Best Tent Camping near Kirby, AR
The Ouachita National Forest surrounding Kirby, Arkansas offers several primitive tent camping options, particularly along the Eagle Rock Loop trail system. Long Creek Campsite and Straight Creek Campsite provide backcountry tent camping experiences accessible only by hiking in from trailheads. Cossatot River State Park, located about 30 miles west of Kirby, features tent-only camping areas at both the Sandbar Area and Cossatot Falls sections. Hickory Nut Mountain, situated northeast of Kirby, provides free tent campsites with views of Lake Ouachita.
Most tent campsites in the region are situated on natural surfaces with minimal site preparation. Campers should bring water filtration equipment as potable water is rarely available at primitive sites. The backcountry tent sites along Eagle Rock Loop require water collection from creeks and proper filtration. According to reviews, high clearance vehicles may be necessary to access some tent camping areas, particularly after rain when forest roads deteriorate. Vault toilets are available at established campgrounds like Crystal NF Campground and Hickory Nut Mountain, but backcountry tent sites require Leave No Trace practices. Most primitive tent camping areas maintain a 14-day stay limit and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tent campers frequently mention the solitude available at walk-in tent sites throughout the region. One visitor noted that Cossatot Falls Campsites offer "six large, improved sites which are first come first serve cash pay only" with "enough room for three tents" at each site. The Sandbar Area at Cossatot River State Park provides tent-only camping that one camper described as having "very nice tent spaces with lots of trees which make it very cozy." During spring and summer, insects can be intense in the forest, with reviewers recommending treating clothing and gear with permethrin for ticks. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most primitive tent camping locations, adding to the sense of remoteness that many tent campers seek.
