Best Camping Places In Arkansas
Hot springs, lots of fishing, bears, diamonds, and more await you in Arkansas, which is the perfect go-between the Midwest and the Deep South. This oft-overlooked natural treasure of a state is all about the ruggedly gorgeous Ouachita and Ozark Mountains, dark green, leafy valleys, and gushing rivers. Add to those moderate temperatures a boatload of activities, which includes diamond hunting, by the way, and you can see why camping is so popular here. The best camping places in Arkansas, a.k.a. the Natural State, includes sites and nooks in the best state parks, right in the middle of lush forests. But, what sets Arkansas campgrounds apart are the unique splendor of diamond deposits, waterfalls, and crystalline lakes. Since you can go camping throughout the year, activities such as fishing, horse-riding, ATV riding, rock climbing, hand gliding, and more can also be enjoyed throughout the year!
With the Mississippi River, one of the Worlds Longest Rivers bordering it to the east, and lush forests such as the Ozarks to the north, Arkansas surely is a gem waiting to be discovered. So, pack those Must-Have Camping Accessories and head off to these 11 best camping places and sites in Arkansas.
Dagmar Wma Dispersed #4
GPS: 34.866201, -91.319105
About the Campsite: Dagmar Wildlife Management Area is another WMA not far from the County Road 122 campsite above. This camping spot is on a river and has loads of wildlife running through it.
The campsites are large enough for big rigs, and theyre on a loop, so turning around isnt necessary. But even so, there are no amenities at Dagmar WMA.
Reported Cell Service: Cell service is reported as decent for Verizon.
Arkansas Free Camping Vibes: 7.5/10. A river and abundant wildlife make this a dream location.
Disclosure: Opinions Camping Practices And Experiences Expressed With Articles Posted Here Or Otherwise Via User
Ready to hit the great outdoors? The Ozarks are calling your name. But planning a trip can get expensive, and you donât want your fun to break the bank. Luckily, this region has plenty of cheap and free campgrounds to enjoy. If that sounds like your cup of tea, check out my favorite spots for all the adventure you crave at a fraction of the price.
The top 5 budget-friendly campgrounds in the Ozarks are:
Of course, thereâs more to planning your trip than just knowing about a campsite. You want to come in fully prepared for your Ozark adventure. Read on to discover more about logistics, amenities, and fun things to do around each of my favorite sites. Plus, get some insider tips on how to make your visit one for the history books!
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Buffalo National River Park Lost Valley Lodging
- Address: State Road 43 at State Road 74, Ponca, AR 72670
If youd love to get outdoors but arent able to tent camp or dont have an RV, Cabin Camping can be ideal. The Lost Valley Lodging Campground offers private cabins along the Buffalo National River.
This park is part of the Ozark National Forest, a hikers haven loaded with amazing views.
No matter where you stay in the Buffalo National River Park, youll find access to cool water to soak your feet, a beautiful trail with great views, and the reward of a breathtaking vista at the summit. You can travel light and still love camping!
St Francis National Forest
The St. Francis National Forest is located in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. It covers 22,600 acres and has a diverse natural environment that includes hardwood and pine forests, wetlands, rocky ridges, and beautiful clear-water streams. The St. Francis National Forest provides a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities such as camping, picnicking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, and hiking.
There are five campgrounds in the area, and they are open year-round. Some of the campgrounds have electricity, water, restrooms, showers, and picnic tables. The campsites can be reserved by calling the office. There are many trails to hike, and several short trails to bicycle. The main trail to hike is the St. Francis Trail which begins at Long Pool and goes through pine and hardwood forests.
To know more about facilities and other things, please .
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Why Youll Love Red Oak Resort & Rv Park
Red Oak Resort & RV Park is a full-service park with a long list of activities and outdoor recreation opportunities. It hosts the biggest and best fishing tournaments on Lake of the Ozarks. In addition, the RV park is located close to local attractions and shopping. Local destinations include Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Osage Beach Premium Outlet Mall, and Big Surf Water Park.
Jfk Campground And Recreation Area
JFK Campground and Recreation Area is a beautiful place for tent camping near water in Arkansas.
This campground offers 68 sites with electrical hookups, 44 of which also have water hookups. Additional amenities include flush toilets, showers, a dump station, picnic shelter and a boat ramp.-source
JFK Park lies along the Little Red River which is a tailwater of the Greers Ferry Dam. The Little Red River is one of the BEST trout fishing rivers in Arkansas.
While youre there, you can walk over to the Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery and see thousands of trout right in front of you!
Also, Collins Creek Trail and Cascade is within walking distance of JFK Campground which makes this campground a perfect place for tent camping in Arkansas with hiking and waterfalls!
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Shorewood Landing Rv Park
Located less than five miles from the Bagnell Dam via boat or motor vehicle, Shorewood Landing is a waterfront RV park that provides secluded surroundings. Situated at the end of the no-wake Jobson Hollow Cove, Shorewood Landing caters towards RV users and overnight stays with more than 60 full-electric sites and deluxe lakeside cabins.
Laundry and shower facilities are available to overnight guests at Shorewood Landing RV Park. Several playground areas and an in-ground swimming pool are also available. Adjacent to the resort and lining the cove, boat rentals and sandy beaches are nearby, as well as amenities like restaurants, marinas, and year-round fishing supplies.
Address: 73 Unicorn Road, Eldon, Missouri
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County Road 122 Dispersed Camping
GPS: 34.836070, -91.548856
About the Campsite: This dispersed free camping area is along a county road in the Mike Freeze Wattensaw Wildlife Management Area near Hazen, Arkansas.
County Road 122 camping is primarily used as a hunting area. It has many well-marked campsites. However, there are no hookups or amenities here.
Reported Cell Service: Cell signal has been reported as decent on all major cell phone carriers.
Arkansas Free Camping Vibes: 7/10. This is a good site for an overnight stop, and nearby Little Rock provides excellent options for supplies.
Dispersed Guide To Ozark National Forest Camping
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A dispersed camper’s guide to Ozark National Forest camping in Arkansas. Where to find free camping, things to do, places to see, and more!
It’s really no secret that my family and I love to get away to a quiet camping spot away from all civilization and people and noise. Sometimes we go farther away, and sometimes we stick closer to home here in the Natural State.
For the longest time we didn’t really know where to go camping in Arkansas. We were stuck in a rut when it came to finding good campsites that weren’t in a campground.
However, we put some of our free camping skills to the test as we started digging for more info. And let me tell you, there are plenty of places to choose from, including one of our favorites, the Ozark National Forest.
Now you may be looking for a campground. And if you are, The Dyrt has all the dirt on where to find good campgrounds in the Ozark National Forest.
But we’re going to focus more on dispersed camping, where to find campsites, getting the most out of your rugged camp experience, what National Forests offer, and what all you can do when visiting this magical, beautiful area of our home state.
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Arkansas Campgrounds For First
Hey newbies! I see you! I noticed you trying to back your RV up into that perfect campsite for the first time. It took you an hour but you finally got it!
Honestly though, I read about this couple who spent two hours trying to back up their 5th wheel camper the first time. Hey, it can happen to the best of us.
If youre new to camping, Arkansas has you covered. Many first-time campers are looking for a campground with hook-ups and places to play. Any campground you choose will be wonderful but I have 9 in mind that are great places to start.
Youll find them here: BEST Arkansas Campgrounds for First-Time Campers
Cossatot Reefs In Southwest Arkansas
Cossatot Reefs Campground sits along the lush banks of Gillham Lake in southwest Arkansas. Nicknamed the Bright Spot on the Cossatot, Gillham Lake is a recreational oasis for outdoor enthusiasts.-source
Cossatot Reefs campground is a beautiful shady place to pitch a tent along Gillham Lake. You will find 31 shady campsites, hot showers, drinking water and flush toilets.
This small campground is a nice, quiet place to relax, build a campfire and enjoy the view of the lake.
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Hercules Tower Trailhead Campground
Snag a peacefully wooded campsite at Hercules Tower Trailhead
Price: Free | Open: Year-Round | Campsites: 5 Total
It wouldnât be a trip to the Ozarks without a foray through the in southern Missouri. Encompassing over 1.5 million acres of pristine natural paradise, exploring the Mark Twain will take some time. But luckily, you can experience all the highlights of this fantastic forest as you camp out at the Hercules Tower Trailhead.
How To Find National Forest Campsites:
Unless there is a sign stating otherwise or it’s a wildlife food plot, you can find some of the best camping in Arkansas just about anywhere in the Ozark National Forest.
- Look for light green areas on your map. You can find them in Google Maps or in any road trip atlas or adventure atlas.
- Use Google Earth to get a satellite view and find pull-offs or clearings, both being pretty good indicators that there are campsites in the area youre searching.
- Driving just about any Forest Service road will lead to all sorts of places you can camp for free. Look for spots alongside the road, or look for sites that are tucked back into the forest more. You may even be able to backpack in to a site if that is your preference.
- Always look for a fire ring and an already established site. Never create your own site.
- Locating and stopping at a ranger station enables you to get all the information you need, as well as more detailed maps and Motor Vehicle Use Maps of the area, which you can also find on the Gaia GPS app. Plus, you can get all of your questions answered and become aware of any problems/issues theyre experiencing at the time
- We have a favorite YouTuber here in Arkansas, Dispersed Camper Man. He shares all the different places he likes to camp and explore here in the Natural State. You’ll likely learn of quite a few new places if you give him a watch.
Here is a . You may also find this Arkansas Atlas with Detailed Topographic Maps helpful.
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Cross Creek Rv Park & Campground
Just north of the main body of Lake of the Ozarks in the city of Eldon, Cross Creek RV Park provides perhaps the most family friendly campground around. Alongside RV spots and tent sites, Cross Creek features amenities like a mini golf course, well-maintained pool, and tree house cabins.
Under four miles from the Bagnell Dam, the campground’s location away from the usual traffic of Lake of the Ozarks offers a more peaceful setting to get away. RV sites at the campground are full hookup, and several are on the shore of an eight-acre fishing lake. Monthly rates are available.
Tent camping is also available at Cross Creek, and the campground features unique “Survivor Island” campsites and requires a bridge to access. Five cabins are available at Cross Creek, including the unique Sycamore Tree House.
Address: 35 Gilliam Road, Eldon, Missouri
Best Camping In The Ozarks Reviews
Choosing the appropriate camping in the ozarks can be tough. However, if you consider these factors, your job will be easier.
- Product Quality: A product that you won’t have to buy again or that will last you a long time is an important consideration, especially when it comes to the camping in the ozarks. Nobody would want a low-quality or easily worn-out object. They are even willing to spend a somewhat greater price for a good product.
- Ease of Use- A vital trait of any replace_keyword] is its ease of use, so most item did well in this metric. How easily can you use your product?
- Ergonomics Ergonomics was a much simpler metric for these products. We split it into three aspects: comfort, aesthetics, and profile design. Most of our listed products are decently comfortable, and we think it is one of the group’s sleeker and more stylish designs.
- Comfort Comfort is the other primary factor we took into consideration when evaluating camping in the ozarks. After all, the more comfortable a camping in the ozarks is, the less likely you will dislike it. We pay attention to softness, shape, and size.
- Value is always important, but the range for camping in the ozarks is relatively narrow. We feel that the #1 model offers a great value for most people and that the #2 is great for advanced users.
#1 Best Overall camping in the ozarks:
After considering the above, we nominated this model as our Top Pick.
See the details features here:
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Woolly Hollow State Park
This state park, around 45 minutes from Little Rock, has 30 updated AAA 50 Amp sites and 10 waterfront tent sites. The new Enders Fault hiking and biking trail will keep campers busy during the day as will a walk around the lake on the scenic Huckleberry trail. Also of note, Lake Bennett was named the best swimming spot in Arkansas by the Weather Channel last year. The park is located at 82 Woolly Hollow Road in Greenbrier.
Denton Ferry Rv Park & Luxury Cabin Rental
- Address: 740 Denton Ferry Rd, Cotter, AR 72626
Set in a riverside meadow in the Ozark Mountains, Denton Ferry RV Park & Luxury Cabins is a place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the White River while just passing through or visiting the area.
The park offers 17 riverfront sites and 27 in-land pull-thru sites. All sites have a grassy lawn space, while some of them have their own fire pit access. There is also a community fire pit for all the guests to enjoy. For a bit more comfort, you can rent the two-bedroom vacation cabin right on the banks of the White River.
Amenities include modern shower facilities, a hospitality room, games, dining areas, as well as a library.
This campground is a great choice for those who would like to spend time in a quiet setting with the option of hiking, biking, and fishing.
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Best Campgrounds Near Harrison Arkansas
There are over 10 campgrounds near Harrison Arkansas that are near the Buffalo River, Table Rock Lake, or Bull Shoals Lake.
If youre near Harrison, Arkansas and looking for a nearby place to camp on the water, youre going to love these options.
Most of these campgrounds are just 30-40 minutes from Harrison.
Read all about it here: Best Places to Camp Near Harrison Arkansas
Bennett Spring State Park
Located in a valley surrounded by tall oak hickory trees, Bennett Spring makes the perfect spot for fishers looking to stay a few nights catching trout. Five different campgrounds in the park provide the perfect place to camp near the water, enjoy campfires at night and fish and canoe during the day. Rainbow trout appear daily in the spring, which leaves plenty of opportunities for those wanting to get a good catch. Between fishing trips, the park offers canoes, rafts and kayaks for rent on an individual basis. Bundle up and enjoy the amenities that spring in southwest Missouri provides.
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