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.
$15 - $25 / night
"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. "
"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."
$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!"
$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."
"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."
"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."
$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."
"This is a great RV campground right on the Arkansas river. The sites are large and mostly level."
"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."
"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."
$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."
"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."
GuideNice campground very convenient to the Horse Track that is only a few blocks to walk to. Clean level concrete sides. Being in town makes all the local sites an easy quick drive.
ScoutExcellent free primitive parking/camping.
GuideCame into town for the Horse races. Campground was easy access in the middle of town. Area was pretty quiet and secure. Hosts were great and welcoming. Will be back again next time we are doing in town activities! Concrete sites are clean and very level so set up was a breeze.
TravelerThis site is in BEAUTIFUL spot and is well maintained! But just know that this is a popular location it seems. We reserved our spot for one night about a month ago (if not more) and there were a lot of sites booked them. I think we saw ONE open spot last night. That said, everyone was respectful of quiet hours, and it’s mostly a lot of RV camping—looks like people say for longer periods of time! There are tent sites too, but only a handful. The bathrooms have a shower and real toilets. For a campsite they are incredibly clean!
We stayed in site 21 and could walk down the hill to the bank of the lake for a beautiful view. Noting this as a place we should come back to if we are ever in the area again! So lovely.
GuideThis is a great location in southeastern Arkansas. This sites are great. The scenery is beautiful. The cell service can be spotty at times and if you have Starlink that can also be spotty because of the tree cover. Be careful if you have a longer rig that the sites are not level most of them have a pretty good slope. There are a few that don’t so if you’re in a larger motorhome or a larger fifth wheel, it may be difficult to get level. But overall, this is an excellent place to stay, especially during the week in the spring time like we did. There were only a few other people. It was quiet and extremely green and beautiful.
TravelerThe location is convenient, and everyone is super friendly! It’s mainly long term/permanent campers, which makes for a small neighborhood vibe. Choose a back in site along the pretty little creek. All the basic amenities plus coin operated laundry.
ScoutStayed 3 nights on Sunday I went to do laundry got back to find my step stool and skillet dog bowls/beds campsite was cleaned trash bag and all the ranger never put a tag on site 69 and no one knows who took our things. Sad after spending 40+years camping here
GuideWe stayed in section D, site 114! It was so nice and quiet, the trees made it feel so spacious and like you weren’t right on top of other campers! The bathrooms were eh. Not the best but not the worst! All the trails in walking distance was absolutely amazing! Would definitely camp here again :)
GuideThis is a great RV campground right on the Arkansas river. The sites are large and mostly level. The grounds are well taken care of and everyone is extremely friendly if you’re towards the front that’s closer to the Botox towards the back you’re closer to the bathrooms and shower house.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 167 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 84 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.
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