Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Fort Smith, AR is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Fort Smith and user-submitted reviews.
$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"
$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. "
"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."
$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!"
"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)."
"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."
$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!"
$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."
"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."
"Conveniently located near Fort Smith AR."
TravelerI 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.
TravelerWe 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.
GuideThe 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.
ScoutI have been camping out here for years but never took advantage of the A side. A12-14 are premian spots to camp. I tent camp and the view is amazing. 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.
TravelerGPS brought us directly to the site. The gravel road has some ruuts but it you take your time small SVUs can make it fine. Beautiful over look and clean campsite. Spy rock is gorgeous, the trail is a little rough but totally worth it. Trail head is on the right about a mile past camp.
TravelerVery secluded spot no amenities just a rock fire ring Very peaceful
RangerRight off the highway, this is a clean and convenient spot to camp.
RangerStayed here for a four wheeling trip. Was a decent location - sites were mostly dirt/gravel.
RangerWe love the location, boat ramp, park toilets and showers. However, the fire ants are a severe problem. The ants prevent us from playing in our campground area and the kids have to play in the street or gravel. If you stand in one place too long, you get bit - regardless of trying to avoid them. Just seems like severe infestation - would be nice if the park would do something to mitigate. It’s hard to invite friends and family out to the lake to visit at the campsite or go out on the boat - when even loading the boat becomes an issue with getting stung by the ants.
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.
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
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 18 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fort Smith, AR is Springhill with a 4.1-star rating from 21 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 free dispersed camping spots near Fort Smith, AR.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Fort Smith, AR that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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