Primitive tent campsites near Marion, Arkansas offer rustic camping experiences within driving distance of the Mississippi River delta region. Located in eastern Arkansas, this area sits at elevations below 300 feet and experiences hot, humid summers with mild winters. Campgrounds in this region typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis with limited amenities suited for campers seeking basic outdoor accommodations.
What to do
Boating access points: Kellys Crossing Campground provides direct lake access for fishing and water activities. "This is more of a boat ramp than a campground. There are a couple of picnic tables with an few areas to set up tents," notes one camper, making it ideal for combining water sports with tent camping.
Nature observation: Wooded areas around tent sites near Marion create opportunities for wildlife viewing. One camper at Maple Flat Group Campground describes "Large trees, lots of moss and no overgrowth make this a beautiful place to explore for an hour or so."
Canoe exploration: The waterways offer excellent paddling opportunities with numerous quiet inlets. A visitor mentioned, "The lake has a lot of inlets to explore by canoe," providing tent campers with water-based recreation options beyond standard camping.
What campers like
Low crowds: Many tent campsites near Marion remain relatively undiscovered. One Kellys Crossing visitor reported, "This is an off the beaten path area for standard recreation," and added, "I am visiting at the end of December, so there are hardly any other persons around besides the fishermen out on the water."
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the room between sites at many locations. A visitor to Maple Flat noted, "Shady, wooded, pretty large individual sites...simple but a fine place."
Water proximity: Several tent camping areas offer waterfront sites. According to one camper at Maple Flat, "We stumbled upon this park accidentally on a trip south, but we enjoyed out night here. The site was right on the water with a good amount of space between us and the next site."
What you should know
Facility limitations: Most tent camping areas near Marion feature basic amenities only. At Pleasant Hill Campground, a camper warned about facilities: "The newer looking (of the two on site) bathhouse is closed for some reason, but the terrible smelling vault toilet bathroom is open."
Maintenance varies: Some campgrounds receive minimal upkeep. A recent visitor to Pleasant Hill reported, "The campsites are overgrown or sunken. Looks like no one has camped here or taken care of the property in years."
Permit regulations: Check bulletin boards for current rules at primitive sites. A Kellys Crossing camper noted, "The bulletin board has primitive camping rules and guidelines to follow. The fee has been reduced to free, so enjoy but be respectful!"
Tips for camping with families
Scout-style camping: Some sites offer traditional group camping setups ideal for families. One visitor described Maple Flat as "an old, boy scout style group camp. A couple of picnic tables are grouped together at the front of the camp and then there are several remnants of old tent pads throughout the area."
Proximity to attractions: Families can combine camping with nearby activities. According to a camper, "There's some trails too and tourist attractions outside the park for all ages," making tent camping near Marion suitable for families seeking both campsite time and day trips.
Memphis access: The location provides camping options within reach of city attractions. One camper noted Maple Flat is "a small campground that fills up since it's so close to Memphis (and to the river)," making it convenient for families wanting both urban and outdoor experiences.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV facilities: Most tent camping areas near Marion lack RV hookups or amenities. A camper noted at Kellys Crossing, "The positive is that you won't be fighting a lot of other campers to be able to stay here," but RVers should note these are primarily primitive tent sites.
Solitude opportunities: RV campers seeking quiet may find these less-developed areas appealing despite limited facilities. One visitor mentioned these areas would be "a good spot to go if you needed to get away for some solitude."
Private property awareness: Watch for access roads through private land. A Kellys Crossing visitor cautioned, "Private property is close by and you have to travel past them to get to the public day use area so also be aware of that."
