132 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Mabelvale, Arkansas is situated within easy reach of several established campgrounds along the Arkansas River and surrounding recreational areas. The region features a mix of Corps of Engineers (COE) parks, state parks, and urban RV facilities that accommodate both tent and RV camping. Maumelle Park, located about 15 miles northwest of Mabelvale on the Arkansas River, stands out as a highly-rated COE campground with water and electric hookups. Downtown Riverside RV Park in North Little Rock provides urban camping with convenient access to city attractions. According to campers, Maumelle Park offers "nice walking trails and close proximity to major conveniences" while maintaining a "quiet atmosphere, especially after weekend crowds depart."
Most campgrounds in the Mabelvale area are open year-round, though summer months see higher occupancy rates, making advance reservations essential. The climate features hot, humid summers and mild winters, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable camping conditions. Mosquitoes can be problematic during warmer months, particularly at waterfront sites. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with better coverage at campgrounds closer to Little Rock. Fire restrictions may apply during dry periods, and some riverfront sites may experience seasonal flooding. Campground fees typically range from $20-30 per night for standard sites with hookups.
The camping options near Mabelvale vary in their proximity to urban amenities versus natural settings. Riverside locations like Willow Beach and Tar Camp provide waterfront sites with fishing access and boat ramps. For those seeking more remote experiences, the Ouachita National Forest offers dispersed camping opportunities within an hour's drive southwest of Mabelvale. Family-friendly facilities are available at Lake Catherine State Park, approximately 45 miles southwest, which features cabins, yurts, and traditional campsites with access to hiking trails and water recreation. Big-rig friendly sites with full hookups can be found at several locations, including the Little Rock North KOA, which also offers cabin rentals for non-RV campers.
"Stayed 6 nights at Maumelle COE campground next to Arkansas River. Nice and quiet especially after the weekend crowd left. Nice walking trails and still close to major conveniences."
"Beautiful panorama view of the Arkansas river. Amenities are great. Friendly staff and clean park. Close to restaurants, shopping and services. Full year round so make a reservation!"
from $28 - $75 / night
Check Availability"The location is truly excellent with easy access to the Arkansas River Trail, the Clinton library, restaurants and other attractions."
"Not a resort but right next to the foot bridge that accesses parks on the other side of the Arkansas River. Traffic noise is minimal."
"Situated between the Arkansas River and Willow Lake, every site is waterfront. Showers and bathrooms were clean and in good condition. Sites were close but in good repair."
"This is a great RV campground right on the Arkansas river. The sites are large and mostly level."
from $26 - $75 / night
Check Availability"We landed a pull through just behind the office and on way out of curve in road so we slide right in. Neighbors are close but nice as was the staff."
"Location good. Site: one tent camp site. Which was Off to self. Had covered picnic table (all of which was positive to us) Power and water. Bathrooms; great."
"We stayed in site 54 (w/e/s) that was right on the lake. We could walk to the dock right behind the site to fish, although did not have very good luck."
"Lake Catherine State Park, like all Arkansas state parks, is immaculately clean! Most RV sites have close access to the water and there are small stationary docks to park your boat. "
from $15 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Great C/G on the Arkansas River with a boat ramp and dock. Water and electric sites with a dump station."
"Luckily it was close to the hospital since we had to take a visit there. Beautiful park with lake access."
from $28 - $32 / night
Check Availability"There are many positives to this campground well beyond the proximity itself. With electricity at all sites and a flat rate it seems to have a lot of positives to check off."
"With close proximity to the town of Hot Springs, AR, this campground is well maintained and convenient but lacks in privacy. I stayed here as an overnight while driving north through the Midwest."
from $34 / night
Check Availability"_ There are several viewpoints/vistas that you can access from roads (just two close together that involve some driving on gravel)."
"Super cool paths, views and community. Tons of historical value and it's obvious that Arkansas cares about it's forests, natural resources and outdoor communities."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"This park and campground is less than an hour outside of Little Rock, and it is a quiet, peaceful overnight stay on our way to Oklahoma. It was a bit tricky to find after exciting US 60!"
"On the bank of the Arkansas River, great access to water. Good boat ramp, picnic tables and RV sites. Very clean, bring your mosquito repellent."
from $24 - $75 / night
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GuideThis was our second time at this campground. The sites are very large and spacious. Trees for shade. It has a nice playground and also a boat ramp. The bathrooms are ok, but what I really like about them, is you get the complete room. Shower, sink, toilet. Not a little hot stall. Water on both sides of the campground for fishing. And the water hyacinths are beautiful!!
ScoutThis is a long review but please read it. It is a public service announcement. Camp Conway greenbrier. Landlord Burt Zinser. Where to begin.. Let start with Ameneties. The website states Each site has full hook ups including 20/30/50 amp electric, clean city water, city sewer and fiber-optic high-speed WiFi. Guests at Camp Conway have the option of porches, sheds and gazebos with management approval. We also offer a bath house and a laundry. 1. Clean city water- it taste like plastic and chlorine. Must have a water filter if you actually want to drink it or give it to your pets. 2. Fiber optic high speed wifi. That's a joke. Shoddy at best. TCW repeatedly has to come out to fix it and it's still garbage. If you are okay with internet dropping in and out every 5 to 10 min, then it's great. Save yourself the headache and get your own, but don't expect Burt Zinser to reduce your rent for services he offers but you can't use. Here at camp conway you can expect to pay for services unrendered.(Not the only one that has this problem in the park) 3. Porches, sheds or gazebos. 100%, as long as you are one of his favorites, like the people in the pictures he uses on his website. The beautiful two story rv with full front porch, likes to watch what everyone else is doing and then go complain to Burt if she doesn't like how your lot looks or what your doing. Burt will be sure to tell you it's too much, or beauty is sometimes only in the eye of the beholder. 4. We also offer a bath house and a laundry. The"Bath House" is one shower, without a bathroom vent, a toilet and sink, in the laundry room and is always disgusting. Hair on the floors, wall, drain, soap scum, ect. The toilet has pubic hair and feces on and around it. No one cleans it, nor cleans up after themselves. Not sure who replaces the toilet paper but half the time it's empty. The laundry is two household washers and dryers. Costing 2.50, which isn't bad. Just don't run the washers at the same time or they flood the room(you will be blamed for over loading it) and expect to dry your clothes for an hour or so, or they will be damp. The state of the laundry room is horrible. Trash overflowing, dog hair, and random debris all over the floors. Again no one cleans them.( you think well I'll just get compact washer, expect to be charged extra for water and don't you dare hang clothes outside to dry, that includes beachwear and towels). It's not visually appealing. 5. Spacious lots. The outer lots are 600 and the other lots 565(it was 550 back in Feb, this is important to note). Price subject to change without a notice. Do Not expect Burt Zinsers crappy memory to remember not to over charge you(text wont help you either). Honestly, don't bother to ask Burt about it, or he will get annoyed and either kick you out or threaten to. I'll get to that later. The lots flood when it rains, grass is almost non existent, scorching heat from lack of trees and of course you have to love the red clay that gets over everything. Lots are suppose to mowed by him, but he hasn't mowed in the 5 months we've been here. He sends his child out, who does a half ass job weed whacking around the pedestals and mows part of the big field. If it wasn't for one of the permanent resident here mowing for people that ask him, it would be horrible. 6. Someone pointed out they have a huge open field with plans to extend the park, but currently it's a great dog area to let your dogs off leash to play. WRONG. DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE OFF LEASH. Expect to be harassed about picking up your dog poop. Even when you do, other people do not, while letting their dog roam free and you will be blamed. He has plans to extend the park, true, but until then expect for Burt to constantly remind you that until the park fills up, it all comes out of his pocket, so he's loosing money. You can rent one of his tiny homes if you want to pay near 1,000 for a studio apartment, open floor plan, with a 500 dollar, per pet, fee. You will be secure too as one of his security cameras point directly in the front windows of the current one and only tiny home he has on the premises. 7. Rules. It all depends which of his rules and who you are. If he tells you no AC units in the windows of RVs. There are currently 5 RVs that have units in the windows, so he doesn't really give a crap about that rule. I personally don't care but it was one of the things he stated when we called. No agressive dogs. His example, like pitbulls. Hey as long as you tell him it's another breed he doesn't know the difference and isn't bothered to check. I see nothing wrong with pitties, he's just the type that believes in bad dogs, not bad owners. Oh and on that note you will be sure to hear or be told, that you don't need another mouth to feed, or straight up told you can't keep another pet if you get one. 8. Privacy. Don't expect it. Burt Zinser likes to meddle in people's business. He gives unsolicited relationship advice, opinions on how you should decorate, how your vehicle looks, if your working or not(regardless if you pay rent on time, he doesn't like it if you are a stay at home person). Our experience here has been crap. We moved into the park on Feb 3rd. The lot was one giant mud pit. We asked if he would buy grass seed and we'd care for the lawn until it fully grown. We were told yes at first then the next day we received a text staying no because then he'd have to do that for everyone. We bought grass seed, tilled the land by hand and grew grass. We called about the internet 3 different times. The first time he handed us a wifi extender, that didnt work and TCW said it was pointless since it wasnt hooked into landline nor had bluetooth capabilities. He then had TCW come out two more times to"fix" it, before we said screw it and got starlink. When asked if he would remove the fee for the interent we can't use. He said no. When we asked why are we paying for something we can't use, he stated it was our problem, not his. For the month of Feb rent was 550. March 550. April we TEXT him after hours and asked him to gIve us a call so we could pay rent. HE CALLED US, did the transaction and got off the phone. We checked and noticed he overcharged us, 565. We TEXT him again and pointed out he over charged us. HE CALLED US BACK. He asked when we had moved in, we told him Feb, he apologized and refunded the 15 dollars. When asked when he was going to raise the rent if he would be notifying us. We asked if we would still be paying 550 until then. He called us nieve to think rent wouldn't change. When we explained that we didn't think it would stay 550 forever, but that we would be notified and not just him taking whatever amount he decides he wants. He got irritated said we were busting his balls and he hadn't eaten dinner yet but instead dealing with this crap, and that we were temporary visitors(i didnt know 5 months of renting was temporary). He belittled a person that has autism and learning disabilities when he was the one to CALL US BACK and interupt his own supper. We called during business hours and informed him of the condition of the shower being filthy and smelling of cat urine, because everyone closes the door behind them after a shower and there is no vent( burt decided it wasn't needed, told to us by someone else). We were told people are supposed to be cleaning up after themselves. We asked if he would get a deck brush, hose and cleaning supplies for us and we would clean it for free, once a week. He said sure. A week later we saw him on the property asked about it again. He got annoyed, we dropped it and bought an external on demand hot water heater to be able to shower and feel clean. Once again it was time for rent to be paid. I noticed he had been over charging us again for may and June, not even a week after he told me that August 1st was when the rent would be raised. I saw him on the property and walked over to bring it to his attention. He got irritated and told me that it was becoming a bit much. When asked what he was talking about he stated that no one else bothers him as much as we do, and it's overwhelming. I stated to him that we haven't been unreasonable in holding him accountable for his property. I had explained previously about my husband being autistic with learning disabilities that sometimes effect how he understands things. I brought up that he stated he thinks he's autistic and his wife has told him thay his facial expressions and attitude towards people can be offputting and misinterpreted. I would think he would be more understanding. I told him he obviously has an issue with my husband and that from now on he will be dealing with me since my husband irritates him so much. He tried telling me no that wasn't the issue. I cut him off and said that was exactly the problem or it was holding him accountable, or both. He asked if we be out by then end of the month and I said no, as we have done nothing wrong. Rent is never late. Always paid. Our site is clean, we follow the rules. The next day we received a text from him telling us to be out by the end of the month and he was sorry it didn't work out. Retaliation for a woman speaking to him. Burt Zinser is a horrible business man, landlord and human being. He has issues with speaking too and dealing with woman if they try to be an equal. I truly believe he's sexist and I'm not the only woman in this park that thinks that. If you and your husband are speaking to him, you ask him a question he will disrespect you by looking at your husband and answering. Ask around, talk to people in the park, and not his favorites. I'm hoping I can attach the photos I've taken around the park and facilities but if I can't, feel free to reach out. I have no problem sharing them, in hopes you won't support this man and his park. I will be posting this in every RV group I'm a member of, local community pages and restaurants. Let's hold this man accountable for his disrespect, horrible ethics, and business. Greenbrier is a better community then this man deserves and he shouldn't be allowed to continue this way.
RangerStaff at gate was very k8nd and helpful. Grounds well kept and manicured. Camp sites under trees for,shade with water, electricity, picnic tables and fire pits. Needed to use levelers to get trailer leveled. Campground on Arkansas river at the dam and locks. Bathhouse was clean, looked like painted for this season. Only issues was heater running in shower, it was 80+ degrees didn't need more heat. I'd stay here again.
LegendLuckily it was close to the hospital since we had to take a visit there. Beautiful park with lake access.
TravelerVery nice rv park. Fully paved. Concrete sites. A little out of level so bring needed items to level your rig. Super friendly host. Swimming pool in progress. Stayed in early May so it's getting hot.
TravelerWell kept camsites. Clean and right on the beautiful Arkansas river. Would definitely come back.
GuideThis was my first dispersed camping on my road trip and I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it is compared to all the other noise that organized campgrounds can have. there are two sites across from each other and can accommodate maybe 3-4 tents each. I made the mistake of thinking it wasn’t gonna rain and I didn’t put my rain fly on and just when I was about to fall asleep it poured down on me and I made another rookie mistake of setting my tent up on the soft ground instead of the gravel and by the time the rain was over the floor of my tent felt like a waterbed luckily, my tent was waterproof. The best part of this spot was the isolation and also the spiget. Both camping sites share one. Thank goodness for the rain because I haven’t showered in four days.
RangerVery nice park and clean bathrooms. The cedar falls are wonderful when it has been raining a lot. RV sites are spacious and a lot of locals like to stay there for short vacations.
TravelerPleasant surprise. Pulled in late and found B32 available right on water. Quiet, clean, and bathroom nearby. Shaded beautiful site. Love it.
Camping near Mabelvale, Arkansas centers around the Arkansas River valley, with most campgrounds situated at elevations between 250-400 feet. The region experiences average summer highs of 91°F with humidity levels often exceeding 80%. Most campgrounds in the area open for reservations 6 months in advance, with weekends from April through October typically booking within 30-45 days.
Boat access fishing: Willow Beach provides direct access to the Arkansas River with boat ramps and shore fishing opportunities. "Situated on the river with beautiful scenic views. Covered picnic table and tall fire ring. Spacious camps. Flat pad," reports one camper, though they note there's "no clean space to get down to fish from the bank."
Explore historical sites: Downtown Riverside RV Park offers a pedestrian bridge connecting directly to downtown Little Rock attractions. "You can walk across the bridge directly into downtown Little Rock. It was nice to be parked in a place that didn't require driving to explore," shares Michelle H. The Clinton Presidential Library is accessible via this bridge.
Waterfall hiking: Lake Catherine State Park Campground features the Falls Branch Trail, ideal for families with children. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," writes Alison C. The park offers several hiking difficulty levels around the lake.
Mountain biking: Trails accessible from Maumelle Park connect to nearby mountain biking networks. "The Pinnacle Mountain Trail system was a shaded easy trail system that can be accessed right from this campground," notes one visitor who also visited Angry Dave's bike shop nearby for repairs and local trail information.
Riverfront camping: Toad Suck campground offers direct views of commercial river traffic. "We could watch the tug boats with their barges go by. Not many campers here right now so it's quiet," explains Angela G. Sites face directly onto the Arkansas River with concrete pads large enough for multiple tents.
Urban convenience: Downtown Riverside RV Park combines outdoor accommodations with city access. "Great location, walkable to downtown. Good WiFi, great reception... It was nice to be parked in a place that didn't require driving to explore," mentions Michelle H. The riverfront location provides views of downtown Little Rock lit up at night.
Lake recreation: Lake Catherine State Park Campground offers diverse water activities. "You can rent a boat and fish all day. Play in the waterfall or walk the great trails," says Tiffany H. Campsites backing up to the lake provide direct water access and space for hammocks.
Spacious sites: Willow Beach features "well manicured, spacious lots" according to Ronnie B. Another camper notes "The sites are all very spacious with very long back in driveways. Some of the sites had covered picnic tables, which was great."
Seasonal flooding risks: Several riverfront campgrounds close periodically due to high water. Tar Camp has experienced closures, with one camper reporting: "They evacuated the park due to high water while we were there and we never received the phone call or a text."
Facility limitations: Gulpha Gorge Campground lacks showers despite its $30 nightly fee. "While it didn't have showers it did offer a pavilion and an amphitheater which apparently they have functions at often," notes one visitor. Consider bringing portable shower options for campgrounds with limited facilities.
Insect preparation: Riverside locations can have significant mosquito populations. At Willow Beach, campers report "mosquitos are very bad" and recommend "come prepared" with repellent. Another visitor advises "Temps above 50° mean stock up on bug repellent."
Loop selection matters: Campground loops vary significantly in amenities and shade. At Petit Jean State Park, "Loop A is full hookup while B-D have electricity & water only" and "A loop has very little shade. Would be rough in summer months without shade tents, awnings, etc."
Playgrounds and open spaces: Toad Suck offers multiple recreation areas for children. "The kids enjoy the playgrounds x 3, walking, plenty of open space, and watching the barges coming down the river," shares Lona T. The park provides basketball and volleyball courts across the street.
Wildlife awareness: Willow Beach has reported snake encounters. "We encountered lots of snakes. I shooed a few off the road and they disappeared as soon as they slithered into the grass, so to me it's pretty risky walking around or letting kids play in the grass," cautions Jennifer C.
Kid-friendly hiking: Petit Jean State Park offers trails suitable for various ages. "Plenty of trails for hiking. Pool, basketball and tennis courts. Marina with boats and kayaks," notes Ryan S., adding there are "Lots of kids riding bikes and being outdoors" at the campground.
Swimming options: Multiple parks offer water recreation for children. Petit Jean features a pool at the top of an overlook, and as one camper describes, the pool "ultimately leads down to a gorgeous waterfall."
Site selection: At Little Rock North KOA, positioning matters for larger rigs. "We landed a pull through just behind the office and on way out of curve in road so we slide right in," shares Daniel, who travels with a "44' triple axel 5th wheel which is pushing it for most KOA's."
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites. At Petit Jean State Park, "many sites in B & C were uneven from roots pushing the asphalt up" and "many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level."
Full hookup availability: For extended stays, research sewer connections carefully. At Petit Jean, "B loop has NO SEWER (EXCEPT FOR SITES 47 & 48)" while "A Loop has full hook up sites with sewer." Maumelle Park offers water and electric hookups but no sewer connections at most sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Mabelvale, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Mabelvale, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 132 campgrounds and RV parks near Mabelvale, AR and 26 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Mabelvale, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mabelvale, AR is Maumelle Park with a 4.6-star rating from 52 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mabelvale, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 free dispersed camping spots near Mabelvale, AR.
What parks are near Mabelvale, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 parks near Mabelvale, AR that allow camping, notably Arkansas River - Terry Lock and Dam and Arkansas River - Pool 5.
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