Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Batesville, AR

Dates: May 15 Sep 15   Booking

            Sep 15  May 15 Out of season

Travelers will find a very steep entrance road and the fact that this campground is very rural. Carry your supplies with you. Many sites are not level but there is the bonus that the sites are not on top of each other and there are some water sites. We had good service with Verizon.

This is an excellent camp for enjoying the song of the birds and the bounty of the lake. This campground offers 31 non-electric sites. Additional amenities include vault toilets and boat ramp. 

A dense mix of red cedar, black gum, red oak, elm, pecan and sweet gum trees forest the area, providing shade in the summer months and beautiful fall colors in autumn. Wildlife is plentiful around Greers Ferry Lake. Visitors commonly see white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, rabbits, squirrels and a wide variety of birds.

 Greers Ferry Lake is an outdoor enthusiasts' dream, with boating, sailing, water skiing, swimming, scuba diving and fishing opportunities. Hikers enjoy the area's three National Nature Trails and one multi-purpose fitness trail. The William Carl Garner Visitor Center is just west of the dam, with exhibits, a children's touch table, and a replica of the world record 40 lb. 4 oz. brown trout caught in the Little Red River downstream of the center.•

Standard Nonelectric• Overnight• Boating• Camping• Hiking• Boat Ramp• Drinking Water• Picnic Table• Parking Area• Campfire Rings• Paved Sites• Pets Allowed 

With over 30,000 acres of water surface, the lake serves as a playground for all kinds of water sports. 

 Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information. 

LNT 

Better than when you found it

Stay safe  Happy travels

I must make a comment regarding two other reviews. A lake is generally deeper than a pond. You weigh the depth and surface to judge if a body of water is one or the other. In Arkansas you will find a pond on a ranch or a farm. Now in some areas of the United States there are lakes that cover masses of acres and I had to laugh at the fact that Lake Charles was being called a pond. In the south we consider Lake Charles a lake even if it is only 645 acres.  Please don't take offense, I meant none, we just look at things a bit different, we are also very proud of Arkansas and the fact that it is considered "The Natural State."

Folks if you travel to very many state parks or Corp of Engineer COE parks in Arkansas you will encounter another southern foible.  Narrow roads.  Most of Arkansas is rural and you will find that most roads are older, narrow and farm equipment or ranching equipment uses the roads.  That also leads toward the "charm" of Arkansas.  If you stay in the larger towns you will manage to get by fairly well but venture towards the campgrounds and we hope you enjoy the state.  Take your time.

Lake Charles State Park is 1/2 more or less hour from Jonesboro on a quiet country road.  It has a 645 acre lake with bass, crappie, bream and catfish.  This park operates year round.  From March to October to will be able to purchase bait and tackle at the Visitor Center.  There are Class AAA sites to tent sites with many on the lake.  There are yurts available.  From November to February a 3-D Archery range is open.  You will find 4 hiking trails and there are several programs offered by the rangers.  Check on the programs offered through the Arkansas State Parks, find the park you want, and plan your stay.  It will be a learning experience for young and old.  So map out everything you want to do and learn.

Fish, kayak, hike, ranger talks, camping, picnicking, what more can you ask for.  Lake Charles was established in 1963 and was dedicated on May 28, 1967.

Picnic tables, grills, lantern hooks and paved pads are at each campsite.  Restrooms and bathhouses are modern and "air conditioned" which come in handy when you are dealing with Arkansas heat and humidity.  There is a dump stationed and trash area shortly after coming into the park.  All sites may be reserved.  Beautiful shades trees, level sites with some a bit tight.  No waterskiing or tubing is allowed.

Four walking trails with the Cedar Trail being paved.  The Butterflies and Blooms Trail is a short gravel trail and the Native Plant Trail uses plants that will attract butterflies and local wildlife.

Swimming area is free of charge and is located in a day use area.  You will not find life guards so please watch over all.  Alcohol, glass bottles and pets are not allowed.  You will find a gently sloping sandy beach.  

A short distance away from the park is Davidsonville Historic State Park and Powhatan Courthouse State Park.  There is plenty to keep you busy and we hope you enjoy a laid back southern vacation.

Word of warning.  Even a native Arkansan quakes when it come summer time and the dreaded flies and mosquitoes come out to play.  Research, find all kinds of options for keeping them at bay, screens on your doors, campfire smoke, anything just don't let them stop you from enjoying.

Have Fun - Stay Safe   Leave No Trace Better Than You Found It

We stayed in 2 spots. The first one was beautiful and not much traffic. The next 3 nights, we felt like we on a highway. We also had people walk right through our camp on more than one occasion to walk their dog then left their waste. And no sewer hook up, cell service, wifi or TV.

So if you are wanting scenery, Shiloh park has some of the best mountain views for a campground around Greer's ferry lake. However.. I've lived here my whole life, and I've never met someone whose main job requirement is to WORK WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC meeting the needs and insuring a positive experience for whoever is using the campgrounds/ rec area etc, who lacks such skills to do their job. My experience with the park attendant has been a negative one BOTH occasions I've had to deal with her. The first being my child's third birthday party.. I called the number to the gate house multiple times to ask Ab renting the pavilion or to find more info ab doing so and no one would pick up. When we drove to the gate house to ask in person she informed us that we had to do it all online. When we checked out the website she sent us to it didn't inform us of anything to do with the pavilion. Just campsites to rent. We figured we would just rent a campsite close to the pavilion instead. We booked our site almost six weeks in advance online.. when we get there on the day of my child's party, our campsite was rented out to someone else she had taken upon herself to move from their original site. Our party was at 2. And everyone was already down at he swim area with my daughter . The gate attendant had to call a park ranger to handle her mess up whick..mind you took almost an hour of me waiting at the gate missing the first half of my child's party while everyone in the park waited for me in the heat of July, sweating my butt off having to stand outside the gate house. The second time I felt with her. It was just after labor day Sept. 12th 2020. There was a sign up at the gate that said the attendant would return at 5:30. My fiance and three legged service dog went down to the vacant swim area where NOONE was at and as soon as we get out of the car and I let my dog out, here comes the park attendant pulling up at an accelerated rate of speed. (Clearly not the park speed limit) and she rolls her window down to inform us that my dog could not be at the swim area. She didn't take the time to listen to me explain that I had papers and my dog was a service animal..and NOONE was around to make any complaints..however she did not acknowledge the meth heads a little down the way  that we passed on our way in who were sitting in their two cars parked by themselves in vacant camp spots most likely down their getting high with their music up. She is the most unprofessional person I've ever delt with in my years going to a public recreation area ever!! And I won't be back . Good luck to all who come in contact with her.

this is a nice park, with clean restrooms/bath houses. sites are a comfortable distance apart with good hookups, asphalt or concrete parking pads and patios for solid picnic tables as well as well drained gravel under the hookups, pole for lantern or trash, fire pit with grate, and barbecue. The lake is lovely, turning leaves and night sky astounding. the reasons this wasn’t a 5-star review are 1) WAY TOO MANY bees and house flies. Maybe that’s a time of year issue as some of the trees dropped rotting fruit.Flies were not the biting kind, just annoying and bees were, well, bees. i’m Happy to see a healthy army of bees but my dogs were not. 2) The wifi strength was awesome during the day and pitiful after dark. Wifi reception best near the bath houses.

If you are boating or swimming in Arkansas this will do it.

Very nice little campground just off Arkansas Hwy 25 by Greers Ferry Lake, Heber Springs, Arkansas. Actually, many of the campsites are along the beginning of the Little Red River. A lot of people were fishing here, and there is a fish hatchery here also, so better know the fishing regulations if fishing.
Campsites are fine, at least partly shaded for many sites, not huge, but at a great location. Nice short hiking trail along Collins Creek. Thumbs up for this place. Would be happy to hang out here again some day.

This was a pretty, uncrowded state park in Arkansas. Nice small pond with a good walking trail around it.  The park was hard to get to, narrow/windy roads. I enjoyed my stay there and its great if its on your way from point A to point B.

Jake here from the Dyrt!  Whether you're into hang gliding, kayaking or just relaxing at camp, the hillbilly hideaway is here to provide a great basecamp for your Arkansas adventures.  Check them out and make sure to post some photos and a review on the Dyrt and share with others!

I completed my undergrad and graduate degrees in Arkansas about 30ish miles north of Little Rock. While living in Arkansas, my brother and I traveled all over the state, including a visit to the Blanchard Springs Caverns and recreation area. Hiking through the caverns and around the recreation area is phenomenal. The caverns make you feel like you’re looking at something made my aliens. It’s really pretty amazing. It’s also enormous inside the cave. For us, it was a day trip excursion. However, we did explore all around the recreation and campground area. I’ve camped all over Arkansas and what I’d say is that this is probably a great place for primitive tent camping and/or backpack/hammock camping. I have three small boys and it wouldn’t be my first choice for a family camping trip, albeit very very cool. The campground is small, maybe 30 or so spots and heavily wooded. The terrain isn’t conducive to kids unless you’re ok constantly being concerned about injuries. There are lots of cool swimming holes, moving water and falls nearby with it’s close proximity to Mirror Lake and Sugar Loaf Mt. definitely worth a trip if you’re close by, but not something I’d make a multi-hour trip for. Also wouldn’t stay there more than maybe two nights. I’d say if you’re camping somewhere relatively close, work in a day trip to Blanchard Springs. If you are like me and have kids, and you’d have to travel anything beyond an hour or two to get there, it’s not worth it. There are too many beautiful places in AR and you’d probably drive by more than one of them to get to Blanchard Springs. I’m giving it 3 stars for that reason alone. If I were rating based solely on the sites, activities, etc. I’d give it 5.

It had rained and the road in was near a foot deep flowing water. Not a problem on our motorcycle but a car may have issues with water coming in. This was a, nice Campground BUT it does require a hunting/fishing permit and we were given a written warning. Apparently this is true of all Arkansas public property despite app saying otherwise.

I have driven by this campground numerous times not paying a lot of attention. Today I paid attention and realized I have made a mistake. There is a high fence that assist in keep this corner of Mountain View private. An oasis for anyone that wishes to venture in. A traveler will find a welcome smile and an amazing view. They will also find a well maintained campground and a motel. The campground offers concrete pads or gravel, 30 and 50 amp service, full hook ups, cable tv, wi-fi, high speed for extra fee, coin operated laundry, community fire pit with wood provided, dog friendly, showers and toilets and more. The motel offers all the amenities you would expect to find in a branded hotel/motel. There are eight motel rooms and two cabins available for rent. Both the campground and motel have access to two recreation rooms. Both have full kitchens, tv, stereo, dining tables and chairs. One recreation room has limited exercise equipment. There is 1.5 acres of green space that is also available for all guest. The view from the green space is worth dreaming over that morning cup of coffee. There are things you will not find in many campgrounds in Mountain View. Much of the entertainment in this area will be of a natural source. Weekends will find pickers on the square or concerts at the Ozark Folk Center. If you want to take a dip look to the creeks or the river. Stand up paddle boarding, canoe, kayak, Loco Ropes, mountain bike trails, hiking, antiquing, trail rides, fishing and I’m sure you get the idea. Movies. There is a movie theatre and the cherry on top is a drive in movie. Mountain View Drive In is one of only a few left in the US. You will find first run movies at both.

Have fun - Stay safe    Leave No Trace     Better Than You Found It

Like Charles is definitely a fishing destinations but offers many other activities of camping. There are trails for hiking or bike riding all three campground areas have access to the lake for fishing or bring your own boat and explore the lake. The bath houses have just been renovated and the facility is maintained very well. He there is a playground and swimming area, I boat ramp, haste door in the office, and the staff are very friendly and helpful . It’s in Arkansas so don’t forget your mosquito spray after dark.

This is a very pretty little historic park with a small man-made pond. Fishing looked good and the kids loved the Pedal Boats.

There are only twenty sites, but most fit larger RVs and some even have sewer hookups.

The staff here are awesome and keep the place very clean. Besides having a nice little exhibit open to experience, they even are keeping the kayak, canoe and pedal boat rentals open (Other Arkansas Parks are keeping some bathrooms, showers, rental boats and exhibits closed because of COVID). Lake Charles SP even closed their beach?!? and they said they didn’t have enough staff sitting around doing nothing to rent kayaks.

Davidsonville is definitely a great place to visit.

Open Mar - Oct with 116 sites and 80 are electric

Fees:  $16.00 - $20.00

Reservations:  877-444-6777 or recreation.gov

Boat ramp, drinking water, dump station, playground, flush toilets, showers, picnic table, fish cleaning table, water sites, swimming beach, day use area

Campground is older as most COE camps are but the ones in Arkansas have a great deal of charm and beauty.  Sites are mainly shaded with typical forest trees in this area.  Wildlife spotting from your campsite is normal.  Sites are generally smaller than you will find in a private campground.  Check the site sizes to make sure your unit will fit.  The sunsets re amazing if you have a water site.  Not to mention you could have your own "mini" cliff to jump off on to go swimming.  There are even some site where people dock their boats.

LNT

BTWYFI

Travel safe