Camping spots near Benton, Arkansas range from waterfront locations along Lake Catherine to urban sites with direct river access. The Benton region sits in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains with elevations between 300-600 feet, creating varied terrain for camping. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing, affecting water availability at some campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking trails year-round: Lake Catherine State Park offers multiple hiking options with varying difficulty levels, including the Falls Branch Trail. "The park has a couple hiking options along with the lake activities. This SP will fill up quickly in the spring and fall, reservations are recommend," notes one visitor at Lake Catherine State Park Campground.
Kayaking on calm waters: Paddlers find Lake Catherine ideal for beginners due to limited boat traffic. "It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water," reports a camper who visited Lake Catherine State Park twice.
Disc golf course: Catherine's Landing offers an on-site disc golf course surrounded by natural hiking trails. "The property is so peaceful and quiet. We came with little kids and they explored their hearts out," shares a visitor at Catherine's Landing.
Presidential Library visit: Downtown camping provides easy access to cultural attractions. "We usually do not like camping in cities this big but wanted to come here to visit the William J. Clinton Presidential Library. And what a great location this park is to downtown Little Rock and the library," explains a camper.
What campers like
Waterfront sites with privacy: Maumelle Park features spacious camping areas along the Arkansas River. "We got lucky with our spot, only 1 direct neighbor. Beautiful view of the Arkansas River. Busy park," mentions a visitor at Maumelle Park.
Pedestrian bridges to urban areas: Downtown camping options connect directly to city attractions. "You can take a walking bridge across the river directly into downtown Little Rock," notes a camper at Downtown Riverside RV Park.
Well-maintained shower facilities: While not all campgrounds offer showers, some provide exceptional bathroom amenities. "The shower rooms are large and stone tiled," reports a visitor to Catherine's Landing, though they noted some ceiling maintenance was needed during their stay.
Dog parks for pet owners: Several campgrounds accommodate pets with dedicated areas. "Loved the dog park! We are just starting to travel with our 2 boxers and was so nice to have an area for them to run a bit," says a visitor to Hot Springs National Park KOA.
What you should know
Reservation timing matters: Many popular sites book quickly, especially waterfront locations. "The park was opening back up slowly with COVID-19 closing many of the facilities, but it was almost back to 'normal'...A loop stays booked 93% of the year - Park Office. It's really hard to get a reservation if you don't book at least a year out in A loop," advises a camper at Petit Jean State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require equipment for leveling RVs and trailers. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level," warns another Petit Jean State Park visitor.
Wildlife considerations: Snake encounters occur at some locations near water. "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 a visitor to Willow Beach.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely across camping areas. "The cell service was minimal (1 bar) but a cell booster gave us full service," reports a visitor to Lake Ouachita State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Ropes courses and zip lines: Adventure activities appeal to older children. "The climbing and ropes course is enormous and will make any kid's jaw drop in disbelief. There's an affiliated zip line just outside of the park," explains a visitor to Catherine's Landing.
Fishing opportunities for kids: Several locations offer accessible fishing for beginners. "D26 Back-in full hook-ups, fire ring & picnic table...Sits on the bank of the Arkansas River so fishing and water sports are available from the bank or boat," notes a visitor at Hot Springs National Park KOA.
Wildlife spotting: Waterfowl and other animals attract younger campers. "Sites are very well spaced and you can take your chairs to the river or use the picnic benches scattered along the river full of waterfowl and occasional boaters and huge barges," shares a visitor to Maumelle Park.
Playground quality: Facility amenities vary significantly between locations. "Nice playground but it was taped off during our stay due to covid," reports a Willow Beach visitor, highlighting the importance of checking current status.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: RV campers recommend specific areas for maximum comfort. "If we return, I'd choose a river site but this was nice too except our 34 ft class A FDDS opened right onto a silty patch that forced us to navigate our entry into our motorhome," advises a visitor to Maumelle Park.
Hookup configurations: Be prepared for unusual utility layouts at some campgrounds. "Some sites have water and the picnic table on the opposite sides of the camper. It's purely inconvenient and I'm not sure why this is this way. Pay attention when you book your site to campsite photos," warns a Petit Jean State Park visitor.
Pull-through availability: Larger rigs benefit from specific site types at Willow Beach. "Large sites, not piled in on each other like RV parks. It's a clean campground outside the city, can't beat it for the price. Waterfront. Covered picnic benches. 50amp + water," shares one RVer.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "NO SEWER (EXCEPT FOR SITES 47 & 48)," notes a Petit Jean visitor, highlighting the importance of planning for waste management.
