Best Dispersed Camping near Caddo Gap, AR

Dispersed camping areas dot the Ouachita National Forest surrounding Caddo Gap, Arkansas, with multiple free primitive sites concentrated along forest service roads. The region features several established dispersed zones including Blue Knob Road, Turner Creek Road, Buck Knob, and Forest Service Roads 153, 132, and 779, all managed by the U.S. Forest Service. These primitive sites typically have minimal or no designated boundaries and accommodate both tent and small RV camping in natural settings.

Forest roads accessing dispersed sites vary significantly in quality, with many requiring high-clearance vehicles. Several access roads have washouts, erosion issues, or narrow passages that can challenge standard passenger vehicles, particularly after rain. A visitor noted that "Forest Road 132 is in good condition" while another mentioned "Forest Service RD 153 needs 4×4 as there are some washouts." Most sites feature rock fire rings but lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash collection. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, especially during dry periods, though fires are generally permitted in established rings.

These Ouachita National Forest dispersed areas provide exceptional solitude and natural beauty with mountain views and creek access. A camper described Blue Knob Road as having "a clearing near the Ouachita Trail with a fire pit and plenty of space to park. You're in the middle of nowhere and it's gorgeous!" Sites along North Fork Creek Road offer riverside camping opportunities, with one visitor noting it's a "large wooded dispersed site in beautiful forest" with the North Fork Ouachita River accessible by "bushwacking down a steep hill and over rocks." Cell service is spotty or nonexistent at most locations, with T-Mobile coverage reported at only a few sites. Wildlife sightings are common, and several areas provide direct access to hiking trails, including the Ouachita National Recreation Trail.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Caddo Gap, Arkansas (27)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Caddo Gap, AR

28 Reviews of 27 Caddo Gap Campgrounds


  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Jeff P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 9, 2020

    Ouachita National Forest Fourche Mountain

    Exploring the hidden road

    This section of the National Forest offers two hours gravel road through the forest. Please do your homework because the road signs are lacking. Word of advice, best to stay away during hunting season as we spotted over ten deer hunters in the area in a single day; a hunting paradise as well. On the path offers hidden creek waterfalls, lots of one way bridge and a serenity drive.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2024

    CR133/FR146 Hogan Creek Dispersed, Ouachita NF, AR

    Small Dispersed Site, Tucked Away

    Coordinates: 34.93095,-93.32258. This a small dispersed camp site tucked away a short way from County Road 133/ Forest Rd 146 in the Ouachita National Forest. It's at the end of a short dirt track which may have been an old forest road. Above Hogan Creek, sounds of the creek can be head at this site. There is a path along the creek behind the campsite; it eventually provides access down hill to the creek. This is a secluded spot which can not be easily seen from CR133/FR146. Backing your vehicle into the site is best. There is a small rock fire ring at the end of the access track. The site's entrance is on the right hand side just after the bridge crossing Hogan Creek when coming from the west on CR133/FR146. A truck camper and smaller can fit into the site. A little bit of leveling may be required. Tent camping is also possible. It's a pretty campsite. The forest road is in great shape.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2024

    Girard Rd/Forest Road 20 Dispersed, Ouachita National Forest, AR

    Somewhat private dispersed site off of unbusy forest road

    Coordinates: 35.02531, -93.88228. Located just off of Girard Road (Forest Road 20) - a maintained gravel/dirt forest road. This road is mostly a single track - narrow with some minor erosion in a few places. A lifted 4x4 vehicle is NOT needed to drive to the site. The dispersed site is located 1.3 miles south of the turnoff to Jack Creek Recreation Area. This site is set off from the forest road on a narrow undesignated dirt track which is easy to miss. It is a small site with enough room for one vehicle - truck camper size and smaller. The site is mostly level on a dirt surface with a rock fire ring. It is mostly shaded, although solar recharging may be possible during the afternoon with solar panels being placed on the access track in front of the site. Tent and hammock camping are possible. Received a strong T-Mobile 5G signal here. Except for some peace and quiet, there is nothing remarkable about this particular campsite. However, is is located in the Jack Creek area of the Arkansas Ouachitas. This area has a few nice swimming holes and hiking trails which one can drive to. OHV recreation is also possible in the area.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2024

    Jack Creek Dispersed, Ouachita National Forest, AR

    Large wooded dispersed campsite near creek

    Coordinates: 35.02281, -93.81060. Located 2.5 miles past the entrance of the Jack Creek Recreation Area, and almost 1 mile past the turn off to the shooting range. Jack Creek Road is a mixed dirt/gravel road, wider than a single track; it is well maintained with some minor erosion in a few places. The campsite is well off of Jack Creek Road, down an undesignated dirt track, offering a lot of privacy. Access is easy although the dirt track may be muddy during the wet season. This is a large wooded dispersed campsite that has a short path down to Jack Creek. Depending on the water level, fishing and wading are possible at the creek. The site has a level dirt surface which can accommodate 4 rigs - truck camper size and smaller. Tent and hammock camping are possible. The site has a clean rock fire ring. There is a lot of shade during the summer. Solar charging is possible in an open field at the entrance of the site. This is a wonerful site to camp in. Jack Creek Recreation Area and the Sugar Creek hiking trail are a short drive away. I received no t-Mobile cell service.


Guide to Caddo Gap

Dispersed camping opportunities in the Ouachita National Forest surrounding Caddo Gap, Arkansas extend beyond the well-known areas. Additional primitive sites can be found at Irons Fork, which sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation along the southern slopes of the Ouachita Mountains. Rustic camping near Caddo Gap requires self-sufficiency as most sites have minimal development. Forest roads in this region typically close during periods of heavy rainfall due to flash flood risks.

What to do

Hiking accessible trails: The area offers direct access to numerous hiking opportunities from dispersed sites. One camper at Forest Service RD 132 Ouachita National Forest noted, "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."

Wildlife observation: The Ouachita forests support diverse wildlife including deer, turkey, and various bird species. At Gladstone Forest Rd dispersed site, a visitor mentioned, "Should be good for an overnight stay while exploring the Forest Road 11 area of the Ouachitas."

River activities: Several sites provide creek access for swimming during summer months. A camper at Irons Fork shared, "We were the only campers had a great spot on the water for a morning shower."

What campers like

Ridge-top views: Many dispersed sites sit on elevated positions providing scenic vistas. A visitor to Forest Service RD 153 Ouachita National Forest reported, "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."

Minimal crowding: Low visitor density creates opportunities for solitude even during peak seasons. At Mena Arkansas, a camper described it simply as a "Good secluded spot for Privacy."

Natural swimming options: Creek-side sites offer natural swimming holes during warmer months. An Irons Fork visitor commented, "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."

What you should know

Security considerations: Some remote areas have experienced theft issues. One camper at Irons Fork reported, "people before us had definitely left some trash around tho. went to bed no problems then heard a big loud pickup truck w a trailer pull up at 5am... and come to find they STOLE OUR PADLOCKED COOLER."

Variable road conditions: Forest road quality changes seasonally and after weather events. A recent visitor to Turner Creek Road noted their experience was "Very secluded spot no amenities just a rock fire ring. Very peaceful."

Facility limitations: Even sites with toilet facilities may have maintenance issues. An Irons Fork visitor cautioned, "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."

Tips for camping with families

Rock-based activities: Many sites feature rocky terrain that can engage children. At Forest Service RD 132, one visitor observed 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."

Wildlife safety: Bear activity requires proper food storage techniques. A camper at Irons Fork advised, "It is black bear country, so just be smart about your waste and food storage."

Limited communications: Cell coverage varies significantly between sites. At North Fork Creek Rd (FR779) Dispersed, a camper reported, "There was no T-Mobile cell service at this site. I enjoyed camping here; beautiful spot and very peaceful."

Tips from RVers

Leveling requirements: Many sites require significant leveling for RVs. At Forest Service RD 153, a visitor noted, "The site was not quite level, but workable. Fits one rig, truck camper and smaller."

Site capacity limitations: Most areas accommodate small to medium vehicles only. At Forest Service RD 132, a camper found, "Ample room for large van and many tents. Beautiful view from atop the mountain!"

Seasonal accessibility: Some roads become impassable for RVs after rainfall. A recent visitor to Forest Service RD 153 warned, "We couldn't even get to the campsite in our AWD Subaru Outback. There are drainage pipes exposed on the road."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Caddo Gap, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Caddo Gap, AR is Irons Fork with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Caddo Gap, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 dispersed camping locations near Caddo Gap, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.