The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Bismarck. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Bismarck is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Bismarck, AR. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
$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.
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"This weekend we camped at DeGray Lake Resort State Park in Bismarck, Arkansas. We had a blast! DeGray Lake has a lot to offer for groups large and small wanting to get away."
"Great ranger led boat tour of the lake. Lots of nice level sites. Super cool yurts for rent that have the best views! Arkansas has the best State Parks!"
$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."
"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."
$14 - $80 / night
"Arkansas has variable weather in January. Cold clear day today but higher temps predicted for later in the week. Many sites available. Beautiful views."
"This site also backs to the lake which is nice except that people would park their boats on the shore and walk through the site at which I was camped. This was a first for me."
"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."
$20 / night
"First the location is close to Hot Springs National park, only about 20 minutes away."
"Easy access to this recreation area via I-30. Sites well maintained. A picnic table and fire ring are provided, as well as a lantern post. This rec area also has a boat launch. "
"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."
$20 / night
"The Iron Mountain trail system is adjacent to the campground. I love the rustic simplicity of the place. It is older but well maintained and clean. Its such a peaceful and beautiful place."
"This campground is on a tall ridge so there is no walk out to the water. You can view the water from most sites though. We prefer the wooded area."
$20 / night
"Beautiful location on a peninsula that overlooks the lake. Swimming/beach area away from the campground. Two campgrounds, one for tents only and one for RVs. Bathhouses with hot showers."
"No hiking trails but a nice place to walk. I got to experience a beautiful sunset every night and snow flurries my first morning here."
GuideNice lake with beach area. Playground for kids. Clean restrooms. Some of the sites are small so check the length. Not far from Hot Springs.
ScoutWe couldn’t even get to the campsite in our AWD Subaru Outback. There are drainage pipes exposed on the road
GuideWe decided to island camp here and boy was it an experience. Day one was perfect, despite some storms, we really enjoyed ourselves. Day two we had to pack up early, flies got so horrible and wouldn’t stop biting us!
GuideWe were the only campers had a great spot on the water for a morning shower. I used my own pop up toilet as there’s is not close to being clean. It is bear country and others trash was gone through by wildlife in the bathroom.
TravelerSaw the most beautiful sunset. Caught a deliscious catfish. Spent a day in a hamock with a fantastic lake view.
TravelerI’ve reviewed the campground before, for other sites. Most are level and plenty of room/parking length. This site 30 is cramped and has a passenger side tilt to it. I have a 26’ (tip to tail) TT and a crew cab pickup… they will not fit in the campsite end to end, much less with some room to get in to the tailgate. Once unhooked, I had to angle the truck in to overlap the tongue of the TT. Ended up with a 3 inch riser to level the trailer side to side, which puts the first step about 17 inches up. To add to it, there is no level surface much further than the step before the site slopes off steeply with pine needles. The site just seems like the Park wanted to jam another spot in to make 45$ extra a night on busy times. I would not recommend site 30, to anyone. Tent campers would be even worse off, as the tent pad area is back closer to the road.
TravelerThe campground was a little hard to find, about 22 miles from I-30 but we found it. Check-in was easy, directions to our site clear. Plenty of room to back into the site. Gravel site, nice and level. We only stayed 1 night. The campground was nice and clean and quiet. Good place to rest up before continuing on with our journey.
LegendCoordinates: 34.75797,-93.24530. Large, open dispersed site along Gladstone Forest Rd (FR11) in the Ouachita National Forest. Should accomodate 4 rigs - truck camper size and smaller. Easy access from the forest road onto a mostly level dirt surface. There is no privacy from the forest road. Tent camping is possible. Situated on an old, unused track that goes off into a dense forest behind the site. I believe this site can be used by a group of hunters. Very little shade; solar recharging and Starlink connectivity possible. There is a rock fire ring on the site. No T-Mobile cell service. There is nothing remarkable about this site. Should be good for an overnight stay while exploring the Forest Road 11 area of the Ouachitas.
LegendCoordinates: 34.75922,-93.20452. Camped here on May 5, 2025. Large wooded dispersed site in the Ouachita National Forest. Suitable for about 3 campervan-sized rigs. A truck camper will be able to enter the site, but the trees may prevent manuevering deeper into the site. Tent and hammock camping possible. Easy access from FR779. The forest roads reaching this part of the national forest were in good shape at the time of this review. The dirt and grass site is level. Poison ivy is present. Overall, the site was clean and had a large rock fire ring. The site is near the North Fork Ouachita River, which can be reached by bushwacking down a steep hill and over rocks. One can see the river from the site during the winter but not in the summer. Since the site is well above the river, it is unlilely to get flooded. The site is shaded; solar recharging and Starlink connectivity is not likely. The site is setback well enough from the forest road so road dust coming into the site should not be an issue. There is not enough foliage along the road to offer privacy. During my stay, only 2 vehicles drove by. There are no hiking trails nearby. I enjoyed walking along the forest road and strolling in the forest surrounding the site. Access to the Ouachite National Recreation Trail is a 4-mile drive on forest roads to the south (coordinates 34.73300,-93.21913). There was no T-Mobile cell service at this site. I enjoyed camping here; beautiful spot and very peaceful.
Camping near Bismarck, Arkansas, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.
Camping around Bismarck, AR, is a great way to enjoy nature and spend time with family and friends. With various campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bismarck, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bismarck, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 177 campgrounds and RV parks near Bismarck, AR and 32 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Bismarck, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bismarck, AR is Lake Catherine State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 83 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bismarck, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 free dispersed camping spots near Bismarck, AR.
What parks are near Bismarck, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 parks near Bismarck, AR that allow camping, notably DeGray Lake and Ouachita Lake.
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