Top Tent Camping near Malvern, AR
Searching for a tent campsite near Malvern? Find the best tent camping sites near Malvern. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Malvern, Arkansas's most popular destinations.
Best Tent Sites Near Malvern, AR (23)
1. Erwin Estate High Point
1 Review•3 Photos•23 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$80 - $100 / night
2. Ozan Point - De Gray Lake
4 Reviews•18 Photos•10 Saves- Pets
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Tent Cabin
3. Hickory Nut Mountain
11 Reviews•46 Photos•269 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
4. Iron Springs
2 Reviews•10 Photos•17 SavesWooded roadside setting on stream near historic springs.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
5. Point Cedar
1 Review•3 Photos•4 Saves- Tents
- Toilets
6. Dispersed FR132 Ouachita National Forest, AR
3 Reviews•12 Photos•62 SavesMany people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services; such as trash removal, and little or no facilities; such as tables and fire pits, are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets. There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers. Typically, dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads. Many people drive out on Forest Service roads into the woods and find a clearing or a spot near a stream or with a view of the mountains. Do not drive on meadows to access your camping site. Drive on existing roads to prevent resource damage. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway. How to Pick a Campsite If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that has been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites so using existing ones will minimize your impact in the forest. If there is no existing campsite, then follow Leave No Trace guidelines.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
7. Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite
2 Reviews•11 Photos•74 SavesIf you are one of those folks who prefers a different, more rugged camp experience, primitive camping is allowed almost anywhere in the Ouachita National Forest unless there is a sign stating otherwise, or it is a wildlife food plot. Located throughout the Forests are areas that have been campsites for many years. These are located along roadsides, trails, mountain tops, or near streams. Camping at dispersed locations have additional responsibilities: "Leave No Trace" so others can have a similar backcountry experience, pack out any trash or litter, scatter campfire ash around so it doesn't pile up, and leave the area better than you found it. Please filter water before drinking! Beware of stream crossings after heavy rains. Please read the Dispersed Camping guidelines before heading out. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ouachita/recreation/?cid=fseprd727994
- Fires
- Tents
- Dispersed
8. Cedar Glades Park
1 Review•1 Save- Pets
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
10. South Fourche
2 Reviews•20 Photos•29 SavesConvenient roadside picnic area and campground located on Scenic Highway 7 Byway. This campground also provides floating access to the South Fourche River
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
Showing results 1-10 of 23 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In Malvern
651 Reviews of 23 Malvern Campgrounds
- C
Chris A.
Guide
Lake Ouachita State Park Campground
Great State Park
Lots of Space, Shade, and access to mountain bike trails and downtown hot springs
Twyana S.Guide
Bear Creek
Primitive beauty
This park is a wooded area beside a lake. Campsites have a picnic table & grill. No electricity or water. No concrete parking pads. However almost all sites have a view of the lake. Beautiful views. Two pit toilets were clean & smelled ok.
Rick T.
Traveler
Willow Beach
Nice
The site we had was level with a view to the river. The bathrooms and grounds were"military" clean and maintained. Area Code My only issue was the lack of staff. The place runs itself, apparently. There was no staff on site, not even the camp hosts.
Alice S.
LegendFR132 - Crossroads Site Dispersed
Super Simple But Has Signal
WARNING Stay on the good gravel roads. GPS took me down 4 miles of an old log trail that I wasn't able to turn around on. Spent thirty minutes cursing GPS and contemplating my life choices. I was headed for one of the other sites but was so tired when I saw this one I took it.
The site is at a crossroads so quite convenient. Only room for one vehicle. It does have a stone ring for a fire pit. The main draw however is that there is pretty good signal with Verizon here which is really rare in the area.
Susan L.Legend
Tompkins Bend
COE Lake Ouachita camping
I tend to like COE campgrounds. However, this one was a different experience for me. It's laid out in a way that it seemed like there was no space between sites and no berms or green cover to give the feeling of some privacy. The site next to me parked their truck about 10 feet from my site on the dirt between us. Boats on trailers are parked in between sites on diagonal or however to make them fit.
Narrow, windy road into park is nicely paved. Nicely shaded, almost level gravel/asphalt site (not very wide with a tree on one side that would obstruct a rig with slide, awning side is tight too) with picnic bench, fire ring, lantern pole and BBQ.
Also, the lake is very low right now. I was told that the state is drawing down the lake for hydro power and because there hasn't been any rain in awhile it's starting to show. It was fun to walk the lake bed and look for rocks and minerals that are usually covered by water. Not much else to do if here if you don't have a boat. Otherwise, a nice place to sleep while visiting the area.
- WWendy L.Guide
Tar Camp
Great find, newly renovated
We came in very late and found someone fishing in our campsite!🤣 Love these properties for arrival convenience and ease of booking. A mostly clean bathrooms and shower house.
Lindsey M.Traveler
Hot Springs Offroad Park
Cheap, Convenient, & Fun!
Car camped at tent site to visit HSNP and trail ride. Staff were plentiful and friendly. My only issues were noise from a fast road near my site, walking distance from sites to restrooms, and most sites seemed quite tight for SUVs/trucks to park within. Even so, I highly recommend checking out this place. I really enjoyed my nights here and hours in the woods!
.! E !.Guide
Hot Springs National Park KOA
Perfect!
The tent site was perfect! With fire pit, power, and water. The bathrooms and showers were nice and clean.
- WWendy M.Traveler
Edgewood
Sites 21-24 are very close together
We stayed in tent site 22 for a weekend camping trip. You can’t tell by looking at the Recreation.gov reservation site but tent pad 22 is one of 4 in a grouping of tent sites. 21-24 are so close together. If you are with friends or a large family group then it would be ideal but if don’t want people right on top of you then pick another site. Thankfully, we had some cool neighbors but it was a very noisy and bright spot to camp. Also, your neighbors have to walk through your campsite to get to either of the two water spickets that serve all 4 campsites. There is no where to park your boat unless you rent an RV spot and there is no boat ramp in the camp ground. All of the spots were very shady and cool. We had a good time but we wanted to warn others so you know what you are getting into.
- Arthur S.Traveler
Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite
Nice weekend
Didn’t have to drive too far down the road found a spot on the left. Nice stone camp fire circle, good flat spot for my tent, which is a four person. Bring a chair if you want a comfortable seat, also hard to find decent wood to burn, had to walk a bit to find. Not many cars drive down the road, saw some people hiking, also Sunday morning there were hunters out, so hearing gunshot pretty close to camp. All in all though it is good to be with nature and I’d go back to this spot or find another one on the road. I didn’t go very far down the road have more to explore!
- Ronnie B.Traveler
Willow Beach
Nice kept campground
Well manicured, spacious lots.
Jennifer H.Legend
Catherine's Landing
Great amenities & nice sites
We had an overnight here after visiting the hot springs national park. The euro delights food truck was a tasty treat. Loved that the pool was open until 10pm just wish the store was open past 5. Great sites. Full hook ups. Paved roads perfect for scootering.
- BBob L.
ScoutCatherine's Landing
No WiFi
Beautiful RV Camp . Checks all the boxes . Serious Problem is Very Poor WiFi .
Fred S.Legend
FR132/152 T-Junction Dispersed, Ouachita NF, AR
Convenient Dispersed Camping 2 Miles from Lake Sylvia
Large dispersed campsite located 2 miles west of Lake Sylvia State Park, where Forest Road 152 meets Forest Road 132. Clean site with one rock fire ring. Can fit a couple of vehicles. Because of the position of the trees on the site, maneuvering a truck camper into the site may be a challenge; don't recommend anything larger. Tent camping is possible. This is a level dirt site with some embedded rocks jutting up. Nice wooded area around site to stroll through. Seasonal track FR132C is adjacent to the site; this track is hikeable. Since the site is at the intersection of popular forest roads, there will be vehicles driving by. The site is set back enough that dust may not be a concern. No T-Mobile cell service. This is convenient, pretty campsite.
Wayne J.Traveler
Crystal Ridge RV Park
Quiet grounds and perfect for a trip for crystal digging
The campground is on the small side, but with a nice shower area and coin laundry. The paved areas (including the Rv pads) are a bit rough, but ok. Leveling pads were needed for our site . Lots of crystals just laying around also. Something out of the control of the campground, but the Oakworms were crazy. That’s not rain you hear falling from the trees! lol Stay under the awning.
- Fred S.Legend
FR132 Small Dispersed, Ouachita NF, AR
Overnight Dispersed Site
Coordinates: 34.85431, -92.88115. Small dispersed campsite in the woods just off of Forest Road 132. Close to the forest road; easy access. There is a clean rock fire ring. Good campsite for a quick overnight stay. The surface of the site is dirt with a little bit of pea gravel. This site is only big enough for one rig, truck camper and smaller size. Pitching a tent is possible in a small clearing to the left of the rock fire ring. Slight downward slope but not bad. Shaded in summer. Nice wooded area. No T-Mobile cell service. There are no hiking trails nearby or remarkable natural features here, but the forest at this site is pretty. This is a nice site in the autumn.
- Fred S.Legend
FR132 Wilderness Boundary Dispersed, Ouachita NF, AR
Easy Access to Ouachita Trail
Coordinates: 34.84128, -92.96055. This is basically a pull-in parking space along Forest Road 132. The forest road is in good condition. The dispersed site is small and close to road; the forest road may be busy at times, possibly kicking up dust. Easy pull-in from the forest road. The site is right on the Flatside Wilderness Area boundary. An old track at the back of the site leads you into the wilderness area and to the Ouachita Trail. It is a level site with a rock fire ring. The parking spot is large enough for a truck camper; plenty of room for my camper van. Spotty T-Mobile cell service. This is not an attractive dispersed site, but it offers easy access into the beautiful wilderness area and to the Ouachita Trail.
- Fred S.Legend
FR132-Grindstone Rd Dispersed, Ouachita NF, AR
Nice semi-private dispersed campsite near Ouachita Trail
Coordinates: 34.84175, -92.97123. Good dispersed site set back from Forest Road 132. The site is located at the corner of FR132 and Grindstone Rd (Y47A). Grindstone Rd is closed to all vehicles at this time, but it is hikeable. The Flatside Wilderness Area is accross FR132 from this dispersed site; easy access to the Ouachita Trail. The site has room for one rig. Access into the site from the forest road is a little eroded; non-high clearence vehicles may scrape. Access into the site beside the rock fire ring is tight. Best for rigs smaller than truck camper. The site is not quite level; some leveling may be required. Clean site with a clean rock fire ring. The area surrounding the site is wooded; plenty of shade in summer. Surrounded by beautiful forest; easy to explore. Tent camping is possible; the surface is not too rocky. I had sporadic T-Mobile cell service. I am looking forward to retrurning here, especially in the fall, early spring and winter.
- kken H.Traveler
Camp Robinson Dispersed Site
Free camp in the trees by drained part of lake
Thank goodness there is a slight breeze. 90 degrees. Summer swampy area. Picked up a med bag of trash; cans, bottles, and paper. Looks better now. I definitely put on bug spray right away. Nice place to sleep and get back on 40East in the morning. Doing a cross country from San Francisco to Pennsylvania.
- Fred S.Legend
Forest Service RD 132 Ouachita National Forest
Fantastic View
Near Oak Mtn Vista overlook. Great spot; fantastic unobstructed view of the hills to the south. Some shade in the summer. Fantastic view during the winter season. Large site; can comfortably accommodate 2, maybe 3 rigs - truck camper & smaller. Not level; some leveling is required. Dirt surface with exposed embedded rock - may be uncomfortable for tent camping. Close to road, which can get busy at times. Nice rock fire ring. Clean site. T-Mobile cell service.
- Fred S.Legend
Forest Service RD 29145 Ouachita National Forest
Good Overnight Dispersed Campsite
Small drive up site in a nice, wooded area. Very close to Forest Road 124, which is not busy. A few sections of this forest road coming from Trail 86 has minor erosion, but a 2WD passenger vehicle can carefully make it. The campsite slopes down slightly; some leveling may be required. Rock fire ring. Although close to the forest road, this is a pretty site. Good for an overnight stay while exlporing the forest. No T-Mobile cell service.
- Fred S.Legend
Forest Service RD 153 Ouachita National Forest
Small Site with Great View
Located on Forest Road 153. Small site with a nice view. The view is better during winter season camping. Close to the forest road with very little traffic; may get dusty at times. Two rock fire rings. This site has a rocky surface with sparse grass. High summer undergrowth around site. The site was not quite level, but workable. Fits one rig, truck camper and smaller. Finding a soft place for a tent may be difficult. Forest road 153 btween this site and Highway 7 appears to have been badly damaged by heavy rain and erosion. Looks like attempts were made to repair it, but still sketchy in places. There are some minor obstacles and washouts. I don't recommend this road for a 2WD passenger car; 4x4's with some high clearence should have no problem. I received good T-Mobile service at this site. Love this dispersed campsite.
- Fred S.Legend
South Fourche
Small Campground Close to Hwy 7
This site has not been reviewed for a while on The Dyrt, so I added some recent photos. The campground is very close to Hwy 7, so campers will hear road noise. The vault toilet is reasonably clean with toilet paper provided. There is no drinking at the time of my visit. The campground appears to be well maintained. Fee is $5 - down from the previous fee of $8. There is a canoe/kayak ramp for access to the South Fourche la Fave River. A separate parking lot is provided for day use. This is a good campground for an overnight stay or for accessing the river.
- Fred S.Legend
Cove Mountain Group Dispersed, FR83W/CR9, Ouachita NF, AR
Large Winter Season Group Site
Coordinates: 34.91054, -93.20432. Large dispersed group site with a large rock fire ring. Suitable for winter season activities such as hunting. Can also accommodate a group of overlanders. It's a large open site with a forest backdrop. Can park several rigs. The site is level with a dirt and grass base. I wouldn't camp here in the summer; the grass and weeds are too high for comfort (see photos). When I visited this spot in February a few years ago, the site was much better. Track F70B is about 2000 feet to the east; this 1.4 mile track is closed to vehicles but can be hiked.
- Fred S.Legend
Off FR83W/CR9 Dispersed, Ouachita NF, AR
Winter season dispersed camping
Coordinates: 34.90850, -93.21840. This is a nice winter season dispersed site. During the summer, this site is overrun by high grass and weeds as can be seen in the photos. When I visited this site during February a few years ago, all of that stuff was dead and matted down, with easy access to the rock fire ring. This site is located along an unnamed 4WD track just off of Forest Road 83W / County Road 9. The forest road is in great shape; the 4WD track is badly eroded just past the campsite. This track is not on any of the forest service maps (including the MVUM) that GAIA GPS provides. It does show up as a 4WD track on the USGS Topo map. The track may be a good hiking trail for exploring the forest. There is a clearing along the track for parking a vehicle - campervan size and smaller.
- Fred S.Legend
FR 83W/CR84 Dispersed near Pond, Ouachita NF, AR
Overnight Dispersed Site on FR83W
Coordinates: 34.90529, -93.27455. Along Forest Rd 83W (also called CR 84). This small site is close to the forest road; can get dusty. Big enough for a truck camper; easy access. Slight downward slope. The site was clean when I visited. Clean rock fire ring. A pond, probably a wildlife watering hole, is a short walk through the woods behind site. The forest behind the site is nice; good area to walk and explore. The FR83W was in great shape; no issues with accessing this site. No hiking trails nearby. No T-Mobile cell service.
- pphesha R.Scout
Ozan Point - De Gray Lake
Peace and serenity
Great place alone or with kids. I keep coming back
Guide to Malvern
Camping near Malvern, Arkansas, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With a variety of campgrounds offering unique experiences, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
What to do
- Hiking and Nature Trails: Many campgrounds have trails for exploring. At Petit Jean State Park, one visitor said, “Beautiful campground. Site was not level front to back but plenty of space.”
- Fishing and Water Activities: If you love fishing, Lake Catherine State Park Campground is a great choice. A camper shared, “Our site on the lake was very beautiful and every site on the water has a small dock you can fish off.”
- Wildlife Watching: Campers at Gulpha Gorge Campground have enjoyed spotting wildlife. One reviewer noted, “National Park campground, sites along the creek are really nice.”
What campers like
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-kept restrooms and showers. A visitor at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground mentioned, “The bathrooms were super clean with showers.”
- Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots. One camper at Maumelle Park said, “The campsites are pretty spacious for tents with their own fire rings too.”
- Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Catherine's Landing shared, “The camp hosts were so nice and friendly.”
What you should know
- Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For instance, at Gulpha Gorge Campground, one camper noted, “Clean restrooms, no showers.”
- Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A reviewer at Lake Catherine State Park Campground pointed out, “The office is only open until 5 PM.”
- Primitive Camping Options: If you’re looking for a more rustic experience, Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground offers primitive camping. One camper mentioned, “The sites and bath house were nice, full hookups.”
Tips for camping with families
- Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. At Catherine's Landing, a reviewer said, “Plenty of room for the kids to ride bicycles.”
- Plan for Bugs: Some areas can be buggy, especially near water. A camper at Daisy State Park Campground noted, “The lake was clean to swim in.”
- Bring Outdoor Games: Campgrounds often have open spaces for games. One camper at DeGray Lake Resort State Park suggested, “There are plenty of trails and just a lot to do.”
Tips from RVers
- Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Gulpha Gorge Campground mentioned, “The sites that back up to the creek are better.”
- Wi-Fi Availability: Some campgrounds have decent Wi-Fi. A visitor at Catherine's Landing said, “Serious Problem is Very Poor WiFi.”
- Be Prepared for Road Noise: If you’re sensitive to noise, consider this before booking. A camper at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground mentioned the nearby highway noise.
Camping around Malvern, Arkansas, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a peaceful spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Malvern, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Malvern, AR is Erwin Estate High Point with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Malvern, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Malvern, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.