Best Tent Camping near Ashdown, AR
Waterside tent camping opportunities surround Ashdown, Arkansas, with several established campgrounds offering dedicated tent sites along Millwood Lake. River Run West provides four gravel tent sites with mature tree shade, while River Run East features six small but functional tent sites with sheltered picnic tables. Both campgrounds operate year-round at $8 per night. For more primitive tent camping experiences, Allens Ferry at Little River in nearby Ogden offers boat-in and drive-in tent access. Tent campers seeking more developed facilities might consider Cossatot Falls Campsites in Cossatot River State Park, approximately 60 miles northeast of Ashdown, which receives consistently high ratings for its tent-only camping areas.
Tent sites throughout the region vary considerably in surface type and amenities. River Run West features gravel pads with pit toilets, picnic tables, and lantern poles but no hookups, making it suitable for traditional tent camping. Campers should note that alligators have been reported in Millwood Lake. Most primitive tent campgrounds in the area lack running water, requiring visitors to bring their own supplies. Access roads to several backcountry tent sites deteriorate after rain, necessitating high-clearance vehicles. According to reviews, the logging road to Cossatot Falls "will test your suspension" but rewards tent campers with large pads that can accommodate multiple tents or larger family-sized tents.
Walk-in tent sites provide additional seclusion for campers willing to carry gear short distances from parking areas. At Cossatot River State Park's Sandbar Area, tent-only sites include fire rings, barbecue grills, and picnic tables with "nice surface for your tent." One camper noted that sites 18 and 19 offer more privacy than others in this area. Thomas Lake Park in nearby Texas provides tent campers with freshly mowed grass sites overlooking the water, accessed via a mile-long dirt road. Visitors report the campground is "very quiet with plenty of space to set up camp." Most tent campgrounds in the region allow pets and fires, though seasonal restrictions may apply during dry periods.