Cove Lake Recreation Area

19 Cove Lake Loop, Paris, Arkansas, United States
Check Availability
Day Use Area
COVE LAKE RECREATION AREA rental Pavilion
COVE LAKE RECREATION AREA - Vault Toilets
COVE LAKE RECREATION AREA Trailhead
COVE LAKE RECREATION AREA views

Featured amenities

Showers Showers
View all amenities

About Cove Lake Recreation Area

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.

Available sites

20 total sites
RV Sites 20 sites Check Availability

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Swimming

Swimming

Summer

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers Showers
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Showers
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

20 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 002, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 003, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 004, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 005, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 006, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 007, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 008, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 009, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 010, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 011, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 012, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 013, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 014, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 015, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 016, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 017, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 018, Loop: A RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 019, Loop: B RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 020, Loop: B RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In

Reviews

138 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Cove Lake Recreation Area offers a beautiful and peaceful camping experience with stunning views, well-kept grounds, and friendly staff, making it a popular choice for families. Many visitors appreciate the secluded, quiet atmosphere and the natural scenery, including the lake and trails. However, some guests have noted concerns about the cleanliness of bathrooms, the lack of shower facilities, and occasional noise from generators, suggesting room for improvement in maintenance.

Based on guest feedback

4.6

Overall rating

Based on 138 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 76.1% (105)
4 stars 12.3% (17)
3 stars 5.8% (8)
2 stars 3.6% (5)
1 star 2.2% (3)

Showing 133 reviews

Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Newest First Oldest First

Richard G

Verified

March 16, 2026 Stayed at: 008, Loop: A

Cove Lake is one of the best "old school" campgrounds in the USA!

Helpful

Gary H

Verified

November 8, 2025 Stayed at: 015, Loop: A

Beautiful campground, gorgeous lake and awesome trails. The park host was very friendly and helpful and the campground well kept. We loved our stay there!

Helpful

Gary H

Verified

November 8, 2025 Stayed at: 015, Loop: A

Beautiful campground, gorgeous lake and awesome trails. The park host was very friendly and helpful and the campground well kept. We loved our stay there!

Helpful

Elaine P

Verified

October 18, 2025 Stayed at: 008, Loop: A

The camp was quiet and peaceful, the lake was beautiful and the facilities were well kept. We are looking forward to coming back!

Helpful

Elaine P

Verified

October 18, 2025 Stayed at: 008, Loop: A

The camp was quiet and peaceful, the lake was beautiful and the facilities were well kept. We are looking forward to coming back!

Helpful

Charles H

Verified

June 1, 2025 Stayed at: 019, Loop: B

Very quiet and relaxing..we will definitely be going back again.

Helpful

Charles H

Verified

June 1, 2025 Stayed at: 019, Loop: B

Very quiet and relaxing..we will definitely be going back again.

Helpful

Jess E

Verified

May 31, 2025 Stayed at: 007, Loop: A

We love cove lake and wish it was open all year. It’s a great quiet campground. The spots are secluded and large.

Helpful

Jess E

Verified

May 31, 2025 Stayed at: 007, Loop: A

We love cove lake and wish it was open all year. It’s a great quiet campground. The spots are secluded and large.

Helpful

Josh H

Verified

May 11, 2025 Stayed at: 010, Loop: A

We love this campground/day use area and have been staying there for years. Whoever the camp hosts are now seem to be doing less than the bare minimum. I really hope that it was just because it was early in the season but this is the worst shape I’ve seen it in. Bathrooms in the day use areas and camp loop didn’t look like they’d been cleaned in months. Sad to see honestly.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Cove Lake Recreation Area

19 Cove Lake Loop, Paris, AR 72855 United States

Elevation: 306 ft

Getting There

From Paris, take Highway 109 south, then turn southeast on Highway 309 for 9 mi.

Nearest town

Paris, AR - 9.6 mi

About 16 min to downtown

Highway access

Cove Lake Recreation Area is accessible via Highway 109 and Highway 309, which provide direct routes from Paris.

Policies & Rules

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Safety & rules

  • No-wake policy on the lake during weekends and holidays.

Amenities

  • No hookups available at this campground.

Site capacity

  • Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Vehicles & parking

  • Off-road vehicles are not allowed in the campground.

General

  • Click here for more information on the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

Fires & fuel

  • Do not move firewood; obtain it at your destination to prevent pests.

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Nearby destinations

Explore destination

Subiaco

5 mi away

City
Explore destination

Paris

8 mi away

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9 mi away

Day trip

Last updated: October 23, 2026

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Explore Paris, AR

Population: 3,284

Nearby city: Fort Smith, AR

Approx. 47 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 404 ft

Best Season: Spring, Fall

Learn more about Paris

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