Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam? The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campgrounds for your Arkansas camping adventure.
If you are one of those folks who prefers a different, more rugged camp experience, primitive camping is allowed almost anywhere in the Ouachita National Forest unless there is a sign stating otherwise, or it is a wildlife food plot. Located throughout the Forests are areas that have been campsites for many years. These are located along roadsides, trails, mountain tops, or near streams. Camping at dispersed locations have additional responsibilities: "Leave No Trace" so others can have a similar backcountry experience, pack out any trash or litter, scatter campfire ash around so it doesn't pile up, and leave the area better than you found it.
Please filter water before drinking! Beware of stream crossings after heavy rains. Please read the Dispersed Camping guidelines before heading out. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ouachita/recreation/?cid=fseprd727994
Primitive camping is allowed almost anywhere in the Ouachita National Forest unless there is a sign stating otherwise, or it is a wildlife food plot. Located throughout the Forests are areas that have been campsites for many years. These are located along roadsides, trails, mountain tops, or near streams. Camping at dispersed locations have additional responsibilities: "Leave No Trace" so others can have a similar backcountry experience, pack out any trash or litter, scatter campfire ash around so it doesn't pile up, and leave the area better than you found it.
Please filter water before drinking! Beware of stream crossings after heavy rains.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services; such as trash removal, and little or no facilities; such as tables and fire pits, are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets. There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers. Typically, dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads. Many people drive out on Forest Service roads into the woods and find a clearing or a spot near a stream or with a view of the mountains. Do not drive on meadows to access your camping site. Drive on existing roads to prevent resource damage. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway. How to Pick a Campsite If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that has been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites so using existing ones will minimize your impact in the forest. If there is no existing campsite, then follow Leave No Trace guidelines.
Legend
Coordinates: 34.85844,-92.85765. Camped here in mid-December 2024. Large dispersed campsite in a wooded area positioned between the Winona Scenic Drive (Forest Road 132) and the Ouachita National Recreation Trail in the Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas. The site has easy access from both the forest road and the backpacking trail. Convenient to hikers and softroaders. The North Fork Pinnacle viewpoint is a half-mile hike from the campsite. The campsite is set back from the forest road; no issues with dust from the road. The site, as well as the driveway into the site, are dirt surfaces. There are 2 clean fire rings. I camped by the 2nd fire ring which is further away from the forest road. Maneuvering my van into position took some effort due to the trees at this spot; a little bit of leveling was required. The first fire ring, closer to the forest road, is easier to set up next to and more level. This dispersed campsite can accomodate 3 or 4 small to midsize rigs. Tent and hammock camping is possible. The site is shaded. About 100 yards west on the other side of the forest road, there is a clear-cut area which has a lot of downed limbs for firewood. There was spotty T-Mobile service, but good AT&T service, at this site. The ride on Forest Road 132 from the east (Hwy 9) is bumpy/rocky in several places. Erosion seems to be getting worse over time on this unpaved road. I aired-down the tires for ride comfort. Low clearance vehicles should be okay on this road. There are several other dispersed campsites, which are easy to find, along the road. Enjoyed camping here. Beautiful site in the woods. Quiet. Next to the Quachita National Recreation Trail which is a wonderful hiking trail.
LegendWARNING Stay on the good gravel roads. GPS took me down 4 miles of an old log trail that I wasn't able to turn around on. Spent thirty minutes cursing GPS and contemplating my life choices. I was headed for one of the other sites but was so tired when I saw this one I took it.
The site is at a crossroads so quite convenient. Only room for one vehicle. It does have a stone ring for a fire pit. The main draw however is that there is pretty good signal with Verizon here which is really rare in the area.
Traveler
We arrived late at night, and I'm glad we had our lightbar. It's dispersed camping, so no dumpster, no gray water dump. It does have a picnick table, though.
Traveler
Didn’t have to drive too far down the road found a spot on the left. Nice stone camp fire circle, good flat spot for my tent, which is a four person. Bring a chair if you want a comfortable seat, also hard to find decent wood to burn, had to walk a bit to find. Not many cars drive down the road, saw some people hiking, also Sunday morning there were hunters out, so hearing gunshot pretty close to camp. All in all though it is good to be with nature and I’d go back to this spot or find another one on the road. I didn’t go very far down the road have more to explore!
Legend
Large dispersed campsite located 2 miles west of Lake Sylvia State Park, where Forest Road 152 meets Forest Road 132. Clean site with one rock fire ring. Can fit a couple of vehicles. Because of the position of the trees on the site, maneuvering a truck camper into the site may be a challenge; don't recommend anything larger. Tent camping is possible. This is a level dirt site with some embedded rocks jutting up. Nice wooded area around site to stroll through. Seasonal track FR132C is adjacent to the site; this track is hikeable. Since the site is at the intersection of popular forest roads, there will be vehicles driving by. The site is set back enough that dust may not be a concern. No T-Mobile cell service. This is convenient, pretty campsite.
Legend
Coordinates: 34.85431, -92.88115. Small dispersed campsite in the woods just off of Forest Road 132. Close to the forest road; easy access. There is a clean rock fire ring. Good campsite for a quick overnight stay. The surface of the site is dirt with a little bit of pea gravel. This site is only big enough for one rig, truck camper and smaller size. Pitching a tent is possible in a small clearing to the left of the rock fire ring. Slight downward slope but not bad. Shaded in summer. Nice wooded area. No T-Mobile cell service. There are no hiking trails nearby or remarkable natural features here, but the forest at this site is pretty. This is a nice site in the autumn.
Legend
I haven't camped here recently. Forest Road 132A, which climbs up to the Crystal Mountain Overlook fom Forest Road 132, is not maintained and badly eroded. Drivers with high clearance 4x4 vehicles and OHVs will enjoy driving up this track, but I don't recommend this drive for the average passenger vehicle. I no longer attempt this with my stock AWD Subaru Outback - just not enough clearance. There are two rock fire rings at the top. Despite the nice views at the top, the dispersed campsites are usually trashy. I included an older photo of the view with Lake Winona in the distance.
Legend
Coordinates: 34.83903, -92.94556. Set back from Forest Road 132 off of an old track - a short distance west of Forest Road 75. There is some minor erosion on the access to this site from FR132. Large site; good for groups. Should accommodate 4 rigs - truck campersize & smaller. This site can accommodate 4x4 drivers that are planning to tackle Forest Road 132A to the Crystal Mountain Overlook - a short distance east of this site. FR132A is hikeable for those who do not drive high clearance 4x4s. The dispersed site has a level dirt surface. There are two rock fire rings. Beautiful forest backdrop. No T-Mobile service.
Legend
This is an update to my Feb 2022 review. This dispersed camp site has a level pull-thru driveway which can accomodate about 2 or 3 vehicles. I believe this driveway can accomodate a truck camper. Parking is not next to the rock fire ring; the fire ring is a very short walk away into the woods. The site is pretty much surrounded by forest - easy to stroll around in. Despite the site's elevation, there is no view of distant hills. Included some summer time images with this review. I like this spot, especially with the easy access to the Ouachita Trail nearby.
Traveler
Thank goodness there is a slight breeze. 90 degrees. Summer swampy area. Picked up a med bag of trash; cans, bottles, and paper. Looks better now. I definitely put on bug spray right away. Nice place to sleep and get back on 40East in the morning. Doing a cross country from San Francisco to Pennsylvania.
Traveler
Not much too it. Basically just two relatively small parking lots in the woods, past some houses off the highway. Would only be good for a super quick over night.
ScoutThe lake has been partially drained to allow work to be done on stumps. The road back to it is well maintained and we had good cell reception with AT&T and Spectrum. The sunset was beautiful. Peaceful and quiet. The birds and frogs sang all evening.
Legend
Camped here on Dec 13, 2023. Along well maintained gravel forest road, FR 179 in the Ouachita National Forest, Saline County, Arkansas. Really nice large site with a creek that flows into the North Fork of the Saline River was behind the site. Site appears to be large enough for 2 rigs no large than a truck camper. Multiple tents can be set up here. Did not have a problem parking our camper van on a level spot. The dirt surface is level. The site has a rock fire ring. Only a few vehicles drove by the site on FR179. Lots of trees surrounding the site with an open sky above for star gazing. Fishing is possible in the North Fork of the Saline River a short walk south of the site. No hiking trails nearby. No T-Mobile or AT&T cell service. Love this spot!
RangerSpent just one night here. Easy to find and has a water spigot. Noticed a sign in the morning that said hunting, fishing, or camping permit required but no one came by to check. One other person here. A bit buggy but otherwise a quiet spot to get some sleep!
ScoutGreat spot to pitch a tent by lake Conway. Isolated but not too far out.
TravelerWhile this spot is gorgeous You must be able to sleep through barking dogs. I sleep inside my vehicle so it wasn't as bad but I couldn't imagine anyone in a tent Getting much sleep at all. the neighbor dogs bark non-stop about everything. Any movement on the site they go crazy it is really really loud.
ScoutStayed at two different spots here. First was a couple miles from the main road (highway 7). Plenty of room but close to the road and some trash, decent for pulling in after dark though. Second spot (pictured) was amazing— maybe 5-10 miles back of I had to guess. There are a few forest service roads back here so pay attention to the signs. Roads are steep further back but we’ll covered with gravel and very few large rocks, so you should be okay with most cars in good weather. Not sure how many sites are back here total. Expect to drive a ways between spots.
TravelerSolid site minus the heat and bugs this time of year. I was greeted with a sign at the entrance saying that a hunting/ fishing license or land pass was required to camp. There was no one else there and I wasn't bothered, but keep in mind you might get a wake up call from a ranger. Neither the dyrt or the WMA website said anything about this so that would've been my alibi. Great location with a beautiful sunset on the lake.
GuideIt was gorgeous and obviously well taken care of. we were by ourselves the whole night! Designated fire pits and an awesome view of the lake. However, there were two reasons for the four stars. 1) a little deeper into the woods, there were telltale signs for this camping site being a storage spot for people without houses. we had no issues but as two girls camping in a new state, it def made us a bit nervous. 2) there were two relatively major roads running right next to the site, so we got all of the sounds and the lights that come with that. we also got several curious individuals that drove down through to see what it was. but it was free!!! so definitely no major complaints here.
ScoutI really enjoyed this site. I stopped on a weekday and I was the only one there. It was nice watching the sun set over the lake.
LegendLocated along Forest Road 132 (Winona Scenic Drive) in the Ouachita National Forest, Saline County, Arkansas. Flatside Wilderness Area located across the road from the site. Access to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail located nearby. Free dispersed site, no facilities. Rock fire ring. Should be enough parking for 2 vehicles. Suitable for tent camping, car camping, truck camping & van camping. Mostly level. There was plenty of firewood left by the fire ring. Camped here in February; very quiet. Only 2 vehicles drove by. Had a few bars of T-Mobile service.
LegendPopular dispersed campsite in the Ouachita National Forest. Only one site; not a campground. Located on the gravel Brown Creek Road in Perry County, Arkansas. The South Fork of Brown Creek runs behind this campsite. Located next to the trailhead for Brown Creek Cascade - a short 1/4 mile hike (includes a creek crossing). This campsite is suitable for tent camping, car camping, camper vans & truck campers. Two vehicles can easily fit on this level site. There are other dispersed sites along Brown Creek Road. The site is close to the road; there's a large mud puddle covering one of the 2 entrances to this site. 2-wheel drive passenger cars can make it to the site. Large pine trees on the site. Hammock camping is possible. No water (except for creek). No toilets nor showers. No trash - take out what you bring in. May need to hike a ways in the woods to find firewood. Large rock fire ring on site. No AT&T and T-Mobile cell service. Very quiet; no vehicles passed by during the night. The sound from the creek was soothing.
TravelerOverall a great site. Big trailers, no problem ..... No amenities. Great view. Great fishing lake.
Attempted to have a fire one night and the neighborhood dogs literally never stopped barking... Never.
TravelerWe had a really great night here. The place was mowed, there was a picnic table and firepit and the previous occupant left us some gathered firewood. This is small as far as public land goes; more like a little park. Very pretty however, and lovely view of the lake!
I am towing a 19' travel trailer. And someone else is here with a 22'. There are a few places to park with no need to backup.
My coordinates: 34.9831627, -92.7626397
ScoutNo amenities but it’s quiet and pretty and free. The sunset was gorgeous. A little bit of a drive off of I40 but it’s a fantastic spot. We are the only ones here
GuideGot here during sunset and it was beautiful but the gravel roads are invisible at night so definitely have some daylight ahead of you. We have a 25’ travel trailer and didn’t need to do any backing up to get in or out. Full cell signal with XFINITY mobile. 2 picnic tables and spots for fire overlooking lake. Ample places to park
TravelerWe stayed here with our dog on our drive west! It’s a great little spot, fairly quiet and secluded. Some car traffic on a nearby road but not bad. There are only picnic tables and small spot for fire, so we just picked a spot near the lake. We had a gorgeous sunset and wonderful view of the lake!
Dispersed camping near the Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With a variety of locations to choose from, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam is Harris Brake Lake with a 4.1-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 dispersed camping locations near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam, with real photos and reviews from campers.
