P
Pamela B.
Traveler
TravelerCane Creek
It is sooo peaceful here
There is a boat ramp here and plenty of shade, or sun, if needed. There is a bathroom and picnic tables with level pads.
Camping near Hagarville, AR
177 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Camping near Hagarville, Arkansas spans free primitive campsites to RV-friendly campgrounds with full hookups, all set within the surrounding Ozark National Forest. Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area, located directly in Hagarville, offers free primitive camping with basic amenities including picnic tables, vault toilets, and fire rings. Within a 30-mile radius, campers can access Corps of Engineers sites like Piney Bay with electric hookups, state parks including Mount Nebo with its elevated camping areas, and Long Pool Recreation Area known for its swimming holes. The region features both waterfront sites along rivers and lakes as well as forested mountain settings, with accommodations ranging from tent-only areas to RV-friendly campgrounds with full hookups.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the Hagarville area, with many forest service roads requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain. As one camper noted, "Be prepared for limited or no cell service and miles of gravel roads - download or print your driving and hiking maps ahead of time." Summer temperatures typically reach the 90s, though higher elevations like Mount Nebo offer relief from humidity. Most primitive sites in national forest areas operate year-round, while developed campgrounds with amenities may close between November and March. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with better coverage at visitor centers and along main highways. Campgrounds near water sources often require advance planning during summer weekends when they fill quickly.
Water access represents a major draw for campers in the region, with several sites offering direct access to swimming holes, fishing spots, and boat launches. According to a frequent visitor to Long Pool Recreation Area, "Tent campers have the better camping loop at this campground, closer to the water, nicer sites, most with plenty of trees for shade." Wildlife sightings are common, with deer frequently spotted near campsites and occasional bear warnings posted in higher elevations. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to waterfalls, overlooks, and swimming areas, making them popular bases for day trips. Noise levels vary significantly, with dispersed sites offering more solitude than developed campgrounds, which can become crowded during summer weekends and holidays. Sites with shade are particularly valuable during hot summer months.
Best Campgrounds near Hagarville (177)
1. Haw Creek Falls Camping
"campers in the area but during the day LOTS of people coming to swim ( and leaving trash 🤮 ) The water was beautiful, eating dinner by the falls has become one of my new favorite camping memories in arkansas"
"Lovely area but you can hear the vehicles that drive by on the highway plenty of hiking nearby"
2. Piney Bay
"General: Two things you can count on in a Corps of Engineers campground: very reasonable rates and near water. This is a fairly large Corps of Engineers campground on Piney Bay."
"A great little Corp park right off the Arkansas River. Sites are mostly level with water and electricity. Dump station in park. Nice clean bath houses."
from $16 - $75 / night
Check Availability3. Long Pool Recreation Area
"You can drive up to the less attractive and less conveniently located RV loop to use the showers, if you need them."
"Access to the creek is nice and plenty of space even on busy days. No cell service which was nice to get disconnected."
4. Mount Nebo State Park Campground
"Reservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by."
"A great Arkansas destination for outdoorsy people.The steep road climbing to the top of Mount Nebo keeps the big RVs away. Stop your car at the lookout point before you reach the top."
5. Russellville Campground — Lake Dardanelle State Park
"The State Park systems in the US are some of our favorite places to find beautiful camping spots, but Lake Dardanelle State Park in Arkansas tops most of them all."
"Pretty campground on the lake. You can see Mount Nebo in the distance. Not much in the way of hiking trails. They have a short loop trail near the visitor center that is good for small children."
6. Spadra Park Campground
"This is a tiny COE Campground just outside Clarksville, AR. You need to read the entire description of YOUR site before you book!"
"There's a nice playground and pavilion located by the bathhouse. The bathrooms are very nice. There are 6 unisex bath and shower rooms. The privacy was very welcomed."
from $22 - $75 / night
Check Availability7. Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park
"_ There are several viewpoints/vistas that you can access from roads (just two close together that involve some driving on gravel)."
"Super cool paths, views and community. Tons of historical value and it's obvious that Arkansas cares about it's forests, natural resources and outdoor communities."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability8. Cane Creek Recreation Area
"This is an abandoned former campsite in a beautiful location."
"There is a boat ramp, fishing, you can pull an RV in here right next to your camp spot. There are fire rings and hiking trails. Off leash for dogs that are voice command and friendly."
9. Ozone Recreation Area Camping
10. Moore Outdoors Piney Creek
from $10 - $20 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 3 min from Fort Smith, AR
- 1 hr 27 min from Little Rock, AR
- 1 hr 27 min from Fayetteville, AR
- 2 hrs 1 min from Hot Springs, AR
Recent Camping Photos near Hagarville, AR
274 Photos of 177 Hagarville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Piney Bay
FR1802A, Meadows Knob Rd Dispersed
Long Pool Recreation Area
Haw Creek Falls Camping
Ozone Recreation Area Camping
Cane Creek Recreation Area
Cane Creek
Shoal Bay
Delaware Park
Russellville Campground — Lake Dardanelle State Park
Dardanelle Campground — Lake Dardanelle State Park
Wolf Pen Recreation Area CampgroundP
Recent Reviews near Hagarville, AR
905 Reviews of 177 Hagarville Campgrounds
Erin L.TravelerFort Smith-Alma RV Park
B-1 Pull thru
We stayed here while en route to SWMO. Hubby had been in the area working 10-15 years ago and knew quite a few of his colleagues had stayed at this park while working. We knew it was not far from the highways. Park was clean and mowed, but couldn't really distinguish the unpaved roads/pull-throughs from the grass. Gravel needs to be redone. Driving through the park, the back in sites were needing some maintenance and gravel work as well. There were very few signs pointing directions upon arrival and we had come into the park through the exit. We were asked if we had used Google Maps to navigate(yes, we had and we weren't the only ones as several others entered from Newberry). The entrance is off of Hwy 71, just on the north side of the church(Park entrance& church lot are shared). One centralized dumpster beside the propane tank/fill, pool& office. Cabins available for rental. Mostly residential in the North side of the park. Fishing pond for catch& release. Used to be, from the looks, an old KOA from the color scheme and some of the signs had a faded emblem. Park is dated. Staff was friendly and helpful. Our site was B-1. Right beside the exit on Newberry Rd. Mixture of gravel& grass. Picnic table, BBQ grill, and fire pit, although we were in a burn ban. Level, did not need blocks. It was quiet enough in our camper at night, but could tell when people left for work in the morning. It served our purpose to park our camper while we explored Ft. Smith and surrounding areas during the day; however, if back in the area we will stay elsewhere(cheaper places with more amenities). We camped at Fort Smith/ Alma RV Park in a Travel Trailer.
Andy M.
LegendWaveland Park
Quiet spot for labor day weekend.
Great help from the gate keeper. Showed us a nice spot in the back away from everyone else. Probably because of the steep road to back down. But worth it. Wonderful spot.
- Melinda E.Traveler
Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park
Phenomenal Vacation!
We stayed a week at Petit Jean in one of their gorgeous cabins. It was a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend. The check-in and check-out was easy. Finding the cabin was easy with the directions and map we were given. They were clearly marked, with parking for two vehicles, as they were setup like a duplex. The cabin was beautiful and clean, inside and out. There was a large, heavy, all wood porch swing on each side. Relaxing in it was a peaceful experience, listening to the sounds of birds and the breeze through the tall pines. Inside it was all beautifully stained wood and roomy enough for two people, much like a hotel room, except for the cathedral ceiling. In fact, the setup was better than most hotel rooms we have stayed in. There was a mini-fridge with a small freezer, microwave, coffee pot(with coffee, cups, creamer, sugar, etc,) a Keurig, blow-dryer, iron, ironing board, and broom. It had all the toiletries: soap, shampoo, conditioner, tissue, cups. The open closet had plenty of shelving and hangers for clothing and bags. The bathroom was standard with water that quickly got hot for your bath or shower. There were two full size beds with comfortable mattresses, plenty of pillows and warm bedding, with a nightstand between. There were plugs to charge your phone and a landline. There was also a fireplace, however it was locked closed. The air unit in the room had cooling/heating that was easy to operate and sufficiently cool. We were near the highway, close to the lodge, but did not hear traffic while in the cabin. Parking at Mather Lodge is just like any other, with a short, easy walk to the entrance. Once inside, you pass the check-in desk, a small, well-stocked gift shop,(with something for every age,) an open meeting area and bar before reaching the restaurant. It is beautifully constructed from large logs stained and polished to a gleaming shine. From floor to ceiling, it is the epitome of rugged elegance. We ate breakfast and dinner exclusively at the lodge. The food was exemplary, every meal, cooked to perfection and delicious. The atmosphere was relaxing and we were never rushed or made to feel as if we overstayed our welcome. The service was fast, even when every table was occupied. The servers were friendly and attentive. We had only one server, one time that was"less than," maybe she was new, not sure, but we did not see her again. Tommy, Thomas, Jessie, Brad, Rebekah, and Lindsay were all so pleasant, always greeting us, even when they weren't our servers, remembering us and making us feel like family. The view of the gorge with it's tall trees and towering rock formations was incredible! There was a common area behind the lodge, just outside the restaurant with tables, chairs and benches for observing the gorge, taking photos, relaxing and socializing. You could walk right down to the edge of the huge flat rocks for photos with a stunning background. We spent every evening there, watching the exquisite sunsets. This place is a nature lovers paradise. There is a pool surrounded by loungers behind and to the side of the lodge. It was clean and well-kept with a small waterfall at one end. Thick thirsty towels are provided for your convenience. The grounds are beautifully maintained. We never saw or heard a mower but the grass was cut to perfection and there wasn't a single piece of litter in the entire park. At check-in we were given a map, brochure and weekly schedule of events/tours at the park. The map was very necessary for navigating around this extensive park of which the lodge area was only a small part. The brochure described the hikes and other available activities(such as climbing and repelling) with descriptions of what could be observed, length and difficulty levels. Trust the brochure! If it says strenuous, it is. Plan accordingly. There were four ranger guided tours the week we were there. We took two of them. They were genuinely interesting and pleasurable. Baron, our ranger, was exceedingly knowledgeable about the geology, animal and plant life and history of the area. Exceptionally so, for someone who was seemingly so young. He was attentive to the needs of those attending the tours, stopping to rest if necessary and moving a bit slower for us older folks. He was so affable and easy to talk with, it seemed as if we were old friends. Willing to spend extra time after the tours, talking with us, was an indication of how much he enjoyed his job. We were very appreciative of someone of his character and enjoyed spending time with him. He is the perfect model of what one would think a park ranger is and should be! Any hike can be taken unguided and there are plenty of them. In fact, we had plans to go outside the park on other hikes, but never made it off the property for those. We actually did not have enough time to do all we wanted to do within the park. If you are looking for a phenomenal vacation, this is the trip you should take!
Jenny
RangerLake Fort Smith State Park Campground
Site 16 - little piece of paradise
Very nice park - clean and quiet. We did the kayak tour this morning which was nice. There’s also a kayak rental Kiosk down by the boat ramp through Whenever Watersports (download the app). There’s trails and also a pool. Pool closed down Aug 9, 2026 since lifeguards had to go back to school. Not having a pool was the only bummer this trip cause temps are still close to 100.
- SSherri B.
GuidePetit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park
Arkansas's first state park
Well maintained state park especially for its age. All sites have a picnic table, ground grill, and tent pad. Roads and campsites are paved. Nicely spaced sites. Clean bathhouse.
- LLesley W.Traveler
Dardanelle Campground — Lake Dardanelle State Park
Nice quiet stay
Nice quiet place right on the lake sites are a little unlevel but not bad no sewer but there’s a dump station just like they said not much signal for AT&T
- JennyRanger
pathfinder rv resort
New, clean RV park
New park with young trees (so not much shade yet), pond for fishing and a walking trail around it. Large clubhouse is where the bathhouses are with four individual bathrooms with showers, laundry facility, propane for sale and a nice pool.
- JennyRanger
Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground
Beautiful and peaceful
Clean state park. We enjoyed the trails, kayak rental at the marina. Other amenities include nice bathhouses and a pool.
Guide to Hagarville
Campground options near Hagarville, Arkansas range from developed recreation areas to dispersed sites within the Ozark National Forest. Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area offers tent and RV camping in an established setting with fire rings and picnic tables, while Long Pool Recreation Area provides riverside sites along Big Piney Creek. Both campgrounds maintain vault toilets and trash collection. More developed options include Piney Bay Campground on Lake Dardanelle, located approximately 25 miles south of Hagarville, with electric hookups and water access points. Cane Creek Recreation Area provides primitive dispersed camping opportunities for those seeking a more remote experience.
Road conditions vary considerably throughout the region, with some campgrounds requiring navigation along narrow forest roads. Many sites in the Ozark National Forest demand high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain. The camping season generally runs year-round at most sites, though Lake Dardanelle State Park campgrounds operate primarily from March through October. Several campgrounds feature waterfront access with varying amenities - some provide only vault toilets while others include shower facilities. Cell service can be limited in more remote areas, particularly in the mountainous terrain. A visitor noted that at certain dispersed sites "expect pinstriping along the access track to this secluded dispersed campsite. FR1802A toward the site has some erosion; low clearance vehicles may high center in one or two spots."
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews from visitors to the area. Sites along Big Piney Creek at Long Pool are particularly popular for swimming access during summer months. One camper commented that "Long Pool campground is top notch! Very nice large sites that have great beefy tables and large fire grates. Our campsite was backed up to Big Piney Creek which was beautiful." Privacy varies between campgrounds - Piney Bay features some closely spaced sites, while dispersed areas offer more seclusion. Bathroom facilities range from basic vault toilets to shower houses, with cleanliness frequently mentioned in reviews. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the region, with early mornings offering the best chance for sightings. During peak summer weekends, waterfront sites typically fill quickly, making reservations advisable where accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hagarville, AR?
What camping is available near Hagarville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hagarville, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 177 campgrounds and RV parks near Hagarville, AR and 37 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hagarville, AR?
Which is the most popular campground near Hagarville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hagarville, AR is Haw Creek Falls Camping with a 4.4-star rating from 25 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hagarville, AR?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hagarville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 37 free dispersed camping spots near Hagarville, AR.
What parks are near Hagarville, AR?
What parks are near Hagarville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 parks near Hagarville, AR that allow camping, notably Lake Dardanelle and Nimrod Lake.
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