Camping near Cleveland, AR

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    Cleveland, Arkansas and the surrounding Ozark National Forest area feature numerous dispersed camping opportunities with varying accessibility and amenities. The region includes several free primitive sites along Brock Creek Lake and the Illinois Bayou, as well as established campgrounds like Petit Jean State Park and Bayou Bluff Point of Interest. Dispersed sites such as Tackett Mountain Road, Charleston Road, and Group Dispersed on Charleston Road accommodate both tent and RV camping in natural settings. These locations typically provide basic features like fire rings while established campgrounds offer more comprehensive amenities including electric hookups, showers, and picnic tables.

    Road conditions throughout the area can present challenges, particularly for larger vehicles or those without high clearance. While main forest roads like Charleston Road are generally well-maintained gravel, access to many dispersed sites requires navigating narrower dirt tracks that may cause vehicle pinstriping or require some maneuvering around trees. Many sites are primitive with no water, electricity, or toilets available. As one visitor noted, "The pin location may not be accurate, so here are the coordinates: 35.44497, -92.76914. This is a small dispersed campsite with a level dirt surface, just big enough to accommodate one vehicle - truck camper and smaller."

    The Ozark National Forest mixed-use campgrounds near Cleveland are particularly popular with OHV enthusiasts due to proximity to multi-use trails. Several visitors highlighted the stone shelters at Bayou Bluff as a unique feature, with one reviewer describing them as "CCC-built rock shelters" that "have a large rock fire area." Campers also appreciate waterfront access at several sites, particularly along Brock Creek Lake and the Illinois Bayou. Sites vary from open areas with lake views to wooded locations that provide more privacy and shade. Seasonal considerations impact the camping experience, with water levels in lakes and streams fluctuating throughout the year. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with visitors reporting variable connectivity depending on carrier and specific location.

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    Best Campgrounds near Cleveland (210)

      1. Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park

      4.7(108)24mi from ClevelandRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "_ There are several viewpoints/vistas that you can access from roads (just two close together that involve some driving on gravel)."

      "Super cool paths, views and community. Tons of historical value and it's obvious that Arkansas cares about it's forests, natural resources and outdoor communities."

      from $25 - $40 / night

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      2. Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

      4.5(10)15mi from ClevelandTents

      "This recreation area is as close to off-grid as you can get with so many great options right off the pavement."

      "Swimming is a small but slightly difficult walk down a steep Rocky path. It's rarely crowded which is why we like it."

      3. Toad Suck

      4.5(24)26mi from Cleveland48 sitesRVs, Tents

      "This park and campground is less than an hour outside of Little Rock, and it is a quiet, peaceful overnight stay on our way to Oklahoma. It was a bit tricky to find after exciting US 60!"

      "On the bank of the Arkansas River, great access to water. Good boat ramp, picnic tables and RV sites. Very clean, bring your mosquito repellent."

      from $24 - $75 / night

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      4. Woolly Hollow State Park — Wooly Hollow State Park

      4.6(23)26mi from ClevelandRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "There are lots of trails, bike paths, water activities and BEAUTIFUL scenery. Very photogenic. Arkansas State Parks are always enjoyable. Staff was excellent and friendly."

      "I tent camped at Site #3, right beside the lake. Put my hammock up and watched the sun set and the fireflies start dancing. A few ducks played on the edge of the water and walked on shore for a bit."

      5. Tackett Mountain Road Dispersed, Ozark NF, AR

      3.0(1)4mi from ClevelandRVs, Tents

      6. Brock Creek Lake View Dispersed, Ozark NF, AR

      3.0(1)7mi from ClevelandRVs, Tents

      7. Brock Creek - Charleston Rd Dispersed, Ozark NF, AR

      3.0(1)8mi from ClevelandRVs, Tents

      8. Cherokee Park (Arkansas River) — Arkansas River Rockefeller Lake

      4.4(8)21mi from Cleveland33 sitesRVs, Tents

      "We were heading to the Arkansas Goat Festival and were having a problem finding a place to camp. This park was a pleasant find! It is located on the Arkansas River right next to a dam."

      "A beautiful spot with both lakeside campsites and shaded sites. All spaced for plenty of privacy. Each site has  power and water."

      from $24 - $75 / night

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      9. Group Dispersed, Charleston Road, Ozark NF, AR

      2.0(1)8mi from ClevelandRVs, Tents

      10. Austin Trailhead Dispersed, Wilderness Trail Rd, Ozark NF, AR

      2.0(1)9mi from ClevelandRVs, Tents

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    Recent Reviews near Cleveland, AR

    877 Reviews of 210 Cleveland Campgrounds


    • Julie H.
      Jun. 12, 2026

      Camp Conway RV Park

      Horrible

      This is a long review but please read it. It is a public service announcement. Camp Conway greenbrier. Landlord Burt Zinser. Where to begin.. Let start with Ameneties. The website states Each site has full hook ups including 20/30/50 amp electric, clean city water, city sewer and fiber-optic high-speed WiFi. Guests at Camp Conway have the option of porches, sheds and gazebos with management approval. We also offer a bath house and a laundry. 1. Clean city water- it taste like plastic and chlorine. Must have a water filter if you actually want to drink it or give it to your pets. 2. Fiber optic high speed wifi. That's a joke. Shoddy at best. TCW repeatedly has to come out to fix it and it's still garbage. If you are okay with internet dropping in and out every 5 to 10 min, then it's great. Save yourself the headache and get your own, but don't expect Burt Zinser to reduce your rent for services he offers but you can't use. Here at camp conway you can expect to pay for services unrendered.(Not the only one that has this problem in the park) 3. Porches, sheds or gazebos. 100%, as long as you are one of his favorites, like the people in the pictures he uses on his website. The beautiful two story rv with full front porch, likes to watch what everyone else is doing and then go complain to Burt if she doesn't like how your lot looks or what your doing. Burt will be sure to tell you it's too much, or beauty is sometimes only in the eye of the beholder. 4. We also offer a bath house and a laundry. The"Bath House" is one shower, without a bathroom vent, a toilet and sink, in the laundry room and is always disgusting. Hair on the floors, wall, drain, soap scum, ect. The toilet has pubic hair and feces on and around it. No one cleans it, nor cleans up after themselves. Not sure who replaces the toilet paper but half the time it's empty. The laundry is two household washers and dryers. Costing 2.50, which isn't bad. Just don't run the washers at the same time or they flood the room(you will be blamed for over loading it) and expect to dry your clothes for an hour or so, or they will be damp. The state of the laundry room is horrible. Trash overflowing, dog hair, and random debris all over the floors. Again no one cleans them.( you think well I'll just get compact washer, expect to be charged extra for water and don't you dare hang clothes outside to dry, that includes beachwear and towels). It's not visually appealing. 5. Spacious lots. The outer lots are 600 and the other lots 565(it was 550 back in Feb, this is important to note). Price subject to change without a notice. Do Not expect Burt Zinsers crappy memory to remember not to over charge you(text wont help you either). Honestly, don't bother to ask Burt about it, or he will get annoyed and either kick you out or threaten to. I'll get to that later. The lots flood when it rains, grass is almost non existent, scorching heat from lack of trees and of course you have to love the red clay that gets over everything. Lots are suppose to mowed by him, but he hasn't mowed in the 5 months we've been here. He sends his child out, who does a half ass job weed whacking around the pedestals and mows part of the big field. If it wasn't for one of the permanent resident here mowing for people that ask him, it would be horrible. 6. Someone pointed out they have a huge open field with plans to extend the park, but currently it's a great dog area to let your dogs off leash to play. WRONG. DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE OFF LEASH. Expect to be harassed about picking up your dog poop. Even when you do, other people do not, while letting their dog roam free and you will be blamed. He has plans to extend the park, true, but until then expect for Burt to constantly remind you that until the park fills up, it all comes out of his pocket, so he's loosing money. You can rent one of his tiny homes if you want to pay near 1,000 for a studio apartment, open floor plan, with a 500 dollar, per pet, fee. You will be secure too as one of his security cameras point directly in the front windows of the current one and only tiny home he has on the premises. 7. Rules. It all depends which of his rules and who you are. If he tells you no AC units in the windows of RVs. There are currently 5 RVs that have units in the windows, so he doesn't really give a crap about that rule. I personally don't care but it was one of the things he stated when we called. No agressive dogs. His example, like pitbulls. Hey as long as you tell him it's another breed he doesn't know the difference and isn't bothered to check. I see nothing wrong with pitties, he's just the type that believes in bad dogs, not bad owners. Oh and on that note you will be sure to hear or be told, that you don't need another mouth to feed, or straight up told you can't keep another pet if you get one. 8. Privacy. Don't expect it. Burt Zinser likes to meddle in people's business. He gives unsolicited relationship advice, opinions on how you should decorate, how your vehicle looks, if your working or not(regardless if you pay rent on time, he doesn't like it if you are a stay at home person). Our experience here has been crap. We moved into the park on Feb 3rd. The lot was one giant mud pit. We asked if he would buy grass seed and we'd care for the lawn until it fully grown. We were told yes at first then the next day we received a text staying no because then he'd have to do that for everyone. We bought grass seed, tilled the land by hand and grew grass. We called about the internet 3 different times. The first time he handed us a wifi extender, that didnt work and TCW said it was pointless since it wasnt hooked into landline nor had bluetooth capabilities. He then had TCW come out two more times to"fix" it, before we said screw it and got starlink. When asked if he would remove the fee for the interent we can't use. He said no. When we asked why are we paying for something we can't use, he stated it was our problem, not his. For the month of Feb rent was 550. March 550. April we TEXT him after hours and asked him to gIve us a call so we could pay rent. HE CALLED US, did the transaction and got off the phone. We checked and noticed he overcharged us, 565. We TEXT him again and pointed out he over charged us. HE CALLED US BACK. He asked when we had moved in, we told him Feb, he apologized and refunded the 15 dollars. When asked when he was going to raise the rent if he would be notifying us. We asked if we would still be paying 550 until then. He called us nieve to think rent wouldn't change. When we explained that we didn't think it would stay 550 forever, but that we would be notified and not just him taking whatever amount he decides he wants. He got irritated said we were busting his balls and he hadn't eaten dinner yet but instead dealing with this crap, and that we were temporary visitors(i didnt know 5 months of renting was temporary). He belittled a person that has autism and learning disabilities when he was the one to CALL US BACK and interupt his own supper. We called during business hours and informed him of the condition of the shower being filthy and smelling of cat urine, because everyone closes the door behind them after a shower and there is no vent( burt decided it wasn't needed, told to us by someone else). We were told people are supposed to be cleaning up after themselves. We asked if he would get a deck brush, hose and cleaning supplies for us and we would clean it for free, once a week. He said sure. A week later we saw him on the property asked about it again. He got annoyed, we dropped it and bought an external on demand hot water heater to be able to shower and feel clean. Once again it was time for rent to be paid. I noticed he had been over charging us again for may and June, not even a week after he told me that August 1st was when the rent would be raised. I saw him on the property and walked over to bring it to his attention. He got irritated and told me that it was becoming a bit much. When asked what he was talking about he stated that no one else bothers him as much as we do, and it's overwhelming. I stated to him that we haven't been unreasonable in holding him accountable for his property. I had explained previously about my husband being autistic with learning disabilities that sometimes effect how he understands things. I brought up that he stated he thinks he's autistic and his wife has told him thay his facial expressions and attitude towards people can be offputting and misinterpreted. I would think he would be more understanding. I told him he obviously has an issue with my husband and that from now on he will be dealing with me since my husband irritates him so much. He tried telling me no that wasn't the issue. I cut him off and said that was exactly the problem or it was holding him accountable, or both. He asked if we be out by then end of the month and I said no, as we have done nothing wrong. Rent is never late. Always paid. Our site is clean, we follow the rules. The next day we received a text from him telling us to be out by the end of the month and he was sorry it didn't work out. Retaliation for a woman speaking to him. Burt Zinser is a horrible business man, landlord and human being. He has issues with speaking too and dealing with woman if they try to be an equal. I truly believe he's sexist and I'm not the only woman in this park that thinks that. If you and your husband are speaking to him, you ask him a question he will disrespect you by looking at your husband and answering. Ask around, talk to people in the park, and not his favorites. I'm hoping I can attach the photos I've taken around the park and facilities but if I can't, feel free to reach out. I have no problem sharing them, in hopes you won't support this man and his park. I will be posting this in every RV group I'm a member of, local community pages and restaurants. Let's hold this man accountable for his disrespect, horrible ethics, and business. Greenbrier is a better community then this man deserves and he shouldn't be allowed to continue this way.

    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 11, 2026

      Toad Suck

      Nice campground

      Staff at gate was very k8nd and helpful. Grounds well kept and manicured. Camp sites under trees for,shade with water, electricity, picnic tables and fire pits. Needed to use levelers to get trailer leveled. Campground on Arkansas river at the dam and locks. Bathhouse was clean, looked like painted for this season. Only issues was heater running in shower, it was 80+ degrees didn't need more heat. I'd stay here again.

    • KThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 6, 2026

      Spadra Park Campground

      Nice park with view of Arkansas River

      Most sites are levelish side to side with down hill slope. There appears to be no supervision in this park. We have stopped here on our way out west then on our way back. No one has checked us in or made sure we were supposed to be there. Traffic moves from the boat ramp until late at night. Still a good stopover when traveling Verizon worked well.

    • Shawn S.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 3, 2026

      Maumelle COE campground

      Close to hospital

      Luckily it was close to the hospital since we had to take a visit there. Beautiful park with lake access.

    • JThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 3, 2026

      Cane Creek Recreation Area

      Nice spot but poorly maintained, generator noise

      Nice spot, especially if you get one of the old campsites. However those were taken by long term folks who either just left their trailer there with no one in it, or they ran generators through the night. The remaining campsites were inaccessible by car, so we ended up staying in the bathroom parking area. Bathrooms boarded up, no trash cans, a fair bit of trash lying around.

    • MThe Dyrt PRO User
      May. 31, 2026

      Toad Suck

      Nice spot

      Well kept camsites. Clean and right on the beautiful Arkansas river. Would definitely come back.

    • BThe Dyrt PRO User
      May. 25, 2026

      Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park

      Rainy but nice place

      Very nice park and clean bathrooms. The cedar falls are wonderful when it has been raining a lot. RV sites are spacious and a lot of locals like to stay there for short vacations.

    • a
      May. 22, 2026

      Maumelle Park

      Excellent- peaceful

      Pleasant surprise. Pulled in late and found B32 available right on water. Quiet, clean, and bathroom nearby. Shaded beautiful site. Love it.


    Guide to Cleveland

    Dispersed camping spots near Cleveland, Arkansas primarily sit within Ozark National Forest at elevations between 800-2,000 feet. The area receives about 45 inches of annual rainfall, creating seasonal waterfalls and changing water levels in Brock Creek Lake and Illinois Bayou. Trails and camping access points can become muddy after rains, with summer temperatures averaging 85-95°F during peak camping months.

    What to do

    Hiking trails: Petit Jean State Park offers trails rated from easy to difficult. "I hiked down to the Cedar Falls trail to see the falls. The video is of the roaring falls. There is not typically so much flow. We were lucky! We spent most of our days hiking the many trails the park is known for," reports Jill B.

    Fishing opportunities: The Illinois Bayou and Brock Creek Lake provide good fishing during spring and fall. At Cherokee Park, visitors report "We have seen quite a bit of wildlife including an up close encounter with a bald eagle, several blue herons, and a few river otter sightings."

    Swimming and paddling: Several locations offer water recreation during warmer months. "A pool at the top of an expensive overlook which ultimately leads down to a gorgeous waterfall. That same lodge has a fully functioning bar and restaurant attached to it," notes Elise A. about Petit Jean State Park's unique amenities.

    What campers like

    Stone shelters: Bayou Bluff Point of Interest features historic structures with built-in fireplaces. "The stone buildings are so nice to set up somewhat out of the weather and have functional fireplaces. The walk to the river is very easy," says valerie about this unique camping option.

    Lake views: Many sites offer water views at various elevations. "We ended up in site #30. It had a beautiful view of the lake. It's was also a plus to have full hookups including 50 amp service and sewer. So unusual for a state park," notes Jill B. about their experience at Petit Jean State Park.

    Privacy levels: Sites range from exposed to secluded based on tree coverage. "The sites in C & D appeared to be a little smaller. I noticed several sites in B & C were uneven from roots pushing the asphalt up. Beware!" warns Shana D. about selecting the right site for your needs.

    What you should know

    Road access challenges: Many forest roads require careful navigation. At Brock Creek Lake View Dispersed, "Access to the site from Charleston Road is on a 400 foot long narrow dirt track; pinstripping is possible." This is common throughout the area.

    Seasonal closures and conditions: Water levels and access vary throughout the year. "The lake was drained at the time of my visit; otherwise, it's a really nice view," reports Fred S. about Brock Creek Lake.

    Limited amenities at dispersed sites: Most primitive sites lack facilities. At Tackett Mountain Road Dispersed, "This is a small dispersed campsite with a level dirt surface, just big enough to accommodate one vehicle - truck camper and smaller. Tent and hammock camping is possible."

    Tips for camping with families

    Kid-friendly parks: Woolly Hollow State Park receives high marks from families. "The state park ranger had a weekend full of planned events from a box turtle demo to a sand castle competition. The best part was the guided hike with Master Naturalist group of AR. They put our daughter right up front and identified every plant and tree we passed," shares Kelci C.

    Multi-activity locations: Seek parks with diverse offerings. "Wooly Hollow has 30 campsites with power, water, and sewer hookups. The park offers hiking, swimming and rentals paddle boats," notes Jason B.

    Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary widely between established campgrounds and dispersed sites. "The bathhouses were clean, the snack bar was great, the camp spots were roomy," says Kelci C. about Woolly Hollow State Park, making it suitable for families needing more amenities.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection for larger vehicles: Not all campgrounds accommodate big rigs. At Toad Suck, "Loop A seems for smaller campers, and very unlevel. Loop C seems a bit more spaced out. There are actually two entrances to the park, recommend the second one as it has less sharp curves."

    Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited but available. "Areas A and B can accommodate large rigs and towables," notes Fred S. about Petit Jean State Park, while adding that Areas C and D are more suitable for "a truck camper and smaller."

    Leveling needs: Many sites require equipment for leveling. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level," warns Ryan S. about Petit Jean State Park's B loop, a common challenge throughout the region's camping areas.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping is available near Cleveland, AR?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Cleveland, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 210 campgrounds and RV parks near Cleveland, AR and 44 free dispersed camping spots.

    Which is the most popular campground near Cleveland, AR?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cleveland, AR is Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 108 reviews.

    Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cleveland, AR?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 44 free dispersed camping spots near Cleveland, AR.

    What parks are near Cleveland, AR?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 parks near Cleveland, AR that allow camping, notably Ozark-St. Francis National Forests and Greers Ferry Lake.