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Best Dispersed Camping near Chester, AR

17 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities exist throughout the Ozark National Forest near Chester, Arkansas, with several primitive sites located along forest service roads and near natural features. Morgan Mountain Road/Spy Rock Dispersed, Forest Service Road 82 Dispersed, and Lee Creek Off Road Site are among the free camping areas in the region. These sites typically feature fire rings and enough space for tents and small recreational vehicles, though amenities are minimal to nonexistent. The Ozark Highlands Trail also offers backcountry primitive sites for hikers seeking more remote camping experiences.

Access roads to dispersed sites vary significantly in quality and may present challenges during wet weather. Several campers report needing to navigate ruts, puddles, and eroded sections of forest roads. One visitor noted, "The gravel road has some ruts but if you take your time small SUVs can make it fine." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for many areas, particularly after rainfall. Most sites lack drinking water, toilets, trash service, and other amenities. Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region, with T-Mobile coverage particularly spotty in forested areas. Campers should come prepared with all necessary supplies and pack out all waste.

The dispersed camping areas near Chester provide scenic views and access to outdoor recreation. Morgan Mountain Road/Spy Rock Dispersed is particularly popular for its panoramic vistas. As one camper described, "Beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. The dispersed site is large, but only part of it is level enough to camp on." Several sites offer proximity to hiking trails, fishing spots, and swimming holes. Lee Creek provides water access, while the Spy Rock Trail offers a rewarding hike with spectacular views. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with one camper mentioning, "Even with the traffic, we did find some time to listen to the birds and sit in silence under the dark skies." Visitors should be aware that some areas experience regular off-road vehicle traffic, which can affect both road conditions and the peaceful atmosphere.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Chester, Arkansas (17)

    1. Dispersed Near Devils Den

    2 Reviews
    Chester, AR
    8 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."

    2. Lee Creek Off Road Site

    1 Review
    Natural Dam, AR
    8 miles

    3. OHT Backcountry Primitive Site

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

    4. Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    St. Paul, AR
    23 miles

    "Various camp sites along a dirt road, that my AWD Equinox made it fine. Just go slow, as there are some ruts from previous rains.
    There are various outfitters along the way to the dirt road."

    "GPS brought us directly to the site. The gravel road has some ruuts but it you take your time small SVUs can make it fine. Beautiful over look and clean campsite."

    5. River Ridge Campground

    1 Review
    Mulberry, AR
    17 miles

    6. OHT Primitive Site

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

    $5 / night

    7. Forest Service Rd 82 Dispersed

    1 Review
    St. Paul, AR
    23 miles

    "Easy access to the Redding Recreation Area for fishing/swimming, and the Spy Rock Trail. Any car should be fine on the gravel road, just go steady on the way up!"

    8. Lookout Tower Road

    3 Reviews
    Siloam Springs, AR
    35 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."

    9. Cane Creek Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Clarksville, AR
    43 miles

    "I repeat DO NOT think you can use the pit toilets here. Be self contained and you’ll be fine."

    "No water/electric or toilet. Secluded and safe. The sheriff drove through several times in the two days I was there. There are picnic tables, fire pits and a boat ramp."

    10. Buffalo Creek Trail

    1 Review
    Pettigrew, AR
    39 miles

    "The final half mile of Madison/404 was too steep and rough to proceed. Cavern Mountain Rd 5 was good. Additionally, Google routed us a bunch of dirt roads to get here."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Chester, AR

15 Photos of 17 Chester Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Chester, AR

17 Reviews of 17 Chester 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.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 23, 2024

    Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed

    Large dispersed with a view

    Coordinates: 35.69300,-93.76803. Large dispersed site with a view, especially in the winter, of the mountains to the west. Located along Morgan Mountain Road, Forest Road 1504, a little over a mile north of AR Hwy 215. The trailhead to Spy Rock is about a mile north of this site. Altough eroded in spots due to recent heavy rains, Morgan Mountain Road was in good condition - no obstacles. A 2wd passenger car can carefully make it over the eroded areas. Except for one small spot, the site is not level - slopes downhill a little toward the ridge. Camping rigs may need leveling depending on the parking spot. Access into the site from the forest road is easy. There is a clean rock fire ring. Tenting camping is possible. Hammock camping may be possible using nearby trees. The site is mostly shaded. The forest surrounding this campsite is beautiful. I received no T-Mobile service during my visit. I decided not to camp here during my visit due to a brisk, cold north-northwest wind blowing through the campsite.

  • 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.

  • b
    Aug. 14, 2021

    Ozark National Forest - Dispersed Camping

    Not a camp spot (private propery)

    This was not at all a campsite. Most of the forest is private property with house everywhere. This location in particular is no different. Go to Sam's throne to camp

  • 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.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 21, 2024

    Jack Creek Rd Pull Thru Dispersed, Ouachita National Forest, AR

    Small Pull Thru Site with Easy Access

    Coordinates: 35.02422, -93.81997. Located 2 miles past the entrance of the Jack Creek Recreation Area, and 1/3rd mile past the turn off to the shooting range. It is a small pull though campsite with a small rock fire ring, close to Jack Creek Road (forest road); there is very little privacy from the forest road. 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. This campsite can receive dust from passing vehicles. The site can easily accommodate 2 vehicles, truck camper size and smaller, parked one behind the other. The site is shaded with a level dirt surface. Small tent & hammock camping is possible near rock fire ring which is located between the pull through driveway and the forest road. Easy access into the site. There is no T-Mobile cell service. There is nothing special about this campsite; no recreation, such as hiking trails, in the immediate vicinity. Jack Creek Recreation Area and the Sugar Creek hiking trail are a short drive away.

  • Philip W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 22, 2025

    Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed

    Forested mountain area with trails

    No toilets/showers/dumpsters/ trash cans.
    Various camp sites along a dirt road, that my AWD Equinox made it fine. Just go slow, as there are some ruts from previous rains.
    There are various outfitters along the way to the dirt road. So you don’t have to go too far if you forgot something. The camp I’m at has the land cleared fairly well of grasses and such.
    The others further down the road are for one vehicle type camps with longer grass. There are walking trails, with Spy Rock a short distance away.

  • 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.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed

    Awesome site

    GPS brought us directly to the site. The gravel road has some ruuts but it you take your time small SVUs can make it fine. Beautiful over look and clean campsite. Spy rock is gorgeous, the trail is a little rough but totally worth it. Trail head is on the right about a mile past camp.

Guide to Chester

Dispersed camping near Chester, Arkansas extends throughout the Ozark National Forest at elevations ranging from 900 to 2,300 feet. The region features karst topography with numerous springs, caves, and rock formations accessible via forest service roads. Winter temperatures average 32-52°F while summer temperatures typically range from 68-91°F with high humidity levels from June through September.

What to do

Hiking to waterfalls: Several unmaintained trails lead to seasonal waterfalls within a 15-mile radius of Forest Service Rd 82 Dispersed. "Easy access to the Redding Recreation Area for fishing/swimming, and the Spy Rock Trail. Any car should be fine on the gravel road, just go steady on the way up!" notes Jon D.

Mountain biking: Lookout Tower Road offers moderate to difficult trails for mountain bikers. "Bike trails are worth using. Cell signal was strong in many places," according to Bud D. who found the area relatively clean compared to other free campsites.

Wildlife observation: Early morning and dusk provide optimal wildlife viewing times near water sources. At Cane Creek Recreation Area, campers report, "Nice sounds at night if you like the wildlife sleep track," and "if you use a flashlight, you WILL see eyeballs looking back at you from the other side of the water," according to Devin R.

What campers like

Night sky viewing: Clear nights offer excellent stargazing opportunities at most dispersed sites. The Lookout Tower Road area provides open clearings for night sky observation. "We highly recommend. Starlink didn't work but Verizon did for phone calls only," reports Michelle T.

Water access: Cane Creek Recreation Area provides boat launch facilities and fishing access. "There are picnic tables, fire pits and a boat ramp," notes Ed O. about this secluded spot.

Privacy and seclusion: Many dispersed sites offer substantial distance between camping areas. The Dispersed Near Devils Den area features "various camp sites along a dirt road" with "nice walk trails along the water," according to Mack Daddy Van L.

What you should know

Road conditions: Many forest service roads deteriorate significantly after rainfall. At Buffalo Creek Trail, approach directions matter significantly. "Approach from Cavern Mountain Rd 5, not Madison/404. The final half mile of Madison/404 was too steep and rough to proceed. Cavern Mountain Rd 5 was good," advises Ollie P.

Seasonal closures: Several dispersed sites become inaccessible during winter months due to road conditions. Some areas restrict vehicle access entirely during wet seasons.

Safety precautions: While dispersed sites typically feel secure, visitors should store food properly to avoid attracting wildlife. Local law enforcement regularly patrols some areas, as noted at Cane Creek: "Secluded and safe. The sheriff drove through several times in the two days I was there."

Tips for camping with families

Best family-friendly sites: Near Devils Den offers safer water access for children with gradual entry points. "Local stop in for swimming and fishing. Insect surprisingly weren't that bad. Traffic from nearby road is almost nonexistent," notes a camper.

Avoiding busy periods: Weekdays typically see significantly less traffic than weekends at most dispersed sites. School holidays bring increased activity, particularly to water-accessible locations.

Weather preparedness: Storms develop quickly in the Ozarks, requiring weather awareness. As one camper advises, "Have a weather app, if you're not local storms here are fast to arrive and violent compared to other parts of the country."

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs but present challenges for larger vehicles. At Lookout Tower Road, Chad C. reports, "I managed to get our 40 foot Bluebird Bus up here. Nice spot well ish maintained."

Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at most dispersed camping areas. One camper at Cane Creek notes, "My site wasn't 100% flat but I just slept with my feet going on the downhill slope."

Self-contained requirements: No facilities exist at most sites. "Excellent free campground if you are self contained. No water/electric or toilet," reports a camper about Cane Creek Recreation Area, emphasizing the need to bring all supplies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Chester, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Chester, AR is Dispersed Near Devils Den with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near Chester, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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