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Best Campgrounds near Fort Smith, AR

634 Reviews

Camping near Fort Smith, Arkansas encompasses a mix of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites, state parks, and private RV resorts along the Arkansas River. Springhill Park in Barling provides well-maintained campsites set among tall trees adjacent to John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake, just a short drive from downtown Fort Smith. Lake Fort Smith State Park, located about 30 miles northeast of the city, offers modernized facilities following significant renovations. Devil's Den State Park, recognized in National Geographic's Guide to State Parks as one of the top parks in the South Central region, provides additional camping options within driving distance. The area's campgrounds range from basic sites with minimal amenities to fully developed facilities with hookups, showers, and recreational amenities.

Most campgrounds in the Fort Smith area are open year-round, though some facilities like Springhill Park operate on a walk-in basis during the off-season from November through February. Summer temperatures can be hot and humid, with occasional thunderstorms. Winter camping is available but can bring cold temperatures and occasional snow. Reservations are recommended for most established campgrounds, particularly during peak summer months and weekends. Many sites can be booked online through recreation.gov or state park reservation systems. Cell service is generally reliable at campgrounds closer to Fort Smith but may be limited at more remote locations like Devil's Den.

The camping options near Fort Smith accommodate various preferences and equipment needs. RV enthusiasts will find several parks with full hookups, including the newer Riverfront RV Resort located adjacent to the Arkansas River and less than two miles from the Fort Smith National Historic Site. Big-rig friendly sites are available at multiple locations, including William O. Darby RV Community and Fort Smith-Alma RV Park. For tent campers, options include designated tent pads at Lake Fort Smith State Park and primitive sites at Lee Creek Public Use Area, which offers a quiet experience with views of the Arkansas River despite being surrounded by the city. Mountain biking is popular in the area, particularly at Springhill Park, which features a 10-mile trail system frequently used for races.

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Best Camping Sites Near Fort Smith, Arkansas (153)

    1. Springhill

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

    $16 - $75 / night

    "Love the area, really feels like youve left fort smith and entered a little bit of utopia!"

    "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"

    2. Devil's Den State Park Campground

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

    $20 / night

    "Devils Den has great views and great hiking trails. It's listed in National Geographic's Guide to State Parks as one of the top parks in the South Central region. It is pretty good."

    "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. "

    3. COE John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake Springhill Campground

    4 Reviews
    Barling, AR
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 452-4598

    "The campground is set among tall trees adjacent to the John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake and James W. Trimble Lock and Dam of the Arkansas River."

    "Nice area with many spots that back up to an outlet of the Arkansas River. Great bank fishing! Friendly staff. Highly recommend."

    4. Riverfront RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Van Buren, AR
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 300-8100

    "Campground is adjacent to the Arkansas River (thus the name) and less than 2 miles from the Fort Smith National Historic Site."

    "It is located right along the river and is close to other attractions like Fort Smith and the US Marshall’s Museum (literally down the block)."

    5. 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!"

    6. Fort Smith-Alma RV Park

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

    "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."

    "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."

    7. William O. Darby RV Community

    2 Reviews
    Barling, AR
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 242-0799

    $22 - $25 / night

    "This was a great little park and stay at while we were in fort Smith. The price was right and operated by a family and the whole family chips in to run the park."

    "Contacted owner late in the evening looking for a spot after a 9hour drive. This place had everything and the bathhouse was just like taking a shower at home!"

    8. Clear Creek - Ozark Lake (AR)

    5 Reviews
    Alma, AR
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 632-4882

    $16 - $75 / night

    "This park is located on the Arkansas River. There’s a boat ramp, so bring your boat and enjoy the beautiful Arkansas River. Pets are allowed, there is a leash law. Bring your own firewood."

    9. Lee Creek Public Use Area

    3 Reviews
    Hartford, AR
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 761-3325

    "What it does offer is a level parking pad that is quiet and dark which is surprising given it is surrounded by Fort Smith. It also has a decent view of the Arkansas River."

    10. Fort Chaffee RV Military

    1 Review
    Barling, AR
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 484-2252

    "Conveniently located near Fort Smith AR."

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Recent Camping Photos near Fort Smith, AR

182 Photos of 153 Fort Smith Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Fort Smith, AR

634 Reviews of 153 Fort Smith Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • Wesley H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    County Road D1590 Dispersed

    Deep woods

    Definitely isolated, kind of creepy at night. Drove our 29ft class c to the site,road is mostly small rocks

  • Wesley H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    County Road D1590 Dispersed

    Really in the woods

    Took our class c down the narrow road. Pretty good mostly rock.camp site was clean.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Lauren
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Dispersed Near Devils Den

    Be careful!

    I just got back from staying here for a night. For one, it is a very narrow road but my minivan got through just fine. UNTIL I made it to a puddle of water (that I highly underestimated), got stuck in the mud immediately and had to call a tow company (by walking 15 minutes down the highway to get signal; no signal at all at the sites) to help pull me out for $400. The people at the tow company warned me that the forest service does NOT allow cars to drive on these roads anymore, and that is why they added guard rails. They told me that had I gotten caught with my car in there I would have had to pay a big fine. He said camping is fine as long as you park on the turnout by the highway and walk in. Saying all of that, there are still multiple really nice and spread out spots with nice huge firepits. I would have been fine with parking and walking in. Also, I was in pretty deep and could still hear the cars on the highway, but not many come by (at least not on a Tuesday night). The creek is nice. Also tons of fireflies which was cool.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Love's RV Hookup-Clarksville AR 822

    Convenient Layover

    We stayed for one night heading west and due to the extreme heat Cracker Barrel w/ no electricity was out of the question. We reserved & paid online without a hitch and the power was switched on when we checked in. Ample room between sites and full hook-up available. It was our 1st time at one of these and would stay again if in a similar situation. Reserve ahead though as all 4 sites were taken by 3pm on a Sunday.

  • Mack Daddy Van L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2025

    Dispersed Near Devils Den

    Great hidden spot by the water

    The coordinates are fairly accurate. The entryways are a little tight for vehicles, but I made it in my sprinter van so everything else should be just fine. 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. Insect surprisingly weren’t that bad. Traffic from nearby road is almost nonexistent. Stay two nights no issues.

Guide to Fort Smith

Camping near Fort Smith, Arkansas, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With a variety of campgrounds offering unique experiences, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a family, an RV enthusiast, or just looking to escape for a weekend.

What to do

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Greenleaf State Park Campground said, “Clean bathrooms, easy access to trash cans.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One camper at Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures mentioned, “Awesome campground right on Mulberry River.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Queen Wilhelmina State Park said, “The lodge is fantastic, great food and great views with a friendly welcoming staff.”

What you should know

  • Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A reviewer at Springhill Campground pointed out, “The restrooms/showers were clean, but it can be noisy at times.”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For instance, at Aux Arc, one camper noted, “No showers, but the sites are clean and well-kept.”
  • Primitive Camping: If you’re looking for a more rustic experience, White Rock Mountain Recreation Area offers primitive camping. One camper mentioned, “It has primitive sites with water and outhouse style bathrooms.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. At Natural Falls State Park Campground, a reviewer said, “Family-friendly and dog-friendly if you want to take your dogs on a hike.”
  • Plan for Bugs: Some areas can be buggy, especially near water. A camper at Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground noted, “Bring bug spray; it can get buggy at dusk.”
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Campgrounds often have open spaces for games. One camper at Devil's Den State Park Campground suggested, “Enjoyed walking on the dock and view of the water.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Greenleaf State Park Campground mentioned, “RV sites are paved, and gravel, but could use some sewer hook up.”
  • Wi-Fi Availability: Some campgrounds have decent Wi-Fi. A visitor at Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures said, “Wi-Fi good enough to stream.”
  • Be Prepared for Road Noise: If you’re sensitive to noise, consider this before booking. A camper at Queen Wilhelmina State Park mentioned the nearby highway noise.

Camping around Fort Smith, Arkansas, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great choice for families and RVers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Fort Smith, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Fort Smith, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 153 campgrounds and RV parks near Fort Smith, AR and 19 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Fort Smith, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fort Smith, AR is Springhill with a 4.1-star rating from 21 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fort Smith, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near Fort Smith, AR.

What parks are near Fort Smith, AR?

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

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