Camping opportunities near Gilbert, Arkansas extend beyond established sites into diverse terrain across northeast Arkansas and neighboring Tennessee. Winter temperatures range from 32°F to 50°F while summer months reach 70°F to 90°F with high humidity. Seasonal flooding can limit access to remote camping areas during spring, particularly along Crowley's Ridge where elevation changes create distinct microclimates.
What to do
Swimming and water recreation: Crowley's Ridge State Park Campground features two lakes with distinct recreational purposes. "The lake area is beautiful with a small spring fed waterfall, a swim beach area and even a slide into the water. No fishing in this lake, but there is another lake across the street that looks perfect for fishing!" notes one Crowley's Ridge State Park Campground visitor.
Hiking trail exploration: Multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels traverse the region. At Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground, "The trails also go along the Mississippi river and provide some beautiful views. They also have a small lake and available canoes/kayaks for rent."
Historical education: Civil War sites offer educational opportunities throughout the region. "The historic site of Ft Pillow from the Civil war is on one of the hiking trails," explains a Fort Pillow visitor who appreciated the historical significance of the area.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom access varies significantly between campgrounds. At Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, "fully functioning bathhouse that is dated but clean" provides basic amenities, though "1 bathhouse which can be an issue on certain weekends" during busy periods.
Winter camping solitude: Off-season camping provides a different experience. "We love winter camping as we enjoy the parks when they are more quiet. I bet this place is very popular in the summer," shares a visitor about Crowley's Ridge State Park Campground.
Natural wildlife viewing: Animal sightings enhance camping experiences. "My dogs got to chase rabbits and walk along the river," mentions a visitor at Lady Luck Casino and RV Park, which offers a different experience than state parks with more developed wildlife habitats.
What you should know
Site spacing variations: Campsite proximity differs dramatically between parks. "The campground has great tent spots and a variety of paved spots. Some are really small, so make sure to take rv length into consideration," warns a Crowley's Ridge camper.
Mosquito preparation: Insects present significant challenges during warm months. "MOSQUITOS. If you go after the weather warms up, be forewarned that the mosquitos will eat you alive. We mostly camp at Meeman-Shelby in the fall/winter. We do not camp Spring/Summer," cautions a regular visitor.
Campground renovations: Recent improvements have changed camping options at several parks. "The inner loop of the primary campground has been updated with new concrete and gravel and 2 sites (I think 6,8) are ADA accessible," mentions a Rector City Park camper about nearby facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Group site options: Special areas accommodate larger family gatherings. "We stayed in the group site that will hold up to 200 people for Halloween and it was perfect. The group site is away from all the other sites so you have plenty of room for children of all ages to run around and play without disturbing other campers," recommends a Fort Pillow visitor.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Areas are very clean kid friendly playgrounds. Each space was far enough but not but also in proximity to each other for those who afraid to camp out somewhere totally alone," shares a Meeman-Shelby Forest visitor.
Youth-focused programs: Ranger-led activities engage children in educational experiences. "Ranger Tyson informed us that they were doing a night hike to the Fort and they would be serving Gumbo for dinner around the campfire at the Fort. Sign me up! It was one of the fee based activities, but for $5 per person, it was totally worth it!" explains a Fort Pillow visitor.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup variations: Power options differ across campsites near Gilbert, Arkansas. "The sites are all mixed together. You have a handful of RV sites with 50 amp, a couple of 30 amp sites and then lots of tent sites that have 20 amp or no power at all," notes a visitor to Fort Pillow Historic State Park.
Site leveling considerations: Terrain impacts RV parking ease. "The campground itself is tucked away deep into the Meeman Shelby State Forest and offers a pleasant amount solitude even though the sites are fairly close together. We watched an super long RV struggle to back into their site, so I wouldn't recommend this campground to RVs that require pull through sites," advises a Green's Quiet Acre camper familiar with regional terrain challenges.
Affordable extended stays: Budget-conscious RVers find cost-effective options. "If you're passing through or need to be in this area, it's a nice affordable park with full hookups," mentions a visitor about Rector City Park, representing the economical options available for longer stays.
