Lake camping dominates the options near Benton, Arkansas with several state parks and commercial campgrounds within a 30-minute drive. Most camping areas sit between 400-650 feet elevation with moderate humidity year-round. Spring and fall offer milder temperatures in the 60-80°F range, while summer camping frequently involves temperatures above 90°F with high humidity that can make tents uncomfortable without proper ventilation.
What to do
Kayaking at Lake Catherine: Lake Catherine State Park offers rentals for exploring the lake's calm waters. "We enjoyed the hiking trails and rented a few kayaks. It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water," notes Alison C. at Lake Catherine State Park Campground.
Disc golf at Catherine's Landing: The campground maintains a disc golf course on their property that weaves through natural terrain. "The tent areas were in a disk golf field. No really ideal for your dogs if you are in a tent," explains Heather N., indicating the dual-use nature of some camping areas at Catherine's Landing.
Waterfall hiking trails: Several parks feature waterfall trails with varying difficulty levels. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," shares Alison C. about their family-friendly experience at Lake Catherine State Park.
Riverfront walking routes: Many campgrounds offer direct river access with walking paths. "Once across you can take a nice town/parks walk and come back on another pedestrian bridge further down the river," notes Gary I. about the walking opportunities from Downtown Riverside RV Park.
What campers like
Spacious, level sites: Many campgrounds offer concrete pads with ample space. "All of the sites are very spacious, concrete pads, well maintained hook ups, and most are full sun," reports Jennifer H. about their stay at Catherine's Landing.
Waterfront camping options: Lakefront sites allow direct water access for fishing and swimming. "Our campsite backed up to the lake, so we had a great view. The campsite was a great size and well spaced out from our neighbors. There were trees to hang our hammocks," explains Alison C. about Lake Catherine's waterfront options.
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds provide natural barriers between camping spots. "Enough space between sites for plenty of privacy," notes Ryan S. at Petit Jean State Park, highlighting the campground's layout advantages.
Dog-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds include designated pet areas. "The dog park was a decent size for running and mingling with other dogs. The hiking trail (about 3 miles) was a big plus and got used a lot," explains Nancy W. about the pet-friendly features at Catherine's Landing.
What you should know
Seasonal challenges: Summer heat affects camping comfort significantly. "It was warm outside but not overly hot at the time which was nice. However, because the summer was still winding down, unfortunately this campground was full as it is a first come first serve campground," explains Crystal C. about Gulpha Gorge Campground.
Shower facility variations: Bathroom and shower quality varies widely between campgrounds. "The showers are not very private other than a nasty mildewed shower curtain, but there is no where to dry off or dress that is private," warns Shana D. about certain facilities at Petit Jean State Park.
Site accessibility issues: Some campgrounds have challenging layouts that may affect larger RVs. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level," cautions Ryan S. about the B loop at Petit Jean State Park.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in prime seasons. "'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 Ryan S. about securing spots at Petit Jean State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Walking-accessible activities: Select campgrounds with amenities within walking distance. "There is a pedestrian bridge accessed through a security gate that crosses the river and arrives at the Clinton Library and park. It was so nice to stroll through after a day of driving," reports Pam R. about Maumelle Park.
Kid-friendly swimming options: Some parks offer swimming areas with added features. "The pool with splash park was well used by our kids," shares Charles S. about their family experience at Catherine's Landing.
Nature play opportunities: Unstructured natural play areas provide alternative entertainment. "Along the river there's a trail and fun places for the kids to play and play. They made a 'treehouse' and it was hours worth of fun!" describes Lauren N. about Catherine's Landing's natural play opportunities.
Evening wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer wildlife viewing opportunities after sunset. "The riverfront is beautiful at night with the downtown lit up at night," notes Nancy W. about the evening activities available at Downtown Riverside RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs equally. "Easy access for a KOA, we have a cyclone 4270 (44' triple axel 5th wheel) which is pushing it for most KOA's. We landed a pull through just behind the office and on way out of curve in road so we slide right in," advises Daniel at Little Rock North KOA.
Hookup positioning challenges: Consider utility layout when choosing sites. "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 Ryan S. about Petit Jean State Park.
Pet-friendly RV sites: Many parks offer dedicated areas for RVs with pets. "We took my nieces on a weekend trip in our camper to Lake Catherine State Park. Our campsite backed up to the lake, so we had a great view. The campsite was a great size and well spaced out from our neighbors," shares Alison C. about the pet-friendly camping near Benton, Arkansas.
Overnight transit options: Several campgrounds cater to overnight stays. "We stopped in for a quick overnight stay and the location was convenient—which is what we love about KOA—but it wouldn't be my top choice for a longer stay," notes Jen O. about Little Rock North KOA's suitability for brief stays.
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