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.

Best Tent Sites Near Kirby, Arkansas (39)

    1. Albert Pike Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Langley, AR
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 356-4186

    "Although the campground is closed due to the flood (at least last time I checked), it's definitely worthwhile to camp a little up the trail and in the backcountry."

    "This area is superb for primitive camping along the mountain road side pulloffs. Or if you're up for more of a challenge like us, you can take on the 28-30 mile Eagle Rock Loop trail."

    2. Bluegill Hill

    1 Review
    New Melones Lake, AR
    7 miles
    Website

    $20 / night

    "Kitty Cove was secluded, but you'll definitely want to bring a tarp or umbrella because there isn't much shade cover. There are two little islands you can swim or kayak to from Kitty Cove."

    3. Buckhorn

    1 Review
    New Melones Lake, AR
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 285-2151

    "Open: Mar- Oct 31 

    Fee:  $5.00 per night 

    Limit: 14 days 

    Sites: 5 tent 

    Pit toilet, picnic table, fire ring, lantern pole, pedestal grill, trash Totally amazing sites sitting right on a small finger"

    4. Pikeville Creek Campground

    1 Review
    New Melones Lake, AR
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 285-2151

    "The trails to get to this rec area are for the 4wd’s and off-road vehicles. Great point to camp with great access to water. Didn’t see a boat ramp but wasn’t looking either."

    5. Long Creek Campsite on the Eagle Rock Loop

    2 Reviews
    Langley, AR
    15 miles
    Website

    "The Long Creek Primitive Campsite is located in the Ouachita National Forest along the Little Missouri Trail on the eastern section of the Eagle Rock Loop."

    "I loved this trail!! So pretty and full of great camping spots"

    6. Hickory Nut Mountain

    11 Reviews
    Ouachita Lake, AR
    25 miles
    Website

    "Great campsite with parking, picnic tables, fire rings, grills, and a restroom. Right next to the trails! Beautiful view of lake below. Only issue was some broken glass around the picnic area."

    "This campground was located down a 3 mile gravel road (my Hyundai hatchback handled it ok), on the top of a ridge overlooking Lake Ouachita."

    7. Crystal NF Campground

    1 Review
    Norman, AR
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 321-5202

    "Most sites also have tent pads. First come first serve site with a vault toilet no pumped water but there is a clear spring you can get water from."

    8. Viles Branch Creek Primitive Campsite on the Eagle Rock Loop

    1 Review
    Langley, AR
    18 miles
    Website

    "Park Review

    The Viles Branch Creek Primitive Campsite is located in the Ouachita National Forest along the Athens Big Fork trail on the southern section of the Eagle Rock Loop."

    9. Straight Creek Campsite on the Eagle Rock Loop

    2 Reviews
    Langley, AR
    21 miles
    Website

    "Park Review

    The Straight Creek Primitive Campsite is located in the Ouachita National Forest along the Athens Big Fork trail on the western section of the Eagle Rock Loop."

    10. Cossatot Falls Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area

    12 Reviews
    Wickes, AR
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 385-2201

    "Vault toilets, no water and no electricity. Each site has enough room for three tents and has a grill, fire pit, table, and bear pole. There is easy access to the falls and hiking trails."

    "We also have a large 20’ tent that makes it difficult to fit into regular square pad tent sites. These pads were huge and fit our tent, which was super nice because our original plans fell through."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 39 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Kirby, AR

791 Reviews of 39 Kirby Campgrounds


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

    Fourche Mountain Campground

    Free Overnight Stay in the Ouachita National Forest

    Stayed here on June 11, 2024. Small 5-site primitive campground. No water. No electric. Clean vault toilets with tp, and a trash barrel. Clean campground & campsites. Sites are small with reasonable separation, but no privacy. Sites have clean picnic tables, fire ring/grill. Some have lantern plies. Gravel drive. Sites nearly level. No tent pads, but tents can be set up. Sites may be able to accommodate a truck camper & smaller. Lots of highway noise from nearby Hwy 27, but not too bad overnight. There was logging activity elsewhere in the national forest, so log haulers were driving by during the day. Campground is located at eastbound turnoff onto Forest Road 83W - a well maintained gravel road. Pine & oak trees in the campground. Probably a beautiful view of distant mountains during the winter. This campground is good for an overnight stay when exploring the national forest or passing by on Highway 27. There is no recreation in this recreation area; no water access, no hiking trails. Good T-Mobile cell service. Despite some of the road noise from nearby Highway 27, I really liked this campground.

  • T
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    Small free for all tent sites

    Small open Campground with no specific sites (Tent Only Area). There is a small lot nearby to park then you must walk everything in. This can be anything from right next to your car to a few hundred feet away depending on where you want to set up. Picnic tables, fire rings and campground grills located throughout but again nothing is marketed as far as site numbers. The area allows for up to six camp permits per night. Could be good for smaller groups. It’s up away from the lake unlike the rest of the campgrounds in the park. There are restrooms nearby with flushing toilets and sinks. Also a playground is located close to the campsite. Overall it was clean but felt cramped among other campers and parking away from the tent made for multiple trips back and forth.

  • Richard
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Lake Ouachita State Park Campground

    One of the best in Arkansas

    Definitely my favorite park in Arkansas so far. It’s a really big park at the lake with lots to do. I was there in the fall so I didn’t do any lake stuff but still had a great time tent camping. There’s a nice hiking trail to explore. Also, the bathrooms were the cleanest I’ve ever seen at a state park. All the tent sites have a gravel pad, grill, picnic table and fire ring. There are also walk in tent sites on the peninsula which are nice and quiet. If you get one at the end I’d say it’s probably 200 meters to the parking lot and bathrooms. I peeked into one of the cabins and they look really nice. They also have camper cabins that have heat/air but no bathroom. In all there are 93 RV/tent sites, 8 cabins and 4 camper cabins. The park is also near Hot Springs so there is lots to do.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2021

    River Run West

    Port in the Storm

    Fee: Day use $5.00 

    Sites: 4 gravel (no hook ups)

     Fee:$8.00 per night Open: Year round 

    Beware of alligator

     Pit toilets, bank fishing, boat ramp, trash, lantern poles, picnic table 

    This is a very small campground with just 4 tent sites but is a beautiful space. Well maintained but it really is only for tents where you will find shade provided by the nice mature trees.

     LNT 

    AIS Clean, drain, dry 

    Travel safe

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2020

    Big Fir Primitive Camping

    Free and beautiful

    Pit toilets, no water. Only about 6 sites. Fire rings, picnic tables, lantern poles, and standing BBQS. Not many flat sights for tents, but doable. Road in is part gravel and some paved. Only 4 stars because people leave trash on the ground even though there are bins. Trees are plentiful and shady. Many paths down to the river/lake. Boat motor noise, but not too bad.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2021

    River Run East

    Tiny but works

    Fee:$8.00 

    No hook ups 

    Site: 8 gravel, no hook up 

    Open: Year round 

    This is a very small campground that is actually perfect because it is small. There are 6 sites with sheltered picnic table, fire ring, fish cleaning station, trash, NO WATER Very quiet except for some timber trucks(they sound like a helicopter flying overhead) driving across the dam. 

    AIS Clean, drain, dry 

    LNT Travel safe

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2019

    Long Creek Campsite on the Eagle Rock Loop

    Long Creek Campsite on the Eagle Rock Loop + Fish!

    The Long Creek Primitive Campsite is located in the Ouachita National Forest along the Little Missouri Trail on the eastern section of the Eagle Rock Loop. The only way to access this site is by entering at a trailhead and hiking in to the site. The nearest trailhead is at Albert Pike Recreation Area. This is a primitive dispersed campsite, but the ground has been cleared. The site is located alongside a creek.

    On your hike into this site you will be rewarded with beautiful scenery as you walk through majestic forests of oak. You'll also see a variety of plants and forest creatures. The campsite is along Long Creek so you will have access to water. Perhaps 100 feet up river from our campsite I found a nice fishing hole and caught and released 7 trout and 1 sunfish within about 1 hour. 

    There is adequate clear space to set up a tent or numerous trees to string up a hammock. There are no facilities nearby. You can collect and filter water from the river and dig a hole to poop in the woods. Please practice Leave No Trace in this area. 

    Trekking poles are recommended to aid in tackling the various inclines and declines of the trail.

    If you need any supplies before entering the Ouachita National Forest stop off in the town of De Queen where there are various grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations. 

    During the spring and summer the insects can be intense. I advise treating clothing and gear with permethrin to prevent ticks and pacaridin for other insects.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 8, 2021

    Beard's Bluff Park (AR)

    Ultimate

    1152-1206 

    Open: Mar 1- Oct 31 

    Limit: 14 days 

    Reserve: 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov (must have reservations) Sites: 24 paved 

    Camp host on site 

    Fee: $12.00 no hookups $15.00 water and electric 

    Bath house and flush toilets, playground, beach, boat launch, covered picnic table, fire ring, pedestal grill, trash, lantern pole electric and water hookups This is a small campground but is totally awesome. The road in heads down into the campground and it is a very good paved road. There are several sites on the water. Grab a spot and spend a couple of weeks enjoying life. There are some pull thru's. If you enjoy the quiet and intimate this is for you. 

    AIS Clean, drain, dry 

    Travel safe

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2021

    COE Lake Greeson Star of the West

    Camping

    DATES: MAR 1 TO OCT 31 

    FEE:$8.00 PER NIGHT 

    LIMITS: 14 DAYS 

    ALERT: WATER SUBJECT TO SUDDEN RISE 

    Potable water, pit toilets, trash, picnic table, lantern pole, pedestal grill, fire ring, Campground is right off the highway and the sites right next to the road will be noisy. Drive further in and you will find nice flat sites and they are quieter. Good for tent or small trailer as sites are small. Beautiful shade with mature trees. 

    LNT 

    AIS 

    BTYFI 

    Travel safe


Guide to Kirby

The Ouachita National Forest around Kirby, Arkansas sits at elevations ranging from 600 to 2,600 feet with dense oak and pine forest covering the mountainous terrain. The region receives approximately 55 inches of rainfall annually, creating numerous waterways that intersect primitive camping areas. Water availability fluctuates seasonally with summer creek levels often dropping significantly below spring high-water marks.

What to do

Fishing in forest creeks: Long Creek Campsite on the Eagle Rock Loop offers productive fishing spots where campers can catch multiple species. "Perhaps 100 feet up river from our campsite I found a nice fishing hole and caught and released 7 trout and 1 sunfish within about 1 hour," notes one Long Creek visitor.

Off-road exploration: Forest service roads around Kirby provide access to remote camping locations with vehicle-dependent accessibility. "If the gate is open then explore an hour worth moderate off roading," advises a camper at Hickory Nut Mountain, describing the road conditions leading to primitive sites.

Rock hopping and swimming: The Cossatot River offers natural features for water recreation during warmer months. A visitor to Cossatot Falls Campsites explains, "It's not for the faint of heart or people avoiding physical activity because trekking the huge river boulders is not easy. But the beauty is worth it. The water is crystal clear and you can watch fish swim by."

What campers like

Spacious tent sites: Tent camping near Kirby, Arkansas often features well-designed tent pads larger than standard campground offerings. "The tent pads were huge and fit our tent, which was super nice because our original plans fell through," reports a camper at Cossatot Falls Campsites.

Stream-side camping: Proximity to moving water provides both practical benefits and ambiance for tent campers. "We didn't care for the established sites at the top of the mountain so we headed back down Pollard Creek Trail- what a surprise gem we found! Creek bed camping! Cool spring to cool off on this warm fall day," shares a Hickory Nut Mountain visitor.

Primitive hiking options: The Eagle Rock Loop trail system offers extended backcountry tent camping opportunities. A camper at Straight Creek Campsite recounts, "Went here a while back for some hiking and camping. Spent 3 days out here. Rained heavily on the 2nd day and small creeks and rivers became huge swells. This is for a more experienced hiker if you going during rainy season."

What you should know

Weather-dependent access: Forest roads around Kirby deteriorate quickly with rainfall, limiting access to many primitive tent camping areas. "Luckily it hadn't rained in a while. The trails to get to this rec area are for the 4wd's and off-road vehicles," reports a visitor to Pikeville Creek Campground.

Campground closures: Some previously established camping areas have been permanently closed or repurposed. "The Albert Pike Recreation Area is now for Day Use Only. As a result of flooding and potential flooding the former campground is now a day use area with parking spaces, picnic tables, water faucets and restrooms with toilets, sinks and showers," explains a visitor to the area.

Tent site surface conditions: Many tent camping spots have rocky or difficult soil conditions for staking tents. "The campsites are gravel and good luck putting your tent spikes in!! Ain't gonna happen," warns a Cossatot Falls camper about ground conditions at their site.

Tips for camping with families

Swimming holes for children: Several locations offer natural swimming areas suitable for supervised children. "Our children enjoyed climbing on the rocks and splashing in the river. The park rangers were very nice and informative," shares a Cossatot Falls Campsites visitor.

Insect preparation: The dense forest environment requires comprehensive insect protection, especially for children. "During the spring and summer the insects can be intense. I advise treating clothing and gear with permethrin to prevent ticks and pacaridin for other insects," suggests a camper at Viles Branch Creek Primitive Campsite.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest setting provides natural educational experiences. "You'll see a variety of plants and forest creatures," notes a Long Creek Campsite visitor, while another mentions, "You're surrounded by 'lightning bugs'. Which makes the experience a little enchanting."

Tips from RVers

High clearance requirements: RVs and trailers need sufficient ground clearance for forest roads. At Buckhorn on Lake Greeson, a visitor advises, "I do recommend it to anyone that has a high clearance vehicle and if you are towing that your trailer be one of high clearance too."

Limited pull-through sites: Most primitive camping areas have limited turning space for larger vehicles. "There are 6 pull up to campsites at the Cossatot Falls. Awesome location right near and easy access to the falls," explains a camper, noting the specific parking configuration.

Generator considerations: Noise restrictions and etiquette vary between sites. One camper notes, "They did allow generators which is unfortunate because the river is so close. Part of what we love about camping is being in nature and hearing the sounds around us but one person's generator use ruined the quiet."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Kirby, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Kirby, AR is Albert Pike Recreation Area with a 4-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Kirby, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 39 tent camping locations near Kirby, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.