Cossatot Reefs

Relaxing as usual

We stayed in site #25 in our 35 ft travel trailer 4 nights and loved it. It would have been better if the new restrooms had been installed but the COE continues to drag their feet on this project. The water release from Gillham Lake was great which made our trip very relaxing watching and listening to the river. A pair of bald eagles, great blue herons, crows, squirrels and so many birds made the trip even better. The weather was perfect with cool nights and breeze filled days. The park staff and security were great. Verizon coverage was excellent for phone and texts. Campsites were clean and they mowed the grass while we were there. We were there during the week and only a few campers but the weekend was to be full as usual. Excellent kayaking while the river was flowing. The water pressure and 30/50 power was great. A sewer dump needs to be closer than the entrance which is one mile from the campsites. There is not a bad site in which to park an RV but some are longer than others so make sure the one you choose is of sufficient length. Each camp site has what looks like a fairly new tables, firepits and grills. This is a great place to camp but be sure to bring what you need. An EZ Mart is in Gillham and Wal-Mart in De Queen about 10 miles away. When the river is down the rocks are great but be careful as they may be slick.

Relaxing as usual

We stayed in site #25 in our 35 ft travel trailer 4 nights and loved it. It would have been better if the new restrooms had been installed but the COE continues to drag their feet on this project. The water release from Gillham Lake was great which made our trip very relaxing watching and listening to the river. A pair of bald eagles, great blue herons, crows, squirrels and so many birds made the trip even better. The weather was perfect with cool nights and breeze filled days. The park staff and security were great. Verizon coverage was excellent for phone and texts. Campsites were clean and they mowed the grass while we were there. We were there during the week and only a few campers but the weekend was to be full as usual. Excellent kayaking while the river was flowing. The water pressure and 30/50 power was great. A sewer dump needs to be closer than the entrance which is one mile from the campsites. There is not a bad site in which to park an RV but some are longer than others so make sure the one you choose is of sufficient length. Each camp site has what looks like a fairly new tables, firepits and grills. This is a great place to camp but be sure to bring what you need. An EZ Mart is in Gillham and Wal-Mart in De Queen about 10 miles away. When the river is down the rocks are great but be careful as they may be slick.

Let’s start with the fact that our site said “water” - but it did NOT tell me I would need 60 freakin feet of hose & a splitter (Y) in order to use water from the site on the other side.
Speaking of water, at 10pm on a Saturday night the water went out & did not come back until 11am Sunday (on our way out)
No foliage upkeep at the site or the walk down to the river, grass high, trees down, etc.
If I had known that this camping trip would cost me an extra $60 just to use water - we would have chose a different spot.

Let’s start with the fact that our site said “water” - but it did NOT tell me I would need 60 freakin feet of hose & a splitter (Y) in order to use water from the site on the other side.
Speaking of water, at 10pm on a Saturday night the water went out & did not come back until 11am Sunday (on our way out)
No foliage upkeep at the site or the walk down to the river, grass high, trees down, etc.
If I had known that this camping trip would cost me an extra $60 just to use water - we would have chose a different spot.

We love this park but it has been neglected since we were here last. Grass was uncut, sites were trashed, bathhouse dirty, fish heads in campsite drawing flies with the bad smells. It was not the best experience. We cleaned up our site and hauled off two 5 gallon buckets of trash with fish parts to make it much more pleasant. Looks like the like of help may have been the problem. Ones that did show up did not do much. The park host at the gate was his normal friendly self but after leaving the gate it was down hill for as service. We will be back to see if things turn for the better because it is our favorite park. My wife and I understand that keeping a park clean is a everyday battle because we park hosted for the state parks in Texas for 6 years. We kept our loop clean and mowed and would still be doing so if our health had not failed us, but that is part of getting old. For the campers in the parks.....please pick up your trash !!!
If you are birders or just like owls this park is the number one park anywhere for owls. Day are night we have found a variety of owls in this park.

We love this park but it has been neglected since we were here last. Grass was uncut, sites were trashed, bathhouse dirty, fish heads in campsite drawing flies with the bad smells. It was not the best experience. We cleaned up our site and hauled off two 5 gallon buckets of trash with fish parts to make it much more pleasant. Looks like the like of help may have been the problem. Ones that did show up did not do much. The park host at the gate was his normal friendly self but after leaving the gate it was down hill for as service. We will be back to see if things turn for the better because it is our favorite park. My wife and I understand that keeping a park clean is a everyday battle because we park hosted for the state parks in Texas for 6 years. We kept our loop clean and mowed and would still be doing so if our health had not failed us, but that is part of getting old. For the campers in the parks.....please pick up your trash !!!
If you are birders or just like owls this park is the number one park anywhere for owls. Day are night we have found a variety of owls in this park.

Peaceful, beautiful place. Did need a little TLC, mowing especially.

Peaceful, beautiful place. Did need a little TLC, mowing especially.