Best Tent Camping near Hartford, AR

Primitive tent camping near Hartford, Arkansas offers a range of established and dispersed options within the Ouachita National Forest and along nearby waterways. Jack Creek Recreation Area provides basic tent campsites with picnic tables and vault toilets, while Natural Dam offers a more rustic experience with tent sites near a small waterfall. Pigeon Creek Dispersed camping area provides free primitive tent camping alongside the Kiamichi River, though recent reviews indicate access may be challenging.

Most tent campsites in the region feature basic amenities, with significant differences between established and dispersed areas. Jack Creek's tent sites include picnic tables, trash collection, and vault toilets, but no running water or electric hookups. At Natural Dam, tent campers set up in a gravel parking area beside the waterfall, with minimal facilities but pleasant background noise from the falls to cover nearby road sounds. Primitive tent setups at Pigeon Creek require careful navigation of rough roads. A recent review warned: "We drove slowly back and forth along the road exactly where the coordinates lead us to but there is no vehicle access to the forest there. It's completely overgrown."

The tent camping experience varies seasonally across these locations. Natural Dam's waterfall creates morning fog effects during cooler weather, with the sound providing natural white noise for tent campers. Pigeon Creek offers primitive tent camping surrounded by trees and moss alongside running mountain spring water, though flash flooding can be a concern during rainy periods. Holson Valley Vista provides hike-in tent sites with dramatic valley views when foliage is light. Several tent campsites in the region sit near creeks that can rise quickly during heavy rain, requiring careful site selection. As one camper noted, "The terrain is rocky so use a thick mat or hammock but you will love it."

Best Tent Sites Near Hartford, Arkansas (18)

    1. COE John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake Springhill Campground

    4 Reviews
    Barling, AR
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 452-4598

    "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."

    "Sites are large with flat paved parking pad. I saw a variety of all sizes of rigs and some tents. There are lots of trees, it’s close to the river and very peaceful."

    2. Pigeon Creek Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Big Cedar, OK
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (580) 494-6402

    "Just on the right is a clearing you can’t miss next to the Kiamichi River along side pigeon creek. You’re surrounded by trees, moss and running blue mountain spring water. What’s not to love?"

    3. Jack Creek Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Blue Mountain, AR
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 321-5202

    "No bathrooms or water but there is a trail that goes directly to the day use area. There are changing rooms, no shower or running water. There was a trash can."

    "Primitive, but thats the best part about it. You got the creek for water play, bathrooms and picnic tables. A little further down the road is an outdoor gun range."

    4. Holson Valley Vista

    1 Review
    Muse, OK
    29 miles
    Website

    "I stayed at this campground shelter while hiking the Ouachita Trail. The campground and shelter were built by the Friends of the Ouachita Trail and is located at mile market 16.8 of the trail."

    5. Cossatot Falls Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area

    12 Reviews
    Wickes, AR
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 385-2201

    "Vault toilets, no water and no electricity. Each site has enough room for three tents and has a grill, fire pit, table, and bear pole. There is easy access to the falls and hiking trails."

    "We also have a large 20’ tent that makes it difficult to fit into regular square pad tent sites. These pads were huge and fit our tent, which was super nice because our original plans fell through."

    7. End of the Trail

    Be the first to review!
    Boles, AR
    26 miles
    +1 (501) 617-0830

    $30 - $50 / night

    8. Natural Dam

    5 Reviews
    Natural Dam, AR
    43 miles
    Website

    "We 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"

    "A little road noise off in the distance but the waterfall all but drowned it out."

    10. Shirley Creek

    2 Reviews
    Oden, AR
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 394-2382

    "The nps map still has it listed as a campground, but there was a sign at the main entrance stating day use only."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Hartford, AR

388 Reviews of 18 Hartford Campgrounds


  • Janna R.
    May. 22, 2019

    Billy Creek

    5 Stars are not enough for this campground!

    We camped at Billy Creek in March 2019.  We were the only ones there which made it fabulous!  We set up camp right above the river and got to hear the river going over the rocks the whole time.  There was a easy and short little trail down to the river and lots of large rocks to hang out on.  The campsite has tons of big trees.  Each site has a fire ring, picnic table and grill.  Water is available, but not at each spot.  No electricity, no flushing potties, no showers, no sewer hookups, no wifi.  There are latrine bathrooms (2) in a small building near the entrance. There is an abundance of hiking trails, 4 wheeler/motorcycle trails and many trails that a full size SUV can do.  Lots of forest service roads to explore.  We stayed 3 nights and only saw people one day that came in to meet up and ride 4 wheelers.  We will definitely go back!

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2018

    Holson Valley Vista

    Holson Valley Vista Shelter + A Room with a View

    I stayed at this campground shelter while hiking the Ouachita Trail.

    The campground and shelter were built by the Friends of the Ouachita Trail and is located at mile market 16.8 of the trail. While the campground is only a few hundred feet from the Talimena National Scenic Byway it is best reached by hiking the Ouachita Trail.

    The shelter is an open air wooden structure with a raised platform, three walls, roof, open air patio, shelf, wall pegs, fire pit and picnic table. Most campers might pop up their tent or just cowboy camp on the raised platform. Our group hung hammocks from the rafters. There were wall pegs that were convenient for hanging and drying our gear or to keep it away from any little critters (mice) that might visit in the night. There are not many amenities at this campground, but it is a nice resting stop and provides some protection from the elements during inclement weather.

    The shelter is located on a gradual sloping rocky hill and has a dramatic overview of the valley when the weather is clear and the foliage is not heavy. There are no waste facilities nearby so it is good to practice Leave No Trace and pack out whatever you pack in. We found and collected water earlier in the day and carried it into camp.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 17, 2024

    Shores Lake

    Quiet stay in a hardwood forest

    Camped in site #10 in mid-November 2024. Site 10 is non-electric; paid $7.50/night with senior pass. Overall clean campground, well maintained and managed, in pretty hardwood forest. Not busy during my stay. Sites have picnic tables, tent pads and clean metal fire rings. Site 10 was level. The campground includes a clean restroom/shower house, one clean vault toilet at the far end of the campground, trash dumpsters and drinking water; all of these facilities and services were available during my stay in November. Campground can accommodate tents, camper vans, car camping and RVs. Some sites are electric. There are no water and sewer hookups. Campground road is paved as well as Highway 215 from I-40 accessing the campground. Sites are mostly shaded, but there is no privacy between sites. Shores Lake trailhead is located in a parking area in the campground. Day use area nearby with good fishing in Shores Lake. Campground hosts Donna and Eddie were wonderful. I really liked this campground.

  • Leslie  N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2020

    Quarry Island Campground — Lake Wister State Park

    Quiet and Beautiful

    We stayed at RV site #3 on Quarry Island. The concrete pad was perfectly level and took no time to set up. 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 the isle. There was also a lot of tent camping, flush and vault toilets, dump station, pavilion, 5 cabins, picnic tables with grills, boat ramp and swimming anywhere you wanted except for 150’ of the boat ramp. The ranger station was on the isle, so traffic was high at check in. There were 2 hiking trails that looked very nice, but never hiked because we were kayaking. My parents stayed in cabin #4 on the isle and my brother tent camped at Wister Ridge. The view from both of their places was breathtaking and his tent site was well shaded with maple, oak and pine. Fishing was very good and wasn’t a whole lot of boat traffic. There is also primitive camping which looked very nice, except for a couple of sites where the campers didn’t clean up too well behind themselves.

    Pros: Beautiful area and amazing views. Everyone was very helpful and friendly. Plenty of options for accommodations and outdoor activities. The Heavner Ruinstone and Spiral Mounds are close. Tons of wildlife areas and we even spotted a bald eagle. The campgrounds and cabins were very clean.

    Cons: RV sites can be very crowded and not well spaced, especially at Victor Landing. The Wards would be the least crowded for RVs. The booking website is not very good and not very accurate. The cabins bed was not very comfortable, the shower was small and flooded the bathroom while using and the kitchen light and living room ceiling fan was on one switch, so there was no way to have the fan going without the light on. Not all RV sites have picnic tables.

  • Vanessa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2021

    Cossatot Falls Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area

    Nice to camp without RVs

    There are six large, improved sites which are first come first serve cash pay only. Vault toilets, no water and no electricity. Each site has enough room for three tents and has a grill, fire pit, table, and bear pole. There is easy access to the falls and hiking trails.

  • Ashley W.
    May. 1, 2019

    Cedar Lake (Oklahoma) Equestrian Camp

    My favorite!

    This campground is one of my all time favorites!! It has everything you want in a campground and more. Hiking here is definitely the best, because the views are amazing!! The campground is always really well kept as well which I appreciate. The campsite spots themselves are pretty big in size and are separated by trees and bushes. Feels very private. They do have a quiet hour which is after 10pm. This is nice because there aren’t people partying all night long. There are tent spots and also RV. We camped, so I’m not sure if th RV spots are set up for electricity. 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. Hiking is great, and there are multiple good spots nearby. Again, go early to beat the crowds! Dogs are welcome but must be on leash. Vaulted toilets on site and a place to fill up your water! Can’t wait to come back.

  • Ana A.
    May. 28, 2018

    Sandbar Area Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area

    Memorial Weekend

    This 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!

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2021

    Queen Wilhelmina State Park — Queen Wihelmina State Park

    Beautiful vistas and some unique additional recreation features

    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 region. High atop the mountain, with a near perfect view, you can see for miles and miles. 

    I visited this park arriving late in the evening, in perfect timing for a sunset which painted the sky with colors that filtered down onto the mountainside below. A dense fog began to roll in and it seemed magical. 

    Typically I am not as taken aback as I was by this park but its views and shaded campsites complimented each other so well it made for the perfect evening. 

    Not needing for electricity I opted for one of the tent sites, which includes a large tent pad, large parking space and standard amenities such as picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring and grill. However unlike many primitive sites, this site did also include water. Site pricing was about $20. 

    Bear warnings abound, but there are no bear boxes, and upon checking in the desk attendant mentioned that they don’t often see them but to proceed with caution in regards to food. She also noted that in her lifetime she had never encountered a bear on the trails and would instead be aware of snakes. 

    The campground is only one of the many features with others including a lodge with a restaurant open each evening until 9 p.m. A narrow gauge train, large enough for the entire family to ride on the 2 mile track and mini golf are available seasonally. Plenty of hiking is available both in park, where there are 3 trails, and just outside where you can find the much larger trail system which runs for some 200 miles through Oklahoma and Arkansas. 

    Cell Signal With AT&T- 1 Bar at campsites but 2 bars in lobby area if you are in need of making a call in case of an emergency. 

    All in all I would put this campground on the top of my Arkansas list for the beauty of drive and sunset location, however the sites themselves despite being very nice were average for a state park in the region.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2021

    Shirley Creek

    Currently Day Use But People Were Camping

    When I visited this campsite, it was a pretty decent drive down a small gravel road, nothing crazy.    I noticed a couple of tents set up at the entrance area but no cars, figuring that people were out exploring I went into the site and quickly noticed the water level was very high.   

    Signs were posted that this is currently a day use area, however you could also see on these signs that some of the things mentioned campground, a bit confusing, and obviously why the people were likely set up in tents.    

    The area was well shaded and very nicely maintained.   Picnic tables, fire rings, lantern hooks and even pull ins.   However flood warning signs were posted throughout the "camp" and with recent rains, the water level was very near to the top of the bank with visibly covered trees several feet out on the what I assume to be embankment.    This area looked very questionable for camping, so I am not sure if that is why the signs were indicating only day use at this time.   

    I looked on the NPS site and this is listed as a campground, so perhaps this is a seasonal campground?   Not sure.  There are vault toilets, kiosks with information and additional things to lead you to believe that people do in fact camp here still.   

    I might have taken a chance had it not have been for the rising waters, but better safe than sorry.   Cell service is pretty limited here so I did not feel comfortable staying.

    Check the weather ahead of time, check the NPS site and upon visit look at the kiosk to see what it says at the time of your visit.


Guide to Hartford

Primitive camping options around Hartford, Arkansas provide access to the Ouachita National Forest with campsites ranging from established areas to backcountry spots. The region sits at elevations between 500-2,000 feet with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Flash flooding can occur in low-lying creek areas during spring and fall rainy seasons, requiring campers to monitor weather conditions.

What to do

Mountain biking trails: Near COE John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake Springhill Campground, find dedicated biking routes for various skill levels. "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," notes one reviewer.

River kayaking: The rivers around tent campsites near Hartford offer excellent paddling opportunities. "Nice area with many spots that back up to an outlet of the Arkansas River. Great bank fishing!" says Jerry R. about Springhill Park.

Rock exploration: At Natural Dam, campers can explore unique geological features. "There are a few small trails along the creek and a few small bluffs with climbing spots for those who like some verticality," reports one visitor.

What campers like

Waterfall camping: Natural Dam offers a distinctive experience with its small waterfall. "It was chilly in the morning, so the fog off the waterfall was eerily gorgeous," shares James F. The falls provide natural background noise that masks nearby road sounds.

Spacious tent sites: Cossatot Falls Campsites offers remarkably large tent pads. "The tent pads were huge and the waterfall area was beautiful. Our children enjoyed climbing on the rocks and splashing in the river," says Lindsey P.

Affordability: Several camping spots near Hartford are free or low-cost. At Springhill Park, one camper noted: "Stayed in campground B $20 for the night with water and electric hook ups. Sites are large with flat paved parking pad."

What you should know

Access challenges: Some dispersed camping areas require careful navigation. For Pigeon Creek Dispersed, a recent visitor shared: "The road in was a little bumpy take it slow and you'll be fine. Just on the right is a clearing you can't miss next to the Kiamichi River along side pigeon creek."

Seasonal flooding: Water levels can change dramatically with rainfall. At Shirley Creek, one camper observed: "The water level was very near to the top of the bank with visibly covered trees several feet out on what I assume to be embankment."

Trash issues: Pack out all waste as some sites have no facilities and may show signs of previous camper neglect. One Pigeon Creek visitor mentioned: "The river and creek merging was so beautiful! It was a beautiful drive there. But whoever was there before me trashed it out. It's sad."

Tips for camping with families

Swimming holes: Jack Creek Recreation Area offers safe spots for children to play in the water. "When the weather is nice, there's a swimming hole. I will be returning here someday. It's too beautiful to pass up while driving through the area!" writes Daisee Mae S.

Tent spacing considerations: Choose campgrounds with adequate space between sites when camping with children. At Cossatot Falls, one reviewer noted: "We typically don't camp in regular campgrounds, we prefer more separation. We also have a large 20' tent that makes it difficult to fit into regular square pad tent sites. These pads were huge and fit our tent."

Restroom facilities: Not all tent campsites near Hartford have bathroom access. Jack Creek has "primitive but bathrooms are available. It's small and very popular with the locals. Off season it's relatively quiet," according to Shelia H.

Tips from RVers

Leveling challenges: At Springhill Park, larger rigs may encounter uneven sites. "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."

Limited hookups: Most primitive camping areas have no electric or water connections. At Holson Valley Vista, visitors must be entirely self-sufficient. "There are not many amenities at this campground, but it is a nice resting stop and provides some protection from the elements during inclement weather."

Cell service variability: Connectivity varies significantly across camping areas. As one camper at Natural Dam reported: "Not great for solar panels but we had a good view of the north sky so Starlink works great here!" Others note that Verizon and AT&T service is strong at some sites but virtually nonexistent at others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hartford, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hartford, AR is COE John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake Springhill Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Hartford, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Hartford, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.