Best Campgrounds near Cleveland, AR

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Cleveland, Arkansas (207)

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Recent Reviews near Cleveland, AR

841 Reviews of 207 Cleveland Campgrounds


  • Benjamin S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Devils Fork

    ACOE Devils Fork Campground

    Nice spot, we stay next to the swimming area. Most of the sites have a big concrete pads. Campground host was very friendly. Great value for what you get. Be sure to double check and see what your hookups are as our site only has electric.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Barkshed Recreation Area

    Mostly walkin tent sites

    Visited here on Oct 7, 2025. Did not camp here. There are a handful of first-come, first-serve primitive sites. I only saw one drive-in site down near the creek. There are about 4 walk-in tent sites up a driveway into a parking area. The walk-in sites are close to the parking area. One site, which is not quite level, has a picnic table. The walk-in sites have metal fire rings. There are 2 clean vault toilets with tp at the campground. No potable water. The tent sites have a dirt and grass surface. There are a few shade trees. Starlink connectivity is possible. No AT&T and T-Mobile service. Nice swimming hole down by the creek. Access to the North Sylamore Creek Trail is at this recreation area. Note that the unpaved forest road approaching the recreation area from highway 14 is sketchy in spots due to Spring storm damage. Sections were being regraded during my visit. Low clearance, 2wd passenger vehicles can make it, but should tread carefully. Also note that, due to storm damage, Tie Ridge Road between Barkshed and Gunner Pool Road was only open to 4x4 vehicles at the time of my visit.

  • B
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Maumelle Park

    Love the campground !

    Traveling through Arkansas and landed at this beautiful park! Spacious sites and beautiful area! Tried to get a water site but they were full. But after arriving we realized that there really aren’t any bad sites. We stayed in B14 and had lots of room and the area was great. Great place for dog walking and even a trail to take her on. Our Labrador loved it here too. Many picnic areas as well as a concrete picnic table at each site. Lots of trees and shade. Very relaxing and peaceful. Would love to come back!

  • Brian L.
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Wild Oaks Campground

    Close corner

    It was quiet,peaceful and nice. The entrance wasn't well marked and I had a hard time navigating the entrance with my bumper pull 36'

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Cherokee Park (Arkansas River) — Arkansas River Rockefeller Lake

    Best Corps of Engineers campground

    A beautiful spot with both lakeside campsites and shaded sites. All spaced for plenty of privacy. Each site has  power and water. Bathrooms are clean and have showers. $26 per night or $13 if you have a federal pass. I used my senior lifetime pass. Strong cell: 3 bars of 5G Verizon.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    FR94 Dispersed Campsite

    Peaceful site in the Quachitas

    Coordinates: 34.86190,-92.90667. Camped here Sept 9, 2025. Large dirt and grass site; very clean. May accommodate a truck camper or 2 smaller vehicles. Mostly level. Tent and hammock camping possible. No privacy from the road. The site has a rock fire ring. The site is surrounded by forest with the Flatside Wilderness Area just across the forest road. There are no hiking trails near the campsite, but there are opportunities to stroll and explore in the forest. The site is mostly shaded; Starlink connectivity may be a challenge. AT&T LTE service. Sporadic T-Mobile service. Quiet location. No one drove by during our stay. Note that there are a couple of dead trees in the middle of this site; choose the position of your vehicle and/or tent carefully. The Flatside Pinnacle hiking trailhead and parking for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail are located 3/4 of a mile north of the site along FR94. The forest roads approaching the site from the south are in good condition. In my opinion, I don't recommend anything larger that a truck camper. The approach from the north, however, is not as good. FR94 and FR805 are eroded at the higher elevations; lots of exposed embedded rocks. I believe a 2wd passenger car can very carefully get through this area with air-downed tires.

  • Benjamin S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Toad Suck

    ACOE Toad Suck

    Great little campground. Decently maintained. Most of the sites have concrete pads big enough for a couple tents. Solid concrete picnic table with a roof over it was nice. Parking was not very level but our 38ft schoolie fit fine with enough room for our car.

  • Amanda F.
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Mount Nebo State Park Campground

    Great place

    One of the best places I have camped in a while. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Nice trails and panoramic views.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Gilbert RV Park

    Owner treated us like family !!!

    When we pulled into the campground we were met with friendly smiles ! Jim and his wife are super nice and very helpful!! We got all setup and enjoyed our time around Gilbert. The quiet little town with some live music occasionally. Probably just a little over a quarter mile walk to the river or drive down to gravel bed where you can park. Take all your stuff and play in the river all day. There is a float service in Gilbert. Restrooms are separate from the showers. Men's and women's. They also have chickens so you might hear that Rooster every morning !! We had a super nice time here !!! Very simple place to stay. Just respect the camp rules and don't get too loud !! Please don't show up super late ! Jim and his wife are elderly !!! ( Just my opinion )


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 207 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 105 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.