Best Dispersed Camping near Benton, AR

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Benton

37 Reviews of 23 Benton Campgrounds

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Dec. 16, 2024

  Base of North Fork Pinnacle Dispersed, Forest Road 132

  Easy Access from Winona Scenic Drive & Ouachita National Recreation Trail

  Coordinates: 34.85844,-92.85765. Camped here in mid-December 2024. Large dispersed campsite in a wooded area positioned between the Winona Scenic Drive (Forest Road 132) and the Ouachita National Recreation Trail in the Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas. The site has easy access from both the forest road and the backpacking trail. Convenient to hikers and softroaders. The North Fork Pinnacle viewpoint is a half-mile hike from the campsite. The campsite is set back from the forest road; no issues with dust from the road. The site, as well as the driveway into the site, are dirt surfaces. There are 2 clean fire rings. I camped by the 2nd fire ring which is further away from the forest road. Maneuvering my van into position took some effort due to the trees at this spot; a little bit of leveling was required. The first fire ring, closer to the forest road, is easier to set up next to and more level. This dispersed campsite can accomodate 3 or 4 small to midsize rigs. Tent and hammock camping is possible. The site is shaded. About 100 yards west on the other side of the forest road, there is a clear-cut area which has a lot of downed limbs for firewood. There was spotty T-Mobile service, but good AT&T service, at this site. The ride on Forest Road 132 from the east (Hwy 9) is bumpy/rocky in several places. Erosion seems to be getting worse over time on this unpaved road. I aired-down the tires for ride comfort. Low clearance vehicles should be okay on this road. There are several other dispersed campsites, which are easy to find, along the road. Enjoyed camping here. Beautiful site in the woods. Quiet. Next to the Quachita National Recreation Trail which is a wonderful hiking trail.

• 

  Logan R.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 17, 2024

  Forest Service RD 153 Ouachita National Forest

  Overland site

  First off the coordinates are 34.80858, -93.07552 This campsite has amazing 360 sunsets and sunrises. A bit rocky for tent campers but should have no trouble finding a spot for a 4 man tent. There is also limited level ground but not bad. This site has room for 2-3 rigs. If ya needed to squeeze 4 you definitely could. There is a good breeze as it is on the top of the ridge which would be great in summer but can get a bit nippy in the colder seasons so keep that in mind. Nice sound of the breeze in the trees to put you right to sleep and extremely rare traffic so minimal reminders of society!!! I’ve rambled a bit but this site genuinely ticked all the boxes for me. Made for a beautiful evening.

• 

  Alice S.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 14, 2024

  FR132 - Crossroads Site Dispersed

  Super Simple But Has Signal

  WARNING Stay on the good gravel roads. GPS took me down 4 miles of an old log trail that I wasn't able to turn around on. Spent thirty minutes cursing GPS and contemplating my life choices. I was headed for one of the other sites but was so tired when I saw this one I took it.

  The site is at a crossroads so quite convenient. Only room for one vehicle. It does have a stone ring for a fire pit. The main draw however is that there is pretty good signal with Verizon here which is really rare in the area.

• R

  Rick M.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 13, 2024

  Harris Brake Lake

  A place to stop for the night

  We arrived late at night, and I'm glad we had our lightbar. It's dispersed camping, so no dumpster, no gray water dump. It does have a picnick table, though.

• 

  Arthur S.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 20, 2024

  Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite

  Nice weekend

  Didn’t have to drive too far down the road found a spot on the left. Nice stone camp fire circle, good flat spot for my tent, which is a four person. Bring a chair if you want a comfortable seat, also hard to find decent wood to burn, had to walk a bit to find. Not many cars drive down the road, saw some people hiking, also Sunday morning there were hunters out, so hearing gunshot pretty close to camp. All in all though it is good to be with nature and I’d go back to this spot or find another one on the road. I didn’t go very far down the road have more to explore!

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 23, 2024

  FR132/152 T-Junction Dispersed, Ouachita NF, AR

  Convenient Dispersed Camping 2 Miles from Lake Sylvia

  Large dispersed campsite located 2 miles west of Lake Sylvia State Park, where Forest Road 152 meets Forest Road 132. Clean site with one rock fire ring. Can fit a couple of vehicles. Because of the position of the trees on the site, maneuvering a truck camper into the site may be a challenge; don't recommend anything larger. Tent camping is possible. This is a level dirt site with some embedded rocks jutting up. Nice wooded area around site to stroll through. Seasonal track FR132C is adjacent to the site; this track is hikeable. Since the site is at the intersection of popular forest roads, there will be vehicles driving by. The site is set back enough that dust may not be a concern. No T-Mobile cell service. This is convenient, pretty campsite.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 22, 2024

  FR132 Small Dispersed, Ouachita NF, AR

  Overnight Dispersed Site

  Coordinates: 34.85431, -92.88115. Small dispersed campsite in the woods just off of Forest Road 132. Close to the forest road; easy access. There is a clean rock fire ring. Good campsite for a quick overnight stay. The surface of the site is dirt with a little bit of pea gravel. This site is only big enough for one rig, truck camper and smaller size. Pitching a tent is possible in a small clearing to the left of the rock fire ring. Slight downward slope but not bad. Shaded in summer. Nice wooded area. No T-Mobile cell service. There are no hiking trails nearby or remarkable natural features here, but the forest at this site is pretty. This is a nice site in the autumn.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 21, 2024

  Crystal Mountain Dispersed

  Good View with Difficult Access

  I haven't camped here recently. Forest Road 132A, which climbs up to the Crystal Mountain Overlook fom Forest Road 132, is not maintained and badly eroded. Drivers with high clearance 4x4 vehicles and OHVs will enjoy driving up this track, but I don't recommend this drive for the average passenger vehicle. I no longer attempt this with my stock AWD Subaru Outback - just not enough clearance. There are two rock fire rings at the top. Despite the nice views at the top, the dispersed campsites are usually trashy. I included an older photo of the view with Lake Winona in the distance.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 21, 2024

  FR132 Grindstone Mountain Area Dispersed, Ouachita NF. AR

  Forested Group Dispersed Site near Crystal Mountain Overlook

  Coordinates: 34.83903, -92.94556.  Set back from Forest Road 132 off of an old track - a short distance west of Forest Road 75. There is some minor erosion on the access to this site from FR132. Large site; good for groups. Should accommodate 4 rigs -  truck campersize & smaller. This site can accommodate 4x4 drivers that are planning to tackle Forest Road 132A to the Crystal Mountain Overlook - a short distance east of this site. FR132A is hikeable for those who do not drive high clearance 4x4s. The dispersed site has a level dirt surface. There are two rock fire rings. Beautiful forest backdrop. No T-Mobile service.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 19, 2024

  Dispersed FR132 Ouachita National Forest, AR

  Pull-thru dispersed site near the Ouachita Trail

  This is an update to my Feb 2022 review. This dispersed camp site has a level pull-thru driveway which can accomodate about 2 or 3 vehicles. I believe this driveway can accomodate a truck camper. Parking is not next to the rock fire ring; the fire ring is a very short walk away into the woods. The site is pretty much surrounded by forest - easy to stroll around in. Despite the site's elevation, there is no view of distant hills. Included some summer time images with this review. I like this spot, especially with the easy access to the Ouachita Trail nearby.

• k

  ken H.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 18, 2024

  Camp Robinson Dispersed Site

  Free camp in the trees by drained part of lake

  Thank goodness there is a slight breeze. 90 degrees. Summer swampy area. Picked up a med bag of trash; cans, bottles, and paper. Looks better now. I definitely put on bug spray right away. Nice place to sleep and get back on 40East in the morning. Doing a cross country from San Francisco to Pennsylvania.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 18, 2024

  Forest Service RD 132 Ouachita National Forest

  Fantastic View

  Near Oak Mtn Vista overlook. Great spot; fantastic unobstructed view of the hills to the south. Some shade in the summer. Fantastic view during the winter season. Large site; can comfortably accommodate 2, maybe 3 rigs - truck camper & smaller. Not level; some leveling is required. Dirt surface with exposed embedded rock - may be uncomfortable for tent camping. Close to road, which can get busy at times. Nice rock fire ring. Clean site. T-Mobile cell service.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 17, 2024

  Forest Service RD 29145 Ouachita National Forest

  Good Overnight Dispersed Campsite

  Small drive up site in a nice, wooded area. Very close to Forest Road 124, which is not busy. A few sections of this forest road coming from Trail 86 has minor erosion, but a 2WD passenger vehicle can carefully make it. The campsite slopes down slightly; some leveling may be required. Rock fire ring. Although close to the forest road, this is a pretty site. Good for an overnight stay while exlporing the forest. No T-Mobile cell service.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 17, 2024

  Forest Service RD 153 Ouachita National Forest

  Small Site with Great View

  Located on Forest Road 153. Small site with a nice view. The view is better during winter season camping. Close to the forest road with very little traffic; may get dusty at times. Two rock fire rings. This site has a rocky surface with sparse grass. High summer undergrowth around site. The site was not quite level, but workable. Fits one rig, truck camper and smaller. Finding a soft place for a tent may be difficult. Forest road 153 btween this site and Highway 7 appears to have been badly damaged by heavy rain and erosion. Looks like attempts were made to repair it, but still sketchy in places. There are some minor obstacles and washouts. I don't recommend this road for a 2WD passenger car; 4x4's with some high clearence should have no problem. I received good T-Mobile service at this site. Love this dispersed campsite.

• 

  Julie A.

  Scout

  

  May. 21, 2024

  Camp Robinson Dispersed Site

  Great place to overnight

  The lake has been partially drained to allow work to be done on stumps. The road back to it is well maintained and we had good cell reception with AT&T and Spectrum. The sunset was beautiful. Peaceful and quiet. The birds and frogs sang all evening.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  May. 18, 2024

  Ouachitas FR179 Dispersed Site

  Creekside dispersed camping in the Ouachita National Forest

  Camped here on Dec 13, 2023. Along well maintained gravel forest road, FR 179 in the Ouachita National Forest, Saline County, Arkansas. Really nice large site with a creek that flows into the North Fork of the Saline River was behind the site. Site appears to be large enough for 2 rigs no large than a truck camper. Multiple tents can be set up here. Did not have a problem parking our camper van on a level spot. The dirt surface is level. The site has a rock fire ring. Only a few vehicles drove by the site on FR179. Lots of trees surrounding the site with an open sky above for star gazing. Fishing is possible in the North Fork of the Saline River a short walk south of the site. No hiking trails nearby. No T-Mobile or AT&T cell service.  Love this spot!

• R

  Rylie R.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 4, 2024

  Camp Robinson Dispersed Site

  Great little spot

  Great spot to pitch a tent by lake Conway. Isolated but not too far out.

• 

  Jacob F.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 29, 2024

  Forest Service RD 132 Ouachita National Forest

  More amazing views

  Large site if you are sleeping on the ground bring plenty of padding it is rocky and no very flat. If you are in a rooftop there are plenty of rocks to level up on. Great views

• 

  Jacob F.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 29, 2024

  Forest Service RD 153 Ouachita National Forest

  Great view

  Off grid camp site need 4×4 some washouts on forest service rd 153

• 

  Jared E.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 9, 2024

  Forest Service RD 132 Ouachita National Forest

  Comfortable and well-maintained

  There was a fire pit, prepared firewood, and a nice stump to chop more on. Very isolated, didn’t see any cars past 7 pm. Ample room for large van and many tents. Beautiful view from atop the mountain!

• H

  Holly J.

  Traveler

  

  Feb. 19, 2024

  Harris Brake Lake

  Barking dogs nonstop

  While this spot is gorgeous You must be able to sleep through barking dogs. I sleep inside my vehicle so it wasn't as bad but I couldn't imagine anyone in a tent Getting much sleep at all. the neighbor dogs bark non-stop about everything. Any movement on the site they go crazy it is really really loud.

• 

  Sophia W.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 9, 2023

  Dispersed FR132 Ouachita National Forest, AR

  Worthwhile if you take some time to look!

  Stayed at two different spots here. First was a couple miles from the main road (highway 7). Plenty of room but close to the road and some trash, decent for pulling in after dark though. Second spot (pictured) was amazing— maybe 5-10 miles back of I had to guess. There are a few forest service roads back here so pay attention to the signs. Roads are steep further back but we’ll covered with gravel and very few large rocks, so you should be okay with most cars in good weather. Not sure how many sites are back here total. Expect to drive a ways between spots.

• 

  Mitch H.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 28, 2023

  Harris Brake Lake

  Beautiful Simple Campground (Permit Required)

  Solid site minus the heat and bugs this time of year. I was greeted with a sign at the entrance saying that a hunting/ fishing license or land pass was required to camp. There was no one else there and I wasn't bothered, but keep in mind you might get a wake up call from a ranger. Neither the dyrt or the WMA website said anything about this so that would've been my alibi. Great location with a beautiful sunset on the lake.

• s

  sav

  Guide

  

  Aug. 15, 2023

  Harris Brake Lake

  Absolutely beautiful!

  It was gorgeous and obviously well taken care of. we were by ourselves the whole night! Designated fire pits and an awesome view of the lake. However, there were two reasons for the four stars. 1) a little deeper into the woods, there were telltale signs for this camping site being a storage spot for people without houses. we had no issues but as two girls camping in a new state, it def made us a bit nervous. 2) there were two relatively major roads running right next to the site, so we got all of the sounds and the lights that come with that. we also got several curious individuals that drove down through to see what it was. but it was free!!! so definitely no major complaints here.

• M

  Matthew J.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 17, 2023

  Irons Fork

  Nicest free spot I’ve seen!

  The place was beautiful and had plenty of lake access points too. I went in mid July so it was hot and humid but I was able to swim a bit to help that. Some nice mature trees were there but didn’t get in the way of our view of the lake. There was even a pit toilet! There seemed to be about 5 sites, each with a grill and fire ring. More spaces are available near the road as well. Bugs weren’t much of an issue but we did use bug spray. There was a lil bit of trash from previous campers, some of which made it into the campfire. I’m happy we visited, but not happy about the humidity- I am thankful we were able to sleep in the car though! There was only one other person there. It is black bear country, so just be smart about your waste and food storage. We had about 1-2 bars of AT&T coverage, but the road leading in has some better signal.

• 

  Kyle C.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 10, 2022

  Harris Brake Lake

  Hidden gem

  I really enjoyed this site. I stopped on a weekday and I was the only one there. It was nice watching the sun set over the lake.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Feb. 12, 2022

  Dispersed FR132 Ouachita National Forest, AR

  Dispersed Camping near Ouachita National Recreation Trail, AR

  Located along Forest Road 132 (Winona Scenic Drive) in the Ouachita National Forest, Saline County, Arkansas. Flatside Wilderness Area located across the road from the site. Access to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail located nearby. Free dispersed site, no facilities. Rock fire ring. Should be enough parking for 2 vehicles. Suitable for tent camping, car camping, truck camping & van camping. Mostly level. There was plenty of firewood left by the fire ring. Camped here in February; very quiet. Only 2 vehicles drove by. Had a few bars of T-Mobile service.