The Mansfield area sits at an elevation of approximately 700 feet, with RV parks situated in varied terrain from river valleys to wooded highlands. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity while winter nights can drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Fort Chaffee RV Military provides convenient access to fishing spots within minutes of the campsites. According to one camper, the park offers "FHU for $18" and notes that the "whole place was deserted" during non-drill weekends, providing a peaceful experience near the fishing pond.
Wine tasting: Several campgrounds near Mansfield position travelers on Arkansas' wine trail. Grape Country RV Park in Altus puts campers within walking distance of vineyards. One visitor mentioned, "This is a great place to stop. Not to far off of I-40 and has beautiful surroundings. It is on the wine trail and there are vineyards across the road."
Historic site exploration: When staying at Riverfront RV Resort, campers can access Fort Smith National Historic Site less than 2 miles away. A visitor noted, "Campground is adjacent to the Arkansas River and less than 2 miles from the Fort Smith National Historic Site."
What campers like
River views: The Arkansas River provides a scenic backdrop for several campgrounds. One reviewer at Riverfront RV Resort appreciated that it "sits right on the Arkansas river" and has a "pool is cold but clean and well maintained."
Security features: Several parks offer enhanced security measures. William O. Darby RV Community receives regular patrols from military police. A visitor mentioned, "The hosts were very accommodating and the military police patrolled the park."
Convenience to attractions: Fort Smith-Alma RV Park provides a central location for exploring local sites. A camper described the advantages: "Site A2 had fire pit, grill, picnic table was pretty level even with gravel. Fishing pond, dog walk area, propane station all on property for reasonable rates."
What you should know
Self-contained requirements: Not all parks have full bathroom facilities. At Fort Chaffee RV Military, campers "must be self contained, no bath house" but the park remains "conveniently located near Fort Smith AR."
Site spacing variations: Site dimensions and privacy levels differ across parks. At Fort Smith-Alma RV Park, one camper observed, "It's a bit tight, we found ourselves sharing our front yard with our neighbor. You have to keep your blinds closed otherwise you find yourself looking right into the windows of your neighbors."
Seasonal considerations: Bug activity increases during warmer months. A visitor to Fort Smith-Alma RV Park mentioned, "Only complaint was these little red mites. I looked them up and they are harmless but they were numerous and made us uncomfortable."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several RV parks near Mansfield offer recreation facilities for children. A family staying at Riverfront RV Resort reported, "Our kids enjoyed the playground, outdoor gym, and pickleball - it was too cold to swim."
Natural soundscapes: Areas away from Interstate 40 provide quieter environments. One camper at Fort Smith-Alma RV Park appreciated that it's "just far enough away from the highway so you have a quiet nights rest without hearing the traffic. The pond on the property has soothing sounds of peepers to fall asleep too."
Bathhouse considerations: Bathroom facilities vary by location. A visitor to William O. Darby RV Community found "the bathhouse was just like taking a shower at home!"
Tips from RVers
Campsite orientation: At some parks, site arrangement affects privacy. A camper at Fort Smith-Alma RV Park noted, "RV pull through are a little tight but you pull in alternating so you backside to backside. Our site was perfect in we faced the pond and playground and didn't have any other campers in direct site."
Hookup quality: Grape Country RV Park receives positive feedback for well-maintained utilities. One long-term visitor stated, "Water, sewer and 30/50amp electric are easy access and to hook up. James the owner is great and has a U-Pick orchard as well."
Late arrival procedures: Many parks accommodate after-hours check-in. A camper at Fort Smith-Alma RV Park appreciated that "they called to check on our arrival and have our registration ready for us" despite arriving after office closure.
