Dispersed camping opportunities near Hensley, Arkansas include riverside spots on the Arkansas River as well as locations within an hour's drive. The region features both developed campgrounds with hookups and more primitive options for those seeking nature. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with summer bringing temperatures that regularly exceed 90°F and higher humidity levels along waterways.
What to do
Fishing from shorelines: Willow Beach offers excellent bank fishing opportunities along the Arkansas River. According to Nicole F., "The campground is well maintained however along the shoreline a lot of garbage has washed up. The water looks to be a popular fishing spot. I would definitely stay again but next time I'm bringing a fishing pole."
Explore downtown Little Rock: Downtown Riverside RV Park provides convenient access to urban attractions via a pedestrian bridge. Pam R. shares, "This location to see downtown Little Rock is fun. We lucked into site 29 which was huge and right on the Arkansas River. There is a pedestrian bridge accessed through a security gate that crosses the river and arrives at the Clinton Library and park."
Hiking trail access: Lake Catherine State Park Campground offers multiple hiking options of varying difficulties. One visitor noted, "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail." Another camper mentioned, "You can rent a boat and fish all day. Play in the waterfall or walk the great trails!"
What campers like
Spacious riverside sites: Maumelle Park receives consistent praise for its generous campsites. According to Brenda L., "Spacious sites and beautiful area! We stayed in B14 and had lots of room and the area was great. Great place for dog walking and even a trail to take her on. Many picnic areas as well as a concrete picnic table at each site."
Level camping pads: Campers appreciate the well-constructed pads at many sites in the region. As Jo E. notes about Willow Beach, "This is a pretty campground with huge trees for shade. The sites are extremely level! I didn't even need to level my pop-up camper!!"
Affordable waterfront camping: Willow Beach offers budget-friendly riverfront sites. Justin M. reports, "Large sites, Not piled in on each other like RV parks. It's a clean campground outside the city, can't beat it for the price. Waterfront. Covered picnic benches. 50amp + water."
What you should know
Seasonal flooding risks: Water levels can affect campground operations. Christopher T. noted about Tar Camp, "They evacuated the park due to high water while we were there and we never received the phone call or a text. The only way we knew is I got a notification from the bank when they refunded our money."
Limited shower facilities: Not all campgrounds provide shower access. Regarding Gulpha Gorge Campground, Amanda F. pointed out, "We enjoyed our camping trip here only thing missing was a shower in the bath house." Similarly, Patrick M. mentioned, "Beautiful location next to a stream, although the sites are tightly packed in comparison with most state and national parks."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for various wildlife near water. Jennifer C. warns about Willow Beach, "We encountered lots of snakes. I shooed a few off the road and they disappeared as soon as they slithered into the grass, so to me it's pretty risky walking around or letting kids play in the grass because you can't really see snakes if they are hiding."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Willow Beach, Jennifer C. noted, "Nice playground but it was taped off during our stay due to covid."
Kayaking opportunities: Lake Catherine State Park Campground offers family-friendly water activities. One camper shared, "We enjoyed the hiking trails and rented a few kayaks. It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water."
Evening security measures: Be aware that some campgrounds lock entrance gates overnight. A Willow Beach visitor mentioned, "They lock a gate every night at the entrance to the campground, however they do give you the code to the padlock."
Tips from RVers
Long back-in driveways: Rod A. notes about Willow Beach, "50 Amp electric, water no sewer hook up but dump station. Spaced spread out not crowded. Campground is low and will be soggy after rain."
Gate code access: For late arrivals, ensure you have proper access information. Little Rock North KOA users report convenient overnight stops with easy check-in procedures, even for larger rigs. Daniel states, "Easy access for a KOA, we have a cyclone 4270 (44' triple axel 5th wheel) which is pushing it for most KOA's. We landed a pull through just behind the office and on way out of curve in road so we slide right in."
Hookup configurations: Check hookup availability before booking. Beth R. says about Downtown Riverside RV Park, "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP), concrete, level pads, overlooks the Arkansas River, large pavilion, gated RV park, easy access to downtown Little Rock AR."
