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Best Dispersed Camping near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake

16 Reviews

Dispersed camping options surround John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake in the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests, with most sites requiring self-contained setups. River Ridge Campground, once free, now charges $10 per night according to recent visitors. Several free areas remain accessible along Morgan Mountain Road where Forest Road 82 offers 3-4 primitive sites with mountain views. A camper noted, "Perfect spot with a great view...good amount of shade for when it's hot and good amount of trees to hang tarp when it's raining."

Road conditions vary throughout the region, with many forest service roads showing erosion after rain. Most dispersed sites near Devils Den and Jack Creek have level dirt surfaces suitable for tents, hammocks, and smaller vehicles, though larger rigs may struggle with access. Limited or no amenities exist at these locations—pack out all trash and bring necessary supplies. Cell coverage is spotty, with T-Mobile service available at some sites along Morgan Mountain Road but completely absent at many others. Fire rings are common at established dispersed sites, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake (17)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake

18 Photos of 17 John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake

16 Reviews of 17 John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake Campgrounds

  • Lauren
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Dispersed Near Devils Den

    Be careful!

    I just got back from staying here for a night. For one, it is a very narrow road but my minivan got through just fine. UNTIL I made it to a puddle of water (that I highly underestimated), got stuck in the mud immediately and had to call a tow company (by walking 15 minutes down the highway to get signal; no signal at all at the sites) to help pull me out for $400. The people at the tow company warned me that the forest service does NOT allow cars to drive on these roads anymore, and that is why they added guard rails. They told me that had I gotten caught with my car in there I would have had to pay a big fine. He said camping is fine as long as you park on the turnout by the highway and walk in. Saying all of that, there are still multiple really nice and spread out spots with nice huge firepits. I would have been fine with parking and walking in. Also, I was in pretty deep and could still hear the cars on the highway, but not many come by (at least not on a Tuesday night). The creek is nice. Also tons of fireflies which was cool.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2024

    Girard Rd/Forest Road 20 Dispersed, Ouachita National Forest, AR

    Somewhat private dispersed site off of unbusy forest road

    Coordinates: 35.02531, -93.88228. Located just off of Girard Road (Forest Road 20) - a maintained gravel/dirt forest road. This road is mostly a single track - narrow with some minor erosion in a few places. A lifted 4x4 vehicle is NOT needed to drive to the site. The dispersed site is located 1.3 miles south of the turnoff to Jack Creek Recreation Area. This site is set off from the forest road on a narrow undesignated dirt track which is easy to miss. It is a small site with enough room for one vehicle - truck camper size and smaller. The site is mostly level on a dirt surface with a rock fire ring. It is mostly shaded, although solar recharging may be possible during the afternoon with solar panels being placed on the access track in front of the site. Tent and hammock camping are possible. Received a strong T-Mobile 5G signal here. Except for some peace and quiet, there is nothing remarkable about this particular campsite. However, is is located in the Jack Creek area of the Arkansas Ouachitas. This area has a few nice swimming holes and hiking trails which one can drive to. OHV recreation is also possible in the area.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 23, 2024

    Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed

    Large dispersed with a view

    Coordinates: 35.69300,-93.76803. Large dispersed site with a view, especially in the winter, of the mountains to the west. Located along Morgan Mountain Road, Forest Road 1504, a little over a mile north of AR Hwy 215. The trailhead to Spy Rock is about a mile north of this site. Altough eroded in spots due to recent heavy rains, Morgan Mountain Road was in good condition - no obstacles. A 2wd passenger car can carefully make it over the eroded areas. Except for one small spot, the site is not level - slopes downhill a little toward the ridge. Camping rigs may need leveling depending on the parking spot. Access into the site from the forest road is easy. There is a clean rock fire ring. Tenting camping is possible. Hammock camping may be possible using nearby trees. The site is mostly shaded. The forest surrounding this campsite is beautiful. I received no T-Mobile service during my visit. I decided not to camp here during my visit due to a brisk, cold north-northwest wind blowing through the campsite.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2024

    Jack Creek Dispersed, Ouachita National Forest, AR

    Large wooded dispersed campsite near creek

    Coordinates: 35.02281, -93.81060. Located 2.5 miles past the entrance of the Jack Creek Recreation Area, and almost 1 mile past the turn off to the shooting range. Jack Creek Road is a mixed dirt/gravel road, wider than a single track; it is well maintained with some minor erosion in a few places. The campsite is well off of Jack Creek Road, down an undesignated dirt track, offering a lot of privacy. Access is easy although the dirt track may be muddy during the wet season. This is a large wooded dispersed campsite that has a short path down to Jack Creek. Depending on the water level, fishing and wading are possible at the creek. The site has a level dirt surface which can accommodate 4 rigs - truck camper size and smaller. Tent and hammock camping are possible. The site has a clean rock fire ring. There is a lot of shade during the summer. Solar charging is possible in an open field at the entrance of the site. This is a wonerful site to camp in. Jack Creek Recreation Area and the Sugar Creek hiking trail are a short drive away. I received no t-Mobile cell service.

  • Wesley H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    County Road D1590 Dispersed

    Really in the woods

    Took our class c down the narrow road. Pretty good mostly rock.camp site was clean.

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

    Jack Creek Rd Pull Thru Dispersed, Ouachita National Forest, AR

    Small Pull Thru Site with Easy Access

    Coordinates: 35.02422, -93.81997. Located 2 miles past the entrance of the Jack Creek Recreation Area, and 1/3rd mile past the turn off to the shooting range. It is a small pull though campsite with a small rock fire ring, close to Jack Creek Road (forest road); there is very little privacy from the forest road. Jack Creek Road is a mixed dirt/gravel road, wider than a single track; it is well maintained with some minor erosion in a few places. This campsite can receive dust from passing vehicles. The site can easily accommodate 2 vehicles, truck camper size and smaller, parked one behind the other. The site is shaded with a level dirt surface. Small tent & hammock camping is possible near rock fire ring which is located between the pull through driveway and the forest road. Easy access into the site. There is no T-Mobile cell service. There is nothing special about this campsite; no recreation, such as hiking trails, in the immediate vicinity. Jack Creek Recreation Area and the Sugar Creek hiking trail are a short drive away.

  • Philip W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 22, 2025

    Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed

    Forested mountain area with trails

    No toilets/showers/dumpsters/ trash cans.
    Various camp sites along a dirt road, that my AWD Equinox made it fine. Just go slow, as there are some ruts from previous rains.
    There are various outfitters along the way to the dirt road. So you don’t have to go too far if you forgot something. The camp I’m at has the land cleared fairly well of grasses and such.
    The others further down the road are for one vehicle type camps with longer grass. There are walking trails, with Spy Rock a short distance away.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed

    Awesome site

    GPS brought us directly to the site. The gravel road has some ruuts but it you take your time small SVUs can make it fine. Beautiful over look and clean campsite. Spy rock is gorgeous, the trail is a little rough but totally worth it. Trail head is on the right about a mile past camp.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2024

    Jack Creek Road Dispersed, Ouachita National Forest, AR

    Large wooded site just off Jack Creek Road

    Not sure if the pin location is accurate, so here are the coordinates: 35.02802, -93.82913.  Located 1.3 miles past the entrance of the Jack Creek Recreation Area. It is a large site with a large rock fire ring, set back a little from Jack Creek Road (forest road). Jack Creek Road is a mixed dirt/gravel road, wider than a single track; it is well maintained with some minor erosion in a few places. The campsite has a mostly level dirt surface that can accommodate 2 vehicles - truck camper size and smaller. Tent and hammock camping is possible. The site is mostly shaded in the summer. There is an old undesignated track near the rear of the site; this may lead down to Jack Creek, but I was not able to verify this due to large mud puddles on the track. There was a little bit of trash at the site, but not too bad. I received no T-Mobile cell service. There is nothing special about this campsite; just a nice place to camp in for a night or two. Jack Creek Recreation Area and the Sugar Creek hiking trail are a short drive away.

Guide to John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake

Dispersed camping near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake in Arkansas offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With a variety of options available, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and enjoy the great outdoors.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake in Arkansas

  • Many areas, like Dispersed Near Devils Den, offer free camping options, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious adventurers.
  • Be prepared for a lack of amenities; for instance, the Jack Creek Rd Pull Thru Dispersed site has no drinking water or electric hookups, so bring your own supplies.
  • Always check local regulations, as some spots may have specific rules regarding fires and waste disposal, such as the OHT Backcountry Primitive Site, which allows fires but requires you to pack out your trash.

Top activities while free camping near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake

  • Fishing and swimming are popular activities near the Forest Service Rd 82 Dispersed, which is conveniently located near the Redding Recreation Area.
  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity of trails to sites like Jack Creek Dispersed, where you can explore the scenic beauty of the Ouachita National Forest.
  • Wildlife watching is a rewarding experience in the area, especially at Girard Rd/Forest Road 20 Dispersed, where you might spot deer and various bird species.

Scenic spots for dispersed campers

  • The OHT Primitive Site is nestled in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, providing a serene backdrop for your camping experience.
  • For those seeking a bit more privacy, the Jack Creek Road Dispersed offers a spacious area set back from the road, perfect for a peaceful retreat.
  • Enjoy the tranquility of nature at River Ridge Campground, where you can unwind by the river and soak in the beautiful surroundings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake is River Ridge Campground with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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