Forced to replan July trip. Help! Arkansas.

alesis wrote:
Are the places you suggested in the mountains? I think we'd love to spend some more time in the mountains. And a little elevation may allow some temperature relief.

The 'mountains' are not that high. The highest point in Arkansas is Mt Magazine - and it is only 2,753 ft. And it's very near the Arkansas River valley - which means a lot of humidity. It takes a couple thousand more feet to impact temps much.

I've camped all across Arkansas in my youth - and from Mt Magazine to the lowlands - the temps don't vary by 5 degrees.

The best thing about the mountain top campgrounds like Mt Magazine, Mt Nebo, Petit Jean, Queen Wilhelmina - is that you might catch a breeze. Usually the lakes offer a breeze, and water to cool off with a quick swim.

alesis wrote:
Also, I read there are 2 mountains regions in Arkansas. Pros and cons for each?

Both the Ozarks and Ouachitas are very old mountain ranges. Among the oldest on the continent - and very similar in profile.

Full service campgrounds tend to be clustered around population centers with forest Service CG scattered through both. The primary camping focus is near streams and small lakes.

I have camped at Albert Pike many times over the past 60 years - but after the 2010 disaster - camping is no longer allowed.

Since those campgrounds are located in the bottom of valley's, they don't offer much relief from the heat/ humidity.

Arkansas is a Corps of Engineers camping state. There are 55 COE campgrounds with 50 amp power in Arkansas for a total of 1,399 50 Amp sites - and at least that many 30 Amp sites.

Only Texas has more COE camping sites among the 50 states. (My research on Recreation.gov.)

Lake camping is better in hot weather in my opinion - because there is almost always an evening breeze, and the water is always available for a swim.