Best Tent Camping near Hensley, AR

Tent camping options near Hensley, Arkansas include several dispersed sites and established campgrounds within driving distance. Camp Robinson Dispersed Site offers free primitive tent camping with access to Lake Conway, while Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite in the Ouachita National Forest provides a natural setting along South Fork of Brown Creek. Mike Freeze Wattensaw Wildlife Management Area also offers designated tent camping areas throughout its extensive grounds.

Most tent sites in the region feature minimal amenities and require self-sufficiency. Camp Robinson has no drinking water, toilets, or trash service, requiring campers to pack out all waste. Brown Creek Cascade site includes a stone fire ring and level ground suitable for tents, though campers report needing to search for firewood. Access roads vary significantly, with Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA featuring gravel roads that can be challenging to navigate. Sites are typically marked with blue rings painted on trees or small "designated camping area" signs.

"Great spot to pitch a tent by Lake Conway. Isolated but not too far out," noted one visitor about Camp Robinson. The area provides varying levels of seclusion, with some campers reporting peaceful nights interrupted only by natural sounds. Brown Creek Cascade campers mention enjoying the soothing sounds from the nearby creek, though occasional hunting activity brings gunshots within earshot. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with no AT&T or T-Mobile service reported at Brown Creek. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting ducks, beavers, frogs and other animals, particularly around the water features at Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA. Summer months bring significant insect activity, especially near stagnant water, making bug spray essential equipment for tent campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Hensley, Arkansas (6)

Show More
Showing results 1-6 of 6 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Hensley, AR

452 Reviews of 6 Hensley Campgrounds


  • T
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    Small free for all tent sites

    Small open Campground with no specific sites (Tent Only Area). There is a small lot nearby to park then you must walk everything in. This can be anything from right next to your car to a few hundred feet away depending on where you want to set up. Picnic tables, fire rings and campground grills located throughout but again nothing is marketed as far as site numbers. The area allows for up to six camp permits per night. Could be good for smaller groups. It’s up away from the lake unlike the rest of the campgrounds in the park. There are restrooms nearby with flushing toilets and sinks. Also a playground is located close to the campsite. Overall it was clean but felt cramped among other campers and parking away from the tent made for multiple trips back and forth.

  • Bailey W.
    May. 14, 2022

    Toad Suck

    A good little campground

    Toad Suck is a great campground- with some caveats. All of the sites are reservable and have concrete pads. This makes it impossible to stake down a tent but also provides a great level spot. There's no foragable wood at the sites, but there's a quick stop type gas station very nearby that sells it cheap and locally sourced. The bathrooms can be a trek from your site or right next door, depending on where you're staying, but theyre immaculately clean. They service them twice daily. It's right next to the lock and dam at Toad Suck on the Arkansas River so there's a constant roar of water and the sound of barges throughout the night and day. I don't mind it but keep that in mind if you don't like those sounds. The campsite is peaceful otherwise. Dogs are allowed! ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    Fabulous Water-Edge Campsite

    PROS 

    Senior discount 

    Reserved on-line 365 days prior to arriving 

    Site #68 allowed parking RV 12 feet from water edge which was fabulous 

    Totally level site 

    Asphalt campsite pad 

    Pea gravel and grass around asphalt 

    Good night sky viewing 

    Squirrels ate from our hand 

    Saw ranger patrolling campground frequently 

    Waste containers every other campsite 

    Metal picnic table on concrete slab 

    One hook lantern pole 

    Metal fire pit with cooking grate 

    Pedestal BBQ grill 

    Clean restroom/shower and adequate TP and hand soap. Women had 2 showers, 2 sinks, 3 toilets 

    Weekend campground nearly filled to capacity 

    4 bars Verizon LTE 

    Hike to waterfall a bit tricky, but worth the effort 

    Hot Springs National Park 15 miles from campground; nice to watch the crowds from Superior Bathouse Brewery 

    Free water from the springs next to the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center- must have your own containers to fill 

    Enjoyed Red Oak Fillin’ Station so much we dined there twice 

    Diamond Head 19th Hole Restaurant, open to the public and very close to park entrance 

    CONS 

    Damn Canadian geese crap everywhere 

    Fire pit was filled with oversized logs and once removed there was unburned charcoal and lots of ash 

    Unable to move picnic table 

    Site#68 no shade what so ever 

    No privacy from other sites 

    Lots of speed boat and jet ski noise, even after sunset 

    Morning train noise 

    Power plant lights and humming noise 

    No security gate closure overnight 

    No WIFI

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 14, 2022

    Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite

    Free dispersed camping in the Ouachita National Forest

    Popular dispersed campsite in the Ouachita National Forest. Only one site; not a campground. Located on the gravel Brown Creek Road in Perry County, Arkansas. The South Fork of Brown Creek runs behind this campsite. Located next to the trailhead for Brown Creek Cascade - a short 1/4 mile hike (includes a creek crossing). This campsite is suitable for tent camping, car camping, camper vans & truck campers. Two vehicles can easily fit on this level site. There are other dispersed sites along Brown Creek Road. The site is close to the road; there's a large mud puddle covering one of the 2 entrances to this site. 2-wheel drive passenger cars can make it to the site. Large pine trees on the site. Hammock camping is possible. No water (except for creek). No toilets nor showers. No trash - take out what you bring in. May need to hike a ways in the woods to find firewood. Large rock fire ring on site. No AT&T and T-Mobile cell service. Very quiet; no vehicles passed by during the night. The sound from the creek was soothing.

  • 2SHOE S.
    Aug. 27, 2018

    Lake Sylvia Recreation Area

    Easy getaway from Little Rock

    Lake Sylvia recreation area offers a lot of fun and relaxation within an easy drive from Little Rock. We ate dinner in town at Izzy's on Highway 10, and got to the campground with enough time to set up before dark.

    The primitive camping loop is especially attractive and not a single soul was utilizing it last weekend. Even those tent camping seemed to want access to the electrical outlets on the main loop. Or possibly the hot showers: the primitive sites have their own bathroom with lights and plumbing but the showers are not heated except in the main bathhouse among the hookups sites. The sites in the primitive loop are $5/night lower than the sites with water and electric.

    The main camping loop is nice for small to medium campers. No Class A rigs here. Nobody claimed the campsite on either side, affording us plenty of privacy, and just a short walk to the bathhouse. We enjoyed the hiking trails around the lake, and hiking a short way up to the Ouachita Trail.

    The swim beach is a great spot that is used as a day area. There are also fishing spots down the bank. The rules say that dogs are not permitted at the day use area, but we saw a couple of dogs with their owners and the ranger who drove by either didn’t notice or didn’t enforce it, I guess. Which isn’t a big deal, except that I wish they’d either enforce it or change the rules to match the practice. If it’s permitted I’d have brought my own dog to join in the fun instead of leaving it behind.

    Several paces up a trail from the campground is a small amphitheater with a wooden stage. It looked like an awesome place to set up a portable projector for a movie night.

    If this campground were open year round, I would give it five stars - with access to good hiking here (including the Ouachita Trail), it is a shame that the campground is closed in late fall and early spring. Its website even states that the best time to visit is Fall-Spring. Still a wonderful place to try; just make sure you check that it's open before you go.

  • Roxy V.
    Jun. 6, 2020

    Hot Springs National Park KOA

    Nice Campground

    We stayed here only as an overnight on our trip cross-country trip, but overall nice campground. It is about 20 min off the main highway. Things close up early here and once off main highway there really is nothing as you drive to the park. Make sure you come in with all of your supplies otherwise you will be driving back out a ways for groceries, supplies, etc. Everyone there was very friendly- families, seniors, etc. We were late check-ins and they were extremely accommodating by placing our paperwork on the check-in board for us. Even in the dark our site was easy to find. They offer RV, cabin rentals, and tent sites. We tent camp and the pad was of good size with a fire ring, picnic table and pea gravel. Most all of the tent sites are located with tree shade above them (note: not enough trees that you could hang hammocks or tarps though). There is a small pond that looked as though they allow family fishing in. "Grandpa's Griddle" is a small kitchen on site that they offer home-cooked breakfast to be purchased from in the morning. Mostly simple items: biscuits & gravy, breakfast sandwiches, eggs & bacon, etc. The restrooms / showers were all very clean. We did not go in to the National Park, but it looked very pretty from what we could see. The view of the mountains in the morning was very pretty to wake up to.

    Pandemic note: Even though the pandemic was still going on (visited on 5/28/20-5/29/20), no one was really wearing masks here. We did since we were traveling but were the only ones I saw.

    The photos are of the pond and some of the super cute vintage RVs that we saw there.

    I would recommend staying here.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 16, 2023

    Donna's Hammock Hideaway

    Peace and Wildlife

    Ashley here with The Dyrt! I'd like to welcome Donna to our platform. This property offers hot showers, a fire-pit and restroom. You'll likely get a visit from one of her goats. Rustic sites offer level ground for you to pitch your tent. Book your stay in the magical forest and leave a review!

  • A
    Oct. 9, 2018

    Maumelle Park

    Nice campground near Pinnacle Mountain

    Maumelle Park is a nice campground located on the Arkansas River. They have some water front sites and several in wooded areas. The campsites are a little close together and there aren't as many trees as we typically like for privacy and hanging hammocks, but it is a nice park. They have several day use areas, a few playgrounds, and basketball courts. We stayed at site B23, which was just okay. The restroom facilities are nice. They had 2 dump stations. They do not have designated tent pads, but do have a fire ring and picnic table at each site. The campground is very close to riding trails and Pinnacle Mountain which is a fun area to hike.

  • Lori B.
    Nov. 2, 2021

    Gulpha Gorge Campground — Hot Springs National Park

    Nice National Park - No Reservations

    This park has about 40 spaces with full hookups for $30/night. Big rigs and tents are acceptable. There are no reservations, and checkout time is noon, so if you want to stay here, you should get here about noon and look for someone who is leaving. The park fills back up every day. Find a spot, pull in, and pay at 12:15 at a kiosk. They will come by and verify that you have paid between 1 and 2. There are bathrooms, but no showers.


Guide to Hensley

Tent camping near Hensley, Arkansas occurs primarily in the Ouachita Mountain foothills and surrounding lowland areas, with elevations ranging from approximately 200 to 400 feet. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Most dispersed camping sites throughout the area require campers to navigate unpaved roads that can become difficult to traverse after rainfall.

What to do

Fishing at multiple access points: At Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA, campers can fish in stocked ponds throughout the property. "I will explore more of this WMA in the near future to give a better understanding of services and amenities... There was a large pond with nearby primitive camping for free," notes Sky R.

Wildlife observation opportunities: Tent campers regularly spot diverse wildlife throughout the region's camping areas. "Ducks, beavers, frogs and more," reports one camper at Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA. "The birds and frogs sang all evening," mentions Julie A. about her experience at Camp Robinson Dispersed Site.

Hiking to water features: From Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite, a short quarter-mile hike leads to the cascade. "Located next to the trailhead for Brown Creek Cascade - a short 1/4 mile hike (includes a creek crossing)," explains Fred S. The trail requires crossing the creek but rewards hikers with views of the small waterfall.

What campers like

Natural soundscapes: Many tent sites in the area offer peaceful natural sounds. At Brown Creek Cascade, one camper noted, "The sound from the creek was soothing." Another camper at Camp Robinson Dispersed Site shared, "We woke up to birds singing, and trees rustling. It was very beautiful and peaceful."

Availability of water sources: Despite minimal amenities, several sites offer natural water features. "The lake has been partially drained to allow work to be done on stumps," explains Julie A. about Camp Robinson. This still provides visitors with water views and wildlife habitat.

Accessibility for overnight stays: Many sites function well as single-night camping spots. "Very nice spot found it quickly at night. Soft ground. Quick to get to off highway," reports Andrew K. about Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA. Another camper mentioned, "This is our first stop as we make our way from New Hampshire to California. Lots of large open sites."

What you should know

Site identification markers: Finding designated camping areas requires attention to specific markings. At Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA, Jennifer H. explains, "There are a ton of campsites down the gravel road and they are well marked. There are signs for designated camping and the trees have a blue ring painted around them, so it stands out."

Road conditions vary significantly: Access roads to the best tent camping near Hensley, Arkansas range from well-maintained to challenging. "The road access is gravel, but LARGE gravel that we are surprised didn't ruin our tires," warns Janice R. about one area of Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA.

Limited amenities require preparation: Beagle Club Road Pull-Off offers minimal facilities. "Not much too it. Basically just two relatively small parking lots in the woods, past some houses off the highway. Would only be good for a super quick over night," notes Heidi H. Many sites lack restrooms, trash service, or established fire pits.

Navigation challenges: Finding some camping areas can be difficult. "You cannot trust either Apple or Google maps to get you here by these coordinates. Also, 'here' is a relative term," cautions Tavi C. about Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA. "I got very lost trying to find the place at night, and then getting back to the freeway the next morning."

Tips for camping with families

Seek sites with natural features: Children often enjoy camping locations with water features or wildlife viewing opportunities. "The sunset was beautiful. Peaceful and quiet. The birds and frogs sang all evening," describes Julie A. about Camp Robinson Dispersed Site.

Consider tent placement carefully: Some campsites have terrain limitations. Jennifer H. notes about Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA, "A lot of the spots we saw were gravel so I'm not sure if it would be super comfortable to sleep here in a tent."

Plan for varying traffic conditions: Some camping areas experience unexpected visitor 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."

Tips from RVers

Limited RV accessibility: While some sites can accommodate small RVs, many dispersed camping areas near Hensley are best suited for tents or small vehicles. At Erwin Estate High Point, campers can access views of "Benton to Malvern to Greater Hot Springs" but the site is primarily designed for tent camping.

Parking limitations: Most dispersed sites have limited parking space. Fred S. notes about Brown Creek Cascade, "This campsite is suitable for tent camping, car camping, camper vans & truck campers. Two vehicles can easily fit on this level site." This makes the area better for smaller camping setups rather than large recreational vehicles.

Consider seasonal weather impacts: During hot weather, insects can be problematic. "Thank goodness there is a slight breeze. 90 degrees. Summer swampy area... I definitely put on bug spray right away," advises Ken H. about summer camping at Camp Robinson.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hensley, AR is Ste Marie Park with a 2-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Hensley, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.