Searching for the best camping near Dierks Lake, AR? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Dierks Lake. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
"Vault toilets, no water and no electricity. Each site has enough room for three tents and has a grill, fire pit, table, and bear pole. There is easy access to the falls and hiking trails."
"We also have a large 20’ tent that makes it difficult to fit into regular square pad tent sites. These pads were huge and fit our tent, which was super nice because our original plans fell through."
"This place is a beautifull forested remote area and you have to drive over 4.5 miles to get to the campsite, its a two lane dirt road, lookout for deer and other critters crossing."
"There are several miles of driving on a gravel forest road between the main highway and the campgrounds."
"Although the campground is closed due to the flood (at least last time I checked), it's definitely worthwhile to camp a little up the trail and in the backcountry."
"This area is superb for primitive camping along the mountain road side pulloffs. Or if you're up for more of a challenge like us, you can take on the 28-30 mile Eagle Rock Loop trail."
"Park Review
The Viles Branch Creek Primitive Campsite is located in the Ouachita National Forest along the Athens Big Fork trail on the southern section of the Eagle Rock Loop."
"The Long Creek Primitive Campsite is located in the Ouachita National Forest along the Little Missouri Trail on the eastern section of the Eagle Rock Loop."
"I loved this trail!! So pretty and full of great camping spots"
"Park Review
The Straight Creek Primitive Campsite is located in the Ouachita National Forest along the Athens Big Fork trail on the western section of the Eagle Rock Loop."
$20 / night
"Kitty Cove was secluded, but you'll definitely want to bring a tarp or umbrella because there isn't much shade cover. There are two little islands you can swim or kayak to from Kitty Cove."
"Open: Mar- Oct 31
Fee: $5.00 per night
Limit: 14 days
Sites: 5 tent
Pit toilet, picnic table, fire ring, lantern pole, pedestal grill, trash Totally amazing sites sitting right on a small finger"
"The trails to get to this rec area are for the 4wd’s and off-road vehicles. Great point to camp with great access to water. Didn’t see a boat ramp but wasn’t looking either."
LegendFee: Day use $5.00
Sites: 4 gravel (no hook ups)
Fee:$8.00 per night Open: Year round
Beware of alligator
Pit toilets, bank fishing, boat ramp, trash, lantern poles, picnic table
This is a very small campground with just 4 tent sites but is a beautiful space. Well maintained but it really is only for tents where you will find shade provided by the nice mature trees.
LNT
AIS Clean, drain, dry
Travel safe
TravelerPit toilets, no water. Only about 6 sites. Fire rings, picnic tables, lantern poles, and standing BBQS. Not many flat sights for tents, but doable. Road in is part gravel and some paved. Only 4 stars because people leave trash on the ground even though there are bins. Trees are plentiful and shady. Many paths down to the river/lake. Boat motor noise, but not too bad.
LegendFee:$8.00
No hook ups
Site: 8 gravel, no hook up
Open: Year round
This is a very small campground that is actually perfect because it is small. There are 6 sites with sheltered picnic table, fire ring, fish cleaning station, trash, NO WATER Very quiet except for some timber trucks(they sound like a helicopter flying overhead) driving across the dam.
AIS Clean, drain, dry
LNT Travel safe
Legend1152-1206
Open: Mar 1- Oct 31
Limit: 14 days
Reserve: 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov (must have reservations) Sites: 24 paved
Camp host on site
Fee: $12.00 no hookups $15.00 water and electric
Bath house and flush toilets, playground, beach, boat launch, covered picnic table, fire ring, pedestal grill, trash, lantern pole electric and water hookups This is a small campground but is totally awesome. The road in heads down into the campground and it is a very good paved road. There are several sites on the water. Grab a spot and spend a couple of weeks enjoying life. There are some pull thru's. If you enjoy the quiet and intimate this is for you.
AIS Clean, drain, dry
Travel safe
LegendThe Long Creek Primitive Campsite is located in the Ouachita National Forest along the Little Missouri Trail on the eastern section of the Eagle Rock Loop. The only way to access this site is by entering at a trailhead and hiking in to the site. The nearest trailhead is at Albert Pike Recreation Area. This is a primitive dispersed campsite, but the ground has been cleared. The site is located alongside a creek.
On your hike into this site you will be rewarded with beautiful scenery as you walk through majestic forests of oak. You'll also see a variety of plants and forest creatures. The campsite is along Long Creek so you will have access to water. Perhaps 100 feet up river from our campsite I found a nice fishing hole and caught and released 7 trout and 1 sunfish within about 1 hour.
There is adequate clear space to set up a tent or numerous trees to string up a hammock. There are no facilities nearby. You can collect and filter water from the river and dig a hole to poop in the woods. Please practice Leave No Trace in this area.
Trekking poles are recommended to aid in tackling the various inclines and declines of the trail.
If you need any supplies before entering the Ouachita National Forest stop off in the town of De Queen where there are various grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations.
During the spring and summer the insects can be intense. I advise treating clothing and gear with permethrin to prevent ticks and pacaridin for other insects.
LegendDATES: MAR 1 TO OCT 31
FEE:$8.00 PER NIGHT
LIMITS: 14 DAYS
ALERT: WATER SUBJECT TO SUDDEN RISE
Potable water, pit toilets, trash, picnic table, lantern pole, pedestal grill, fire ring, Campground is right off the highway and the sites right next to the road will be noisy. Drive further in and you will find nice flat sites and they are quieter. Good for tent or small trailer as sites are small. Beautiful shade with mature trees.
LNT
AIS
BTYFI
Travel safe
LegendThere are six large, improved sites which are first come first serve cash pay only. Vault toilets, no water and no electricity. Each site has enough room for three tents and has a grill, fire pit, table, and bear pole. There is easy access to the falls and hiking trails.
LegendWhen visiting Arkansas you quickly can get a sense of just what makes the Natural State so spectacular. But with over 50 state parks each one is very distinct. Daisy State Park is one which has a large focus on the lake activities.
But while the lake might be a large part the camping offered here in the wooded forest areas along with the hiking and biking trails can really set it apart from other camping areas nearby.
I opted to check out the various camping looking and noticed a few common occrances. Each is equipped with a picnic table, lantern hook, grill and fire ring. However there is a vast difference for those who choose to stay in the improved camping loops and the primitive loops. Improved camping is elevated and includes both electricity and water at the site.
Many of these sites still have water access although some of them are a bit more steep. The primitive sites all are equipped with tent pads which are very large 12x12 elevated gravel pads but they share water spigots with other sites. These sites are all walk-in and have nice parking only a short distance from the sites. IN addition they do have Yurts available in one camping area. These were available for 2 day rentals only at the time of my visit.
The restrooms at camp are in very good shape and include flush toilets, a full sink and vanity area and well taken care of showers. Additionally there are water stations at the restrooms which have drinking fountains and bottle fill areas.
The campground has rental equipment for those looking to enjoy the lake ranging in price from a single hour to a full day of usage, but they also have boat ramps near the campsites with some trailer parking, this could get a bit crowded during summer however.
GuideThis place is terrific! Awesome view, abundant wildlife (we had a bald eagle perched across the cove from us for two days, when he wasn’t flying up and down the channel) and very peaceful. Fish from your tent pad if you wish because most are within 15 feet from the water.
We are seasoned tent campers so my review is based off of the Bluejay Tent Camping Loop at Stevens Gap. Each site is directly on the lake and has a level tent pad, a fire ring, a picnic table on a concrete slab, a barbecue grill and a lantern hanger. We were there the day after Memorial Day and the weather stayed in the mid 60’s to mid 70’s. Perfect hammock weather! Plenty of pines and even some oaks for shade. The marina is about a half mile to the East but all of the big boats go East from there so there was hardly any boat traffic except for a few kayaks and canoes.
The only downside was the vault toilets, which I normally don’t mind, were terrible. Maybe because of the holiday weekend previous, but nonetheless, they were foul. The ones about a mile up the loop were fine so I don’t know why. I would have given four stars if not for that.
Town is just 10 minutes away with food and entertainment so it was very conveniently located. We hope to return there soon!
Tent camping near Dierks Lake in Arkansas offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. With several well-reviewed spots to choose from, campers can find the perfect setting for their next adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dierks Lake is Cossatot Falls Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area with a 5-star rating from 12 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 35 tent camping locations near Dierks Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
