The Little Rock area around Bryant provides accessible camping with diverse terrain across the Ouachita Mountains and Arkansas River Valley. Located at around 400 feet elevation, Bryant campsites experience humid subtropical climate patterns with summer highs frequently reaching 95°F and winter temperatures occasionally dropping to 25°F. Mosquitoes remain active from April through October at most waterfront campsites.
What to do
Hiking trails at multiple difficulty levels: Lake Catherine State Park offers three well-maintained trails for hikers of all abilities. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," notes one visitor to Lake Catherine State Park Campground.
Fishing from multiple access points: Many campsites provide direct water access for anglers. A camper at Willow Beach notes their campsite had "Covered picnic table and tall fire ring. Spacious camps. Flat pad," though they mentioned there was "No clean space to get down a fish from the bank."
Mountain biking near campsites: Several campgrounds provide access to biking trails. A camper at Maumelle Park explained, "The Pinnacle Mountain Trail system was a shaded easy trail system that can be accessed right from this campground."
Urban exploration between nature stays: Downtown access provides cultural breaks between nature days. A visitor at Downtown Riverside RV Park observed it has "Great location, walkable to downtown. Good WiFi, great reception... It was nice to be parked in a place that didn't require driving to explore."
What campers like
Large, level sites: Many campgrounds feature well-designed camping pads. At Catherine's Landing, campers appreciate that "All sites appear to be spacious with grass and fire pits. The canoe, kayak and boat rentals are in good condition, the paved sites and roads are very smooth and level."
Secluded sites away from crowds: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. A visitor at Petit Jean State Park noted, "B loop pros: plenty of shade in hot months with the pine grove... enough space between sites for plenty of privacy."
Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds often provide child-centered activities. As one Catherine's Landing visitor described: "Kid friendly. Great upkeep and sites that are easily accessible. Playground, splash pad, and pool. We were not able to access the pool because of the time of year, but we will definitely be back in warmer weather."
Access to water recreation: Many campsites provide direct water access. A camper at Lake Ouachita State Park explained, "The campsites are on a small peninsula, so every site was right on the water. Being so close to the water kept the temperature comfortable, and having direct access to the lake was perfect for swimming."
What you should know
Seasonal crowds affect experience: Weekends and holidays bring significantly more campers. One visitor at Maumelle Park observed, "The park was opening back up slowly with COVID-19 closing many of the facilities, but it was almost back to 'normal'. We stayed in B loop and grabbed an extra night in A loop on this trip."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Some campgrounds have outdated bathrooms. At Hot Springs National Park KOA, a camper reported, "Bathrooms were clean. Laundry was a bit small especially in a world of social distancing but clean."
Wildlife encounters are common: Snakes and other wildlife are frequently spotted. A camper at Willow Beach warned, "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."
Site selection matters for views: Waterfront sites often cost more but provide better experiences. At Lake Ouachita State Park, "We stayed in space 55 and had a great view of the lake and the beautiful sunsets. Our friends stayed in space 1. It was more shady but didn't have a view of the lake."
Tips for camping with families
Reserve early for holiday weekends: The best family campsites book quickly, especially at popular parks. One visitor at Gulpha Gorge Campground advised, "Arrive Early!!!" while another noted it was "first come first serve only. no reservations."
Look for kid-friendly hiking options: Several parks offer shorter trails suitable for children. At Lake Catherine State Park, a camper shared, "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... We will definitely camp here again."
Bring water toys for lake sites: Many campgrounds provide lake access for swimming and water play. A Petit Jean State Park visitor mentioned, "Plenty of trails for hiking. Pool, basketball and tennis courts. Marina with boats and kayaks. It is a wonderful park and a must for all campers!"
Check playground availability: Some campgrounds have recently renovated play areas. At Willow Beach, one camper noted "Nice playground but it was taped off during our stay due to covid," indicating that facilities may not always be available.
Tips from RVers
Look for full hookup options: Several campgrounds offer complete services for RVs. A Catherine's Landing visitor noted, "We had site 204 which is a back in site with FHU on driver's side. We loved this site because it was on the back side of the campground, near the dog park and lots of open space behind us to play with our dog."
Site leveling considerations: Some campgrounds require significant leveling equipment. At Petit Jean State Park, an RVer observed, "B loop cons: many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level."
Length restrictions vary by campground: Larger RVs may have limited site options. A visitor at Little Rock North KOA explained, "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."
Seasonal shade availability: Tree cover varies significantly between campgrounds. A camper at Petit Jean State Park noted, "A loop cons: very little shade. would be rough in summer months without shade tents, awnings, etc."
