Life Outdoors Magazine (Jan/Feb 2020)

Best Winter
Camping Locations
ARKANSAS
the spirit and soul. Of course, that’s not to say you won’t experience any
majestic wildlife sightings during your stay! The ever-growing herd of Rocky
Mountain elk is often spotted grazing the fields south of Ponca, along AR
HWY 43. Whatever style of camping you prefer, BOC has it all! Cabin rentals
in all sizes, the RiverWind Lodge for larger groups, an RV campground
featuring 14 pull-thru sites on the eastern Ozark Mountain ridge above the
river, and of course, tent campgrounds. https://www.buffaloriver.com
OKLAHOMA
riding area to explore, Dinosaur Valley is the perfect place to jump back in
time and discover the history behind the land the huge creatures once made
their home. Take a guided park tour or download a GPS map to find dinosaur
tracks throughout the park. Seeing the size of Dino steps not enough
to blow your mind? Dinosaur Valley’s got you covered to put the “OH!” in
Dinosaur with life-size, fully to scale models of both, the Tyrannosaurus Rex
and the Brontosaurus. A gift from Sinclair Dinoland oil company, the two
spectacular statues that were once exhibited at the New York World’s Fair
from 1964-1965, have since called this magical place home. Tent camp or
park your RV with the dinosaurs for a night and explore the land of the lost.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley
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(1) Devil’s Den State Park
It might be a cold winter wonderland, but getting “trapped” in a beautiful
historic cabin, surrounded by wonderful winter wildlife, may be just the key
to escaping the wild civilized world. Site-seeing at its best, a cozy cabin
nestled in the heart of the wild, and a beautiful fire to warm up by at night.
What more could winter cabin campers and explorers ask for! Find out more
on how to book your winter wonderland at www.ArkansasStateParks.com
(2) Hot Springs National Park
Natural hot springs running through the park averaging 143 scorching
degrees Fahrenheit, wouldn’t necessarily be your first choice of ways to
warm up while camping in the winter. Still, the world-famous bathhouses
in downtown Hot Springs tend to be a favorite of those choosing to lay
their head in nature during the winter months. Only a few minutes from
downtown, the Hot Springs National Park KOA has been deemed a little
slice of heaven, serving up the best breakfast in the area! Check out the
coolest little campground in Hot Springs at https://koa.com/campgrounds/
hot-springs-national-park/
(3) Buffalo Outdoor Center
Experience the stunning “Season of Stillness” in the Upper Buffalo River
Country, located in Ponca, Arkansas. According to the BOC Blog, visitors
and staff say that the winter wilderness here brings a healing hush to
(4) Beavers Bend State Park
Explore the mountainous region of southeast Oklahoma along the shores of
Broken Bow Lake and the beautiful Mountain Fork River. Offering an array
of winter activities, lavishly stocked trout streams, and spectacular views,
you’re likely to never run out of outdoor activities in these parts! Beavers
Bend offers a variety of places to warm up and lay your head after a long
day exploring the wild. Campgrounds, RV campsites, a Lakeview Lodge, and
a multitude of both rustic and modern cabins for rent, Beavers Bend has
all the options available to suit your camping style! https://www.travelok.
com/state-parks/422
(5) Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Home to both mineral and freshwater springs, Oklahoma’s oldest national
park gives any outdoor enthusiast a plethora of options for activities all year
long. With six public campgrounds, RV and tent campers have a variety of
year-round options to set up camp while they make the most of exploring
nature. https://www.nps.gov/chic/index.htm
TEXAS
(6) Caddo Lake State Park
This East Texas Treasure shines bright with natural, historic beauty. Home
of the largest natural lake in Texas, Caddo Lake State Park has over 70
species of fish, 46 campsites for tent and RV campers, screened shelters,
and a variety of historic 2-6 person cabins for rent. The Caddo is a popular
location for hiking, geocaching, and exploring by canoe or kayak through
the bald cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. Being a Texas Aquatic Science
Certified Field Site, the park also offers educational programs year-round
like the Junior Ranger Program. Fun for the family, photo op’s for days, and
history learned best through the eyes of the beholder. https://tpwd.texas.
gov/state-parks/caddo-lake
(7) Dinosaur Valley State Park
Camp out under the stars where dinosaurs roamed in the “Dinosaur Capital
of Texas”! With 20 miles of hiking trails and 100-acres of beautiful horseback
(8) McKinney Falls State Park
Hill Country at it’s finest! The Rugged Beauty of McKinney Falls State Park
is a remarkable location where you can explore the remains of an early
Texas homestead, an old rock shelter, climb boulders, camp, bike, and hike!
Located just 13 miles from Austin, McKinney Falls offers 81 campsites, 6
newly remodeled cabins, and even a primitive youth camping area for use
by nonprofit sponsored youth groups. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/
mckinney-falls
Louisiana
(9) Jimmie Davis State Park
A prime freshwater fishing spot, Jimmy Davis State Park, located on a
peninsula on Caney Lake, has everything to offer the avid angler. Surrounded
by a beautiful mixed pine and hardwood forest, this park is a great place to
explore the lake and land in the hills of North Louisiana. Offering 9 Premium
Campsites, 64 Improved Campsites, 17 Deluxe Cabins, and 2 Deluxe
Lodges, this park has the accommodations to meet any camper’s style and
the activities to fit any adventurers fancy! https://www.crt.state.la.us/
louisiana-state-parks/parks/jimmie-davis-state-park/index
(10) North Toledo Bend State Park
One of the country’s largest human-made reservoirs, North Toledo Bend
State Park offers more than 900 acres for hiking, camping, and kicking up
your feet in the heart of nature. Toledo Bend Reservoir is a highly favored
location for avid anglers. Plentifully stocked with largemouth, white,
and striped bass, crappie, and catfish, this park is the home of fishing at
its finest. With 8 Premium Campsites, 55 Improved Campsites, 10 Deluxe
Cabins, a Group Camp, and boat rentals, this is just the tip of the iceberg
when it comes to the pleasant land that is North Toledo Bend. https://www.
crt.state.la.us/louisiana-state-parks/parks/north-toledo-bend-state-park/
index
SINCE
9956 WEST 7TH STREET
TEXARKANA, TX
1967
(903) 838-5486
www.SHADYPINESRV.com
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