Lake Sylvia Recreation Area

Lake Sylvia is a beautiful little lake. The Recreation area has three sections- campground, day use/rec area and cabins. The cabins are in the section that once was a girl scout camp, Camp Ouchita, and features the always incredible CCC/Works Project cabins and main hall. The cabins have been beautifully restored and upgraded to add bathrooms (always a plus!) though they are quite small having been screened camper cabins back in the day, so best suited for two. There is just one cabin that can accommodate up to 6.  It is important to note that the cabins are walk-in with some having a rather steep incline so not easily accessible for mobility challenged or disabled (there is a nice paved path just has some hills and a few cabins steeper access).  The campground offers something for everyone- tent campers and some lovely rv/camper spots. the day use area has a fishing dock and play grounds. The cabin area also has a group hall that can be reserved so Lake Sylvia would make a wonderful place for larger gatherings with camps or cabins to fit most needs. We have a member of our family with mobility issues and the fact that the cabins are bit of a walk in and there was one of the steeper inclines to our cabin (that we were not forewarned of despite having telephoned to ask about such things) posed a challenge for us.  But as long as that is not an issue for you or a member of your group this is a wonderful spot.And if it is a consideration for you it will still works as long as you are informed of which cabins or campsites are more or less accessible when making your reservation.  Our cabin had a lovely view of the lake. We will definitely return and either bring our camper or just be careful of which cabin to get (or not get!). The larger Cabin 1 is accessible with a ramp and cabin 4 is also a bit easier to access, though no ramp. Keep in mind the cabins are rustic and you must bring everything including bedding, cookware, coffee pots etc. so you must be able to bring those things into the walk in area of the cabins.

Lake Sylvia recreation area offers a lot of fun and relaxation within an easy drive from Little Rock. We ate dinner in town at Izzy's on Highway 10, and got to the campground with enough time to set up before dark.

The primitive camping loop is especially attractive and not a single soul was utilizing it last weekend. Even those tent camping seemed to want access to the electrical outlets on the main loop. Or possibly the hot showers: the primitive sites have their own bathroom with lights and plumbing but the showers are not heated except in the main bathhouse among the hookups sites. The sites in the primitive loop are $5/night lower than the sites with water and electric.

The main camping loop is nice for small to medium campers. No Class A rigs here. Nobody claimed the campsite on either side, affording us plenty of privacy, and just a short walk to the bathhouse. We enjoyed the hiking trails around the lake, and hiking a short way up to the Ouachita Trail.

The swim beach is a great spot that is used as a day area. There are also fishing spots down the bank. The rules say that dogs are not permitted at the day use area, but we saw a couple of dogs with their owners and the ranger who drove by either didn’t notice or didn’t enforce it, I guess. Which isn’t a big deal, except that I wish they’d either enforce it or change the rules to match the practice. If it’s permitted I’d have brought my own dog to join in the fun instead of leaving it behind.

Several paces up a trail from the campground is a small amphitheater with a wooden stage. It looked like an awesome place to set up a portable projector for a movie night.

If this campground were open year round, I would give it five stars - with access to good hiking here (including the Ouachita Trail), it is a shame that the campground is closed in late fall and early spring. Its website even states that the best time to visit is Fall-Spring. Still a wonderful place to try; just make sure you check that it's open before you go.