Tent camping near Dardanelle, Arkansas offers primitive sites across both the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests at elevations ranging from 350 to 2,700 feet. The area features diverse topography with rocky bluffs, river valleys, and hardwood forests that provide natural shelter from summer temperatures that regularly exceed 90°F from June through September. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at night, with limited snowfall but frequent rain making seasonal planning essential.
What to do
Swimming at natural water features: At Haw Creek Falls Camping, campers can enjoy the waterfall swimming area during warmer months. One visitor notes, "Swimming area is fantastic, a much needed relief after a hot day of hiking!"
OHV trail exploration: Near Buzzards Rock Dispersed Camping, access designated OHV trails for hiking or off-road vehicles. According to a reviewer, "The dispersed campsite is at the junction of designated OHV trails, and located next to a parking area for an unnamed overlook."
River paddling: South Fourche provides direct river access with a dedicated launch area. A camper observes, "There is a canoe/kayak ramp for access to the South Fourche la Fave River. A separate parking lot is provided for day use."
Explore CCC-built structures: Rock shelters with functional fireplaces offer unique camping spots at Bayou Bluff. A visitor describes, "The stone shelters have a large rock fire area. There's also several small trails through the campground but it's most fun when the water is low enough, to go down to the water and walk along the creek."
What campers like
Privacy in less trafficked areas: South Fourche stays quieter than other campgrounds in the region. A camper notes, "It is a pretty small campground and I assume stays pretty quiet (so would be good for groups that want lots of privacy)."
Easy road access for quick stays: Fourche Mountain Campground offers convenience with minimal setup. "Perfect place to stop for a night on a roadtrip...It's right off the road but up a hill so you can't be seen," reports one camper.
Historic structures: The Civilian Conservation Corps-built rock shelters at Bayou Bluff are popular features. "Stone pavilions with fireplaces for cold weather camping. Best kept secret," writes one tent camper.
Riverside camping: Sites along waterways provide scenic tent camping in Dardanelle. "Could hear the river - right near the campsite. Close to Trail heads," mentions one reviewer about their experience.
What you should know
Pack in all water: Many campgrounds have no potable water available. One Haw Creek Falls camper warns, "Something really important to note though is that there is NO WATER!! Bring your own water in to avoid making a half an hour trip to the nearest gas station!!"
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. At Bayou Bluff Point of Interest, "There is no cell service on ATT - it showed only 'SOS' but the town of Hector is nearby if you need to check your phone in a pinch."
Flood risks: Waterfront campsites can become inaccessible during heavy rains. "Be warned - the area is closed during times of intense rain, due to frequent flooding," cautions a Haw Creek Falls visitor.
Varying maintenance levels: Some campgrounds have reduced services. At Delaware Park, one camper observed, "It is hard to tell if the federal government, state government or some local agency built this park and then turned it over but it is a large park with nice campsites but no one seems to be maintaining the facility."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with amenities: COE Nimrod Lake Carter Cove Campground offers more facilities than primitive sites. A visitor describes it as a "Clean, kid friendly campground with RV and tent sites available, 30 amp electric and water, bathrooms are kept clean and have showers."
Pack extra bug spray: Insects can be prevalent during warmer months. One camper at Fourche Mountain noted their campsite was "right off the road but up a hill so you can't be seen. You can hear the road but there isn't much traffic so it isn't too loud."
Plan for trash management: Many sites require carrying out all waste. At Haw Creek Falls, a visitor reported seeing "LOTS of people coming to swim (and leaving trash) The water was beautiful, eating dinner by the falls has become one of my new favorite camping memories."
Bring activities for kids: Limited built-in entertainment means planning ahead. One camper at South Fourche noted, "It is located on a body of water (not the cleanest at least when I was there)," suggesting bringing water toys may not be ideal at all locations.
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Most tent camping areas near Dardanelle aren't suitable for larger rigs. At Xtreme Paintball and Laser Tag, which offers special events camping, sites accommodate smaller vehicles but not large RVs.
Limited hookups: When available, hookups are often far from parking. One COE Nimrod Lake camper noted, "The sites are a little tight for larger rigs to maneuver and many sites don't have water. The water connections were kind of far from the site so had to use longer hose."
Leveling requirements: Prepare with blocks for uneven terrain. At Buzzards Rock, one camper shared, "Had to use leveling blocks to level our van. There is a rock fire ring at the site."
Road quality considerations: Forest roads vary in condition. Access to Bayou Bluff is "easily accessed via the paved highway, passenger vehicles can easily access it. It's not really well suited for big RV's but wouldn't be impossible."
