also Gray Fox, White-tailed Deer, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Greater Roadrunner.
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
479-963-6421· Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
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?+
Cove Lake Recreation Area costs $15–$35 per night. Hookup options: No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What season is Cove Lake Recreation Area open?+
Cove Lake Recreation Area is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Cove Lake Recreation Area have hookups?+
No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What is the maximum RV length at Cove Lake Recreation Area?+
Cove Lake Recreation Area can accommodate RVs up to 68 feet.
How do I make reservations at Cove Lake Recreation Area?+
Cove Lake Recreation Area is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at Cove Lake Recreation Area?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Cove Lake Recreation Area is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Cove Lake Recreation Area open, and what are check-in times?+
Cove Lake Recreation Area is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$15 /night★ 4.6 (67)
SeasonMay through October
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does Cove Lake Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Cove Lake Recreation Area open?+
Does Cove Lake Recreation Area have hookups?+
All 7 questions →Nearby Campgrounds
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