The 23 Best Camping Sites in Arkansas

Arkansas, affectionately known as the "Natural State," is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, and camping stands out as one of the most rewarding ways to experience its splendor. The state’s diverse landscape, adorned with shimmering lakes, meandering rivers, lush national and state parks, and sprawling forests, creates an idyllic setting for campers of all kinds. The moderate climate of Arkansas extends the camping season, allowing adventurers to immerse themselves in nature almost year-round.

Beyond the familiar comforts of a campfire, grilled burgers, and captivating ghost stories, The 23 Best Camping Sites in Arkansas offer unique and unforgettable experiences. Imagine camping near crystalline lakes, observing the natural habitats of majestic bears and bald eagles, and marveling at the picturesque beauty of waterfalls, towering cliffs, dramatic bluffs, and even the chance to discover your own diamonds.

Arkansas’s camping scene is complemented by an array of sporting opportunities, catering to a wide range of interests. From the adrenaline rush of hang gliding and rock climbing to the thrill of ATV riding, the tranquility of golfing, and the charm of horseback riding, there’s something for everyone. Championship-worthy fishing awaits those seeking a rewarding angling experience, and the unique adventure of diamond hunting provides a chance to strike it rich in the heart of the "Natural State."

To ensure a seamless camping experience, it’s advisable to make reservations at most Arkansas campsites before your visit. Let’s embark on a journey to explore The 23 Best Camping Sites in Arkansas, each offering its own distinct charm and appeal.

1. Petit Jean State Park

   Nestled amidst the ancient geology and natural beauty of the legendary Petit Jean Mountain, Petit Jean State Park holds the distinction of being Arkansas’s first state park. Situated approximately 90 minutes from Little Rock, this park offers a diverse range of camping options.

   With 125 individual campsites, including 26 convenient pull-thru sites equipped with water and electrical hookups, and four shared bathhouses, Petit Jean caters to various camping preferences. For larger groups, extensive group facilities are available. Families without their own camping gear can conveniently rent equipment on-site.

   Petit Jean State Park is a haven for families, boasting numerous picnic areas with tables and grills for enjoyable outdoor meals. Fishing enthusiasts can cast their lines, while a swimming pool provides a refreshing escape. Playgrounds and tennis courts offer recreational opportunities, and paddle boat rentals allow visitors to explore the park’s serene waters. The park’s extensive network of hiking trails caters to all ages and fitness levels, promising memorable outdoor adventures.

2. Lake Ouachita State Park

   Spanning a vast expanse, Lake Ouachita State Park encompasses over 1,000 campsites and more than 200 islands, offering a truly immersive camping experience. Denby Point, a particularly appealing camping spot, features 67 sites, 58 of which provide electric hookups.

   Located on the southern side of Lake Ouachita, Denby Point is renowned for its exceptional fishing opportunities, with bream, crappie, catfish, stripers, and largemouth bass teeming in the waters. The point also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding wildlife, making it a nature lover’s paradise.

   With over 600 miles of shoreline, Lake Ouachita provides ample space for a wide array of water sports. Whether you’re interested in swimming, boating, water skiing, or simply relaxing by the water’s edge, Lake Ouachita has something for everyone.

3. DeGray Lake Resort State Park

   Distinguished as Arkansas’s only resort state park, DeGray Lake Resort State Park is located near Bismarck, nestled in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains along the north shore of the expansive 13,800-acre DeGray Lake. The park features 113 campsites, all equipped with water and electric hookups.

   Campers can choose from campsites located along the lake shore or nestled within the surrounding woods. For a unique camping experience, yurts, permanent tent-like structures with electricity and essential amenities, are available for rent.

   DeGray Lake is a haven for fishing and water sports enthusiasts. The park also boasts a golf resort with an 18-hole championship golf course. The area is rich in birdlife and wildlife, all of which are protected within the park’s boundaries.

   To further enhance the visitor experience, DeGray Lake Resort State Park offers hiking and biking trails, a full-service marina, and guided tours.

4. Mount Magazine State Park

   Ascending to 2,753 feet above sea level, Mount Magazine reigns as the highest point in Arkansas. Mount Magazine State Park offers breathtaking views, challenging hikes, and even opportunities for hang gliding.

   The park is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, with abundant opportunities for wildlife watching. Mount Magazine is home to one of the densest black bear populations in Arkansas, making it a prime location for bear sightings.

   Located approximately two hours from Little Rock in Paris, Mount Magazine State Park boasts a variety of amenities, including hiking and biking trails, scenic overlooks, ATV adventuring, rock climbing, rappelling, and horseback riding. A pavilion, picnic area, and visitor’s center are also available for visitor convenience.

5. Buffalo National River Park

   As part of the National Park Service, Buffalo National River Park protects a pristine stretch of the Buffalo River, a 135-mile waterway winding through the southern Ozarks. The park offers 14 campsites, ranging from primitive sites to those with electrical hookups.

   Float trips are a popular activity on the Buffalo River. Visitors can rent float equipment along the river, as well as enjoy fishing, hiking, swimming, and wildlife watching.

   The Lost Valley campsite, nestled between Boxley and Ponca, is a favorite among campers for its stunning views. Trails lead past waterfalls, cascading creeks, cliffs, a bluff shelter, a natural bridge, and diverse flora and fauna. The trail culminates at a cave, offering a rewarding hiking experience. The area is also known for its elk sightings.

6. Lake Sylvia Recreational Area

   Highly recommended for families and scout groups, Lake Sylvia Recreational Area provides a serene setting for barbecuing, swimming, fishing, and hiking. While the views may not be as dramatic and motorboats are prohibited on the lake, its proximity to Little Rock in Perryville makes it an ideal day trip destination.

   For experienced backpackers, Lake Sylvia serves as a convenient starting point for exploring the Ouachita trails.

7. Charlton Recreation Area

   Nestled within the Ouachita National Forest in Hot Springs, Charlton Recreation Area is widely regarded as one of Arkansas’s best campsites. The area features 57 sites, including 10 with electricity, water, and sewer services; 20 with electricity and water; and 27 without utilities.

   Charlton offers crystal-clear waters for swimming, picnic areas, and fishing. A native stone dam creates a swimming area with a grassy beach.

   Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity of the campsites to the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail and the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. Bikers can explore the highly regarded Womble Trail nearby.

8. Greers Ferry Lake

   Less than two hours from Little Rock, the Greers Ferry Lake recreation area is renowned for its pristine shoreline and deep, crystal-clear waters. The 13 parks that comprise the Greers Ferry Lake area offer over 1,000 campsites.

   Camping and hiking facilities are available, and the lake’s deep, clean waters are perfect for boating, water skiing, and scuba diving. Sailing and other water sports can also be enjoyed on the lake’s vast expanses.

   The Greers Ferry Dam spans the Little Red River north of Heber Springs. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission stocks the lake with native fish, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates a trout hatchery below the dam.

   Choctaw is a popular campsite for families, overlooking the lake and offering two boat ramps, a swimming area, and 30 picnic sites/grills. The Sugarloaf Mountain recreation area boasts some of the most stunning views in the area.

9. Maumelle Park

   As the only public campground in Little Rock, Maumelle Park offers a convenient and affordable camping experience. The park features a fishing pier, playground, showers, flush toilets, 128 reservable camping spaces with water and electricity, a boat ramp, and a day-use picnic area.

   Maumelle Park’s proximity to Little Rock makes it an excellent choice for families from the city seeking a quick and budget-friendly getaway.

10. The Ozark National Forest

    Spanning 1.2 million acres, the Ozark National Forest encompasses a vast expanse of the Ozark Mountains in northern Arkansas. The forest is home to Mount Magazine, the state’s tallest mountain, and the incredible Blanchard Springs Caverns, a living underground cave.

    The U.S. Forest Service has developed campgrounds at Gunner Pool, Barkshed, and Blanchard Springs, blending into the rugged mountain terrain and preserving the lush forest atmosphere.

    The North Sylamore Trail and Blanchard Springs Caverns are among the area’s biggest attractions. Campsites are available in the Blanchard Springs area, including the unique Moccasin Gap Horse Camp, providing well water and hitching posts for horses.

11. St. Francis National Forest

    Encompassing 22,600 acres in eastern Arkansas, the St. Francis National Forest is one of the smallest and most diverse forests in the country. The Long Pool recreation area, adjacent to Big Piney Creek, offers camping, picnicking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, and hiking opportunities.

    Several campsites overlook the large natural pool of Big Piney Creek. Scenic hiking opportunities abound in the area. The campground is situated in a mature pine forest, with some sites in a hardwood forest. Picnic sites, a picnic pavilion, a canoe launch site, and a change shelter are available.

    Haw Creek Falls, another popular site near Big Piney Creek, features waterfalls, bluffs, and a mature hardwood forest. The site lacks electrical hookups, water, and many amenities, offering a more primitive camping experience.

12. Millwood Lake State Park

    Millwood Lake State Park features a 29,000-acre lake with submerged timber and a shallow average depth, creating an ideal habitat for mayflies and abundant fish populations. Millwood Lake is renowned for its exceptional largemouth and white bass fishing.

    Located almost three hours from Little Rock, the lake also boasts a popular birdwatching area, known for its eagle sightings.

    The Saratoga and White Cliffs recreation areas are popular campsites near the lake. Saratoga is a wooded area with a playground, rock fishing pier, and boat ramp. White Cliffs, situated on the east bank of the Little River, is a favorite among anglers.

13. Devil’s Den State Park

    Despite its spooky name, Devil’s Den State Park offers some of the most stunning views in Arkansas. Nestled in a valley in the Ozark Mountains, the park is renowned for its natural beauty and lush oak-hickory forest.

    Devil’s Den is a haven for spelunkers, with numerous caverns and coves to explore. The park also features hiking trails, an eight-acre lake, and forests for exploration.

    The park offers 135 campsites, including Class AAA, B, C, and D sites, as well as hike-in tent-only sites. A horse camp provides 42 sites with water and electric hookups, a bathhouse, and access to horse trails. A group camp area is also available.

    A restaurant, store, and swimming pool are located within the park, and canoe and paddleboat rentals are available.

14. Richland Creek Recreation Area

    Located in Witts Springs, approximately 2.5 hours from Little Rock within the Ozark National Forest, Richland Creek Recreation Area offers picturesque views.

    Situated about 10 miles from paved roads, the area offers hiking, swimming, and a view of one of Arkansas’s most beautiful waterfalls. The water is crystal clear and perfect for wading, and the bathrooms are well-maintained.

15. Burns Park and Riverside Park

    Located in North Little Rock, Burns Park and Riverside Park offer small campsite areas. Burns Park, the largest urban municipal park in Arkansas at 1,700 acres, features two 18-hole disc golf courses, an 18-hole tournament golf course, and an 18-hole championship golf course.

    Other amenities include a dog park, baseball and softball complexes, a Bonzai BMX track, a soccer complex, a tennis center, playgrounds, and camping facilities. Visitors can explore a pre-Civil War log cabin, a covered bridge, a seasonal amusement park, an archery range, and trails with access to the Arkansas River Trail. Burns Park offers tent and RV camping, while Riverside Park is for RV camping only.

16. Hot Springs National Park and Gulpha Gorge Campground

    Hot Springs National Park, the oldest protected area in the National Park System, is renowned for its rare natural features. Visitors can enjoy therapeutic baths in the thermal hot springs, earning the area the informal title of "America’s Spa."

    The hot springs flow from the western slope of Hot Springs Mountain, part of the Ouachita Mountain range. Hot Springs National Park offers campsites at Gulpha Gorge Campground, each with a picnic table, pedestal grill, and nearby water source.

17. Little Pines Recreation Area

    Located in Waldron, approximately 2.5 hours from Little Rock, Little Pines Recreation Area offers fishing and picture-perfect scenery in the Ouachita National Forest. The area features picnic units, a swimming area with a beach, and a boat ramp.

    Little Pines Recreation Area offers a full-service modern campground with electricity, water, a trailer dump station, paved roads, a pavilion, hiking trails, a day-use area with a swimming beach, and boat docks.

    The recreation area is located on the banks of Lake Hinkle, a 1,000-acre lake managed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, offering abundant fishing opportunities for bass, crappie, bream, sunfish, and catfish. A boat ramp, fishing dock, toilet facilities, and ample parking are also available.

    While most facilities are free, there is a nominal fee for the day-use area and overnight camping.

18. Lake Greeson

    The 12-mile long Lake Greeson, located approximately two hours from Little Rock, is a popular camping spot. The crystal-clear lake is a favorite for fishing and water sports, including kayaking.

    Anglers can catch stripers, black bass, crappie, bream, catfish, white bass, and smallmouth bass. The deep lake is stocked with northern pike and walleye. The river above and below the lake is stocked with rainbow trout for winter and spring trout fishing.

19. Bull Shoals-White River State Park

    Located in north-central Arkansas, Bull Shoals-White River State Park showcases the natural beauty of the Ozark Mountains, stretching along the riverside and lakeshore where the White River and Bull Shoals Lake meet at the Bull Shoals Dam.

    Ideal for boaters and fishing enthusiasts, the White River is renowned for trout, including record-breaking rainbow and brown trout.

    Bull Shoals Dam forms Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas’s largest lake, encompassing 45,440 acres of water stretching along Arkansas’s northern border and into southern Missouri.

    The park features 113 campsites along the White River, along with picnic areas, pavilions, playgrounds, trails, and a boat dock with rentals and supplies.

20. Lake Dardanelle State Park

    Lake Dardanelle, a sprawling 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas River, is a premier bass fishing tournament site.

    Lake Dardanelle State Park offers 57 campsites with restrooms and bathhouses with hot water, as well as a visitor’s center, launch ramps, picnic tables, and pavilions.

21. Mount Nebo State Park

    Mount Nebo State Park, along with Mount Magazine, offers launch sites for hang gliding enthusiasts on days with favorable weather conditions.

    Fourteen miles of trails encircle Mount Nebo, leading visitors to awe-inspiring sunrise and sunset points.

    The 4.5-mile bench trail, a fairly level route along a natural terrace, encircles Mount Nebo, offering mountain biking enthusiasts a scenic ride through mixed hardwood and pine forests, passing historic springs and Fern Lake.

22. Queen Wilhelmina State Park

    Queen Wilhelmina State Park features 41 campsites, hiking trails, picnic areas, and a plant and wildlife center. The family-friendly state park boasts a "castle in the sky" resort gracing 2,681-foot Rich Mountain, Arkansas’s second-highest peak.

    Accessible year-round, Rich Mountain is a top destination for viewing the changing fall colors.

23. Crater of Diamonds State Park

    Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only diamond-producing volcanic "pipe" open to the public in North America. For a small fee, visitors can search for diamonds and keep all they find.

    Crater of Diamonds offers 47 Class AAA campsites, along with picnic sites, a cafe, restrooms, laundry facilities, a gift shop, and hiking trails.

This concludes our exploration of The 23 Best Camping Sites in Arkansas. Each location offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and create lasting memories in the heart of the "Natural State."