Best Dispersed Camping near Bentonville, AR

Several free dispersed camping areas surround Bentonville, Arkansas within a 40-minute drive. Lookout Tower Road offers tent and RV-friendly sites with established fire rings. The area supports large vehicles, with one camper noting they "managed to get our 40 foot Bluebird Bus up here." Sites feature good cell signal for Verizon users, making this location practical for remote workers needing occasional connectivity. Alcohol and pets are permitted at most sites.

Dispersed camping near Devils Den provides access to creeks and hiking trails, though recent restrictions may limit vehicle access. A visitor cautioned that "the forest service does NOT allow cars to drive on these roads anymore" and recommended parking at highway turnouts then walking in. Sugar Camp Lookout Tower Dispersed Area in Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest provides a larger clearing that "could easily get 4 rigs + in the sight" with established fire rings. Road conditions vary across all sites, with most being accessible to standard vehicles during dry weather.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Bentonville, Arkansas (8)

    1. Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Area

    3 Reviews
    Pineville, MO
    16 miles

    "Right off highway K! Coordinates looks like it drops you off at the middle of the road but there is a gravel drive. Brings you to a grass lot with a trail off of it."

    "Pretty remote. Quiet. Tick dog tried to get through the tick gate but failed unfortunately. No table. Burn ban, so no fires. No ticks. Hard to get to in the dark, but nice scenery."

    2. Lookout Tower Road

    3 Reviews
    Siloam Springs, AR
    18 miles

    "Less trash than most free camps. Multiple spots with plenty of room and not many bugs. Cell signal was strong in many places. Bike trails are worth using. Bring it in take it out, it's that easy."

    "We were in Bentonville, Arkansas and decided to take a gamble on this and it was about 40 minute drive when we got there."

    3. Sugar Camp Lookout Tower Dispersed Area

    2 Reviews
    Eagle Rock, MO
    25 miles

    "Completely surrounded by forest, so plenty of shade. Access road was a little rough, as in your typical dirt road, but posed 0 problems for our little economy car. I’ve had much worse for sure."

    "Mark Twain National Forest is always a great getaway. This location is tucked away from the main road and is easy to get to. Could easily get 4 rigs + in the sight."

    4. Pine Hollow 1045 Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Eagle Rock, MO
    26 miles

    "Excellent little campsite great for a couple tents at most we camped using a rooftop tent and it was a great spot. Very quite very clean unlike some other sites in the area."

    5. Dispersed Near Devils Den

    2 Reviews
    Chester, AR
    42 miles

    "The coordinates are fairly accurate. The entryways are a little tight for vehicles, but I made it in my sprinter van so everything else should be just fine. Would’ve been a nearly perfect campsite."

    6. Lee Creek Off Road Site

    1 Review
    Natural Dam, AR
    45 miles

    7. OHT Backcountry Primitive Site

    1 Review
    Combs, AR
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 964-7200

    8. OHT Primitive Site

    Be the first to review!
    Combs, AR
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 369-4128

    $5 / night

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Bentonville, AR

5 Photos of 8 Bentonville Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Bentonville, AR

8 Reviews of 8 Bentonville Campgrounds


  • Lauren
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Dispersed Near Devils Den

    Be careful!

    I just got back from staying here for a night. For one, it is a very narrow road but my minivan got through just fine. UNTIL I made it to a puddle of water (that I highly underestimated), got stuck in the mud immediately and had to call a tow company (by walking 15 minutes down the highway to get signal; no signal at all at the sites) to help pull me out for $400. The people at the tow company warned me that the forest service does NOT allow cars to drive on these roads anymore, and that is why they added guard rails. They told me that had I gotten caught with my car in there I would have had to pay a big fine. He said camping is fine as long as you park on the turnout by the highway and walk in. Saying all of that, there are still multiple really nice and spread out spots with nice huge firepits. I would have been fine with parking and walking in. Also, I was in pretty deep and could still hear the cars on the highway, but not many come by (at least not on a Tuesday night). The creek is nice. Also tons of fireflies which was cool.

  • K
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Sugar Camp Lookout Tower Dispersed Area

    Acessable to all

    Pretty great spot! If you’re fortunate enough to be alone, this is a very large space, with a nice picnic table and a few fire pits. Completely surrounded by forest, so plenty of shade. Access road was a little rough, as in your typical dirt road, but posed 0 problems for our little economy car. I’ve had much worse for sure. The area is pretty secluded, with only a few cars driving through all day, so bear spray is absolutely necessary for peace of mind. Practice good bear prevention measures and you’re good to go for a free night stay, or several, happy camping!

  • ‘Chelle S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2024

    Sugar Camp Lookout Tower Dispersed Area

    Beautiful and Peaceful

    Mark Twain National Forest is always a great getaway. This location is tucked away from the main road and is easy to get to. Could easily get 4 rigs + in the sight. Established fire ring (be mindful of burn bans). Close to Roaring River and Table Rock lake.

  • Bud D.
    Aug. 5, 2024

    Lookout Tower Road

    Fairly clean

    Less trash than most free camps. Multiple spots with plenty of room and not many bugs. Cell signal was strong in many places. Bike trails are worth using.

    Bring it in take it out, it's that easy.

  • Michelle T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Lookout Tower Road

    Perfect night out from Bentonville Arkansas

    We were in Bentonville, Arkansas and decided to take a gamble on this and it was about 40 minute drive when we got there. There was plenty of space for the dog to roam without getting into high grass where ticks would be festering and it was a sweet little private getaway for a night before driving on. We highly recommend. Starlink didn't work but Verizon did for phone calls only.

  • Mack Daddy Van L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2025

    Dispersed Near Devils Den

    Great hidden spot by the water

    The coordinates are fairly accurate. The entryways are a little tight for vehicles, but I made it in my sprinter van so everything else should be just fine. Would’ve been a nearly perfect campsite. Had it not been for all the trash left by others. Nice walk trails along the water. Local stop in for swimming and fishing. Insect surprisingly weren’t that bad. Traffic from nearby road is almost nonexistent. Stay two nights no issues.

  • Chad C.
    Jun. 5, 2025

    Lookout Tower Road

    40 foot Bluebird Bus

    I managed to get our 40 foot Bluebird Bus up here. Nice spot well ish maintained.


Guide to Bentonville

Dispersed camping opportunities surround Bentonville, Arkansas within the Ozark National Forest and neighboring Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest. Most free camping sites in the region sit at elevations between 1,000-1,500 feet, contributing to moderate temperatures during spring and fall camping seasons. Summer humidity levels frequently exceed 80%, creating muggy conditions during June through August.

What to do

Creek exploration: Near Dispersed Near Devils Den, visitors access multiple water features for cooling off. "Nice walk trails along the water. Local stop in for swimming and fishing," notes one camper who found insect activity "surprisingly weren't that bad" despite the proximity to water.

Mountain biking: The region offers technical trails accessible from several dispersed sites. At Lookout Tower Road, campers mention that "bike trails are worth using" with multiple trailheads within riding distance of established camping areas.

Wildlife observation: The forested areas provide habitat for deer, turkey and numerous bird species. At Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Area, the remote setting creates opportunities for wildlife spotting. One visitor described it as "pretty remote. Quiet" with minimal disturbance from neighboring campers.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: At Pine Hollow 1045 Dispersed Camping, campers appreciate the solitude. "Very quiet very clean unlike some other sites in the area," reports a visitor who used a rooftop tent setup. The area features level spots for small camping setups with minimal neighbor visibility.

Connectivity for remote work: Some sites maintain usable cell coverage, making weekend work retreats possible. A camper at Lookout Tower Road noted that "Starlink didn't work but Verizon did for phone calls only," while another mentioned "Cell signal was strong in many places."

Large campsites: Certain areas accommodate group camping with multiple vehicles. Sugar Camp Lookout Tower Dispersed Area features a "beautiful and peaceful" setting that "is easy to get to" with established fire rings and adequate parking space for groups.

What you should know

Access restrictions and road conditions: Forest Service regulations affect vehicle access at some sites. At Near Devils Den, a camper warns about challenging conditions: "UNTIL I made it to a puddle of water (that I highly underestimated), got stuck in the mud immediately and had to call a tow company." They advised parking at highway turnouts and walking in.

Limited facilities: No trash service exists at any dispersed sites. At Lee Creek Off Road Site, campers find "a fire pit, some paths to a hiking spot" but nothing more. Pack out all waste and prepare for no toilets or potable water.

Weather considerations: Spring brings significant rainfall that impacts road conditions. Summer heat often exceeds 90°F with high humidity. Fall offers more moderate temperatures with nighttime lows dropping into the 40s by late October.

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly options: For families new to dispersed camping, Sugar Camp Lookout Tower Dispersed Area offers easier access. "Access road was a little rough, as in your typical dirt road, but posed 0 problems for our little economy car," reports one visitor who found the large clearing ideal for setting up family-sized tents.

Safety preparations: Forest wildlife requires proper precautions. A camper at Sugar Camp advised that "the area is pretty secluded, with only a few cars driving through all day, so bear spray is absolutely necessary for peace of mind. Practice good bear prevention measures."

Seasonal tick prevention: The region experiences heavy tick activity from April through October. Bring appropriate repellents and conduct regular tick checks. At Huckleberry Ridge, a camper mentioned "No ticks" during their fall visit, suggesting cooler seasons may offer relief from these pests.

Tips from RVers

Vehicle size limitations: Most dispersed areas accommodate smaller rigs better than large motorhomes. At Lee Creek, a camper noted "I don't think a bus would fit but my 21ft. van was mostly a tight fit" with room for "just enough space for two car campers."

Site selection for leveling: Uneven terrain creates challenges at many locations. At Pine Hollow, a visitor observed "There is a second site just down the little pull off but it's not level so would be a last resort. Don't recommend bringing anything too large down the road."

Seasonal road conditions: Spring rains and winter freeze/thaw cycles deteriorate forest roads. Access typically improves by mid-summer after maintenance. Free camping near Bentonville becomes more accessible during dry periods from July through October when forest roads stabilize.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Several free dispersed camping options are available within driving distance of Bentonville. Lookout Tower Road is about 40 minutes from Bentonville, offering multiple spacious sites with less trash than typical free camps, good cell signal, and even access to bike trails. For those willing to venture a bit farther, Dispersed Near Devils Den provides nice walking trails along water, though be cautious as access roads can be narrow and potentially muddy after rain. These dispersed sites typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early, especially on weekends, is recommended.

Do I need permits for tent camping in free areas around Bentonville, Arkansas?

Most dispersed camping areas around Bentonville don't require specific permits, but regulations vary by land management agency. Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Area is accessible without permits, offering a quiet, remote camping experience. Similarly, OHT Backcountry Primitive Site allows camping without formal permits. However, all sites have specific regulations, particularly regarding campfires (observe any burn bans), length of stay (typically 14-day limits), and vehicle restrictions. It's always recommended to check with the specific land management agency (Forest Service, Conservation Department, etc.) before your trip, as rules can change seasonally or based on environmental conditions.

What amenities are available at primitive camping sites near Bentonville?

Primitive camping sites near Bentonville offer basic amenities varying by location. Sugar Camp Lookout Tower Dispersed Area features picnic tables and established fire rings in a shaded forest setting, with enough space for multiple vehicles. Lee Creek Off Road Site provides fire pits and access to hiking trails, though it's located close enough to hear some road traffic. Most dispersed sites won't have water, electricity, or restroom facilities, so campers should be prepared to bring all necessary supplies and practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash and waste.