Best Campgrounds near Natural Dam, AR

Join the fun near Natural Dam. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Natural Dam is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Arkansas camping adventure.

Best Camping Sites Near Natural Dam, Arkansas (160)

    1. Devil's Den State Park Campground

    86 Reviews
    Winslow, AR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 761-3325

    $20 / night

    "Devil's Den is a gorgeous parked tucked in the mountains of Arkansas.  The primary campground for RVs is one of the better campgrounds I have seen.  The facilities and amenities have been great. "

    "The trails are great and our campsite had a path right down to the river. The water hookup was a bit tricky, it leaks all over the place until you turn it all the way."

    2. Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Chester, AR
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 369-2469

    $23 - $163 / night

    "Lake Ft. Smith State Park is a beautiful park in the Boston Mountains. We drove over from Memphis to meet my brother’s family (who lives in Tulsa)."

    "This is a nice modern park on the shore of the man made Lake Fort Smith."

    3. Natural Dam

    5 Reviews
    Natural Dam, AR
    0 miles
    Website

    "The view, sounds and feels of the natural dam are stunning, relaxing and cool. A bit muddy for our dog, but great view for coffee in morning."

    "We found this quiet spot with a small waterfall on Mountain Fork Creek that has a fairly large (semi-level) gravel parking lot right next to the natural waterfall which gives good noise cover for the road"

    4. Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures

    23 Reviews
    Mulberry, AR
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 462-4961

    $15 - $35 / night

    "Simply put, this is a great little rustic place to get away from the hustle and bustle. The sites offer 20/30/50A hookups with water and septic."

    "Very close to off-road trails and river float activities .. the owners are super nice and we liked hanging out with them. We’ll be back!"

    5. Fort Smith-Alma RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Alma, AR
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 632-2704

    "It’s just far enough away from the highway so you have a quiet nights rest without hearing the traffic. The pond on the property has soothing sounds of peepers to fall asleep too."

    "Was headed to Lake Fort Smith but area was booked so we stopped here and was pleased with our stay. Spaces are quite small but it has become the norm everywhere."

    6. Springhill

    21 Reviews
    Barling, AR
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 452-4598

    $16 - $75 / night

    "Really nice campground you have two options in the A section you are right one a small river and one the B side it’s more of the wooded option but most sites have the Arkansas rive close by with mountain"

    "It’s in between the Arkansas river and Massard creek. You can launch a boat or you can go kayaking in Massard creek. There’s Cat fish, Perch and, Bass."

    7. White Rock Mountain Recreation Area

    26 Reviews
    Combs, AR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 369-4128

    $15 - $215 / night

    "Located beyond a perfectly canopied gravel road and surrounded by miles of mostly uninhabited forests White Rock Mountain has been the most delightful treasure of 2016."

    "The views, as other reviewers have said, are impressive and the Rim Trail is worth doing any time of day and any season."

    8. Barker Gap

    1 Review
    Natural Dam, AR
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 689-0172

    $35 - $130 / night

    9. whiskey springs campground

    1 Review
    Natural Dam, AR
    8 miles

    "You can drive right up to your campsite, this is on private property. There are several tent spots and also 3 cabins, small medium and large."

    10. Dispersed Near Devils Den

    2 Reviews
    Chester, AR
    10 miles

    "Would’ve been a nearly perfect campsite. Had it not been for all the trash left by others. Nice walk trails along the water. Local stop in for swimming and fishing."

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Recent Reviews near Natural Dam, AR

669 Reviews of 160 Natural Dam Campgrounds


  • Krystal T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Southgate RV Park of Fayetteville

    Perfect for a break

    We stopped here for a two day break from driving and are pleased with the experience. There’s a shower house that is clean but well used, really spacious campsites and full hook ups. We took the bike trail that is super close and saw some beautiful scenery. The owner, Jerry, was super gracious and helpful and a delight to visit with. It’s no frills, but that’s what we enjoy. Would definitely stay here again.

  • Robert N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Aux Arc

    Beautiful Arkansas

    Nice campground, although they are set up to cater to RVers. The RVs are quiet because they are using commercial power and not a generator. Me and my little tent are in the "Land of the Giants". Many fishermen out on Lake Dardanelle. Quiet after Labor Day camping.

  • P
    Aug. 25, 2025

    The River Bluff Cabins

    Beautiful property

    Amazing place! Cleaning bathrooms, beautiful views!

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Hickory Creek - Beaver Lake

    Avoid spaces 33-43

    Spaces 33 through 43 I would recommend only if you have a small bumper pull that is maybe less than 21 feet long or a class A or class C that’s probably less than 25 feet long. Most of these spaces would be very difficult to get into. We stayed in space 33 without looking first and we had to back our 30 foot fifth wheel down about 100 foot hill around the corner to get into the space. Campsite did have electric and a picnic table. There was a shower building in the next campground over that was on a scale of one to five maybe a three. There were several vault toilets in the area. Nice hiking around to the marina. Was half price with our America, the beautiful senior pass. Also instructions on the Dyrt say to turn down Cow Face Road. I would stay on highway 264 to come into the campground as that road is quite a bit wider and not quite so curvy and hilly. That is the way Google maps was going to send us in the first place, but we followed the instructions on the Dyrt.

  • A
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Marval Camping Resort

    Horrible Manager

    Very disappointed in Marval Resort. The manager is very unprofessional. We have been going there since 2019 for a family reunion. This year was 59th reunion. I get a phone call on July 7, 2025 and was told we would not be welcomed back and when I asked why the manager could not tell me why. All that she said was several reasons. If it was such a big issue, she should have come to me or someone else and addressed the issue face to face instead of waiting until we left. My cousin had called multiply times to try and get this worked out and she would never speak or call back. When no response to phone calls she was emailed and finally responded to an email. The manager didn’t even have the decency for the closing signature on the email. It’s a shame that Marval Resort has someone like this running their resort. Very poor communication. Instead of coming to my camp spot talking to me about some cars parked on the grass and gravel in front of our camp spot out of the way of others she calls me in the middle of a big gathering and tells me they need to be moved because it rained that morning and the grass was wet. No, the grassy lawn area was dry in the heat of the afternoon day. There are so many staff members driving around on their golf carts and not a word was said. She was on her golf cart right by us and could not come face to face and talk about the issue. Now, that’s pretty unprofessional. We have 96 and 86 year old aunts and some others with walking issues. That’s why cars were there. Family was coming from their cabins or campers to the central area for family gathering. And as far as the pavilion parking that we paid money to rent. Again, for some elders and a few trucks hauling fish fry supplies. You booked a band that was playing on the stage right by the pavilion(that we paid for) and people could not communicate very well due to loud music. This also happened last year as well. So, you the manager don’t know who all the cars belong to. They could have been the bands or other guest not in our family. We have a large group that stayed there for 6 years in campers or cabins and spent lots of money there. There is a lot of issues the manager needs to take care of and get off her high horse. I thought this place is supposed to be family oriented. I will miss seeing Wayne(maintenance gentleman) there with his smiling face. He is such a friendly man. And one more thing, always talking about all the improvements they’re working on or going to do. It’s been the same for 6 years now.

  • Kurt G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Lee Creek Off Road Site

    Good pit stop

    Right off the main road (you can still hear the traffic, but it's not a lot of traffic)

    There's a fire pit, some paths to a hiking spot. I don't think a bus would fit but my 21ft. van was mostly a tight fit.

    A good public land spot with just enough space for two car campers

  • Jennifer O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Natural Falls State Park Campground

    Clean, lush, and plenty to do!

    Love this campground so much. Great spots with really level pads set in a beautifully treed park. Surrounded by disc golf, waterfalls, and hiking. Would totally come back over and over. Our site was really private on the outside loop. Loved it.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2025

    Riverfront RV Resort

    Beautiful Resort!

    We only stayed here 2 nights on our way to Colorado. Beautifully maintained, sits right on the Arkansas river. Pool is cold but clean and well maintained. The park was not even 1/4 full while we were there. I hope business picks up because it’s nice. A little pricey ($81 per night), but with Good Sam or Military discount, it helps. Ladies in the office were fantastic, each going through their purses to find enough quarters so I could wash and dry a load of clothes! Very nice! It was just TOO HOT to do much outside, especially with dogs.


Guide to Natural Dam

Camping near Natural Dam, Arkansas, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in the area. One camper mentioned, "The hikes are short and just amazing!" at Devil's Den State Park Campground.
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes and rivers. A visitor at Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground noted, "Lots of deer and fishing nearby on river jetty or by the dam."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A camper at Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures shared, "I have been here a few times and I have to say it’s amazing. I can camp, buggy ride, swim and fish."

What campers like

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the large, well-spaced sites. One reviewer at Devil's Den State Park Campground said, "LARGE, well spaced sites with two bath houses within 50 yards in either direction."
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors rave about the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A camper at Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground mentioned, "The facilities are super clean and well taken care of."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. A visitor at White Rock Mountain Recreation Area said, "Great camp host! Cute camp store. Amazing views."

What you should know

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in some areas. A camper at Devil's Den State Park Campground advised, "Just download your maps before you go. No service so be mindful of that."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at Springhill noted, "You have to reserve your site in advance via Recreation.gov."
  • Weather Considerations: Be aware of the weather, as it can change quickly. A camper at Lake Wedington mentioned, "Improvements and upgrades have been and are being made."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. A parent at Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground said, "Nice large pool area with a water playground/splash pad."
  • Plan Activities: Bring games and activities for downtime. A camper at Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures shared, "It’s a super clean river that doesn’t go above your knees, so perfect for walking around and cooling off."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and outings. A visitor at Devil's Den State Park Campground mentioned, "Small store with a small amount of camping supplies and snacks."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA noted, "The sites are level, there is a pool, propane, fishing pond, and camp store."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Opt for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A visitor at Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures mentioned, "From full hookups, 50 amp to primitive camping right on the river."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Cherokee Landing State Park Campground said, "You can hear cars driving from the highway all night."

Camping near Natural Dam, Arkansas, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Natural Dam, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Natural Dam, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 160 campgrounds and RV parks near Natural Dam, AR and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Natural Dam, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Natural Dam, AR is Devil's Den State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 86 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Natural Dam, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Natural Dam, AR.

What parks are near Natural Dam, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Natural Dam, AR that allow camping, notably John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake and Ozark Lake.