Best Campgrounds near Benton, AR

Campgrounds in the Benton, Arkansas area include established state parks and RV facilities within an hour's drive of the city. Lake Catherine State Park, located about 25 miles southwest of Benton, provides a range of camping options including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping opportunities. Other nearby camping areas like Maumelle Park and Gulpha Gorge Campground at Hot Springs National Park offer riverfront camping with various accommodation types. The region features both public and private camping facilities with many offering water views along the Arkansas River or nearby lakes.

Access to most campgrounds near Benton requires reservations, particularly for weekend stays and during summer months. Many sites provide electric hookups, water access, and modern amenities like showers and flush toilets, though availability varies by location. The camping season extends year-round at most facilities, with temperatures generally mild in spring and fall, hot and humid in summer, and occasionally freezing in winter. Sites with water views tend to fill quickly, especially at Maumelle Park. As one camper noted, "Maumelle has many good sites from tent to 50amp and some nice fishing opportunities."

Several visitors highlight the natural settings and proximity to outdoor recreation as standout features. At Maumelle Park, campers mention the spacious, shaded sites and river views as primary draws. One camper shared that it's a "beautiful campground located on the Arkansas River with river access and lots of campsites." Many campgrounds in the area serve as convenient bases for exploring nearby attractions like Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Tent campers should note that some facilities primarily cater to RVs, with limited tent-specific amenities. Reviews consistently mention clean facilities but varying levels of privacy between sites. Riverside and lakefront camping areas receive the highest ratings, with campers appreciating the combination of natural settings and convenient access to urban amenities in Little Rock and Hot Springs.

Best Camping Sites Near Benton, Arkansas (161)

    1. Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    83 Reviews
    Jones Mill, AR
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 844-4176

    $15 - $25 / night

    "We stayed in site 54 (w/e/s) that was right on the lake. We could walk to the dock right behind the site to fish, although did not have very good luck."

    "Lake Catherine State Park, like all Arkansas state parks, is immaculately clean!  Most RV sites have close access to the water and there are small stationary docks to park your boat. "

    2. Maumelle Park

    50 Reviews
    Maumelle, AR
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 868-9477

    $28 - $75 / night

    "Stayed 6 nights at Maumelle COE campground next to Arkansas River. Nice and quiet especially after the weekend crowd left. Nice walking trails and still close to major conveniences."

    "Beautiful panorama view of the Arkansas river. Amenities are great. Friendly staff and clean park. Close to restaurants, shopping and services. Full year round so make a reservation!"

    3. Gulpha Gorge Campground — Hot Springs National Park

    75 Reviews
    Hot Springs National Park, AR
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 620-6715

    $34 / night

    "There are many positives to this campground well beyond the proximity itself. With electricity at all sites and a flat rate it seems to have a lot of positives to check off."

    "With close proximity to the town of Hot Springs, AR, this campground is well maintained and convenient but lacks in privacy. I stayed here as an overnight while driving north through the Midwest."

    4. Downtown Riverside RV Park

    23 Reviews
    North Little Rock, AR
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 340-5312

    "The location is truly excellent with easy access to the Arkansas River Trail, the Clinton library, restaurants and other attractions."

    "Not a resort but right next to the foot bridge that accesses parks on the other side of the Arkansas River. Traffic noise is minimal."

    5. Little Rock North KOA

    21 Reviews
    Cammack Village, AR
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 758-4598

    "We landed a pull through just behind the office and on way out of curve in road so we slide right in. Neighbors are close but nice as was the staff."

    "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."

    6. Catherine's Landing

    25 Reviews
    Hot Springs, AR
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 262-2550

    "Gorgeous setting on pristine Lake Catherine close to historic Hot Springs. I was in lakefront site 123 for one night but would have liked to stay longer."

    "The lake was beautiful and very natural. However if you like roughing it and being close to the water, you better have an RV of some sort or you'll miss the good spots."

    7. Willow Beach

    26 Reviews
    Scott, AR
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 961-1332

    $26 - $75 / night

    "Situated between the Arkansas River and Willow Lake, every site is waterfront. Showers and bathrooms were clean and in good condition. Sites were close but in good repair."

    "Beautiful campsite along the Arkansas River. The sites are all very spacious with very long back in driveways. Some of the sites had covered picnic tables, which was great."

    8. Hot Springs National Park KOA

    22 Reviews
    Hot Springs, AR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 624-5912

    "Laundry was a bit small especially in a world of social distancing but clean. You have to drive through the entire campground to get to the lower sites."

    "The sites are close to each other, but they are stair stepped, so you feel like you have more privacy which was really nice."

    9. Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park

    105 Reviews
    Adona, AR
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 727-5441

    $25 - $40 / night

    "_ There are several viewpoints/vistas that you can access from roads (just two close together that involve some driving on gravel)."

    "Super cool paths, views and community. Tons of historical value and it's obvious that Arkansas cares about it's forests, natural resources and outdoor communities."

    10. Lake Ouachita State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Mountain Pine, AR
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 287-2757

    "This state park sits on one of the prettiest and clearest lakes in the state of Arkansas. The area that I will be focusing on is the primitive tent sites."

    "Definitely my favorite park in Arkansas so far. It’s a really big park at the lake with lots to do. I was there in the fall so I didn’t do any lake stuff but still had a great time tent camping."

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Recent Reviews near Benton, AR

928 Reviews of 161 Benton Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Cherokee Park (Arkansas River) — Arkansas River Rockefeller Lake

    Best Corps of Engineers campground

    A beautiful spot with both lakeside campsites and shaded sites. All spaced for plenty of privacy. Each site has  power and water. Bathrooms are clean and have showers. $26 per night or $13 if you have a federal pass. I used my senior lifetime pass. Strong cell: 3 bars of 5G Verizon.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    FR94 Dispersed Campsite

    Peaceful site in the Quachitas

    Coordinates: 34.86190,-92.90667. Camped here Sept 9, 2025. Large dirt and grass site; very clean. May accommodate a truck camper or 2 smaller vehicles. Mostly level. Tent and hammock camping possible. No privacy from the road. The site has a rock fire ring. The site is surrounded by forest with the Flatside Wilderness Area just across the forest road. There are no hiking trails near the campsite, but there are opportunities to stroll and explore in the forest. The site is mostly shaded; Starlink connectivity may be a challenge. AT&T LTE service. Sporadic T-Mobile service. Quiet location. No one drove by during our stay. Note that there are a couple of dead trees in the middle of this site; choose the position of your vehicle and/or tent carefully. The Flatside Pinnacle hiking trailhead and parking for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail are located 3/4 of a mile north of the site along FR94. The forest roads approaching the site from the south are in good condition. In my opinion, I don't recommend anything larger that a truck camper. The approach from the north, however, is not as good. FR94 and FR805 are eroded at the higher elevations; lots of exposed embedded rocks. I believe a 2wd passenger car can very carefully get through this area with air-downed tires.

  • Benjamin S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Toad Suck

    ACOE Toad Suck

    Great little campground. Decently maintained. Most of the sites have concrete pads big enough for a couple tents. Solid concrete picnic table with a roof over it was nice. Parking was not very level but our 38ft schoolie fit fine with enough room for our car.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

    Must visit !

    Beautiful campground! Sites are spacious. Area is clean and lots of things to do. Near Hot Springs so we did a lot of exploring there.

  • Kenneth F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Hot Springs Arkansas Finish Line RV Park

    Nice little park

    This is a nice little gated park. Close to the national park in Hot Springs Arkansas. And right next door to the flat track/casino. It’s pretty new, but not really any extra amenities. 20/30/50 amp full hookups. Concrete pads, and paved streets. Laundry and bath house. Inexpensive. We’d definitely stay here again!

  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    DeGray Lake Resort State Park — De Gray State Park

    Very quiet and secluded CG

    We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 12 for 1 night in mid September. The CG is clean and well maintained but showing its age. The CG roads are paved, but narrow, winding, and fairly bumpy in spots. Few if any of the sites in this section of the CG were anywhere close to level and our site, one of the few pull-throughs, was one of the worst, I mean seriously sloped even after ratcheting up the front levelers as far as they’d go. The CG is very quiet and peaceful. There was only one other camper in this section of the CG while we were there. 

    AT&T coverage was basically nonexistent with 1 bar of LTE service but very little if any throughput. The CG is heavily wooded, so Starlink was unusable.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Toad Suck

    Lock & Dam

    Small clean campground. Some spots are very private Some not so much. Spots are large. Great views of lock. Multiple playgrounds and pavilions. Basketball, volleyball and store across the street.


Guide to Benton

Camping near Benton, Arkansas, offers a fantastic mix of outdoor fun and beautiful scenery. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to all kinds of campers.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Many campgrounds have trails for hiking. At Petit Jean State Park, one visitor shared, “Beautiful campground. Site was not level front to back but plenty of space.”
  • Fishing and Water Activities: If you enjoy fishing, Lake Catherine State Park Campground is a great spot. A camper noted, “Our site on the lake was very beautiful and every site on the water has a small dock you can fish off.”
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Gulpha Gorge Campground have enjoyed the natural surroundings. One camper mentioned, “National Park campground, sites along the creek are really nice.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground said, “The bathrooms were very good.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One camper at Maumelle Park mentioned, “The campsites are pretty spacious for tents with their own fire rings too.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Catherine's Landing said, “The staff were nice, friendly and helpful.”

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For instance, at Gulpha Gorge Campground, one camper noted, “Clean restrooms, no showers.”
  • Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A reviewer at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground pointed out, “The only downside was the power plant across the lake was weird but also quirky.”
  • Primitive Camping: If you’re looking for a more rustic experience, Mount Nebo State Park Campground offers primitive camping. One camper mentioned, “If tent camping, sites 17, 14, 16 have the best views of an overlook.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. At Catherine's Landing, a reviewer said, “Plenty of room for the kids to ride bicycles and a direct, private access at the campground to Lake Catherine.”
  • Plan for Bugs: Some areas can be buggy, especially near water. A camper at Lake Catherine State Park Campground noted, “Bugs were not bad at all.”
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Campgrounds often have open spaces for games. One camper at DeGray Lake Resort State Park suggested, “There are plenty of trails and just a lot to do.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Gulpha Gorge Campground mentioned, “Sites 2-7 are adjacent to the road, not desirable.”
  • Wi-Fi Availability: Some campgrounds have decent Wi-Fi. A visitor at Catherine's Landing said, “Serious Problem is Very Poor WiFi.”
  • Be Prepared for Road Noise: If you’re sensitive to noise, consider this before booking. A camper at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground mentioned the nearby highway noise.

Camping around Benton, AR, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a peaceful spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What RV parks in Benton, Arkansas offer full hookups?

Sweet Escape RV Resort in nearby Austin provides full hookups along with amenities including a large dog park and fishing opportunities. It's conveniently located near Highway 167 with easy access to Benton. Downtown Riverside RV Park offers full hookups with an excellent location along the Arkansas River Trail, providing easy access to Little Rock attractions like the Clinton Presidential Library and downtown restaurants. For those willing to drive a bit further, Little Rock North KOA and Hot Springs National Park KOA also offer full hookup sites with additional resort-style amenities.

What are the best campgrounds near Benton, Arkansas?

The Benton area offers several excellent camping options. Caddo Drive - De Gray Lake is a clean Army Corps of Engineers site on a beautiful peninsula overlooking the lake with separate areas for tents and RVs, hot showers, and a swimming beach. Gulpha Gorge Campground in Hot Springs National Park provides a unique opportunity to camp near the historic downtown area with easy access to the park's attractions. Other notable options include Petit Jean State Park for its scenic viewpoints and Lake Catherine State Park for a more intimate camping experience.

What camping is available near Benton, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Benton, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 161 campgrounds and RV parks near Benton, AR and 31 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Benton, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Benton, AR is Lake Catherine State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 83 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Benton, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 free dispersed camping spots near Benton, AR.

What parks are near Benton, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Benton, AR that allow camping, notably Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam and Arkansas River - Pool 5.