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Camping options around Higden, Arkansas center primarily on Greers Ferry Lake, with several Corps of Engineers campgrounds providing access to the 30,000-acre reservoir. Sugar Loaf Campground, located directly in Higden, operates seasonally from May through September and accommodates both tent and RV camping with electric hookups and basic amenities. Other nearby options include Devil's Fork, Dam Site, and John F. Kennedy campgrounds, all within a 15-mile radius. The region's camping infrastructure largely supports water-based recreation, with most established sites offering boat ramps and water access. Many campgrounds feature wooded settings with varying levels of shade and proximity to the shoreline.
Reservations are essential during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly, particularly at popular locations like John F. Kennedy campground. As one camper noted, "The lake is very, very clean... definitely a great spot for anyone wanting to camp with a family due to the lake's proximity to civilization if you need it." Most campgrounds in the area have seasonal operating schedules, with several closing between September and May. Summer humidity can be significant, and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near Heber Springs and more limited connectivity in outlying areas. Roads to most campgrounds are paved and accessible for standard vehicles.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from visitors, with fishing opportunities being a major draw. The lake is stocked with multiple game fish species including bass, walleye, and trout. Campers report excellent fishing conditions year-round, with tournaments running from April through October. Many sites feature "double sites" which allow groups to camp adjacent to each other. Shade is abundant at most campgrounds, with reviewers noting the dense tree cover provides relief during hot summer months. Wildlife sightings are common, with bald eagles, herons, and various waterfowl frequently spotted. Bathroom facilities vary significantly between locations, with some campgrounds offering modern showers while others provide only basic vault toilets.
"Very nice little campground just off Arkansas Hwy 25 by Greers Ferry Lake, Heber Springs, Arkansas. Actually, many of the campsites are along the beginning of the Little Red River."
"Without a lot fan fair since you have no clue, from the highway, that there is a campground at this location. Not far off the road but you do not hear the traffic. "
from $22 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Greers Ferry Lake is one of those places. However, as I said in a review of “Heber Springs,” if I’m reviewing campgrounds here, it isn’t accurate to review “Greers Ferry Lake.”"
"It isn’t all that accurate to say “Heber” is the location for camping. Instead, Heber is a small community about 60 miles north of Little Rock on Greers Ferry Lake."
from $18 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Nice sites on the lake. We camp here a lot since it is close to our house. Staff is friendly and doesn't get in your business. Drive through to find the choice sites."
"Right next to the water. Great views, great breeze. Our campsite was handicap accessible."
from $18 - $150 / night
Check Availability"As most campsites are, there are no real defined borders and all Greers Ferry and Heber Springs are surrounded by residential areas."
"There are sites near the water. The closest to the water was D7. You have a view of Sugar Loaf mountain in the background. It’s a medium sited lot but plenty of room for a tent and a canopy."
from $18 - $75 / night
Check Availability"This is one of several campgrounds to choose from around Greers Ferry Lake that are operated by the Corps of Engineers (COE), and there are a few good reasons to choose it."
"Super nice Campground right on Greers Faity lake. Our only complaint was that they didn't stop us to check us in upon arrival and we had to return to do so."
from $17 - $22 / night
Check Availability"Nice spot, we stay next to the swimming area. Most of the sites have a big concrete pads. Campground host was very friendly. Great value for what you get."
"Last minute move from below the Dam up to the lake . Nabbed a great spot on the water B15. Facilities are typical for this area ."
from $22 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The lake is Beautiful and you’re minutes away from The Little Red River. Very clean park, well kept and the amenities are excellent!"
"Very steep decline to the waters edge. No mosquitoes which is half a point itself."
from $18 - $150 / night
Check Availability"Trees for our hammock, large level site, near the water for our kayak, and great views of the lake. There is no electricity at these sites. You will need to bring water."
"We tent camped on a small point of the park-we were the only one in that area. it was a beautiful location, cool breezes off the lake all night, moon rising above. it was wonderful!!"
from $18 - $150 / night
Check Availability"There are lots of trails, bike paths, water activities and BEAUTIFUL scenery. Very photogenic. Arkansas State Parks are always enjoyable. Staff was excellent and friendly."
"I tent camped at Site #3, right beside the lake. Put my hammock up and watched the sun set and the fireflies start dancing. A few ducks played on the edge of the water and walked on shore for a bit."
"This is such a beautiful campground with great fishing and floating nearby. The campground sits on the tail waters of Beaver Lake and is gorgeous!!"
"Dam Site is a nice campground on Greers Ferry Lake. The location is perfect for enjoying the lake, the Little Red River and all the other outdoor adventures that Heber Springs has to offer."
GuideClean pit toilets with camps right above the crystal clear river. The spots when you first pull in have the best solar due to shading further down. Watch for snakes. We have already seen a copperhead.
RangerSites are very spacious mostly level
TravelerI spent two days here very early in the season during intermittent rain, so only two other sites were occupied. The twisty road leading to the campground was no problem for my SUV, but long vehicles might not find it so easy and low limbs might be an issue for tall campers. Facilities were clean and the entire area was incredibly scenic.
GuideThere is no lake. At the end of a rock and gravel road, that is easy to navigate you come to the end of the road where the lake used to be and there’s a dirt Sirkel drive I’m in a 16 foot transit van with a cargo carrier attached and it was very easy for me to navigate. It might be a tight turn for a large trailer in the middle of the turn is a stack of cinderblocks and what looks like somebody tried to make into a fire pit by using an old pallet. It was a free quiet place to spend the night, but I wouldn’t spend more than a night there.
TravelerWe stopped to camp here on a Sunday night because it was convenient to where we were headed. It is off the beaten path so it was nice and quiet. There were only a few campers but although there is a beach that had families playing and swimming, it cleared out by 7PM. Our campsite was nice but the ground was hard and full of rocks, which made tent stakes useless, but our tent will function without them. The facilities were old and dated but they were clean and neat and the family who owns the campground were really nice and friendly. All in all, a good experience and a restful nights sleep for $30 a night.
GuideGreat little camp ground tucked up against the Little Red River. Had direct access from camp site to the river to fish and enjoy the sunshine.
Site was clean and entire camp ground was quite despite it being full.
TravelerWas following OnX looking for dispersed camping in the National Forest. This was a parking lot for mountain biking but was also a quiet place to camp in my van, and it was flat which was hard to find in the dispersed camp zones. If you keep going there are also numerous places along the forest service road to camp.
ScoutThis spot can be fairly active at times but still a good hideaway to car or van camp for a night or two. There are no amenities so bring it or don't be needing it.
TravelerWe stayed here for 14 days. I would recommend trying for a site right on the bank of the water. We could see most of the Dam of Norfolk Lake from our site. Bathhouse are air conditioned. Nice clean campground. Hosts were very nice. Park rangers and sheriff dept patrolled at least once a day. Sites are paved with water and electric and a dump station. Definitely will go back.
Sugar Loaf Park operates from mid-May through mid-September as the primary camping option within Higden, Arkansas. The campground features 93 total sites with 57 offering electrical hookups at $18 per night and non-electric sites available for $16 per night. The facility sits directly on Greers Ferry Lake, providing swimming access at a sandy beach with designated life vest stations and views of Sugar Loaf Mountain across the water. Most campsites receive consistent shade from mature oak and pine trees, with terrain ranging from nearly level to moderately sloped. Winter closure of many campgrounds limits year-round camping spots near Higden, Arkansas to facilities like John F. Kennedy campground and Dam Site campground, which remain open all seasons.
Trout fishing below the dam: John F Kennedy campground provides direct access to the Little Red River, known for excellent trout conditions. "Great spot for the heat of summer. Shady and a nice cool breeze off the cold little red!" notes Hillary W. The campground sits adjacent to the trout hatchery, making it an optimal base for anglers.
Mountain hiking with lake views: Sugar Loaf Park serves as a starting point for hikes on Sugar Loaf Mountain, with a $5 day-use fee for vehicles. "Sugar Loaf is where you will find the location of the Tournament Fish Life Support Facility where official tournament weight-ins occur," explains one reviewer, highlighting its importance to competitive fishing in the region.
Cliff jumping and scuba diving: Several rock formations around Devil's Fork campground provide jumping points of various heights into the deep water. "Surrounded by rocky bluffs and outcroppings and heavily wooded. Fishing, swimming, hiking, boating of all types, scuba diving for old home sites and so much more," notes a visitor, pointing to underwater exploration opportunities at abandoned structures now submerged by the lake.
Waterfront sites with boat access: At Old Highway 25 campground, waterside spots allow direct boat parking. "This last time we were able to camp right on the water and park our boat at the site," reports John M., adding that "the lake is busy but large enough that even at busy times there is room for fun."
Cooler temperatures by the river: Sites near running water maintain lower temperatures during hot months. "I have come out every year for the better part of the last 10, and this year my wife joined... love the cooler temps by the river, the fly fishing, and the overall park," states Lane R. about John F Kennedy campground.
Sandy swimming beaches: The constructed beach areas provide designated swimming zones with imported sand. "The swimming beach has sand and an amazing view of Sugarloaf Mountain. There is a loaning life preserver station with a great number of life preservers on offer," notes a Sugar Loaf visitor, emphasizing the safety considerations.
Winter camping limitations: Most campgrounds around Higden close between September and May. "Open May-Sep with 93 sites and 57 of those have electricity," confirms one reviewer about Sugar Loaf Park. Devil's Fork and Dam Site remain open year-round for winter camping needs.
Vault toilet conditions: Bathroom facilities vary significantly between campgrounds and loops. "Vault toilet on the end of A section during hot months smells," warns Sherrie A. about Old Highway 25 campground, suggesting campers select sites farther from these facilities during summer.
Water level fluctuations: Dam Site campground experiences significant water changes when the dam releases. "When the dam releases water, the river rises a lot. I'm talking a good 5 feet. Which can make it difficult to fish or enjoy the river," explains one camper, indicating the importance of checking release schedules.
Wildlife education opportunities: Arrange visits with naturalist groups when available. "The state park ranger had a weekend full of planned events from a box turtle demo to a sand castle competition. The best part was the guided hike with Master Naturalist group of AR," shares Kelci C., noting educational value for children.
Site selection for tent camping: Families in tents should prioritize campgrounds with dedicated tent loops. Woolly Hollow State Park provides this separation: "There is a separate loop for tent camping and it's closer to the water than the hookups loop," notes a camper, emphasizing the benefits for non-RV campers.
Playground proximity: Several campgrounds feature play equipment near swimming areas. "There is a large playground for the children," mentions Kathy E. about Woolly Hollow, while others note that Devil's Fork offers a "great playground" near its swimming beach.
Site leveling challenges: Many older Corps of Engineers campgrounds have uneven pads. "Be aware that many of the sites might be hard to back into or hard to level your rig," cautions a reviewer about Dam Site campground, recommending site inspection before committing to a spot.
Hookup limitations: Water connections aren't available at every site, even with electrical service. "Electric but no site water and dump stations. Beautiful view from site 16/18/20," reports Kevin A. about Heber Springs, highlighting the tradeoff between views and full hookups.
Tree clearance for large rigs: Awning deployment may be impossible at heavily wooded sites. "In the more shaded sites you may not be able to use your awning as there are plenty of trees for shade, but very close to the site themselves," warns Clayton W., suggesting newer, more open loops for larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Higden, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Higden, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 151 campgrounds and RV parks near Higden, AR and 13 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Higden, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Higden, AR is John F Kennedy with a 4.8-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Higden, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Higden, AR.
What parks are near Higden, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Higden, AR that allow camping, notably Greers Ferry Lake and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests.
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