Arkansas River Pool 3 campgrounds offer direct river access with seasonal fishing opportunities in central Arkansas. The region spans from Pine Bluff to North Little Rock with sites at varying elevations, mostly below 250 feet. Camping areas have minimal terrain changes, though riverside locations experience occasional flooding during spring runoff.
What to do
Fishing from riverbanks: Rising Star provides direct access to the Arkansas River for anglers. "Wonderful small campground on the river. Spacious spots. Spots in the woods and on the river. Playground and boat ramp," notes John R. Some visitors report seeing pelicans and wildlife along the waterfront.
Watch river barges: The Arkansas River serves as a major shipping route with regular barge traffic. "We could watch the tug boats with their barges go by. Not many campers here right now so it's quiet," shares Angela G. about Tar Camp. Another camper at Rising Star noted: "The Arkansas River is part of the McClellan-Kerr navigation system. Approximately 11 million tons of cargo is shipped from the Mississippi River to Tulsa every year."
Urban exploration: Cross the pedestrian bridge from Downtown Riverside RV Park to access Little Rock attractions. "Once across you can take a nice town/parks walk and come back on another pedestrian bridge further down the river," explains Gary I. The Clinton Presidential Library is within walking distance for history buffs.
What campers like
Spacious riverfront campsites: Campsites along Pool 3 provide room to spread out. "Large sites, not piled in on each other like RV parks. It's a clean campground outside the city, can't beat it for the price. Waterfront. Covered picnic benches," writes Justin M. about Willow Beach.
Clean facilities: Some campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms. "I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CLEANER BATHROOM!!! BATHROOM/SHOWER COMBO FOR 1 PERSON OR FAMILY!!!" reports Stacy H. about Rising Star. Another camper noted Willow Beach has "a brand new shower house."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: River camping offers wildlife spotting. At Saracen Trace RV Park, Steve S. noted "Lots of wildlife-squirrels everywhere." At Tar Camp, visitors report seeing riverside animals, while Willow Beach campers mention water hyacinths in bloom seasonally.
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect availability: Several campgrounds close during winter months. "Rising Star campground went by 1/17/2021 gate locked closed for winter opens up March 1st," reports Steve S. about Ste Marie Park. Tar Camp typically operates March through October.
Flooding risks: River proximity means occasional closures due to high water. "They evacuated the park due to high water while we were there and we never received the phone call or a text," reports Christopher T. about his experience at Tar Camp.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies by location and carrier. At Rising Star, one camper reported "only 1 bar on my Verizon phone." However, T-Mobile hotspot users at H&G RV Campground reported enough signal to "work, stream, Zoom on my rest day."
Snake activity: Warm weather brings increased reptile sightings. "We encountered lots of snakes. I shooed a few off the road and they disappeared as soon as they slithered into the grass," cautions Jennifer C. about Willow Beach. Another camper advises watching for snakes near playground areas.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several riverfront campgrounds have play areas for children. "Nice playground but it was taped off during our stay due to covid," notes a Willow Beach visitor. Rising Star features a "nice day use area and playground but watch for snakes."
Site selection for privacy: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options. "We had site 15 which was at the end of the park and had a beautiful, large site with plenty of privacy," recommends Steve S. about Rising Star.
Insect protection: Bring repellent for river camping. "Lots of bugs due to being near the river," warns Shiloh M. about H&G RV campground. Another camper notes, "Temps above 50° mean stock up on bug repellent."
Security considerations: Downtown Riverside RV Park offers a secure environment. "Fenced, secure, and has everything RVs need," reports Pam R. Most rv sites near Arkansas River Pool 3 have camp hosts for assistance and security.
Tips from RVers
Reservation planning: RV sites near Arkansas River - Pool 3 require advance booking during peak seasons. Gary at H&G RV campground "answered a late night phone call, knew exactly where we were when trying to look for a spot for the night, sent us directions and met us at our spot to get us all set up."
Electrical needs: Amp service varies among campgrounds. "Electrical hookups are 50 amp so have an adapter if you need 30 amp service," advises Richard G. about H&G RV campground. Tar Camp offers 50-amp service while Rising Star has standard electric hookups.
Level sites: Many riverfront rv parks feature level pads. "The sites are extremely level! I didn't even need to level my pop-up camper!!" shares Jo E. about Willow Beach.
