Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam, Arkansas's most popular destinations.
There are 38 primitive campsites maintained by area personnel.
There are approximately 270 acres of old beaver ponds that provide valuable habitat for furbearers and waterfowl. There are 2024 acres of old fields managed on a rotational basis by control burning, bush hogging, disking and planting. There is 14,419 acres of timber, primarily oak and hickory; 96 acres in streams and 113 acres in ponds and lakes. The main streams include; Wattensaw Bayou, Hurricane Creek, Miller Creek, Clark Creek, Barkley Branch and Bell Branch. There are numerous small ponds, 9 ponds created by removing dirt for I-40 construction and Webb and Mooreês lake which are oxbow lakes off the White River on the east side of the area
Sainte Marie Park sits on the banks of Lake Langhofer and the Arkansas River by Pool 3 Lock and Dam. Whether boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking or hosting a group event, Sainte Marie has facilities to accommodate a range of activities.
The campground is popular among fishermen. There is excellent catfish fishing in the tail-waters of Joe Hardin Lock and Dam as well as Emmitt Sanders Lock and Dam at the upstream end of Pool 3. Anglers often catch bass, crappie and bream. Hunting is available in nearby forests, and there is duck hunting on the waterways. On shore, families enjoy picnicking and using the playground.
Sainte Marie offers two reservable group picnic shelters that can each accommodate up to 75 people. There are no electric hookups, but drinking water is provided. Additional amenities include grills, a courtesy dock and fishing dock.
The park is in a forested area along the riverfront, close to the rolling fields of cotton farms. It is 193 feet above sea level; winters are generally mild and summer temperatures reach the upper 90s with high humidity. Red fox are frequently seen in the park, and numerous species of waterfowl live in the water and along the shores.
The City of Pine Bluff is the home for the Arkansas Railroad Museum, Pine Bluff Regional Park, the Martha Mitchell Home and other points of interest, as well as shopping and groceries.
$75 / night
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
$80 - $100 / night
🌟 Welcome to the Ultimate Solar Eclipse Camping Experience! 🌒
Get ready for an astronomical adventure at our exclusive hillside campsite with 100 spacious tent spots, offering the perfect front-row seat to the breathtaking April solar eclipse! 🏕️
Imagine waking up to the sun dipping behind the moon, casting a mesmerizing glow over our hillside retreat. Your eclipse-viewing spot is secured, but that's just the beginning! Enjoy the convenience of porta-potties, unwind in our cozy hammocks, and connect with fellow campers in our vibrant communal areas.
Bring your furry friends along because pets are more than welcome to join in the celestial celebration! And what's camping without a crackling campfire? Roast marshmallows, create the perfect s'mores, and revel in the magic of the cosmic display above.
Seize this opportunity to make memories under the stars and witness the solar eclipse like never before. Book your spot now for an out-of-this-world camping experience! 🌌✨
$125 / night
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.
Scout
If you’re tent camping, beware! We had a torrential downpour and all of the runoff rainwater runs right into the tent sites. They were accommodating at moving us into a cabin but obviously at a higher nightly rate.
The campgrounds are close to everything there is to do and very clean!
Ranger
This park is pretty much spotless. I tent camped in the fall and loved it. All the tent sites have a gravel pad, picnic table and fire ring. Lots of trees to set up your hammock. They have a swim beach and small boat rentals in the summer. There’s a nice paved walking trail too. I highly recommend.
Traveler
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. Clean warm showers. 1(favorite baths of trip) Arrival; very nice folks.
GuideLake is nice. Didn’t catch many fish though. Swim area is very well kept. Adorable pedal boats. Tent camping sites are right at the entrance on the road. You have to park in the parking lot and carry all your stuff to the camp ground. Definitely don’t recommend using a tent site at all. The entire park is very well kept and very clean. Park staff were very nice and helpful. Mountain biking trail is in good condition. North loop was even good for my 8 year old while I did trail running. Cute little state park.
GuideThis was our family’s second camping trip in a tent and our first Fall/cold weather experience.
We arrived well after midnight and had no trouble finding our reservation and tent site. The campground is well-lit, the tent pad was level and clean, and the bathrooms were incredibly clean. It’s also very close to the national park and Bathhouse Row.
The highlight though (especially for our kids) was the staff, especially Emmitt. He showed our kids where to find quartz (our son is obsessed with finding rocks), provided great suggestions for things to do in town, and even gifted our kids a neat piece of crystal (which was probably the highlight of the trip for them!).
We are now hooker on tent camping, in large part thanks to our great experience here. We’ll be back for sure!
GuideWe stayed here only as an overnight on our trip cross-country trip, but overall nice campground. It is about 20 min off the main highway. Things close up early here and once off main highway there really is nothing as you drive to the park. Make sure you come in with all of your supplies otherwise you will be driving back out a ways for groceries, supplies, etc. Everyone there was very friendly- families, seniors, etc. We were late check-ins and they were extremely accommodating by placing our paperwork on the check-in board for us. Even in the dark our site was easy to find. They offer RV, cabin rentals, and tent sites. We tent camp and the pad was of good size with a fire ring, picnic table and pea gravel. Most all of the tent sites are located with tree shade above them (note: not enough trees that you could hang hammocks or tarps though). There is a small pond that looked as though they allow family fishing in. "Grandpa's Griddle" is a small kitchen on site that they offer home-cooked breakfast to be purchased from in the morning. Mostly simple items: biscuits & gravy, breakfast sandwiches, eggs & bacon, etc. The restrooms / showers were all very clean. We did not go in to the National Park, but it looked very pretty from what we could see. The view of the mountains in the morning was very pretty to wake up to.
Pandemic note: Even though the pandemic was still going on (visited on 5/28/20-5/29/20), no one was really wearing masks here. We did since we were traveling but were the only ones I saw.
The photos are of the pond and some of the super cute vintage RVs that we saw there.
I would recommend staying here.
Traveler
This was a nice facility, not for RVs than tent camping. Great play ground but quite a walk for bathroom facilities if tent camping.
GuideThe tent site was perfect! With fire pit, power, and water. The bathrooms and showers were nice and clean.
Traveler
Camped here at a tent site. Clean heated bathrooms with a shower, and we had a great spot on the river! No complaints, good spot while driving through Little Rock on a road trip!
Guide
My husband, myself, our dog and two friends tent camped for the weekend. We were lucky enough to have a site on the water. It's a nice park we hiked, rented a canoe and did some swimming. Very peaceful and nice campground. We will be back for sure.
Legend
Located 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.
RangerThe tent site that we had was great. (Site 37) It was right by the water with tons of room and a nice, level ground. Some hammock trees were nearby as well.There was a shared water spigot near the site.
You park in a small lot behind the tent sites and carry your things a short distance.
The bathrooms were clean, but they were quite a distance from the tents. This was my one and only complaint about this SP.
In the warmer months, starting in May, they rent out kayaks, paddle boats, and canoes. There is also a small concession stand you can order from.
My husband caught one fish while we were there from our camp site. It’s very handy being that close to the water.
There is a great hiking trail around the lake. About 3.5 miles if you combine the cabin trail with the Huckleberry trail. It was an enjoyable hike. There were people of all ages enjoying it.
We would definitely camp in this spot again!
TravelerIt was great. I have the only tent site they offer. It’s away from the RV area. The couple that runs the KOA are super friendly. There is a pool but not open for some reason. Small dog park. Camp store. Clean. And an ice cream shop! The only drawback is it’s close to the freeway and you can hear a LOT of traffic.
Guide
Car camped at tent site to visit HSNP and trail ride. Staff were plentiful and friendly. My only issues were noise from a fast road near my site, walking distance from sites to restrooms, and most sites seemed quite tight for SUVs/trucks to park within. Even so, I highly recommend checking out this place. I really enjoyed my nights here and hours in the woods!
ScoutArrived in town looking for somewhere to tent camp, found here. It works for a night Pros: Clean bathrooms Friendly evening staff and wife is friendly Has a small store with basics Wifi Laundry area Cons: Quite noisy with city noise Camp store is expensive ( 2 Gatorade, a pack of. Hot dogs, buns and ketchup came up to 13 dollars...and. Mustard was almost 6 dollars.... Tent area is more of a storage area We had it to ourselves, which was nice, but, felt as if we were the unwanted guest in the park. At $38 dollars a night, we felt it's not really worth what they ask.
RangerThis was our second trip to Woolly Hollow. The first time was in April, and the trails and waterfalls were better maintained and more beautiful in April. We still enjoyed our trip though. They have great trails for hiking and mountain biking. There is a nice swimming area with a shop to order drinks/snacks. The park rangers and staff were super friendly and helpful. The bathroom facilities were clean. Although we stayed in the RV camp area, the tent camping area had some great sites, some right on the water.
ScoutI rented a yurt one night and a tent site the next night. The yurt was clean, spacious and comfortable. We arrived a lot later than I planned (1:30am!) and the code for the yurt didn't work, so I had to rustle the night watch. The next night I got a spot on the lakefront. It's pretty, but there's a big factory building across the lake and at night you can hear generators, which I assumed was from the factory, since it was an electric loop. You can hear everything in a tent. My main disappointment, not being able to hear nature at night. Otherwise, it's beautiful.
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
Popular 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.
RangerThe best features of this State Park are: 1) it is close to Conway and an easy drive from Little Rock; 2) there is a separate loop for tent camping and it's closer to the water than the hookups loop; and 3) it has a nice swim beach open in season. I believe the State Park puts on some interesting programs, too, so watch their calendar. The hiking loops around the lake and grounds are just fine but cannot offer the majestic scenery of some of the more mountainous regions of the state. If you camp in the RV loop you will likely meet some nice folks and enjoy nature among other RVers. The park is well taken care of, but again, it's not winning awards for the most striking setting our state has to offer. Nonetheless, Woolly Hollow makes a good getaway for families that want to spend time outdoors, ride their bikes around or take a swim, look up at the stars, and not venture too far from home.
Legend
Coordinates: 34.84175, -92.97123. Good dispersed site set back from Forest Road 132. The site is located at the corner of FR132 and Grindstone Rd (Y47A). Grindstone Rd is closed to all vehicles at this time, but it is hikeable. The Flatside Wilderness Area is accross FR132 from this dispersed site; easy access to the Ouachita Trail. The site has room for one rig. Access into the site from the forest road is a little eroded; non-high clearence vehicles may scrape. Access into the site beside the rock fire ring is tight. Best for rigs smaller than truck camper. The site is not quite level; some leveling may be required. Clean site with a clean rock fire ring. The area surrounding the site is wooded; plenty of shade in summer. Surrounded by beautiful forest; easy to explore. Tent camping is possible; the surface is not too rocky. I had sporadic T-Mobile cell service. I am looking forward to retrurning here, especially in the fall, early spring and winter.
Legend
Coordinates: 34.82029,-92.82184. Large creekside dispersed campsite located on a rocky, bumpy track, about 150 yards east of Forest Road 179 (aka Wildcat Mountain Rd). If going southbound on FR179, the track is on the left immediately after crossing a bridge. The track may look sketchy to some drivers, but I drove down it okay in my Subara. Good spot for car camping. The site itself is very rocky, so it may be uncomfortable for tent camping. There are trees for hammock camping. There are 3 large rock fire rings. This site is prone to flooding. The site appears to be popular and well used. There are no hiking trails, but the access track passes the site and continues along the creek - good for an easy stroll. Tried fishing here, but no luck. I do know from previous experience that there is fish in the creek. The creek is nice for a summertime dip when its running high. The site is mostly shaded; may be difficult to get a Starlink connection. I received no cell service. This is a pretty nice site, offering some privacy from the forest road and a wonderful sound of the creek.
LegendLet me just start this out by saying, selecting a spot in Arkansas you are overwhelmed with options. State parks flourish and individual campgrounds seem to be countless. When traveling to the Hot Springs area It was a toss up as to which location would bear suit my journey, not only as a campground but as a part of the adventure. I elected to try Lake Catherine State Park, located just 10 miles outside of Hot Springs.
What sold me on this site were the numerous hiking trails, but what surprised me when I arrived were the lakeside water rentals located on premise as well as the actual beach recreation area.
I arrived later in the day and quickly made my camp in the primitive tent area. These sites have no water or electric hook ups however a very nice restroom facilities within 100 yards. They also boast a playground for the kids, not the only of the site. I was greeted by other campers and the sense of community was high at this facility.
My campsite included a table and grill and was nearby a fire ring. The area was much flatter than many camp areas and made for a quick site selection. In the distance deer grazed as the sun was setting.
The next morning I ventured toward the marina and was excited to find they have numerous boats for any level of experience available. Larger units available for full or half day use and smaller units for full or half day along with by the hour.
Hiking trails were my next stop after learning of the various skill levels including ADA accessible, moderate and difficult.
In addition to primitive camping the park offers RV and non-primitive tent camping. Also available are Yurt and Cabin rentals.
Office contains limited food and beverage options as well as supplies for lake visitors and a full picnic area overlooking the beach. Bathrooms and washrooms are scattered throughout the park and are kept impeccably clean with high water pressure.
Cell signal was good even on the remote trails during my stay.
This is by far one of the nicest parks I have camped not only on this journey but on any. Staff was knowledgeable about the park and others of the state and very helpful.
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Easy 5 of 5 Bunnies. I will return!
Ranger
Lake Sylvia recreation area offers a lot of fun and relaxation within an easy drive from Little Rock. We ate dinner in town at Izzy's on Highway 10, and got to the campground with enough time to set up before dark.
The primitive camping loop is especially attractive and not a single soul was utilizing it last weekend. Even those tent camping seemed to want access to the electrical outlets on the main loop. Or possibly the hot showers: the primitive sites have their own bathroom with lights and plumbing but the showers are not heated except in the main bathhouse among the hookups sites. The sites in the primitive loop are $5/night lower than the sites with water and electric.
The main camping loop is nice for small to medium campers. No Class A rigs here. Nobody claimed the campsite on either side, affording us plenty of privacy, and just a short walk to the bathhouse. We enjoyed the hiking trails around the lake, and hiking a short way up to the Ouachita Trail.
The swim beach is a great spot that is used as a day area. There are also fishing spots down the bank. The rules say that dogs are not permitted at the day use area, but we saw a couple of dogs with their owners and the ranger who drove by either didn’t notice or didn’t enforce it, I guess. Which isn’t a big deal, except that I wish they’d either enforce it or change the rules to match the practice. If it’s permitted I’d have brought my own dog to join in the fun instead of leaving it behind.
Several paces up a trail from the campground is a small amphitheater with a wooden stage. It looked like an awesome place to set up a portable projector for a movie night.
If this campground were open year round, I would give it five stars - with access to good hiking here (including the Ouachita Trail), it is a shame that the campground is closed in late fall and early spring. Its website even states that the best time to visit is Fall-Spring. Still a wonderful place to try; just make sure you check that it's open before you go.
Scout
I’ll start by telling you a story.. my friend and I have always wanted to go to Arkansas to hunt. So we finally got our chance and headed out. We planned on roughing it a little and stay in tents. When we got close to grant county Arkansas we found this place on the map. Omg!! When we got there and saw “” Donnas Hammock Hide away”” We could not believe our eyes !! It should be called “Donnas major junk yard”!!!! One thing about it is. In a year or two, when we get over the shock it will be something to look back and laugh about.
RangerMaumelle Park is a nice campground located on the Arkansas River. They have some water front sites and several in wooded areas. The campsites are a little close together and there aren't as many trees as we typically like for privacy and hanging hammocks, but it is a nice park. They have several day use areas, a few playgrounds, and basketball courts. We stayed at site B23, which was just okay. The restroom facilities are nice. They had 2 dump stations. They do not have designated tent pads, but do have a fire ring and picnic table at each site. The campground is very close to riding trails and Pinnacle Mountain which is a fun area to hike.
GuideLake Catherine is a beautiful park in Arkansas. I only stopped by for a hike as I was passing through, but this place looked like so much fun for day water adventures. There is a large swimming area on the lake where you can also boat, kayak, canoe and do any other water sport. The facilities were nice and there is a cute store and area to view animals. The campground was large with a lot of tent and RV campsites. The hike I went on took me by the lake and to a small falls where you could swim. The views were very nice.
Tent camping near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam in Arkansas offers a variety of scenic spots for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam is Camp Robinson Dispersed Site with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
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