Campgrounds near Gillett, Arkansas offer fishing access along the Arkansas River and Merrisach Lake with water and electric hookups at most sites. The flat terrain of the Arkansas Delta provides easy setup for campers, with temperatures reaching 90°F in summer months. Wildlife viewing opportunities include pelicans during winter months, particularly at Wilbur D. Mills and Rising Star campgrounds.
What to do
Fishing from dedicated piers: COE Arkansas River Notrebes Bend Park provides access to quality fishing spots. "Great place quiet and pretty desolate great fishing," notes reviewer Steve S.
Boat launch access: At Rising Star, campers can use the boat ramp for $5. According to John R., "Wonderful small campground on the river. Spacious spots. Spots in the woods and on the river. Playground and boat ramp."
Pecan gathering: Visit Rising Star in fall months when pecan trees drop nuts. "We picked up enough pecans for 2 pies," shares Steve S., who stayed during Halloween 2020.
Kayak rentals: Cane Creek State Park Campground offers affordable kayak rentals with unique water trails. Lacee G. recommends: "You can rent kayaks for very reasonable. Do it! The water trail is unlike any I have seen."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the roomy setup at Pendleton Bend. Allison N. notes, "The sites are spacious. For example, the water hookups are half way between the sites to be shared, and my 50ft hose just barely could reach."
Wildlife viewing: Birdwatching opportunities abound at several campgrounds. Steve S. observed at Wilbur D. Mills that he "saw pelicans" during winter visits, while at Cane Creek, another camper reported seeing "pileated woodpeckers" and even "a swamp rat swimming in the lake."
Clean restrooms: H&G RV Campground receives praise for its service. Richard G. shared, "Gary was great, most helpful and it was a pleasure talking with him." Rising Star also stands out for bathroom cleanliness with one camper exclaiming, "I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CLEANER BATHROOM!!! BATHROOM/SHOWER COMBO FOR 1 PERSON OR FAMILY!!!"
Riverfront watching: At Pendleton Bend, Allison N. enjoyed "sitting on a dock and watching the cargo boats" traveling the Arkansas River.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies greatly between campgrounds. Allison N. warns about Pendleton Bend: "There is absolutely no cell phone signal and no WiFi, so have physical directions on you."
Seasonal bugs: Insects can be a significant issue during warmer months. At Cane Creek State Park Campground, Kathy E. experienced what she described as a plague: "The bugs were so thick that you could not even go outside your camper without getting a mouth full, nose full, eyes full, and ears full of these bugs."
Bathroom variations: Facility quality differs between campgrounds. At Pendleton Bend, Ashley F. found that "bathrooms lack hand soap" and "these bathrooms do not have a heater" making winter camping challenging.
Seasonal closures: Several campgrounds close during winter months. Steve S. noted that Wilbur D. Mills was "closed for winter" during a January visit, while Notrebes Bend Park was "closed for repairs from flooding" during another visit.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Rising Star offers family-friendly facilities. John R. mentions the "playground and boat ramp" as key amenities, though cautions "watch for snakes" in the day use area.
Halloween celebrations: Cane Creek hosts popular Halloween events. Joseph B. shares, "Halloween brings thousands of visitors each fall. The campsites all decorate for the holiday and everyone wants to see it!"
Activities for kids: Several parks offer programming through visitor centers. Lindsey P. notes that at Cane Creek, "the visitors center offers fun activities for the kids."
Weather considerations: Pack appropriate gear for temperature fluctuations. One reviewer at Pendleton Bend mentioned that "bathrooms can be quite cold during winter months," suggesting families bring extra warm clothing if camping in cooler seasons.
Tips from RVers
Electrical capacity: Check power requirements before arrival. At Merrisach Lake, Aaron D G. observed neighboring campers having issues: "Our neighbors had issues with their electricity because they were trying to run an air fryer, and it kept throwing the breaker."
Site selection: Choose sites based on seasonal needs. At Rising Star, Steve S. noted, "site 7 is tight getting into and it is very close to site 6 the fire ring is like 6 or 8 feet from their hook-ups I would suggest another site."
Dump station distance: Plan accordingly for waste disposal. At Merrisach Lake, Aaron D G. warns, "The dump station is probably a mile and a half from the campground so if you have a grey water tote tank that you pull behind the truck like me, expect a fairly long drive."
Pet friendly options: Every campground near Gillett, Arkansas accommodates pets with standard leash policies. At COE Arkansas River Wilbur D Mills Campground, Jason W. describes it as a "Sportsman's paradise" with "well maintained" facilities where pets can join their owners outdoors.
