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Heavener Runestone Park campground features tent and RV sites where pets are welcome throughout the park. Located about 45 miles southwest of Hartford, this campground provides 18 sites with water and electric hookups, fire rings, picnic tables, and clean restrooms and showers accessible to campers with dogs. Pets must remain leashed while in the campground and on hiking trails. The park offers multiple hiking paths suitable for dogs, including the trail that leads down to the Viking runestone. Camping fees are reasonable, and the park hosts are noted for being friendly and helpful to guests with pets. A persistent barking dog from a private residence near the entrance has occasionally disturbed campers during nighttime hours.
Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground and Long Lake Resort provide additional pet-friendly options within an hour's drive of Hartford. Both facilities welcome dogs at their campsites and cabin accommodations. The hiking trails at Winding Stair Campground in Ouachita National Forest are well-marked and accessible for dogs on leashes. Lake Wister State Park's multiple campgrounds (Quarry Island, Wards Landing, and Below the Dam) all permit pets but require them to be supervised at all times. When camping with dogs in this region, water access is plentiful at most sites, though summer temperatures can become quite hot. Wildlife is abundant in the area, with raccoons, squirrels, skunks and deer commonly seen around campsites, so keeping pets properly secured is essential for their safety and the protection of local animals.
"We stopped to see the runestone on our way back home from camping at Lake Wister. Wooded and clean, with a small gift shop (closed when we got there)."
"Totally worth the drive from Tulsa. The park is beautiful and secluded, very clean and well kept. It has some really fun little themed touches in keeping with the Viking Runestone."
from $15 - $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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"
from $16 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Trails are short but have nice views. Forest trail is overgrown once you leave the state park and go into the national forest."
"Driving through this part of Arkansas you can quickly get taken aback by the winding roads the ample beauty, but until you visit the campground and park you will only have a portion of the beauty of the"
from $23 / night
Check Availability"The lake nearby is great. We brought our kayaks and had so much fun hitting the lake in the morning. It does get busy as the day goes on, especially in the summer on the weekends."
"we took a group of Trail Life boys there and we had a good time. There are plenty of good trails near by and we used Cedar Lake as our basecamp."
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availability"They have hiking trails and 2 private lakes. The RV area looked new because all of the power boxes had 50/30 and 120 outlets and breakers which is super cool."
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability"A couple trails within walking distance. No firewood or ice available to purchase on site."
"Just a bit off the beautiful Talimena Drive, it is well shaded, close to spectacular overlooks and lots of hiking options around."
from $3 - $14 / night
"We really enjoy Lake Wister. It is never overcrowded."
"There were 5 RV sites with full hook ups on isle, even though #4 and # 5 are so close to each other that slide outs could bump into each other, and 2 very nice RV sites with only water and electric on"
from $16 - $29 / night
Check Availability"The location is a big plus, it’s right across the road from a pharmacy, laundromat, Dollar General, and O’Reilly’s, so you don’t have to go far for anything."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"We spend our last night in Wister State Park before heading home to Arkansas. The park ladies were the most informative by far. They told us where the best place to see the eagles and we did ."
"connections as we as the sites on the island, but the traffic on the island is terrible, there is a splash pad at the park along with a put put golf corse, and if you go into Wister, stop by the old Frisco trail"
"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."
TravelerThis 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. Campsites are both Electric and primitive. Flush toilets and Warm Showers are available. Good cell service. Very clean and peaceful.
LegendThis is KOA, not my favorite place to stop, but they have good, basic facilities, sort of like Motel 6. They are just off I-40, so it was convenient for a one night stop. The sites were level, and were Pull-Thru so we didn’t even unhook. Full hookups, Some shade, a dump station. The shower/bathroom was clean. There is a small store. They also have cabins and tent sites; Free Wi-Fi, cable tv, a pool and playground, and a pond for fishing. There is a small Kamp K9 (dog park). When we were there everything was wet, and the smell of wet creosote from the log yard next door was terrible.
GuideThis place is a beautifull forested remote area and you have to drive over 4.5 miles to get to the campsite, its a two lane dirt road, lookout for deer and other critters crossing. We stayed at the walk in campsites, they have those and a few where you can park next to your site, don’t expect very much privacy, you can’t make reservations, they are all first come first serve and you pay at your site. All are tent only. we stayed at #20 with a short walk from the parking area but a little bit too close to #21, 18 and 19 seem to be the ones with more privacy. We did have a nice shaded site with a fire ring, a barbecue grill, a picnic table and nice surface for your tent. the camping area is just a short walk to the sandbar where you can enjoy the cool floating water. The bathrooms are adequate but no running water, therefore don’t expect showers. We camped with our dog Lulu, the sites are pet friendly and she had fun in the water too. There is an abundance of wild life, keep an eye for snakes and thicks!
TravelerSimple, but nice. No frills. Quiet. If you are looking for a peaceful, quiet place, away from the city, this is a great place. I love it. Have stayed several times in several different sites. Will stay again. About 13 campsites, all gravel. Has a wooded trails for walking and a big open are for walking and playing with pets. Water, sewer and 30/50amp electric are easy access and to hook up. James the owner is great and has a U-Pick orchard as well.
RangerWe found this quiet spot with a small waterfall on Mountain Fork Creek that has a fairly large (semi-level) gravel parking lot right next to the natural waterfall which gives good noise cover for the road nearby. There are a few small trails along the creek and a few small bluffs with climbing spots for those who like some verticality.
Not great for solar panels but we had a good view of the north sky so Starlink works great here!
Also, a few stray dogs and cats came to see us a couple times.
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.
TravelerWe have been coming to Shady Lake for decades and it is one of our most favorite places. It is a good location on the edge of the Ouachita National Forest with plenty of things to do within the recreation area and in the surrounding area as well. There are multiple hiking trails, some with connections to longer trails outside the rec area. Access for hunters and ATVs outside the rec area. Beautiful canoeing (bring your own boat) where you can see otters, eagles, yes- snakes and all kinds of wildlife. I love that this is an older more rustic park, some people have considered that a negative but to me that is a positive (people who like everything shiny and new definitely should look elsewhere). If the cat wasn't already out of the bag on this treasure of a camp, I certainly would not make a post encouraging more people to come here. lol! Sadly they have demolished the A camping loop right at the front and are 'upgrading' it to bring in more people with bigger rigs. the heavy construction has run off a lot of the wildlife for a couple seasons so will see how it turns out in the end. I hope the Bald Eagle and otter family return when it all quiets back down. There are sites with water and electric and tent only sites- some of which are very primitive and if you like to be far from other campers and can do primitive sites- they are a plus! (some will think they are awful, but to others they are a bonus- lol!) If you love getting back nature, peaceful cell phone free beauty and quiet in a rustic camping setting you will love it. Fishing, hiking,, swimming, nearby ATV riding, hunting, easy access to other nearby national forest rec areas, rivers and trails.
LegendSpringhill Park in Fort Smith is yet another great U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground and recreation area. We are huge fans of Corps parks for numerous reasons and this one did not disappoint. 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. The park is located in Barling, Arkansas which is just a short drive from downtown Fort Smith. The area offers plenty of sights to see (especially for history buffs) and interesting things to do.
The campground is open year-round. Campsites can be booked on-line at recreation.gov except during the off-season (Nov- Feb) when all sites are walk-in. The park has 44 total sites divided into two loops– one with 30 amp electric (A loop) and the other with 50 amp (B loop). Water is available at some sites and at the centrally-located dump station. Finding out which sites have water on recreation.gov is a bit confusing. When looking at the “site list” page you will notice no sites have water listed as an“amenity” but it does list the electric. To find out if a site has water, click on the link for specific details of a particular site and it will indicate if there is water hook ups.
All sites and roads are paved and easy to navigate in a big rig. Many sites are very long with only eleven sites being less than 45’ in length(and only seven under 40’). One major downside of this park is that only about half the sites(in Loop B) were not flat enough for us to get level without having the wheels off the ground. Smaller RVs or trailers that use blocks instead of automatic leveling jacks should be able to get level. All sites have a picnic table and fire pit. The sites in A Loop(pictured below) have a paved parking space adjacent to the paved RV pad. Campsites are closer together and have fewer trees creating a more open feel than in the B Loop but do back-up to a small pond that makes for a nice view.
We stayed in site B1 and loved the privacy and tall trees surrounding the site and the large grassy field next to us. Sites B9 and B11 have great views of the water and offer plenty of room between you and your neighbor while others are tucked nicely into the trees. The patios in B Loop(pictured to the right) have a concrete patio on a cement pad. Most of the patios are located at the back of the campsite. We picked up roughly 15 television channels (including the three major networks) with our antenna. Trees may prevent you from getting satellite if your dish is fixed on the roof.
Located in both loops are a bath/shower building(which were very clean), playground, and pavilion. There are hiking/mountain biking trails that leave from the campground. Mountain biking is a big deal here and there is a 10-mile"fast" trail where experienced bikers race frequently. Other amenities include basketball courts, boat launch and picnic pavilions.
The park is a few miles from Fort Smith proper and about eight miles to downtown attractions including the National Historical Park. Within two miles are a few restaurants, gas station, and a super Walmart is less than four miles away. The area immediately surrounding the park is a nice part of town that felt safe to us. What we liked was that this park has well-spaced sites, a nice wooded setting and a site with the amenities of electric, water, and a pavement. The location was great to downtown Fort Smith so you didn’t feel isolated if you wanted to go sight-seeing, out to eat, or shopping. Being right on the lake meant we could easily go kayaking or fishing and there were plenty of places to walk throughout the property. Access to the park is easy and manageable for a big-rig towing a car. The price$20/night (or$10 for senior pass holders) is quite the deal. This park is great for dogs with lots of room to walk, trails, and places to swim.
The only ding was that if this park would have had sewer at the site. But we loved it anyway and would definitely stay here again. The other ding this park gets is the fact that so many sites are unlevel.
LegendThe campground is tricky to locate, I would recommend familiarizing yourself with the directions especially if you are arriving after dark. There are several miles of driving on a gravel forest road between the main highway and the campgrounds.
The campsites are relatively private, we pretty much had the campground to ourselves until after the first night. A very large family arrived and decided that the best campsite available was immediately next to us. Had it been full this wouldn't have been irritating, but there were more than a dozen other sites to choose.
Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire pit, there are toilets available but no showers and phone signal is sparse. River access is within a very quick walk, this section of the river is very calm. Overall the campground is isolated. Its about a fifteen minute drive to the park headquarters, popular trails, and other activities. The park is dog friendly, the surrounding trails are accessible for dogs.
Camping near Hartford, Arkansas provides access to the Ouachita Mountains and multiple waterways across the Oklahoma-Arkansas border. Most campgrounds in this region sit between 600-1,400 feet elevation, creating distinct temperature variations between valley and mountain sites. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, while spring and fall offer milder camping conditions with temperatures ranging from 50-75°F.
Hiking the Ouachita Trail: Access this long-distance trail from Winding Stair Campground, located about 30 miles from Hartford. "A few miles down the road you can find an old fire tower which is interesting and can be accessed if you are daring. This area is dog friendly, dogs can access the trails as well," notes Vanessa M. The campground connects to the much larger Ouachita Trail through multiple access points.
Fishing at multiple waterways: Cast a line at Springhill Campground, which offers both river and creek fishing options. "Right off the highway, this is a clean and convenient spot to camp. I've lived in OK for 30+ years and didn't know of Cedar Lake in the Quachita mountains near Heavener, OK. It's incredible!" shares Headgear7. The campground sits between the Arkansas River and Massard Creek, providing access to catfish, perch and bass.
Kayaking on Cedar Lake: Launch directly from shoreline campsites at Cedar Lake. "My favorite part was the rock outcropping at the river by our site. It felt like we had our own little dock to cast off from," notes Rebecca H. The lake features a 2-mile perimeter trail that follows natural terrain, making for easy water access points throughout.
Mountain views: Campers consistently mention the scenic vistas from Queen Wilhelmina State Park, approximately 25 miles south of Hartford. "The views are beautiful. The campsites are very well maintained and very level. Limited activities for younger children, but we enjoyed the hiking trails," shares Mandi R. The park sits atop Rich Mountain with panoramic views across the Ouachita range.
Secluded forest settings: Many campsites offer privacy among pine and hardwood forests. "The site had a nearby pavilion and running water. Hiking trails are fun and well marked. Heavener is near a train refueling station, so you'll hear a lot of trains," reports Amy M. This creates natural sound barriers between campsites at many locations throughout the region.
Winter camping opportunities: The region offers year-round camping with particularly quiet conditions in cooler months. "We stayed here for one night in late December. It was a Sunday and we had the whole campground to ourselves. The hosts were friendly and helpful. All of the sites looked nice, but ours was especially beautiful," mentions Megan B. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F with occasional freezing conditions.
Limited shower facilities: Some campgrounds offer basic amenities only. "Bathrooms were clean and easily accessed from our tent sites. The park hosts were incredibly kind and welcoming. One last note, you do need to bring your own drinking water in," advises Mara Y. Most campgrounds provide potable water access points, but not all have shower facilities.
Reservation requirements vary: While some campgrounds require advance booking, others operate first-come, first-served. "You have to reserve your site in advance via Recreation.gov. The park is adequate but nothing fancy. The restrooms/shower facility was clean," explains Greg R. about Springhill Campground. Reservation policies often change seasonally, with stricter requirements during summer months.
Terrain considerations: Quarry Island Campground and other sites in the region have uneven terrain. "Not all RV sites have picnic tables. The concrete pad was perfectly level and took no time to set up. There were 5 RV sites with full hook ups on isle," notes Leslie N. Many RV pads require leveling equipment, particularly at mountain campgrounds.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "We came to Heavener Runestone Park with three families and nine young children and had the BEST time! The playground was really fun and right by site 1. It's a big site so we put four tents and 15 people on that site comfortably," shares Mara Y. about her experience at this dog friendly campground near Hartford.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area provides numerous wildlife encounters suitable for family observation. "We saw a ton of wild turkeys and two cottonmouth snakes," reports Amelia S. Many campgrounds post wildlife activity boards at entrance stations listing recent sightings.
Water recreation for children: Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground offers family-friendly water access. "Clean showers with hot water, swimming for the kids and a playground. There are sites for people with horses also," notes Cathy P. The lake maintains consistent water levels year-round, making swimming areas predictable for family planning.
Site leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven terrain at many campgrounds. "Some sites are a little uneven. And some sites are tough to get a 41ft 5th wheel into," advises Gordon D. Most campgrounds provide information about maximum RV lengths on their reservation platforms.
Hookup availability: Long Lake Resort offers comprehensive RV facilities. "Buffalo, horses and awesome amounts of fish! The RV area looked new because all of the power boxes had 50/30 and 120 outlets and breakers which is super cool. All of the sites had sewer and water connections too," notes Cynthia H. The resort is among the few offering full hookups within 25 miles of Hartford.
Water quality considerations: Water testing results vary significantly between campgrounds. "30 Amp hook up with some of the best water I have ever had. Only 35 ppm on my zero water tester. Bottled water has had more than 75 ppm," reports Beverley D. about Springhill Campground. Many RVers recommend bringing water testing equipment when camping in this region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hartford, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hartford, AR is Heavener Runestone Park with a 4.9-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Hartford, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 104 dog-friendly camping locations near Hartford, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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