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Best Dispersed Camping near Hot Springs Village, AR

48 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities abound in the Ouachita National Forest near Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Forest Road 132 (Winona Scenic Drive) offers several free primitive sites with rock fire rings and level areas suitable for tent camping, car camping, and small RVs. According to reviews, the Flatside Wilderness Area is accessible across from several sites along FR132, providing easy access to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite on Brown Creek Road features a level site that accommodates two vehicles and offers access to a short 1/4-mile hiking trail.

These primitive sites provide no amenities or facilities. Campers must pack in all water and pack out all trash. Forest roads can be challenging, with some erosion and washouts reported on FR153 requiring 4x4 vehicles. As one camper noted, "Roads are steep further back but well covered with gravel and very few large rocks, so you should be okay with most cars in good weather." Cell service is spotty throughout the area, with T-Mobile reception reported at some FR132 sites but absent at others.

The dispersed sites in this region typically feature rock fire rings and dirt surfaces. Most accommodate smaller rigs like truck campers, campervans, and tents. Several sites are positioned near creeks, providing soothing background sounds but no reliable water source. Winter camping is particularly peaceful, with one reviewer mentioning "very quiet; only 2 vehicles drove by" during a February stay. During hunting season, increased traffic and hunter presence should be expected. All sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Hot Springs Village, Arkansas (33)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Hot Springs Village, AR

43 Photos of 33 Hot Springs Village Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Hot Springs Village, AR

48 Reviews of 33 Hot Springs Village Campgrounds

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 12, 2022

    Dispersed FR132 Ouachita National Forest, AR

    Dispersed Camping near Ouachita National Recreation Trail, AR

    Located along Forest Road 132 (Winona Scenic Drive) in the Ouachita National Forest, Saline County, Arkansas. Flatside Wilderness Area located across the road from the site. Access to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail located nearby. Free dispersed site, no facilities. Rock fire ring. Should be enough parking for 2 vehicles. Suitable for tent camping, car camping, truck camping & van camping. Mostly level. There was plenty of firewood left by the fire ring. Camped here in February; very quiet. Only 2 vehicles drove by. Had a few bars of T-Mobile service.

  • 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.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2025

    Brown Creek Rd/FR805 Dispersed

    Nice wooded dispersed site above a small creek

    Coordinates: 34.87057,-92.89844. Camped here on April 20, 2025. Located along Brown Creek Road (Forest Road 805), appoximately 1/2 mile west of the Brown Creek Cascade dispersed site and trail head (see separate listing). Large, level site with a dirt surface. Should easily accomadate 2 or 3 rigs and tents. Recommend campervan and smaller rigs. Due to the trees on the site, a truck camper will have a difficult time pulling all the way into the site (although it can park on the access driveway). Easy access from the forest road. The site is clearly visable from the forest road; no privacy, and dust may be an issue during the dry season. Only 6 vehicles passed by during my stay (which was on a Monday evening). There is a large, nicely constructed rock fire ring on the site; other than this, there are no amenities at the site. A small creek is down the hill behind the site; the creek is dry during the dry season. A beautiful wall of trees is across the creek. The site is shaded; solar charging and Starlink connectivity may be difficult. Hammock camping is possible. No T-Mobile cell service. No access to hiking trails at the site; trailheads for Brown Creek Cascade and the Ouachita National Recreation Trail are a short drive away. Loved this site. Peaceful at night. The only sounds came from the birds, the breeze and the creek. Note that due to recent severe Spring storms, portions of Brown Creek Road have some erosion. The rocky surface is moderately rough in places, although a 2WD passenger car can make it if driven carefully through the rough spots. No issues for high clearance 4x4 vehicles.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 18, 2024

    Ouachitas FR179 Dispersed Site

    Creekside dispersed camping in the Ouachita National Forest

    Camped here on Dec 13, 2023. Along well maintained gravel forest road, FR 179 in the Ouachita National Forest, Saline County, Arkansas. Really nice large site with a creek that flows into the North Fork of the Saline River was behind the site. Site appears to be large enough for 2 rigs no large than a truck camper. Multiple tents can be set up here. Did not have a problem parking our camper van on a level spot. The dirt surface is level. The site has a rock fire ring. Only a few vehicles drove by the site on FR179. Lots of trees surrounding the site with an open sky above for star gazing. Fishing is possible in the North Fork of the Saline River a short walk south of the site. No hiking trails nearby. No T-Mobile or AT&T cell service.  Love this spot!

  • Samuel S.
    Nov. 13, 2021

    Harris Brake Lake

    Maintained, lovely view, FREE

    We had a really great night here. The place was mowed, there was a picnic table and firepit and the previous occupant left us some gathered firewood. This is small as far as public land goes; more like a little park. Very pretty however, and lovely view of the lake!

    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.

    My coordinates: 34.9831627, -92.7626397

  • Jeff P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 9, 2020

    Ouachita National Forest Fourche Mountain

    Exploring the hidden road

    This section of the National Forest offers two hours gravel road through the forest. Please do your homework because the road signs are lacking. Word of advice, best to stay away during hunting season as we spotted over ten deer hunters in the area in a single day; a hunting paradise as well. On the path offers hidden creek waterfalls, lots of one way bridge and a serenity drive.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2024

    FR132 Grindstone Mountain Area Dispersed, Ouachita NF. AR

    Forested Group Dispersed Site near Crystal Mountain Overlook

    Coordinates: 34.83903, -92.94556.  Set back from Forest Road 132 off of an old track - a short distance west of Forest Road 75. There is some minor erosion on the access to this site from FR132. Large site; good for groups. Should accommodate 4 rigs -  truck campersize & smaller. This site can accommodate 4x4 drivers that are planning to tackle Forest Road 132A to the Crystal Mountain Overlook - a short distance east of this site. FR132A is hikeable for those who do not drive high clearance 4x4s. The dispersed site has a level dirt surface. There are two rock fire rings. Beautiful forest backdrop. No T-Mobile service.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2024

    CR133/FR146 Hogan Creek Dispersed, Ouachita NF, AR

    Small Dispersed Site, Tucked Away

    Coordinates: 34.93095,-93.32258. This a small dispersed camp site tucked away a short way from County Road 133/ Forest Rd 146 in the Ouachita National Forest. It's at the end of a short dirt track which may have been an old forest road. Above Hogan Creek, sounds of the creek can be head at this site. There is a path along the creek behind the campsite; it eventually provides access down hill to the creek. This is a secluded spot which can not be easily seen from CR133/FR146. Backing your vehicle into the site is best. There is a small rock fire ring at the end of the access track. The site's entrance is on the right hand side just after the bridge crossing Hogan Creek when coming from the west on CR133/FR146. A truck camper and smaller can fit into the site. A little bit of leveling may be required. Tent camping is also possible. It's a pretty campsite. The forest road is in great shape.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 9, 2025

    Forest Rd 179 Creekside Dispersed

    Large creekside dispersed site

    Coordinates: 34.82029,-92.82184. Large creekside dispersed campsite located on a rocky, bumpy track, about 150 yards east of Forest Road 179 (aka Wildcat Mountain Rd). If going southbound on FR179, the track is on the left immediately after crossing a bridge. The track may look sketchy to some drivers, but I drove down it okay in my Subara. Good spot for car camping. The site itself is very rocky, so it may be uncomfortable for tent camping. There are trees for hammock camping. There are 3 large rock fire rings. This site is prone to flooding. The site appears to be popular and well used. There are no hiking trails, but the access track passes the site and continues along the creek - good for an easy stroll. Tried fishing here, but no luck. I do know from previous experience that there is fish in the creek. The creek is nice for a summertime dip when its running high. The site is mostly shaded; may be difficult to get a Starlink connection. I received no cell service. This is a pretty nice site, offering some privacy from the forest road and a wonderful sound of the creek.

Guide to Hot Springs Village

Dispersed camping options in the Ouachita National Forest provide free camping near Hot Springs Village, Arkansas with varied terrain and elevations between 500-2,600 feet. The forest contains over 1.8 million acres with numerous unmarked camping spots along forest service roads. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F while summer months can reach 85-95°F with high humidity.

What to do

Hiking the Ouachita Trail: Access the Ouachita National Recreation Trail from FR132-Grindstone Rd Dispersed campsite. "The Flatside Wilderness Area is accross FR132 from this dispersed site; easy access to the Ouachita Trail," notes Fred S. The trail offers multiple access points from dispersed sites.

Visit mountain overlooks: The Base of North Fork Pinnacle Dispersed site provides convenient hiking access. "The North Fork Pinnacle viewpoint is a half-mile hike from the campsite," reports Fred S. This location serves both hikers and those driving forest roads.

Waterfront relaxation: Harris Brake Lake offers no-cost waterfront camping with fishing access. Camper Julian P. shares, "absolutely beautiful place the fireflies here are amazing! Nobody else was camping here which made for some quiet nights. The locals fish and swim in the lake so light traffic."

What campers like

Private forest settings: Many campers appreciate the seclusion at Forest Service RD 153. Logan R. describes one site as having "amazing 360 sunsets and sunrises" and notes the "extremely rare traffic so minimal reminders of society."

Level camping spots: Some sites offer more comfortable terrain than others. At Forest Service RD 132, Jared E. found "a fire pit, prepared firewood, and a nice stump to chop more on. Very isolated, didn't see any cars past 7 pm. Ample room for large van and many tents."

Wildlife viewing: The quiet forest environment supports diverse wildlife. At Harris Brake Lake, campers report seeing fireflies in large numbers during summer months. The forested settings around most sites provide habitat for deer, foxes, and various bird species.

What you should know

Road conditions vary significantly: Forest Service roads can deteriorate rapidly after rain. At FR132 Crossroads Site Dispersed, Alice S. warns: "Stay on the good gravel roads. GPS took me down 4 miles of an old log trail that I wasn't able to turn around on. Spent thirty minutes cursing GPS and contemplating my life choices."

Cell service is inconsistent: Coverage varies dramatically between carriers and locations. Fred S. reports "spotty T-Mobile service, but good AT&T service" at the Base of North Fork Pinnacle site, while at FR132-Grindstone Rd he experienced only "sporadic T-Mobile cell service."

Hunting season awareness: During hunting seasons (typically fall and early winter), expect increased traffic and activity. Camper Arthur S. noted at Brown Creek Cascade: "Sunday morning there were hunters out, so hearing gunshot pretty close to camp."

Tips for camping with families

Find sites with level ground: For comfortable tent camping with children, seek less rocky terrain. At Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite, Arthur S. found a "good flat spot for my tent, which is a four person" and mentioned the site was suitable for family use.

Plan for water needs: No drinking water exists at these sites. Pack 1-2 gallons per person per day. Fred S. notes at Brown Creek Cascade: "No water (except for creek)" and reminds campers about the need to "take out what you bring in."

Consider site size for group camping: Some locations accommodate multiple tents. At FR132 Grindstone Mountain Area, Fred S. describes it as a "large site; good for groups. Should accommodate 4 rigs - truck campersize & smaller."

Tips from RVers

Vehicle clearance requirements: Many forest roads require appropriate vehicles. Jacob F. observed that you "need 4×4 some washouts on forest service rd 153" to access certain camping areas. Non-high clearance vehicles may scrape at entry points to some sites.

Leveling challenges: RVers should bring leveling blocks. Fred S. notes that at the FR132-Grindstone Rd site, "The site is not quite level; some leveling may be required." Similarly, at Forest Service RD 132, Jacob F. advises: "If you are in a rooftop there are plenty of rocks to level up on."

Site sizing limits: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. At FR132 Grindstone Mountain Area Dispersed, the site "should accommodate 4 rigs - truck campersize & smaller" according to Fred S., making it one of the more spacious options for no-cost camping near Hot Springs Village.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free camping near Hot Springs, Arkansas?

The Ouachita National Forest surrounding Hot Springs offers numerous free dispersed camping options. Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite is a popular single-site location on gravel Brown Creek Road with the South Fork of Brown Creek running nearby. North Fork Creek Rd (FR779) Dispersed offers a large wooded site suitable for about three campervan-sized rigs or tent camping. Other options include sites along forest roads like FR132 and FR11. These dispersed sites typically feature dirt surfaces, occasional fire rings, and no facilities. Most are accessible year-round, though winter and early spring generally provide better conditions with less undergrowth at many sites.

What is dispersed camping like in Hot Springs Village area?

Dispersed camping near Hot Springs Village offers a rustic, back-to-nature experience in the Ouachita National Forest. Sites like Dispersed FR132 Ouachita National Forest, AR provide free camping with basic amenities such as rock fire rings. Most sites are accessible via forest roads, offer proximity to hiking trails, and provide wilderness experiences. FR132-Grindstone Rd Dispersed, Ouachita NF, AR is set back from the main forest road and offers access to the Flatside Wilderness Area. Sites typically have no facilities, requiring campers to pack in water and pack out waste. Many locations accommodate a few smaller rigs but are best suited for tent or hammock camping.

Are there any free RV parking options near Hot Springs Village?

Yes, there are free RV parking options near Hot Springs Village, though they're primarily suited for smaller rigs. Brown Creek Rd/FR805 Dispersed offers a large, level site with a dirt surface that can accommodate 2-3 smaller RVs. Gladstone Forest Rd (FR11) Large Dispersed is another option with space for up to 4 truck camper-sized rigs on a mostly level surface. These sites are primitive with no hookups, water, or dump stations, so be prepared for true boondocking. Forest roads may have seasonal conditions affecting access, so high-clearance vehicles are recommended, especially for reaching more secluded spots.

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