Established campgrounds near the Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam provide a mix of developed camping options. The riverfront Willow Beach campground offers sites for both tent and RV camping with water and electric hookups, while Maumelle Park and Toad Suck campgrounds provide additional riverfront options. Other nearby options include Downtown Riverside RV Park in North Little Rock and Lake Catherine State Park, which offers cabin camping along with traditional sites. Little Rock North KOA features both tent and RV camping plus cabin and glamping accommodations.
Access to most campgrounds in the area remains available year-round, with many sites offering paved, level pads suitable for RVs and trailers. The region experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall popular camping seasons. "This is a small and quiet campground during the week -- the day-use area next door may make the whole park busier on weekends," noted one visitor about Willow Beach. Most campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, though few offer full sewer connections at individual sites. Seasonal considerations include mosquitoes during summer months, particularly at dusk near the river, and occasional flooding in low-lying areas after heavy rain.
The mixed-use campgrounds along the Arkansas River receive high ratings for their water views and spacious sites. Willow Beach campers frequently mention the peaceful river setting and well-maintained grounds, with several reviewers noting the large, level sites and good spacing between camping areas. The campground features covered picnic tables at some sites and a new shower house with individual bathroom units. Many developed campgrounds in the area serve both recreational visitors and travelers passing through the Little Rock region. Campers appreciate the proximity to Little Rock attractions while still enjoying natural surroundings. Some campgrounds like Camp Robinson RV Park and Little Rock AFB FamCamp cater to military personnel but are available to civilians when space permits.
$26 - $75 / night
"Situated between the Arkansas River and Willow Lake, every site is waterfront. Showers and bathrooms were clean and in good condition. Sites were close but in good repair."
"This is a great RV campground right on the Arkansas river. The sites are large and mostly level."
"The location is truly excellent with easy access to the Arkansas River Trail, the Clinton library, restaurants and other attractions."
"Not a resort but right next to the foot bridge that accesses parks on the other side of the Arkansas River. Traffic noise is minimal."
$28 - $75 / night
"Stayed 6 nights at Maumelle COE campground next to Arkansas River. Nice and quiet especially after the weekend crowd left. Nice walking trails and still close to major conveniences."
"Beautiful panorama view of the Arkansas river. Amenities are great. Friendly staff and clean park. Close to restaurants, shopping and services. Full year round so make a reservation!"
"We landed a pull through just behind the office and on way out of curve in road so we slide right in. Neighbors are close but nice as was the staff."
"Location good. Site: one tent camp site. Which was Off to self. Had covered picnic table (all of which was positive to us) Power and water. Bathrooms; great."
$26 - $75 / night
"On the Arkansas River, it’s a clean and beautiful park. Rv spots on all on the rivers edge. Plenty of room. Price for rv camping was very good."
$15 - $25 / night
"Lake Catherine State Park, like all Arkansas state parks, is immaculately clean! Most RV sites have close access to the water and there are small stationary docks to park your boat. "
"We stayed in site 54 (w/e/s) that was right on the lake. We could walk to the dock right behind the site to fish, although did not have very good luck."
$28 - $32 / night
"Great C/G on the Arkansas River with a boat ramp and dock. Water and electric sites with a dump station."
"Luckily it was close to the hospital since we had to take a visit there. Beautiful park with lake access."
ScoutThis is a great quiet spot to pitch a tent or bring a moderate sized camper in. Whoever was here last supplied the fire pits with kindling, there is plenty of wood from fallen trees around to build a nice campfire. Not a single person hiked or drove by in the roughly 16 hours I was here. Would recommend!
GuideWe liked Lake Catherine State Park. My husband tried fishing, to no avail. I chose swimming and was also a little let down. The water by camp is extremely shallow. Even 50 ft from bank youre only in 2 ft of water.. so I opted for floating and it was perfect. My husband had my float tied around his waist while he waded around trying to fish. It was honestly magical. The bathrooms, which contain a couple of stalled showers, are some of the cleanest we've seen in all our travels. A lot of the sites are directly on the water and it looks like each group of sites has its own dock, so thats really cool. The waterfall had no falls bc it hasnt rained here in some time. There was a really nice shop that had ice, wood, souvenirs, a few groceries, and practical items like sunscreen and bug spray as well as rv stuff, like pipes and hoses. There is watercraft rental here but we didnt check that out. 2 nights cost us $52 for 30 amp, water hookup, right by the bathhouse and a site on the water. It was honestly worth it. Probably would have stayed longer if it had been a little cheaper though.
GuideHere for an overnight and it was a great night at this KOA. Pool, trails, lake were fantastic. In a camper B RV so no issues navigating to the camp using the Google Maps way. If you are in a big rig RV, it’ll be tight.
ScoutStayed on site E4 level site with 50 amp hookup water and no sewer. Camp staff was friendly and helpful. No problems with bugs or mosquitos. Bath house very clean. Grocery store and restraunts within 10 minute drive.
TravelerA couple of miles on a gravel road. It's in pretty good shape. Easy road for our 23 ft Mini Lite. We grabbed the first spot with a "camping spot" sign. Leveling was easy. Really good for an overnight stop. Some Verizon signal.
LegendSuch a great place. The staff here are amazing and so friendly. You cannot go wrong here.
GuideGreat spot right on the river. Clean and well maintained.
GuideSecond time staying there. Even better than the first time. The dog park is fabulous, enough room for 2 German Shepherds to run. We were able to pick blackberries, walking trails are so well maintained.
TravelerA quiet, beautiful campground with lots of riverside spots. Bathrooms and showers are just fine but be aware that the F loop is a bit of a hike to the nearest one.
Riverfront camping sites along the Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam provide water views with varying amenities. The river system features a series of locks and dams that maintain water levels for both recreation and navigation. Sites typically range from 15 to 80 feet in length with most campgrounds experiencing summer highs averaging 90-95°F and winter lows around 30-35°F.
Fishing access at the lock: Toad Suck Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities directly on the river. "Great access to water. Good boat ramp, picnic tables and RV sites. Very clean, bring your mosquito repellent," notes Jason W. about Toad Suck.
Wildlife observation: Watch for native birds and animals along the riverbanks. At Willow Beach, campers can spot various wildlife. "Water hyacinths were in full bloom while we were here and are beautiful!! I will be coming back next year!" shares Jo E.
River barge watching: Observe commercial traffic on the Arkansas River. "We could watch the tug boats with their barges go by. Not many campers here right now so it's quiet," mentions Angela G. about Tar Camp. Some sites offer unobstructed views of the lock operations.
Spacious riverside campsites: Maumelle Park features large sites with good separation. "Our 34 ft class A FDDS opened right onto a silty patch that forced us to navigate our entry into our motorhome," reports Stevann H., indicating the terrain considerations at waterfront sites.
Well-maintained facilities: Recent renovations have improved several campgrounds. "Small campground with only 21 spots ran by the Corps of Engineers. It's very quiet. The campground is well maintained," shares Nicole F. about Willow Beach.
Level concrete pads: Downtown Riverside RV Park offers stable platforms for easy setup. "All the spots had large concrete pads," notes William M. The park also features "Concrete, level pads" and "Overlooks the Arkansas River," according to Beth R.
Flooding potential: Low-lying areas may close during high water periods. "The park itself is beautiful other than the volunteer camps at the gate house. They evacuated the park due to high water while we were there," explains Christopher T. about Tar Camp.
Limited sewer connections: Most Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam campgrounds offer water and electric hookups but not full sewer at individual sites. "50 Amp electric, water no sewer hook up but dump station. Spaced spread out not crowded. Campground is low and will be soggy after rain," notes Rod A.
Insect considerations: Lake Catherine State Park and other waterfront areas require preparation for bugs. "Lots of bugs due to being near the river," warns Shiloh M. about Willow Beach, while Jennifer C. advises, "It is near water so there are a lot of mosquitos, so come prepared."
Multiple playgrounds: Many riverside parks include recreation areas. "The kids enjoy the playgrounds x 3, walking, plenty of open space, and watching the barges coming down the river," says Lona T. about Toad Suck.
Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for encounters with local fauna. "We encountered lots of snakes. I shooed a few off the road and they disappeared as soon as they slithered into the grass, so to me it's pretty risky walking around or letting kids play in the grass," cautions Jennifer C.
Security features: Some parks implement additional safety measures. "They lock a gate every night at the entrance to the campground, however they do give you the code to the padlock," notes Jennifer C. about Willow Beach campground security protocols.
Site selection strategy: Look for pull-through sites at Little Rock North KOA for larger rigs. "Easy access for a KOA, we have a cyclone 4270 (44' triple axel 5th wheel) which is pushing it for most KOA's. We landed a pull through just behind the office and on way out of curve in road so we slide right in," recommends Daniel.
Leveling challenges: Many riverfront sites require adjustment. "The sites are extremely level! I didn't even need to level my pop-up camper!!" exclaims Jo E. about Willow Beach, though experiences vary by specific site and campground.
Reservation timing: "Thanks to those who cancelled at the last minute! It was very kind of you to cancel the reservation to allow others a spot for the night!" shares Jennifer K., indicating the benefit of checking for late cancellations when sites appear fully booked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam?
According to TheDyrt.com, Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam offers a wide range of camping options, with 108 campgrounds and RV parks near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam and 21 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam is Willow Beach with a 4.5-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 free dispersed camping spots near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam.
What parks are near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 parks near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam that allow camping, notably Arkansas River - Pool 5 and Arkansas River - Pool 3.
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