Campers seeking glamping close to Colt, Arkansas will find options within a 30-mile radius in a region characterized by Crowley's Ridge, a unique geological formation rising 250-550 feet above the surrounding Mississippi Delta. This highland area creates varied terrain unusual for eastern Arkansas, with mixed hardwood forests and ravines forming a stark contrast to the surrounding flatlands. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F while summer months often exceed 90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Trail exploration: 30+ miles of equestrian trails are available at Village Creek State Park Campground, where both hikers and horse enthusiasts can access maintained pathways. "The roads leading to this campground are fantastic for bikers, and the lakes have produced state record fish," notes Jonathan C. The park includes several historical trails including preserved sections of the Trail of Tears.
Fishing at local lakes: Both Lake Dunn and Lake Austell at Village Creek State Park offer fishing opportunities with boat ramps available. "This is a huge Campground with lots of available activities such as hiking on the Trail of Tears, boating, fishing... the RV sites are flat and they have water and electricity," reports Teresa M.
Golfing near camp: For campers who enjoy golf, Dub Patton Campground provides access to nearby courses. "Site 9 and site 10 are by far the most beautiful sites in the camp in my opinion. They are right on the lake and relatively separate from the other sites," shares Wild Sage F., highlighting the lakeside accommodations that allow for easy access to both water activities and nearby recreational facilities.
What campers like
Clean facilities: At EZ Daze RV Park, many visitors appreciate the immaculate conditions. "Such a gem of a campground - 15 minutes off I-40 East but felt like a safe option a little ways out of the busy downtown Memphis area. From the moment I pulled in I could tell I had made a great choice - super clean showers, bathroom and laundry," writes LuAnn R.
Level concrete sites: Campers value the well-maintained concrete pads at many area campgrounds. "Level, nice concrete pads. Good hookups. Workers all very pleasant. Didnt get to use the pool or other amenities but they looked nice. Quiet location close to gas station and stores. Excellent WiFi and verizon reception," shares deb K.
Wildlife viewing: The natural areas surrounding Delta Ridge RV Park provide opportunities for birdwatching. "I stayed 3 nights, most people do not. great WiFi for free. Walmart within walking distance. Fuel available at good prices. lots of food service places. Hard to find. It's between the restaurant and I-40. there were lots of frantic birds at dusk everyday I was there," notes Butch K.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat and humidity can make camping challenging in this region. "Lots of trails and activities to do around the area. Wish we weren't staying in a tent and would have come at a cooler part of the year. Was too hot to do anything at the beginning of July. Ended up leaving early," warns Kali D. about her Village Creek State Park experience.
Erosion impacts trails: The Crowley's Ridge area experiences significant erosion that affects trail conditions. "The Big Ben Nature Trail offers a great opportunity to identify these unusual plant species and is a short, easy hike. However, erosion is a big issue on the ridge, and sections were somewhat washed out after recent heavy rains," notes Laura G.
Insects are prevalent: Pack insect repellent, especially during warmer months. "Take lots of bug spray in summer, and maybe only consider horse camp if you HAVE a horse. It's worth a walk through in the morning or late afternoon when riders are tacking up or returning from rides," advises a Village Creek State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Family-oriented amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Memphis offers extensive facilities for children. "This is a huge campground and the price for a spot was at least double what we would pay elsewhere (nearly $100). This was our first Jellystone and I was shocked at how many campers the campground accommodated - there are RVs everywhere," reports Angela C., who also mentioned multiple playgrounds, a dog run, pool, sports courts, and a small lake.
Horse camping experiences: Children often enjoy the equestrian facilities at Village Creek State Park. "Village Creek is a somewhat unique park in that has an Equestrian Camp offering with stables, exercise corrals, water, mounting blocks and the like available for those who would like to travel with their own horses. While it was not what we originally booked, staying in 'Horse Camp' was really cool and different - a BIG hit with our kids," shares Laura G.
Seasonal activities scheduling: Some glamping accommodations near Colt offer different amenities depending on time of year. "It's a city RV park, what do we really expect? It's not camping for sure. Traveling from California with kids who have been at the mercy of cross-country RV parks- this was a reprieve for them, pool, bikes, playgrounds," notes Jessica P. about Jellystone Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Memphis KOA, campers recommend requesting sites away from the highway. "Located just off the freeway the front sites are a bit noisy. One plus was that it was raining so hard the freeway was stopped so we just went to our site but they offer meals delivered to your site! Great meal!" advises Brent C.
Utilities reliability: For full hookup sites, check power stability. "The water hookup had a wasp nest inside it. All of these details made it hard to relax as we were constantly on our guard with our kids and dog. We checked out the other camping areas and they were in much better shape, recently renovated and with full hookups," cautions Laura G. about certain sites at Village Creek State Park.
Cell connectivity varies: Internet access differs between campgrounds. "We had no signal on ATT but there is free WIFI by the office which you can connect to day or night," mentions Teresa M. about Village Creek, while other campgrounds like EZ Daze advertise strong WiFi and Verizon reception throughout their facilities.
