Seasonal camping opportunities abound near Mabelvale, Arkansas, where the average summer temperatures reach highs of 90-95°F with significant humidity. The area sits within the Ouachita Mountain foothills at approximately 300 feet elevation, offering RVers access to both riverfront and lake-adjacent camping locations. Most campgrounds in the region operate on the Army Corps of Engineers reservation system with many sites bookable up to six months in advance.
What to do
Fishing at multiple access points: Willow Beach offers waterfront camping with opportunities to fish along the Arkansas River. "Campground located on the river with beautiful scenic views. Covered picnic table and tall fire ring. Spacious camps. Flat pad," notes one camper, though they mention "no clean space to get down a fish from the bank" as a drawback.
Watch river traffic: At Tar Camp, visitors can observe commercial vessels. "So happy to find a site right on the river. We could watch the tug boats with their barges go by," writes one reviewer who appreciated the quieter atmosphere during their stay.
Visit presidential history: The William J. Clinton Presidential Library is accessible from Downtown Riverside RV Park. "There is a pedestrian bridge that takes you over the Arkansas River to downtown and all the attractions; as well as, some great restaurants and a vibrant downtown," explains one visitor who found the location ideal for exploring Little Rock.
What campers like
Spacious riverfront sites: At Willow Beach, campers appreciate the layout. "This is a pretty campground with huge trees for shade. The sites are extremely level! I didn't even need to level my pop-up camper!!" one reviewer enthuses, also noting the blooming water hyacinths during their visit.
Convenient urban location: Downtown Riverside RV Park offers urban convenience rarely found at campgrounds. "Great location, walkable to downtown. Good WiFi, great reception," writes one camper. Another adds, "Right on the river, this city owned rv park is close to everything. And you can walk across the bridge to the Clinton Library."
Peaceful creek settings: J and J RV Park offers a tranquil experience near Hot Springs. "So quite you could hear a cricket fart and the babbling creek running through the beautiful property," notes one camper. Another mentions, "You can hear the bullfrogs at night" and appreciates the owner being "the ice on the cake."
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect availability: Some campgrounds operate limited schedules. Tar Camp is typically open "March 1 - Oct 31" according to its listing information. A reviewer confirms: "Great place to camp until the Corp closes it down for weather or political reasons. I'd give more than three stars but the Corp has a poor track record keeping parks open."
Flooding concerns: Low-lying campgrounds may experience closures during high water periods. One Tar Camp reviewer reports: "They evacuated the park due to high water while we were there and we never receive the phone call or a text. The only way we knew is I got a notification from the bank will they refunding those our money back."
Wildlife encounters: At Willow Beach, campers should be aware of natural wildlife. "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," warns one visitor who still rated the campground positively.
Tips for camping with families
Check playground availability: Willow Beach has play areas but accessibility varies. "Nice playground but it was taped off during our stay due to covid," notes one family camper who still enjoyed the "openness and spacious campsites."
Insect preparation essential: Riverfront camping requires proper supplies. "It is near water so there are a lot of mosquitos, so come prepared," advises a Willow Beach visitor who otherwise found the sites "very spacious with very long back in driveways."
Explore recreation options: Cloud Nine RV Park offers social spaces for family time. "My favorite thing was the clubhouse that has a huge porch where you can sit in a rocker and read," shares one visitor who appreciated meeting fellow campers there.
Tips from RVers
Level sites are available: Willow Beach receives praise for site preparation. One RVer reports, "The sites are extremely level! I didn't even need to level my pop-up camper!!" Another notes, "50 Amp electric, water no sewer hook up but dump station. Spaced spread out not crowded."
Consider water pressure: At J and J RV Park, water systems can be powerful. "Recommend using a water pressure regulator, one of my pipes started leaking from the pressure," cautions an RVer who otherwise considered the park "great value for the price."
Urban parking considerations: Downtown Riverside RV Park offers concrete pads in a utilitarian setting. "This campground is essentially a parking lot. There is no shade and our air conditioners ran non-stop since we were there in July," explains a reviewer who still appreciated the location and reasonable price.
