Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Caddo Gap, AR
Arrowhead Cabin and Canoe accepts pets at its riverside campground in Caddo Gap, offering primitive tent sites alongside RV spots and cabins. Crystal Campground provides free pet-friendly camping with 9-10 off-grid sites along a crystal-clear spring-fed creek, ideal for campers seeking a more rustic experience with their dogs. Most campgrounds in the area feature standard amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and trash collection, with pets allowed at all sites provided they remain leashed. The campground underwent management changes in 2023, with noticeable improvements to overall maintenance. Despite being primitive, the sites are clean and usable with properly maintained fire rings and picnic tables.
Ouachita National Forest surrounds many of these pet-friendly campsites, providing extensive hiking opportunities for campers and their dogs. Crystal Springs Trail leaves directly from Crystal Campground, offering an accessible hiking option without traveling far from camp. The small creek at Crystal provides refreshing water access for dogs to cool off during hot summer months, though water levels decrease significantly during dry periods. Montgomery Creek runs alongside several campsites, creating pleasant background noise from the waterfall for nighttime sleeping. Campers should bring their own firewood as scavenging is difficult at many sites. The remote location means cell service is limited or nonexistent, with no bars for T-Mobile users and poor Verizon reception, making these campgrounds ideal for those seeking a digital detox with their pets.
