Best Tent Camping near El Dorado, AR

Tent camping near El Dorado, Arkansas provides several primitive options in the surrounding region. Old Lock and Dam 8, located in El Dorado, offers basic tent camping with minimal amenities, while Logoly State Park Campground in McNeil (approximately 40 miles west) provides a more established tent camping experience. For those seeking primitive tent camping, Corney Lake North Shore Primitive Campground across the Louisiana border offers walk-in tent sites in a natural setting. These locations provide varying levels of seclusion and amenities for tent campers looking to experience the forested landscapes of southern Arkansas.

Tent campsites in the El Dorado area typically feature basic amenities. Old Lock and Dam 8 provides toilet facilities but lacks picnic tables, firewood, and trash service. Campers should prepare to pack in all necessary supplies and pack out all waste. Logoly State Park offers more amenities for tent camping, including drinking water, showers, and trash service, though fires are not permitted. The park is reservable year-round. Corney Lake North Shore allows fires and provides drinking water and picnic tables, but has no toilet facilities. Most tent campgrounds in this region do not require reservations, operating on a first-come, first-served basis, though Logoly is an exception.

The tent camping experience near El Dorado varies significantly by location. Tent-only sites at Logoly State Park offer a quieter, more private experience compared to other campgrounds in the region. According to reviews, "Logoly is a tiny state park that provides an excellent location for a quiet and private experience. The park is very clean and appears relatively unused." The surrounding forest creates natural shade for tent campers, though there is some conflicting information about the availability of actual campsites. For backcountry tent camping enthusiasts, the primitive sites at Corney Lake North Shore offer a more immersive outdoor experience with walk-in access. Tent campers should be prepared for potentially limited cell service, wildlife encounters, and varying weather conditions typical of southern Arkansas, particularly during summer months when humidity and temperatures can be high.

Best Tent Sites Near El Dorado, Arkansas (7)

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Tent Camping Reviews near El Dorado, AR

95 Reviews of 7 El Dorado Campgrounds


  • Napunani
    Nov. 16, 2021

    Moro Bay State Park Campground

    Noisy Park

    Reserved on-line 202 days prior to arrival. 

    Pros All 23 campsites are full hook up so no dump station in park 

    Restroom/shower facility heated 

    Restroom/shower facility clean 

    Site utility hookups in good condition 

    Site pad is good condition. Level campsite parking pad. No leveling needed. 

    Trash cans at every other campsite so no dumpsters 

    Metal picnic table, fire ring and lantern pole F

    Firewood for sale at Visitors Center Park roadways in good condition. No low hanging tree branches 

    Not charged a fee to make e my own on-line reservation

    Wildlife sightings were bald eagle, white-tailed deer and lots of grey squirrels

    Interesting historical ferry crossing exhibit in park

    Closest Walmart 25 miles in El Dorado

    Good overnight stop only

    Cons

    LOTS and LOTS of road noise from Highway 67. Lots of semi traffic.

    Not dark sky friendly park! Street lights in campground! Sites 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 are fully illuminated by street lights. Who wants to camp under a street light?

    Extremely low water pressure to our campsite

    No park Wifi

    1 bar AT&T service No privacy from neighbors or campground roadway

    No campground host

    No security gate closure

    Never saw any park rangers or park security driving through campground

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 4, 2025

    Corney Lake South Shore Campground

    Wooded, Lake Views

    Old campground along pretty lake in a national forest. Clean; the grounds are well maintained. The campground is confusing. Campsites are not marked. Looks like it was initially developed as a tent campground. There are shared vehicle parking pads; sites are not actually next to these - need to walkin a little. RV campers can probably park on the parking pads and walk to nearby picnic tables. Some sites have metal fire rings and lantern poles near picnic tables. Otherwise, it appears that previous campers had open campfires. Hammock camping is possible in a few areas. Clean his/hers vault toilet with tp and hand sanitizer. Water pumps scattered throughout campground; water was turned on duirng my stay. Sites in the middle of the campground are level; others slope down a little toward the lake. Sites are grass surfaces. No tent pads. No RV driveways to individual sites. Quiet, peaceful. No fee. Day Use area with fishing pier nearby. Partial shade; solar charging and Starlink access may be a challenge. Sporadic AT&T and T-Mobile service. Overall, this is a nice campground. I was the only camper during the nights I camped hare. A local resident stopped by to check up on me.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 24, 2021

    Corney Lake South Shore Campground

    Dejected & Rejected

    FEE: FREE 

    FCFS 

    318-473-7160 

    This is a primitive campground with NO AMENITIES. There is a very small turn around at the end. There is a fire ring and suppose to be a picnic table and lantern pole that we did not find. Along the way you will pass the trailhead for the Wild Azalea Trail. A beautiful spot that is rather wild with wonderful lake views. The track in becomes just that"a track." No trash, no pit toilet, no water. You can find trash and a toilet near the South Shore boat launch. There is a trashed travel trailer that is continues to take abuse. Gives this primitive site into a trash dump. Wish is that it be remove ASAP 

    LNT 

    AIS 

    BTYFI 

    Travel safe

  • Bob M.
    Nov. 9, 2020

    Moro Bay State Park Campground

    Quiet & Spotless

    Spent 2 nights here, it's really well taken care of. All the sites are level, many with lake views. Only two short hiking trails. Boating & fishing here is very popular with the locals. El Dorado about 23 miles away for groceries/supplies/liquids. Camp store on site has basics, like ice and firewood.

  • Steve S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2020

    Moro Bay State Park Campground

    christmas

    great place loved site #7 roomy quiet and so relaxing grandkids had a blast with the campground cat he even slept in the tent with em great place to spend Christmas nice hot showers fishing right from our site ,picnic table,fire ring,grill,nice tent pads really awesome well kept park they have a store with firewood and boat,bike rentals and full hook-ups including sewer

  • Cultivating Fire L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2022

    Corney Lake South Shore Campground

    Shaded lakeside view

    Quiet spot with heavy tree cover - don’t expect good Solar charging or satellite. Fantastic lakeside views, especially in the morning. Water hook ups next to most spots and primitive toilets in the middle of the camp area.

    Paved roads and semi level RV spots - great spot to stop for a few days!

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 16, 2022

    White Oak Lake State Park Campground

    Campsites with lake view

    White Oak Lake is beautiful. Most, if not all, campsites offer a view of the lake. Spent 2 nights here in February. Only 2 other campsites occupied. Camped in a camper van. Except for nearby blasts (gunshots?) at 9am each morning, the campground was very quiet. The restroom/ shower facilities were very clean. The campsites are also clean. 30amp & 50amp service available. Fire ring, table, lantern hook, and water at each site. Good hiking trails. Tall pine trees throughout, but no privacy between campsites. Sites are close to the campground loop roads, and close together. Not sure if I would enjoy staying here during the peak season, but a good place to stay in the summer. Filks in the office were friendly & helpful. Fire is available for sale.

  • Cat R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 21, 2019

    Lake Claiborne State Park Campground

    BEAUTIFUL LAKE

    Very pretty camping area. We stayed here at site 14. Had a long pier over the water, and plenty of space between campers. Not level ground, but we managed with enough blocks to get it level. This was a back in site. Water and electric, no sewer, but had a dump station. Absolutely no cell service. Lake Claiborne was a gorgeous lake yo kayak on.

  • Gabrielle P.
    Oct. 3, 2019

    Corney Lake South Shore Campground

    Very nice park

    It’s a really nice place to camp. They do have restrooms but they need more attention put towards them. They have a big pavilion with a massive grill if your just interested in day use only. The fishing piers are well built and very nice. No showers and it’s primitive camping only...but I would recommend this park.


Guide to El Dorado

Tent camping options near El Dorado, Arkansas include several primitive sites scattered across the southern Arkansas region. The area sits in the West Gulf Coastal Plain, characterized by gently rolling terrain with pine and hardwood forests. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winters remain relatively mild with occasional freezing temperatures. Campers should prepare for mosquitoes during warmer months, particularly at sites near water bodies.

What to do

Wildlife observation opportunities: The forests surrounding Old Lock and Dam 8 offer chances to spot native wildlife including deer, foxes, and various bird species. The natural setting provides a quiet backdrop for nature photography, particularly during morning hours.

Nature education programs: Logoly State Park Campground features environmental education opportunities through its nature center. "There is a nature house nearby that is open to the public for free during operating hours. It houses various small animals such as a crocodile, snakes, spiders, and lizards," notes Brad C. The park also maintains nature trails suitable for beginners.

Fishing access: At Crossett Harbor RV Park, anglers can take advantage of boat launch facilities for fishing excursions. "Nice day use area, boat ramp, bathrooms, slip rentals," reports Steve S. The area provides access to regional waterways where bass, crappie, and catfish are common catches.

What campers like

Natural seclusion: The tent camping areas near El Dorado provide relative isolation from urban environments. At Corney Lake North Shore Primitive Campground, the walk-in tent sites offer increased privacy compared to drive-up options. The surrounding forest creates natural barriers between campsites and minimizes light pollution for stargazing.

Educational experiences: Families appreciate the learning opportunities at Logoly State Park. "Logoly is good for kids who need a tame introduction to nature. With trails, it's a good place to take a day trip," according to Brad C. The park's environmental focus makes it suitable for nature studies and outdoor education.

Uncrowded conditions: Many campers value the lack of crowds at the best tent camping near El Dorado, Arkansas. According to reviews, Logoly State Park "appears relatively unused" and "traffic is very low," creating a peaceful camping environment. This makes the area suitable for those seeking quiet tent camping experiences away from busier recreational areas.

What you should know

Limited amenities: Most tent camping options near El Dorado require self-sufficiency. Crossett Harbor RV Park has "bathrooms" according to Steve S., but many sites lack drinking water, showers, or other facilities. Campers should bring all necessary supplies including water purification methods.

Seasonal considerations: The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September. Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures, while winter camping requires preparation for occasional freezing nights. Summer campers should prepare for mosquitoes, particularly near water.

Accessibility variations: Many tent camping areas near El Dorado have limited accessibility features. Some locations have gravel or dirt access roads that may become difficult to navigate during wet conditions. Confirm current road conditions before traveling to more remote camping areas, especially after rain.

Tips for camping with families

Start with established sites: For families new to tent camping near El Dorado, Turkey Trot Complex and similar established areas provide more predictable conditions. Look for sites with relatively flat terrain for easier tent setup and proximity to toilet facilities when available.

Plan educational activities: Incorporate nature study opportunities when camping with children. Logoly State Park offers interpretive programs and wildlife viewing that engage younger campers. The nature house with its display of local wildlife serves as both entertainment and education during daytime hours.

Safety precautions: Families should carry a basic first aid kit suitable for treating minor injuries and insect bites. Cell service can be inconsistent in forested areas near El Dorado, so having offline maps and emergency plans is advisable. Teach children to identify poison ivy and other hazardous plants common to the region.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookups: Most camping areas near El Dorado lack RV-specific amenities like electric hookups or dump stations. Bucktail Camp Complex and similar areas primarily accommodate tent camping rather than larger recreational vehicles. RVers should plan for boondocking conditions with self-contained water and power.

Access constraints: Many of the primitive camping areas have narrow access roads and limited turning radius for larger vehicles. Scout locations in advance when possible or call local ranger stations for current information on RV accessibility. Some forest service roads may be unsuitable for larger RVs, particularly during wet conditions.

Generator policies: Most tent camping areas near El Dorado have restrictions on generator use to maintain the natural soundscape. When generators are permitted, observe quiet hours and position equipment to minimize noise impact on neighboring campsites. Consider solar alternatives for charging essential devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near El Dorado, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near El Dorado, AR is Old Lock and Dam 8 with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near El Dorado, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near El Dorado, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.