Spillway (Lake Ouachita)

Lake Ouachita — lakeside, hiking

Location: Royal , AR, AR

Price: From $30 per night

Price range: $30–$50 per night

Rating: 4 out of 5 (0 reviews)

Season: May through October

Spillway Recreation area is tucked away in a small cove of Lake Ouachita. The day-use area offers shoreline fishing access, swim beach, restroom, boat ramp, reservable pavilion and access to the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT). The LOViT trail is a 40 mile long trail system that meanders along the southern shore of Lake Ouachita.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.

Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Boat Launch

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/spillway-lake-ouachita to be notified when sites open up.

Spillway offers scenic lake access with a swim beach, boat ramp, and proximity to the 40-mile Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT). Campers praise the beautiful spot with good shade, lake views, and well-maintained facilities.

Wildlife alert: White-tailed Deer, Northern Bobwhite, Common Loon, American Coot, Red-headed Woodpecker, Slowinski's Cornsnake, Little Brown Skink, Three-toed Box Turtle documented in the area.

Insider tips for Spillway (Lake Ouachita): Book early — this is a federal campground with limited availability. Pavilion rental available with charcoal grills if you want day-use without camping. Gravel sites offer shade and lake views; best for tent camping or small RVs.

Skip Spillway (Lake Ouachita) if: You need full hookups — no hookups available at most sites.. You require on-site ranger oversight — no full-time ranger presence; leash laws and pet waste cleanup enforcement is lax.. You have a large RV — sites are small and challenging for 40+ ft vehicles..

Best time to visit Spillway (Lake Ouachita): May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..

Nearby campgrounds: Avery (Royal , AR), Brady Mountain Day-Use (ROYAL, AR), Crystal Springs (Ar) Day-Use (ROYAL, AR), Charlton Recreation Area (Mount Ida, AR).