Best Campgrounds near Benton, AR

Searching for the best camping near Benton, AR? Benton is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Benton camping trip.

Best Camping Sites Near Benton, Arkansas (159)

    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

922 Reviews of 159 Benton Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • Christopher  T.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Tar Camp

    Not much to say

    The park itself is beautiful other the the volunteer camps at the gate house they both have so much junk piled up around them and the one has a dirty old schoolly not that I have anything against schoollys but this one is dirty. They evacuated the park due to high water while we were there and we never receive the phone call or a text The only way we knew is I got a notification from the bank will they refunding those our money back.we where out and about when it happened we get back they had everything locked up and where gone now I grew up a commercial fisherman fishing the Arkansas river and took it back up after I retired from the army and have lived next to the Arkansas White and Chache river all but the 20 years I gone to the army so I know the river. The water never broke flood stage nor came close to it. So there was zero reason to evaluate us. But that being said we should have been notified

  • Christopher  T.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Maumelle Park

    Great volunteers

    Love this place and the people who work there

  • Travis A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

    Nice ACOE campground

    Nice lake with beach area. Playground for kids. Clean restrooms. Some of the sites are small so check the length. Not far from Hot Springs.

  • Elise A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park

    Camping in luxury

    So here’s the thing, me and my partner do not like fruit, fruit and frills. I’d rather be in the middle of the woods with out a bathroom in sight, then having loads of facilities. But something about this location, turns all of that on its head for us.

    The campsites were well-maintained, the bathroom facilities were clean, but the park lodges, which also function as a trailhead for one of the major hikes there are like nothing I’ve seen before

    A pool at the top of an expensive out overlook which ultimately leads down to a gorgeous waterfall. That same lodge has a fully functioning bar and restaurant attached to it and on either side of the state park there are small coffee shops, a 24 hour farmers market with some of the weirdest and most pleasant people I’ve ever met.

    It was just cool, I’ll leave it at that

  • Makayla C.
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Buckville - Lake Ouachita

    Island Camping!!!

    We decided to island camp here and boy was it an experience. Day one was perfect, despite some storms, we really enjoyed ourselves. Day two we had to pack up early, flies got so horrible and wouldn’t stop biting us!


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 159 campgrounds and RV parks near Benton, AR and 30 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 30 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.