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Free Camping Near Hot Springs Arkansas

Sedona Az Loy Butte Road Camping

Catherine’s Landing RV Resort // Comprehensive Campground Review // Hot Springs, AR [EP 25]

Watch hot air balloons float across the red rock landscape as you wake up each morning at your campsite on Loy Butte Road in the Coconino National Forest outside of Sedona. Loy Butte Road offers dispersed camping along most of its length, just 15 minutes outside of Sedona. The spots can get busy on weekends and holidays, but usually there are plenty to choose from.

Just a short distance from the camp spots, there are great trailheads for hiking, biking, and visiting Indian ruins. You may be aware that Sedona has world-class mountain biking, and this camping provides easy access to several trail systems. Compare Sedona local bike rental prices and rent a bike online to explore the astounding red rock scenery on two wheels! Or explore more activities in this sacred town check out our recent Sedona blog article!

Loy Butte Road allows a maximum stay of 14 days, and also has no amenities. While the road is washboard, its in good condition and can be accessed easily by most vehicles.

Washington: Quinault Ridge Road Olympic National Forest

You cant disperse camp within Olympic National Park, but it is allowed in Olympic National Forest, not far from the entrance to the national park. Check out the roadside spots off Quinault Ridge Road, which is Forest Road 2258, just off Highway 101 north of the town of Aberdeen. These spots are scenic and quiet, and a handful can be found within the first mile of the road. If youre in an extra-large vehicle, you may find turning around challenging, so choose a site wisely or head to another zone, like Forest Road 29, near the town of Forks.

Is There Blm Land In Arkansas

Boondockers who have spent time out west are surely familiar with Bureau of Land Management lands. The BLM owns and maintains millions of acres of public lands, and much of it is open for free camping. Most of the acreage is in various western states, including Alaska. The BLM doesnt oversee any land in Arkansas.

The good news is that another federal agency, the U.S. Forest Service, does. Youll see that our list of the 10 best free camping spots in Arkansas includes lots of forest lands. The states wildlife management agency, the Game and Fish Commission, oversees some of the lands. So does the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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Camping Near You Find A Free Campsite

Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we’ve got you covered. You can simply use your smart phone’s GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.

Our community provides the best free camping information available. Free campgrounds can be hard to find. Freecampsites.net makes it easy. We give you a simple, map based search engine to find free and cheap camping areas. Community reviews and ratings provide you with up to date information and help you select the best camp site for your next camping trip.

This is a platform for sharing campgrounds and camp sites you have discovered. We are community driven, and while we will be adding many free camping spots, we hope that you will add some of your favorite camping places as well. By sharing camping information freely, we can all spend less time researching campgrounds, spend less money, and more time camping. If everyone contributes a few campsites, we’ll all have more places to go camping.

Please come back and let us know what you find!

We are not actively seeking Wal-Marts, truckstops or other parking lots and will not be adding very many of these. There are enough Wal-Mart and truck stop directories out there already. However, if a member of the community finds one of these locations to be useful for overnight RV parking and creates an entry, we may approve the listing.

Please come back and let us know what you find!

Free Camping At Army Corps Of Engineers Sites In Arkansas

Catherine

In the southwestern corner of the state, near Lake Greeson, the Army Corp of Engineers has provided five free camping areas to those interested in aquatic endeavors and outdoor life. Unlike most COE campgrounds, these spots don’t have water and electric immediately at your site , but they are completely free. Laurel Creek is just one example of a place you can find well-manicured, free camping in this area.

The sites mentioned above near Lake Ouachita are also technically COE sites, as well. River Ridge is yet another free set of campsites provided by the Army Corp of Engineers, along the Arkansas River. Further east, near I-55 and cozying up to the banks of Enid Lake, Long Branch is another option.

Beyond these areas, county parks and Walmart parking lots, casinos and Cracker Barrels provide free camping, any of which is easy to find with Campendium. There’s even a state parkHobbs State Park by namethat provides free camping, as long as you’re in a tent.

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Harvest Hosts Options Near Hot Springs National Park

If you camp more than a few nights a year in the USA, you need to sign up for Harvest Hosts. If you’re not familiar with the platform, it’s membership with an annual fee of $99 and allows you to camp and certain farms, breweries, wineries, museums, and more all around the country for free.

If you’re planning on camping in Hot Springs National Park, we definitely recommend checking out the Harvest Hosts in the area. The Hot Springs, Arkansas area has a coffee roasters and a lavender farm on the app, so check it out if you haven’t already!

Bear River Hot Springs Preston Idaho

Set in the town of Preston, ID, and formally known as the Riverdale Resort, Bear River Hot Springs is a geothermal pool destination with a lot to offer. This establishment welcomes day users and overnight guests with four pools and lodging options. The resort is open year-round and has several other amenities like a picnic

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Texas: Grapevine Hills Big Bend National Park

This spot isnt technically freeits within Big Bend National Park and youll need a $10 backcountry permit to camp overnight here. But the five scenic sites along the gravel Grapeville Hills Road, just west of Panther Junction, offer quiet solace, views of the Chisos Mountains, and first-come, first-served primitive camping along a rugged backcountry road. There are no amenities or services here and youll need a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle, so plan accordingly.

Dagmar Wma Dispersed #4

Free Camping ~ Falling Water Falls in Arkansas ~ Top 10 Swimming Holes

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.

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Florida: East Tower Hunt Camp Osceola National Forest

Though East Tower Hunt Camp is popular with small-game hunters, everyone is welcome here. And if you come outside of the fall hunting season, theres a good chance youll have this area mostly to yourself. This spacious plot of dirt in Osceola National Forest, nestled into a grove of trees covered with Spanish moss amid the swamplands of northern Florida, allows dispersed camping for up to 14 days and makes for a nice spot to enjoy time off the grid.

Free Campsites In Arkansas

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One of the greatest summer activities? Pitching a tent and losing yourself in nature for a few days. If you’re in the mood to slow down and explore all the wonders The Natural State has to offer , we’ve got you covered.

Here are six free campsites that make roughing it well worth it.

Buffalo River National Park

Drive time: 2 hours

If you’re not afraid of a little primitive camping, then the Buffalo River National Park is just the place. The area offers multiple campgrounds with access to bathrooms and running water for a fee, but folks are welcome to backcountry camp for free anywhere in the park as long as it’s not on a historic site or close to private property.

Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA

Drive time: 22 minutes

Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA is open year-round with 35 campsites. There’s no running water, toilets or electricity, but you’re less than 10 minutes from Bald Knob with access to many different types of eateries and small grocery stores. Don’t forget to bring your fishing pole.

Rock Creek Lake Greeson

Drive time: 2 hours

Rock Creek is another great campsite for fishers. It’s tucked away by a lake with plenty of access to wildlife. There are primitive pit toilets at this campground.

Falling Water Creek Campsite

Drive time: 2 hours

Sam’s Throne Recreation Area

Drive time: 2 hours and 10 minutes

Erbie Campground

Drive time: 2 hours and 42 minutes

Also Check: Free Camping In The Black Hills

Rv Camping Information You Can Use

The location map images for finding RV camping locations near Hot Springs Arkansas are derived from DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and used with their exclusive permission. These map images only display a very limited area. DeLormes Topo 6.0 covers the entire USA with highly detailed maps that can be zoomed in or out, moved, printed, and interfaced with GPS units. 3-D views, tracking and route planning, as well as map annotation ability are included. BLM administered lands are available free with registration of the program.

Alaska: Chena Hot Springs Road Chena River State Recreation Area

Catherine

Heres the thing about Alaska: its so big and has so much public land that the amount of dispersed camping you can do here is endless, which is why picking the single best spot feels a little silly. But theres a destination that wont disappoint: outside Fairbanks, there are three established campgrounds on Chena Hot Springs Road, but you can also drive down that road and look for campsites on any number of dirt pullouts and roads alongside the Chena River, within Chena River State Recreation Area. This is an excellent area to enjoy the northern lights, and Chena Hot Springs, a geothermal resort, is located nearby.

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Oklahoma: Black Kettle Campground Black Kettle National Grassland

Youll find a dozen free campsites, equipped with fire pits and picnic tables, at Black Kettle Campground, part of Black Kettle National Grassland, a 31,000-acre wilderness area on the Great Plains that stretches across western Oklahoma. This spot is about 30 miles north of Interstate 40, near the town of Cheyenne, so youll fall asleep to the sound of a hooting owl, versus a grinding freeway. From the campground, youll find two short hiking trails and a boat ramp into Dead Warrior Lake, which has three miles of shoreline.

Free Camping At Buffalo National River

America’s first national river, Buffalo National River is 153 miles of wild and scenic rushing water, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities along its run. Campers can find a free spot to set up their tent or small RV at Erbie Campground, which is a clearing in the forest situated just feet from the river itself. Further east, a handful of additional places suitable for smaller rigslike Grinder’s Ferry Gravel Barprovide additional options for camping within this national park.

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West Virginia: Lake Buffalo Monongahela National Forest

You cant swim in Lake Buffalo, but the serene 22-acre lake is stocked with trout by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resourcesmaking it a popular site with anglersand free, dispersed camping is allowed here. A handful of primitive sites are within walking distance of the lake. To get here, youll drive a few miles down a well-maintained Forest Service road, outside the town of Bartow.

Hawaii: Papalaua Wayside Park Maui

Ep. 162: Hot Springs National Park | Arkansas RV travel camping

In Hawaii, camping is allowed only in designated places and by permit. In other words, legal, free dispersed camping doesnt exist here, and for good reason: its a form of protection for the islands and their communities. The good news is that much of the camping at places like county-run campgrounds or on state or national parklands is both accessible and affordable. The county-owned Papalaua Wayside Park, on the west shore of Maui, has good snorkeling and is right off Honoapiilani Highway on the way to Lahaina. Camping fees start at $5 per person . Permits must be obtained from one of the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation district permit offices.

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Sams Throne Recreation Area

GPS: 35.879031, -93.045108

About the Campsite: Sams Throne recreation area is a small campground near a popular climbing and hiking spot in northwest Arkansas called Sams Throne. This campground has no amenities and isnt suitable for rigs much larger than a Class B RV. The road is a highway but with many hairpin turns that make it difficult or impossible for larger RVs.

Sams Throne climbing spot and hiking trails are beautiful and best explored in the late fall or early spring due to ticks and overgrowth.

Reported Cell Service: Theres no cell phone signal at Sams Throne.

Arkansas Free Camping Vibes: 8/10. Best for small rigs and tent campers and the view at the cliff is unbeatable.

South Carolina: Santee Coastal Reserve Reserve Wildlife Management Area Francis Marion National Forest

The 24,000-acre Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area was established by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in 1974, and today its a total gem for campers looking to get away. Within the marshy wildlife habitatwhich is home to sea turtles and songbirdssits a free primitive campground with eight designated sites and zero amenities , right on the coast of South Carolina, about an hour north of Charleston. There are several marked trails for hikers within the reserve.

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Free And Cheap Camping In Northwest Arkansas

Just like the Hot Springs Area, Northwest Arkansas also offers a good amount of free camping.

For some of the BEST free camping in Arkansas, head on over to the Lee Creek Dispersed Campsite in Chester, AR.

This is a free campsite that is open 365 days a year. There are about 10 campsites at this location with fire rings built by other campers.

Also in Northwest Arkansas is River Ridge on Ozark Lake. This is also a free camping area.

A favorite for many backcountry campers is Erbie Campground near Harrison, Arkansas. All campsites here are first-come/first-served. There is a vault toilet but you wont find electric hookups, running water, or a dump station here.

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The Best Free Campsites In All 50 States

Cabin Catherine

You dont need a reservation to pitch a tent at these free and dispersed camping areas on public land, from empty beaches to lush forests to hot springs. Go, enjoy, and pledge to leave the place in better shape than you found it.

Outside’s long reads email newsletter features our strongest writing, most ambitious reporting, and award-winning storytelling about the outdoors..

While everyone else is scrambling to get a coveted campsite in state and national parks across the country this summer, theres a whole bunch of public land thats open for you to enjoy. The federal government owns over a quarter of our nations landmassmore than 640 million acresand a good chunk of that is available for you to use and enjoy and, importantly, take care of.

Free camping in these spaces usually equates to dispersed camping, which means camping outside of designated campgrounds. You can pitch a tent or park your van overnight on grounds managed by the U.S. Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management , in places where dispersed camping is permitted. Weve included that style of camping here, whenever possible. In some states, weve highlighted free, primitive campgroundsdeveloped sites with minimal amenities that dont require reservations. And in the few cases of states with little to no free or dispersed camping, weve included remote, quiet campgrounds with fees of $25 a night or less.

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Where To Find Dump Stations And Propane Tank Refills Near Lava Hot Springs

Lava Hot Springs East KOA Holiday Located on the east end of town, this KOA has an RV dump station for $10.00. The station itself does not offer drinkable water. However, if you ask at the front office, they will let you pull into an open campsite and refill there. They also have propane tank refills.

Sinclair Fuel Station Located on the west side of town, along Highway 30, the Sinclair station has propane tank refills. There is no dump station. This place does, however, have RV fuel lanes.

Flying J Travel Center Located in McCammon, right where Highway 30 intersects with I-15, this truck stop has an RV dump station for $10.00. Unfortunately, the dump station does not have any water at all. They have spigots, but they dont pump water. However, they do have propane tank refills, and they have RV fuel lanes.

Soda Springs Dump Station Located about 22 miles east of Lava Hot Springs in the town of Soda Springs, is this city-owned RV dump with potable water. Best of all, its totally free. You can find in town at the corner of E 1st St. S and S 2nd E.

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