Dispersed camping near Hensley, Arkansas provides free public land options within the pine-dominated terrain of the Ouachita National Forest. The region features elevations between 500-1,500 feet with moderate temperature swings between seasons, making spring and fall particularly comfortable for primitive camping. Most sites have seasonal creeks that swell after rainfall but can diminish during summer dry periods.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Harris Brake Lake offers excellent bank fishing along its shoreline. "The lake is beautiful and there is a decent looking boat launch on the property," notes one camper who visited Harris Brake Lake.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings provide the best wildlife spotting chances. "The fireflies here are amazing!" writes Julian P. about Harris Brake Lake, adding "the birds and frogs sang all evening."
Creek exploration: Brown Creek Cascade offers a short hiking opportunity from camp. "Located next to the trailhead for Brown Creek Cascade - a short 1/4 mile hike (includes a creek crossing)," explains a visitor to Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite.
Star-gazing: Forest Road 179 Dispersed site provides an ideal setup for night sky viewing. "Lots of trees surrounding the site with an open sky above for star gazing," notes a camper about this location.
What campers like
Peace and quiet: Many dispersed sites offer genuine seclusion, particularly on weekdays. "I stopped on a weekday and I was the only one there. It was nice watching the sun set over the lake," writes Kyle C. about Harris Brake Lake.
Natural water sounds: Several sites feature creek proximity that adds to the camping experience. Fred S. notes about Brown Creek Cascade that "the sound from the creek was soothing."
Beautiful sunsets: Lake-adjacent sites provide excellent evening views. "Got here during sunset and it was beautiful," shares Ashley T., adding that Harris Brake Lake offers "ample places to park" with "2 picnic tables and spots for fire overlooking lake."
Free camping: Every dispersed site in the region costs nothing to use. "Absolutely beautiful place...Nobody else was camping here which made for some quiet nights," comments Julian P. about their stay at Harris Brake Lake.
What you should know
Seasonal conditions: Road quality varies dramatically with weather. "Erosion seems to be getting worse over time on this unpaved road. I aired-down the tires for ride comfort," notes Fred S. about Forest Road 132.
Limited amenities: Be prepared for truly primitive conditions. "We arrived late at night, and I'm glad we had our lightbar. It's dispersed camping, so no dumpster, no gray water dump," explains Rick M. about Camp Robinson Dispersed Site.
Security concerns: Some sites experience late-night traffic. Mason G. reports about Camp Robinson: "I woke up a 11am to someone driving in then 12:30am then at 1:30 a loud truck came in slinging rocks and a guy was screaming out the window. So I was packed up and was out by 2am."
Trash issues: Pack-out discipline varies widely between sites. One camper at Harris Brake Lake found "a ton of trash, including broken bottles and broken pans, near each site which was very unpleasant to see and camp near."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with water features: Kids enjoy creek exploration and wildlife watching. A reviewer noted about Forest Rd 179 Creekside Dispersed: "The creek is nice for a summertime dip when its running high."
Plan for insects: Bug protection is essential, especially in warmer months. Julian P. warns about Harris Brake Lake: "There is a lot of ticks here i pulled 7 off of me and my dog in one night."
Bring entertainment: No facilities means creating your own activities. Arthur S. advised about Brown Creek Cascade: "Bring a chair if you want a comfortable seat, also hard to find decent wood to burn, had to walk a bit to find."
Consider noise factors: Some sites have unexpected noise sources. "Beautiful free camp ground but...loud screaming kids and dogs barking...Light traffic at night," reports Dalton B. about camping at Harris Brake Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site access limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs only. "This site appears to be large enough for 2 rigs no larger than a truck camper," notes Fred S. about Forest Rd 179 Ouachita NF AR.
Arrival timing: Daylight arrival is strongly recommended for navigation. Ashley T. advises: "The gravel roads are invisible at night so definitely have some daylight ahead of you. We have a 25' travel trailer and didn't need to do any backing up to get in or out."
Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for uneven terrain. Samuel S. shares: "I am towing a 19' travel trailer. And someone else is here with a 22'. There are a few places to park with no need to backup."
Cell connectivity: Coverage varies dramatically between carriers. A camper at FR179 Ouachita NF reports: "No T-Mobile service. Has AT&T 5G service. Shaded; connection to Starlink will be a challenge."
