Dardanelle Campground — Lake Dardanelle State Park
Awesome stay - friendly and helpful staff
Had a large time here!! Great staff, park and marina! Will definitely be back!
201 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Jerusalem, Arkansas include a range of established and dispersed sites within the Ozark National Forest region. Petit Jean State Park offers developed campground facilities with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurt accommodations approximately 30 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Several dispersed camping areas are available in the surrounding forest lands, including Tackett Mountain Road Dispersed, Brock Creek Lake View Dispersed, and Brock Creek-Charleston Road Dispersed sites, which provide free primitive camping opportunities for tent and small RV campers.
National Forest lands surrounding Jerusalem feature dirt roads with varying levels of accessibility, particularly around the Illinois Bayou and Brock Creek areas. Many dispersed sites are accessible via forest roads like Charleston Road, though high-clearance vehicles may be needed during wet conditions. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F and potential flash flooding during spring and fall rainstorms. Most dispersed sites lack facilities, requiring visitors to pack in water and practice Leave No Trace principles. One camper noted, "Located in a popular national forest OHV and multi-use trails area. Charleston Road is a wide, well maintained gravel road."
The primitive campsites throughout the area typically include simple fire rings and flat areas for parking or tent setup. Campers frequently mention the natural surroundings as highlights, with several sites offering access to water features. Bayou Bluff Recreation Area provides stone shelters and picnic tables near the Illinois Bayou. "The river is gorgeous and made us wish we had brought a few poles," reported one visitor about the Illinois Bayou area. Sites near Brock Creek Lake offer scenic views when water levels are normal, though recent reviews mention periods when the lake has been drained. For those preferring more amenities, established campgrounds like Lake Dardanelle State Park provide showers, electrical hookups, and water access within reasonable driving distance of Jerusalem.
"_ There are several viewpoints/vistas that you can access from roads (just two close together that involve some driving on gravel)."
"Super cool paths, views and community. Tons of historical value and it's obvious that Arkansas cares about it's forests, natural resources and outdoor communities."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"This recreation area is as close to off-grid as you can get with so many great options right off the pavement."
"Swimming is a small but slightly difficult walk down a steep Rocky path. It's rarely crowded which is why we like it."
"You can drive up to the less attractive and less conveniently located RV loop to use the showers, if you need them."
"Access to the creek is nice and plenty of space even on busy days. No cell service which was nice to get disconnected."
"Reservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by."
"A great Arkansas destination for outdoorsy people.The steep road climbing to the top of Mount Nebo keeps the big RVs away. Stop your car at the lookout point before you reach the top."
"The State Park systems in the US are some of our favorite places to find beautiful camping spots, but Lake Dardanelle State Park in Arkansas tops most of them all."
"Pretty campground on the lake. You can see Mount Nebo in the distance. Not much in the way of hiking trails. They have a short loop trail near the visitor center that is good for small children."
"We were heading to the Arkansas Goat Festival and were having a problem finding a place to camp. This park was a pleasant find! It is located on the Arkansas River right next to a dam."
"A beautiful spot with both lakeside campsites and shaded sites. All spaced for plenty of privacy. Each site has power and water."
from $24 - $75 / night
Check Availability"This park and campground is less than an hour outside of Little Rock, and it is a quiet, peaceful overnight stay on our way to Oklahoma. It was a bit tricky to find after exciting US 60!"
"On the bank of the Arkansas River, great access to water. Good boat ramp, picnic tables and RV sites. Very clean, bring your mosquito repellent."
from $24 - $75 / night
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Had a large time here!! Great staff, park and marina! Will definitely be back!
This is a long review but please read it. It is a public service announcement. Camp Conway greenbrier. Landlord Burt Zinser. Where to begin.. Let start with Ameneties. The website states Each site has full hook ups including 20/30/50 amp electric, clean city water, city sewer and fiber-optic high-speed WiFi. Guests at Camp Conway have the option of porches, sheds and gazebos with management approval. We also offer a bath house and a laundry. 1. Clean city water- it taste like plastic and chlorine. Must have a water filter if you actually want to drink it or give it to your pets. 2. Fiber optic high speed wifi. That's a joke. Shoddy at best. TCW repeatedly has to come out to fix it and it's still garbage. If you are okay with internet dropping in and out every 5 to 10 min, then it's great. Save yourself the headache and get your own, but don't expect Burt Zinser to reduce your rent for services he offers but you can't use. Here at camp conway you can expect to pay for services unrendered.(Not the only one that has this problem in the park) 3. Porches, sheds or gazebos. 100%, as long as you are one of his favorites, like the people in the pictures he uses on his website. The beautiful two story rv with full front porch, likes to watch what everyone else is doing and then go complain to Burt if she doesn't like how your lot looks or what your doing. Burt will be sure to tell you it's too much, or beauty is sometimes only in the eye of the beholder. 4. We also offer a bath house and a laundry. The"Bath House" is one shower, without a bathroom vent, a toilet and sink, in the laundry room and is always disgusting. Hair on the floors, wall, drain, soap scum, ect. The toilet has pubic hair and feces on and around it. No one cleans it, nor cleans up after themselves. Not sure who replaces the toilet paper but half the time it's empty. The laundry is two household washers and dryers. Costing 2.50, which isn't bad. Just don't run the washers at the same time or they flood the room(you will be blamed for over loading it) and expect to dry your clothes for an hour or so, or they will be damp. The state of the laundry room is horrible. Trash overflowing, dog hair, and random debris all over the floors. Again no one cleans them.( you think well I'll just get compact washer, expect to be charged extra for water and don't you dare hang clothes outside to dry, that includes beachwear and towels). It's not visually appealing. 5. Spacious lots. The outer lots are 600 and the other lots 565(it was 550 back in Feb, this is important to note). Price subject to change without a notice. Do Not expect Burt Zinsers crappy memory to remember not to over charge you(text wont help you either). Honestly, don't bother to ask Burt about it, or he will get annoyed and either kick you out or threaten to. I'll get to that later. The lots flood when it rains, grass is almost non existent, scorching heat from lack of trees and of course you have to love the red clay that gets over everything. Lots are suppose to mowed by him, but he hasn't mowed in the 5 months we've been here. He sends his child out, who does a half ass job weed whacking around the pedestals and mows part of the big field. If it wasn't for one of the permanent resident here mowing for people that ask him, it would be horrible. 6. Someone pointed out they have a huge open field with plans to extend the park, but currently it's a great dog area to let your dogs off leash to play. WRONG. DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE OFF LEASH. Expect to be harassed about picking up your dog poop. Even when you do, other people do not, while letting their dog roam free and you will be blamed. He has plans to extend the park, true, but until then expect for Burt to constantly remind you that until the park fills up, it all comes out of his pocket, so he's loosing money. You can rent one of his tiny homes if you want to pay near 1,000 for a studio apartment, open floor plan, with a 500 dollar, per pet, fee. You will be secure too as one of his security cameras point directly in the front windows of the current one and only tiny home he has on the premises. 7. Rules. It all depends which of his rules and who you are. If he tells you no AC units in the windows of RVs. There are currently 5 RVs that have units in the windows, so he doesn't really give a crap about that rule. I personally don't care but it was one of the things he stated when we called. No agressive dogs. His example, like pitbulls. Hey as long as you tell him it's another breed he doesn't know the difference and isn't bothered to check. I see nothing wrong with pitties, he's just the type that believes in bad dogs, not bad owners. Oh and on that note you will be sure to hear or be told, that you don't need another mouth to feed, or straight up told you can't keep another pet if you get one. 8. Privacy. Don't expect it. Burt Zinser likes to meddle in people's business. He gives unsolicited relationship advice, opinions on how you should decorate, how your vehicle looks, if your working or not(regardless if you pay rent on time, he doesn't like it if you are a stay at home person). Our experience here has been crap. We moved into the park on Feb 3rd. The lot was one giant mud pit. We asked if he would buy grass seed and we'd care for the lawn until it fully grown. We were told yes at first then the next day we received a text staying no because then he'd have to do that for everyone. We bought grass seed, tilled the land by hand and grew grass. We called about the internet 3 different times. The first time he handed us a wifi extender, that didnt work and TCW said it was pointless since it wasnt hooked into landline nor had bluetooth capabilities. He then had TCW come out two more times to"fix" it, before we said screw it and got starlink. When asked if he would remove the fee for the interent we can't use. He said no. When we asked why are we paying for something we can't use, he stated it was our problem, not his. For the month of Feb rent was 550. March 550. April we TEXT him after hours and asked him to gIve us a call so we could pay rent. HE CALLED US, did the transaction and got off the phone. We checked and noticed he overcharged us, 565. We TEXT him again and pointed out he over charged us. HE CALLED US BACK. He asked when we had moved in, we told him Feb, he apologized and refunded the 15 dollars. When asked when he was going to raise the rent if he would be notifying us. We asked if we would still be paying 550 until then. He called us nieve to think rent wouldn't change. When we explained that we didn't think it would stay 550 forever, but that we would be notified and not just him taking whatever amount he decides he wants. He got irritated said we were busting his balls and he hadn't eaten dinner yet but instead dealing with this crap, and that we were temporary visitors(i didnt know 5 months of renting was temporary). He belittled a person that has autism and learning disabilities when he was the one to CALL US BACK and interupt his own supper. We called during business hours and informed him of the condition of the shower being filthy and smelling of cat urine, because everyone closes the door behind them after a shower and there is no vent( burt decided it wasn't needed, told to us by someone else). We were told people are supposed to be cleaning up after themselves. We asked if he would get a deck brush, hose and cleaning supplies for us and we would clean it for free, once a week. He said sure. A week later we saw him on the property asked about it again. He got annoyed, we dropped it and bought an external on demand hot water heater to be able to shower and feel clean. Once again it was time for rent to be paid. I noticed he had been over charging us again for may and June, not even a week after he told me that August 1st was when the rent would be raised. I saw him on the property and walked over to bring it to his attention. He got irritated and told me that it was becoming a bit much. When asked what he was talking about he stated that no one else bothers him as much as we do, and it's overwhelming. I stated to him that we haven't been unreasonable in holding him accountable for his property. I had explained previously about my husband being autistic with learning disabilities that sometimes effect how he understands things. I brought up that he stated he thinks he's autistic and his wife has told him thay his facial expressions and attitude towards people can be offputting and misinterpreted. I would think he would be more understanding. I told him he obviously has an issue with my husband and that from now on he will be dealing with me since my husband irritates him so much. He tried telling me no that wasn't the issue. I cut him off and said that was exactly the problem or it was holding him accountable, or both. He asked if we be out by then end of the month and I said no, as we have done nothing wrong. Rent is never late. Always paid. Our site is clean, we follow the rules. The next day we received a text from him telling us to be out by the end of the month and he was sorry it didn't work out. Retaliation for a woman speaking to him. Burt Zinser is a horrible business man, landlord and human being. He has issues with speaking too and dealing with woman if they try to be an equal. I truly believe he's sexist and I'm not the only woman in this park that thinks that. If you and your husband are speaking to him, you ask him a question he will disrespect you by looking at your husband and answering. Ask around, talk to people in the park, and not his favorites. I'm hoping I can attach the photos I've taken around the park and facilities but if I can't, feel free to reach out. I have no problem sharing them, in hopes you won't support this man and his park. I will be posting this in every RV group I'm a member of, local community pages and restaurants. Let's hold this man accountable for his disrespect, horrible ethics, and business. Greenbrier is a better community then this man deserves and he shouldn't be allowed to continue this way.
Staff at gate was very k8nd and helpful. Grounds well kept and manicured. Camp sites under trees for,shade with water, electricity, picnic tables and fire pits. Needed to use levelers to get trailer leveled. Campground on Arkansas river at the dam and locks. Bathhouse was clean, looked like painted for this season. Only issues was heater running in shower, it was 80+ degrees didn't need more heat. I'd stay here again.
Most sites are levelish side to side with down hill slope. There appears to be no supervision in this park. We have stopped here on our way out west then on our way back. No one has checked us in or made sure we were supposed to be there. Traffic moves from the boat ramp until late at night. Still a good stopover when traveling Verizon worked well.
Luckily it was close to the hospital since we had to take a visit there. Beautiful park with lake access.
Nice spot, especially if you get one of the old campsites. However those were taken by long term folks who either just left their trailer there with no one in it, or they ran generators through the night. The remaining campsites were inaccessible by car, so we ended up staying in the bathroom parking area. Bathrooms boarded up, no trash cans, a fair bit of trash lying around.
Well kept camsites. Clean and right on the beautiful Arkansas river. Would definitely come back.
Very nice park and clean bathrooms. The cedar falls are wonderful when it has been raining a lot. RV sites are spacious and a lot of locals like to stay there for short vacations.
Pleasant surprise. Pulled in late and found B32 available right on water. Quiet, clean, and bathroom nearby. Shaded beautiful site. Love it.
The Ozark National Forest surrounds Jerusalem, Arkansas with elevations ranging from 800 to 2,500 feet, creating diverse microclimates across the region. Primitive camping sites near Jerusalem require preparation for temperature swings of 30-40°F between day and night, even in summer months. Most dispersed areas lack cell service, with coverage spotty throughout the forest except at higher elevations.
Waterfall hikes: The Bayou Bluff area offers access to nearby waterfalls with a short hike. "Down the road you can bushwack to Penhook falls. Plenty of privacy on the 2 end sites. There are 3 sites total, no reservations. But you never have trouble getting a spot unless it's a holiday weekend," notes a Bayou Bluff Point of Interest visitor.
Swimming holes: Big Piney Creek at Long Pool Recreation Area provides natural swimming spots with rock features. "The big draw is the charming swimming area with its imposing trio of rocks that swimmers love to jump off of. Pets are not permitted around or in the water, so we prefer to leave our dog at home when visiting here," explains a camper.
Fishing access: Multiple spots along the Illinois Bayou and Brock Creek offer fishing opportunities. A visitor at Cherokee Park mentioned, "We look forward to many more visits to this park! We have seen quite a bit of wildlife including an up close encounter with a bald eagle, several blue herons, and a few river otter sightings."
Stone shelters: Historic CCC-built structures at Bayou Bluff provide unique camping amenities. "The rock shelters have a large rock fire area. There's also a vault toilet on the lower loop. A pavilion onsite is reservable and has electricity," one camper notes about their experience.
Mountain top camping: Sites at Mount Nebo State Park offer unique elevated perspectives. "We chose site 17, directly on the Rim with unimpeded long views and unobstructed breezes. It was a toss-up between 16 and 17... even 14 is directly on the Rim," shares one visitor about their mountaintop experience.
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer good spacing between sites. At Petit Jean State Park, "B loop pros: plenty of shade in hot months with the pine grove, easy access to the paved CCC trail, 30/50 amp service, water, picnic table, fire ring and trash hook, clean and accommodating bath house, enough space between sites for plenty of privacy."
Lake level variations: Water levels at Brock Creek Lake fluctuate significantly. "The lake was drained at the time of my visit; otherwise, it's a really nice view," reports one visitor to Brock Creek Lake View Dispersed.
Road conditions: Many forest roads require appropriate vehicles. "Access for a truck camper is tight due to the location of trees on the site. Access for 2WD low clearance vehicles may be rough due to some erosion," warns a camper at Brock Creek-Charleston Road Dispersed.
Seasonal crowds: Certain areas become congested during peak seasons. One Long Pool Recreation Area visitor noted, "Busy with floaters in the springtime. Tent loop on short bluff along 'long pool'. Great swimmin' hole, shower house for floaters and campers."
Playground options: Lake Dardanelle State Park offers dedicated play areas. "The kids love the playground. There is a nice wide boat ramp with plenty of parking situated in a peaceful cove," reports a family visitor to Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Swimming areas: Multiple sites offer kid-friendly water access. At Bayou Bluff, "There aren't many spots in this area. All sites are pretty shaded all day. Swimming is a small but slightly difficult walk down a steep Rocky path. It's rarely crowded which is why we like it."
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer learning experiences. Petit Jean visitor reports, "The park lodges, which also function as a trailhead for one of the major hikes there are like nothing I've seen before. A pool at the top of an expensive outlook which ultimately leads down to a gorgeous waterfall."
Site selection: Choose carefully based on your RV size and needs. A Petit Jean State Park reviewer recommends: "Areas A and B can accommodate large rigs and towables. A Loop pros: it's new, it's laid out ideally, full hook up sites with sewer, and plenty of gravel and concrete to keep from dealing with too much dirt, mud, sand."
Level spots: Many sites require equipment for leveling. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level," warns a Petit Jean visitor about B loop sites.
Year-round options: Some RV parks operate continuously. An Ivy's Cove RV Retreat camper shares, "We lived at this RV park for 5 months while we were house hunting. Great owners. Clean, large showers. Game/exercise room. 5 minutes to anything you need, but still feels secluded."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Jerusalem, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Jerusalem, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 201 campgrounds and RV parks near Jerusalem, AR and 47 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Jerusalem, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Jerusalem, AR is Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 108 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Jerusalem, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 47 free dispersed camping spots near Jerusalem, AR.
What parks are near Jerusalem, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 parks near Jerusalem, AR that allow camping, notably Ozark-St. Francis National Forests and Lake Dardanelle.
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