Tent camping near Helena-West Helena, Arkansas offers primitive sites situated in the flat lowland terrain of eastern Arkansas, where the elevation averages about 200 feet above sea level. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters that rarely drop below freezing. Mosquitoes remain active nearly year-round in this Mississippi Delta region due to the abundant water features and mild climate.
What to do
**Trail exploration: Delta Heritage Trail State Park Campground provides direct access to a converted rail-trail that extends 44 miles through the Arkansas Delta. "This is a nice place. The staff is very knowledgeable and kind. Small place, mosquitoes were bad other than that it was great. We were invited to watch them feed the pet snake that was caught in the area," reports Hook C.
**Water recreation: Kellys Crossing Campground offers primitive tent camping with lake access. "This is an off the beaten path area for standard recreation. It's technically a boat ramp that accesses Arkabutla Lake with picnic and camping areas nearby. The bulletin board has primitive camping rules and guidelines to follow," notes Heath T.
**Wildlife viewing: White River National Wildlife Refuge contains numerous access points like Hudsons Landing where campers can observe waterfowl, deer, and occasionally black bears. The refuge encompasses over 160,000 acres of bottomland hardwood forest along the White River.
What campers like
**Secluded locations: Maple Flat Group Campground offers isolation from crowds. "We stumbled upon this park accidentally on a trip south, but we enjoyed our night here. The site was right on the water with a good amount of space between us and the next site. There were less than 20 sites I'm guessing which made for a calm atmosphere," shares Sara S.
**Waterfront access: Beach Point at Sardis Lake provides direct shoreline camping. "The view and proximity to the water is truly what makes this spot. All sites are tent sites so you have to be parked in the parking lot but we were the only ones there in early January so was easy to park as close as possible to a spot," explains McKinley L.
**Cost-effective options: Several tent sites near Helena-West Helena offer camping at low or no cost. "For $8 you could do worse," notes Steve G. about Beach Point, while Heath T. mentions Kellys Crossing: "The fee has been reduced to free, so enjoy but be respectful!"
What you should know
**Limited facilities: Most primitive campgrounds in the area have minimal amenities. "The newer looking (of the two on site) bathhouse is closed for some reason, but the terrible smelling vault toilet bathroom is open," warns Shana D. about Pleasant Hill Campground.
**Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds operate intermittently. "This place is a gem if you're a tent camper. We have camped here once, but most of the time it is closed. I am not sure why," reports Steve G. about Elmers Hill.
**Road conditions: Access to some sites requires navigating rough roads. At Hays Crossing, "The roads in are horrible. There are people riding off road vehicles in the lake bottoms quite often," according to Steve G.
**Insect preparation: Beyond standard mosquito protection, biting flies can be problematic. "The negatives: The flies!! They were so so bad! And bighty!! My poor dogs were covered in flies, as were we," warns Elizabeth S. about her experience at Beach Point.
Tips for camping with families
**Site selection: Choose campgrounds with established facilities for easier family camping. "This place has nice pads to put tents on and picnic tables and fire pits at each site. Only 10 sites though and it is first come first serve. They have one bathroom at the visitor center with a cold water fountain inside!" notes Jacob W. about Delta Heritage Trail State Park.
**Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer ranger programs or wildlife viewing. At Delta Heritage Trail State Park, one camper mentioned being "invited to watch them feed the pet snake that was caught in the area."
**Space considerations: Look for sites with room for multiple tents. "Our lots were large. There was plenty of firewood to be collected on site," reports Elizabeth S. from Beach Point.
**Pack-in requirements: Many sites require carrying gear from parking areas. "You have to park in the parking lot and carry your stuff to the site. But it's a tent-only campground and there were only a couple other tents there so it was quiet and peaceful," explains Elizabeth S.
Tips from RVers
**Size limitations: Most primitive sites near Helena-West Helena cannot accommodate large rigs. "The websites states you can bring a small camper here, but I wouldn't try it," cautions Steve G. about Hays Crossing.
**Alternative parking: Some tent-focused campgrounds allow limited RV access. At Beach Point, "That being said, there was a really sketchy looking van parked with a tent hanging out. They looked to have been there a long while," notes Steve G.
**Off-season advantages: Winter camping offers increased solitude. "We went in the off season so it was free!" shares McKinley L. about Beach Point - Sardis Lake in January.
