Cossatot Reefs

About

Cossatot Reefs Campground is located on the lush, wooded banks of Gillham Lake in Howard County, Arkansas. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the campground features 31 shaded campsites with water and 50-amp electric hookups, plus a group shelter. Hot showers, drinking water, and flush toilets provide comfortable amenities. Sites accommodate tents, RVs, trailers, fifth wheels, and camper vans, with some sites handling vehicles up to 67 feet. Gillham Lake spans 1,370 surface acres with 36 miles of shoreline, created by damming the Cossatot River. A boat ramp at the campground provides easy lake access for fishing and boating. Anglers can target smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, and various sunfish. Canoeists can paddle from below the dam to US Highway 71 South, roughly 16 miles. A short nature trail winds through a wooded section of the campground, displaying colorful redbud and dogwood blossoms in spring. The area is subject to potential flooding throughout the year, with water level warnings signaled by horn below the dam.

Directions

From De Queen, Arkansas, head north on US-59/US-71. Continue for nearly 10 miles and turn right at Gillham EZ-Mart. Turn right on Tower Road, go 1.3 miles, turn left onto Gillham Lake Road, go 4.3 miles, turn right and follow signs into the campground.