The Ozark Mountains around Cotter, Arkansas feature numerous primitive camping opportunities at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,600 feet. The region receives approximately 45 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forests and reliable water sources for backcountry campers. Several established dispersed areas offer free or low-cost camping with varying levels of accessibility depending on recent weather conditions.
What to do
Backcountry hiking: Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area offers extensive trail networks with moderate difficulty ratings. "I did the Coy Bald hike and loved it. Most of the trail was fairly easy to navigate, however the areas of open meadows were a little more difficult to find where it picks back up," notes a visitor to Hercules Glades (Watch Tower).
Rock climbing: Several areas feature established routes on limestone and sandstone formations. "Road is kinda sketchy on the way up but the bluffs are fantastic!" reports a climber at Sam's Throne Recreation Area.
River swimming: Multiple primitive sites offer direct water access for cooling off during summer months. A camper at Woolum Dispersed Area mentions, "This is a very primitive campground, but it's one of our favorites! We love the peacefulness of this place and will continue coming back."
What campers like
Solitude during weekdays: Most dispersed camping areas see significantly reduced traffic Monday through Thursday. A visitor to Hercules-Glades notes, "We got here on a pretty hilly/twisty road late at night, found a spot close to the trailhead and had a quiet, peaceful night sleep. We saw just one other camper with a trailer close to the inlet."
Scenic variety: The region offers both riverside and elevated camping options with distinctive views. "Tried to camp out before backpacking through Hercules Glade Wilderness but the trailheads were packed (weekend). There are two fire rings along this road. Both locations have full bars (Verizon)," shares a camper at Blair Ridge Rd Dispersed.
Wildlife viewing: Deer, turkey, and various bird species regularly visit camp areas. At Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area, a camper reports, "The farther east site is high on a bluff top, the west site is more in a valley. Looks like they might be busy during hunting season."
What you should know
Special permits required: Wildlife Management Areas demand specific documentation. "100% of Wildlife Management Areas in the state of Arkansas require a Hunting license or WMA camping permit purchased though Arkansas Game and Fish," explains a visitor to Gene Rush WMA.
Seasonal road conditions: Spring rains can make access difficult for standard vehicles. "I have visited this spot multiple times and camped right on the riverbank. Beautiful scenery year-round. I just tried to make a trip up there at the end of April (2022) and the final stretch of access road was blocked off due to erosion according to NPS," cautions a regular at Woolum Dispersed Area.
Limited facilities: Most sites offer minimal infrastructure. At Hercules Glades Watch Tower, a camper notes, "This is a good place for hiking/backpacking. There are several sites around the access road and miles of hiking trails. The only ammenities are some fire rings and 1 toilet."
Tips for camping with families
Scout locations first: Some areas have steeper access or difficult terrain. "We can almost always find a spot to camp and it's super easy to pull our trailer into every spot there. It's a horse camp and there are many spots with shade and some with none," shares a family that frequents Woolum.
Pack insect protection: Bugs can be problematic depending on season. A visitor to Woolum advises, "Late September visit means the river is low, nights are cool and days are filled with sunshine. Bring the bug spray and sunscreen."
Check campsite spacing: Privacy levels vary between locations. At Matney Knob disbursed, a camper notes, "Decent road to camp off of accessed via the Matney Knob TH," while Sam's Throne offers "Sites separated by trees, so some privacy."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs only. "Private camping spots, with trees separating each site. There's fit pits, but no rv hook ups and only a couple bathrooms there. It is considered a national park spot so it's not set up for rv, but if your van or rv is self standing is perfect!!" advises an RVer at Sam's Throne.
Advance planning essential: Limited turnaround space exists on many forest roads. One camper at Noblett Lake Dispersed Camping shares, "We did find this small road with a loop at the end that have pull-in campsites. They're nothing special, some of them are overgrown. Mostly all of them don't have any kind of fire ring."
Level site availability: Finding flat spots for larger vehicles requires scouting. At Woolum, a visitor mentions, "This was a beautiful park with a campground that we really enjoyed riding around and exploring. There were hiking trails, nice clean restrooms, lots of bike riding and nice large spaces."
