Dispersed camping sites near Greenland, Arkansas offer primitive accommodations on U.S. Forest Service land throughout the Ozark National Forest. Most locations sit at elevations between 1,200-2,300 feet, creating variable temperatures that can drop 15-20 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands during summer months. Winter camping requires preparation for freezing temperatures and potential ice on forest roads, particularly in January and February when overnight lows regularly fall below 25°F.
What to do
Hiking to panoramic viewpoints: Access the Spy Rock Trail from Morgan Mountain Road for a moderate hike with significant elevation gain. A camper notes, "Spy Rock overlook is down the road and the view is spectacular. There are also nearby waterfalls to hike to."
Creek exploration: Near Devils Den dispersed sites, follow the water for swimming opportunities during warmer months. As one visitor explains, "Nice walk trails along the water. Local stop in for swimming and fishing. Insect surprisingly weren't that bad."
Wildlife observation: Forest Service Road 82 provides access to multiple secluded camping spots with opportunities to spot native wildlife. A camper shares: "Easy access to the Redding Recreation Area for fishing/swimming, and the Spy Rock Trail. Any car should be fine on the gravel road, just go steady on the way up!"
What campers like
Dark night skies: Morgan Mountain Road sites offer minimal light pollution for stargazing. "Even with the traffic, we did find some time to listen to the birds and sit in silence under the dark skies," reports one visitor who stayed at Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed.
Cell coverage in remote areas: Several sites maintain usable connectivity despite their remote location. A camper at Lookout Tower Road noted, "We were in Bentonville, Arkansas and decided to take a gamble on this and it was about 40 minute drive when we got there. Starlink didn't work but Verizon did for phone calls only."
Spacious camping areas: Many sites accommodate multiple vehicles or camping setups. One camper at Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed shared, "Site is large enough for 3, maybe 4 Overlanding Rigs. Couple established fire rings. Highly recommend."
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Be prepared for changing terrain. A visitor to Dispersed Near Devils Den cautions, "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."
Forest Service restrictions: Some areas have vehicle access limitations. A Devils Den camper warned, "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."
Seasonal considerations: Spring brings frequent rain that can create hazardous road conditions. At Morgan Mountain Road, one camper observed, "The road was well maintained upon our arrival, but the frequent off-road vehicle traffic of the four wheelers and side-by-side that go by constantly have combined with the recent rains to degrade it over the past couple of days."
Tips for camping with families
Select sites with water features: Lee Creek Off Road Site offers creek access for children to explore. A visitor notes, "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."
Pack sufficient water supplies: No potable water exists at any primitive camping near Greenland, Arkansas. Plan for 1 gallon per person per day, plus additional water for cooking, cleaning, and extinguishing campfires.
Consider proximity to emergency services: Cell service varies significantly throughout the area. One Morgan Mountain Road camper reported, "T-Mobile has anywhere from one bar LTE to three bars of 5G extended to 2 bars 5G here. I was able to stream video on my phone before bedtime each night and use my phone to plan for the following day."
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions for larger vehicles: Sugar Camp Lookout Tower Dispersed Area accommodates larger rigs better than most dispersed sites. A visitor explained, "This location is tucked away from the main road and is easy to get to. Could easily get 4 rigs + in the sight."
Clearance considerations: Many forest roads require careful navigation. At Lookout Tower Road, one RVer shared, "I managed to get our 40 foot Bluebird Bus up here. Nice spot well ish maintained."
Finding level parking: Few sites offer naturally level terrain. A Morgan Mountain Road camper observed, "Except for one small spot, the site is not level - slopes downhill a little toward the ridge. Camping rigs may need leveling depending on the parking spot."
