The St. Francis National Forest houses most camping spots near Lexa, Arkansas, and sits at the unique geological Crowley's Ridge formation. This region receives around 50 inches of rainfall annually, contributing to its lush environment and lakes. Seasonal closures affect campground availability, with several options operating primarily between April and September.
What to do
Kayak and canoe tours: Mississippi River State Park offers guided excursions through cypress forests. "The kayak tour of Cypress forest was the highlight of the trip," notes one camper who could see water from every side of their camper.
Bike on maintained trails: Nearby parks feature dedicated cycling paths with support facilities. At Storm Creek Lake Campground, "there is even a little bicycle repair station by the bathhouse as there are many biking and hiking trails around!"
Fish in stocked lakes: Bear Creek Lake Recreation Area provides prime fishing spots with boat rentals available. "There is fishing, small boats, and swimming in the summer," notes a visitor who appreciated the lake surrounds on three sides.
Explore historical sites: Village Creek State Park Campground contains preserved sections of the Trail of Tears. One visitor mentioned, "There is a particularly stunning trail that includes one of the most well-preserved sections of the Trail of Tears."
What campers like
Private bathroom facilities: Beech Point Campground offers individual shower rooms. "The bathrooms are the nicest we have ever used! There are 4 private suite style bathrooms with your own toilet, sink and shower," according to one review.
Lake access from sites: Waterfront locations remain a top draw, with many campsites featuring direct water access. "This was a huge campsite with lots of room for our two large tents. It was set back on its own point out into the lake, so our tents were surrounded on three sides by water."
Educational nature experiences: Trail markers identify local plant and wildlife species. At Mississippi River State Park, "the park office and convention center have several learning stations and activities for kids and families. There is also a simple paved walking trail with identification points for local trees, birds, wildlife, etc."
Small, uncrowded settings: Most campgrounds maintain limited sites to preserve tranquility. "I like that it is not a large park (only 14 RV sites and 3 tent sites), so even when it is full, it does not feel overcrowded."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Mississippi River State Park, visitors note that "cell service is not great," while at Village Creek, "We had no signal on ATT but there is free WIFI by the office which you can connect to day or night."
Extreme mosquito activity: Delta Heritage Trail State Park Campground requires insect protection, especially in summer. A camper warned that "mosquitoes were bad" and advised everyone will "definitely need bug spray."
Check-in procedures vary: Some parks have remote visitor centers requiring additional travel. At Storm Creek Lake, "to check in, you must go to the Mississippi River State Park welcome center which is only 14 miles away but the gorgeous, twisty road makes the trek a little longer."
Wildlife encounters: Snakes and other wildlife are common in less-developed sites. One camper at Village Creek noted their picnic table "was a cozy home for copperheads" while at Mississippi River State Park, visitors "saw a few snakes but they were just king snakes."
Tips for camping with families
Look for educational opportunities: Parks with learning stations engage children while camping. Mississippi River State Park offers "several learning stations and activities for kids and families."
Consider the lack of playgrounds: Many campgrounds focus on natural rather than constructed amenities. One visitor noted, "Things to note for planning—no playground. But park is quaint enough bike riding and game playing for small kids works great!"
Check swimming conditions: Lone Pine Campground and others have designated swim areas, but water clarity varies. Village Creek has "a small swimming area for campers only, but this lake is not great for swimming as it is pretty muddy."
Book early for weekend trips: The limited number of sites fill quickly, especially for the most desirable locations. At Mississippi River State Park, "the sites stayed booked, so if you want to give it a try, you need to book well in advance of your desired date of travel."
Tips from RVers
Full hookups are limited: Specific campgrounds offer complete services while others have partial or no hookups. "Mississippi River State Park is in Marianna, AR and was built in 2008. The campground has only a few sites. All sites are level with electricity, water, and tent pad."
Easy-access dump stations: Most campgrounds with limited hookups provide convenient dump facilities. At Village Creek, "there is a dump station as you exit each Campground loop."
Check pad materials: Surface types vary between campgrounds, affecting leveling and drainage. Storm Creek Lake has "a bit too much pavement, with no trees or natural space between campsites," while Village Creek features more natural settings where "the site was very leveled" despite being on a slight hill.
Watch for site erosion: Some campgrounds experience drainage issues during wet periods. A visitor noted, "It almost looks like major erosion has occurred since these sites were first built - at every site in this loop, the picnic table and fire ring are IN the woods, and often partway down a ravine."
