Tent campsites near LaGrange, Arkansas range from free dispersed sites to basic established campgrounds throughout the Wattensaw region. Located in the eastern Arkansas flatlands, these camping areas experience hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F, while spring brings significant rainfall. Most sites rest on relatively flat terrain with mixed clay and sandy soils characteristic of the Mississippi Delta region.
What to do
Fishing access points: Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA offers multiple fishing spots near camping areas. "There was a large pond with nearby primitive camping for free, if you need a night's rest and don't want to do the Walmart/travel centers this is your ideal spot with low traffic and a lot of natural beauty. Ducks, beevers, frogs and more," reports one camper at Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA.
Hiking on Delta Heritage Trail: This converted rail trail provides a unique pathway through bottomland forests. "We did a bit of hiking at the park which was nice as well. It was a great place to spend a night," notes a visitor who stayed at Maple Flat Group Campground.
Boating and water activities: Kelly's Crossing Campground provides boat access to Arkabutla Lake. "This is an off the beaten path area for standard recreation. It's technically a boat ramp that accesses Arkabutla Lake with picnic and camping areas nearby," explains a camper who visited in winter.
What campers like
Solitude and seclusion: Many primitive sites offer privacy rarely found at established campgrounds. "From what I can tell, there is noone else out here. There is some highway noise in the distance at the site we chose, however, there were many other sites that were farther away," notes a camper at Wattensaw WMA.
Well-marked camping areas: Despite the primitive nature, finding designated sites at Wattensaw is straightforward. "There are a ton of campsites down the gravel road and they are well marked. There are signs for designated camping and the trees have a blue ring painted around them, so it stands out," explains one visitor at Kellys Crossing Campground.
Cost-effective overnight options: Several sites offer free or low-cost camping. "Perfect spot for car camping... We were able to make a little fire pit and were happy to see it so well kept with no trash," reports a camper who visited Wattensaw WMA in fall.
What you should know
Navigation challenges: Finding some sites requires careful planning. "You cannot trust either Apple or Google maps to get you here by these coordinates. In the morning, I drove 20 minutes on the gravel road trying to get back to the highway, just to run into a dead end at a locked gate," warns a visitor to Wattensaw WMA.
Permit requirements: Some areas require camping permits though enforcement varies. "Noticed a sign in the morning that said hunting, fishing, or camping permit required but no one came by to check," mentions a camper at Beagle Club Road Pull-Off.
Road conditions: Access roads to primitive sites can be rough. "The road access is gravel, but LARGE gravel that we are surprised didn't ruin our tires," reports one camper who abandoned their planned stay at Wattensaw WMA.
Tips for camping with families
Visit Delta Heritage sites: The more developed facilities make family camping easier. "Perfect for Primitive Camping. This place has nice pads to put tents on and picnic tables and fire pits at each site. Only 10 sites though and it is first come first serve," notes a camper at Delta Heritage Trail State Park Campground.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer wildlife education. "The staff is very knowledgeable and kind. We were invited to watch them feed the pet snake that was caught in the area," reports a family who stayed at Delta Heritage Trail State Park.
Avoid unimproved areas: Some designated camping areas lack basic amenities. "The campsites are overgrown or sunken. Looks like no one has camped here or taken care of the property in years," warns a visitor to Pleasant Hill Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site surface considerations: RV campers should assess ground conditions before setting up. "A lot of the spots we saw were gravel so I'm not sure if it would be super comfortable to sleep here in a tent," notes a camper who stayed at Wattensaw WMA, suggesting these gravel sites might work better for RVs than tents.
Limited RV options: Most tent campsites near LaGrange lack RV-specific amenities. "Parking was slightly graded but an RV would be cool," mentions one camper about a specific Wattensaw WMA site, indicating level spots for RVs are available but limited.
Overnight convenience: Some areas work well for quick overnight stays in RVs. "Very nice spot found it quickly at night. Soft ground. Quick to get to off highway," reports an RVer who used Wattensaw WMA as a convenient stopover while traveling west.
