Best Tent Camping near Marion, AR

Tent camping opportunities near Marion, Arkansas include several primitive options within a moderate driving distance. Kellys Crossing Campground in Coldwater, Mississippi offers tent-only sites with boat-in, hike-in, and walk-in access options. Maple Flat Group Campground in Marianna, Arkansas provides another tent camping option with walk-in access and more secluded surroundings.

Most tent sites in the area feature minimal amenities focused on primitive camping experiences. The campgrounds generally allow fires and provide picnic tables, but campers should bring their own drinking water as this is not available at these sites. Toilet facilities are basic, with vault toilets available at both Kellys Crossing and Maple Flat. None of the area tent campgrounds offer showers, electric hookups, or reservations. Pets are permitted at all locations. The lake access at Kellys Crossing makes it particularly appealing for those interested in combining water activities with tent camping.

Tent campers at these sites can expect relative solitude and natural surroundings. Maple Flat Group Campground offers shaded sites under large trees with minimal undergrowth. According to one visitor, "The site was right on the water with a good amount of space between us and the next site," highlighting the campground's spacious layout. Kellys Crossing serves primarily as a boat ramp with some adjacent tent camping areas, making it less crowded than typical campgrounds. A camper noted that "it's technically a boat ramp that accesses Arkabutla Lake with picnic and camping areas nearby," and described it as "off the beaten path." Pleasant Hill Campground, while listed, has been reported as overgrown and poorly maintained, with minimal usable tent sites. Tent campers seeking seclusion will find these primitive areas offer a genuine outdoor experience away from more developed camping facilities.

Best Tent Sites Near Marion, Arkansas (3)

    1. Kellys Crossing Campground

    2 Reviews
    O.C. Fisher Lake, TX
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 562-6261

    "This is an off the beaten path area for standard recreation. It’s technically a boat ramp that accesses Arkabutla Lake with picnic and camping areas nearby."

    2. Pleasant Hill Campground

    1 Review
    O.C. Fisher Lake, TX
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 562-6261

    3. Maple Flat Group Campground

    3 Reviews
    LaGrange, AR
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 295-5278

    "Everyone spends their days out on the water but there’s some trails too and tourist attractions outside the park for all ages. The lake has a lot of inlets to explore by canoe."

    "The site was right on the water with a good amount of space between us and the next site. There were less than 20 sites I'm guessing which made for a calm atmosphere."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Marion, AR

406 Reviews of 3 Marion Campgrounds


  • Napunani
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Lake Poinsett State Park Campground

    Small, Tight Campground

    PROS 

    Senior discount 

    Reserved on-line 346 prior to arriving 

    Good overnight stop for$25 

    Very small park and campground 

    Site#4 totally level 

    Site#4 some shade 100% gravel site 

    Metal picnic table that was moveable 

    One hook lantern pole 

    Metal fire pit with cooking grate 

    Pedestal BBQ grill (looked brand new) 

    CONS 

    30amp electrical breaker bad. 

    Tripped twice in 8 hours. 

    Single lane campground road extremely tight. If campsites across from ours wasn’t empty, it would of been extremely difficult to get our 28ft backed-in 

    Our reserved campsite#4 was occupied upon our arrival and campers tried to convince us to take another site that they were suppose to move to, but it was much smaller, so we declined 

    Never saw any rangers patrolling campground 

    Train noise from tracks in Harrisburg 

    4 unisex toilets/showers for all 26 campsites PLUS 4 tent sites! 

    One-lane dump station 

    No TP in campground toilets 

    No camp-host or even a full hook up site for one 

    No security gate closure overnight 

    No WIFI 

    1 bar LTE

  • Denise B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2021

    Hollywood Casino RV Park - Tunica

    Super quiet

    Super quiet, not equipped for many activities. Some covered picnic tables interspersed. Outdoor cooking allowed unless there is a fire ban. One small commercial washer and two dryers available. Water and electric 50 amp at each site. Dump station. Showers and rest rooms are nice. Great overnight for travelers and good price, $25. Propane available. Ok stay if visiting casino.

  • Napunani
    Dec. 13, 2022

    Village Creek State Park Campground

    No Cell Service; No Public Phones: No WIFI Calls at Visitor Center

    PROS 

    Senior discount 

    No fee assessed to make on-line reservations 

    Quiet 

    light view of lake from #57 

    Site 57 has no site next to it or behind it 

    Good distance between campsites 

    Dark sky friendly except for sites near toilet/shower facilities where there is an actual street light 

    Climate controlled toilet/shower facility in campground B 

    Both campground B toilet/shower facilities very clean with ample supply of TP, soap and paper towels 

    Wood picnic table (on concrete pad), pedestal BBQ grill, metal fire ring with cooking grate and metal lantern hook 

    Wide roadway in campground B 

    Small playground 

    Access to lake swimming area from campground B 

    Trash receptacles at toilet/shower facility 

    Lots of deer


    Smaller Walmart in Wynne AR 

    Pops Grill in Wynne real good

    CONS 

    County burn ban in place upon arrival but no signage anywhere alerting of ban. We saw the Arkansas burn ban website and inquired upon checkin if it was enforced and park clerk affirmed ban but we saw many campers had a wood fire burning all the time. So without any signage we understand the confusion and noncompliance. Park should at least place burn ban signage at campground entrance. 

    Site 57 unlevel side-to-side 

    No cell service. 

    No public phone in park. 

    Parks signage states WiFi at park visitor center could be used to make phone calls. We found this not true with our T-MOBILE service as we purposely went to the visitor center to make a WIFI call. There is WIFI at visitors center but only one bar and too weak to transmit a call. So if there is an emergency after visitor center is closed and you need to make a call, good luck, as there is no public phone nor any camp hosts. We drove approximately 8 miles towards Wynne to get sufficient cell signal to make calls and connect with internet. 

    Only free WiFi is at park visitor center. We purchased WiFi from park vendor Viasat $20 unlimited for 3 days for one device. Viasat delivered a good signal within 200 ft of toilet/shower facility so it was useless in our campsite#57. Don’t waste your money! Sewer connection at rear of site pad so bring the looooong stinky slinky! 

    Pets not kept on leash 

    No security gate closure overnight

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 3, 2018

    Craighead Forest Park

    Chilly Camping

    Excellent weekend camping at Craighead Forest State Park outside Jonesboro, Ar.

    The park offers four trails, one gravel pedestrian only, one paved multi-use with excercise equipment, a forest trail and one dirt trail for bikers and runners. Three large playgrounds, pavilions and several small playgrounds. A dog park/beach access area and dog dock. Fishing and watercraft access. Camping and a nature center.

    When we arrived at the campground we had the choice of several primitive campsites. There is limited parking in the small gravel lot. There are three sites near the lot and then several others about 200 to 300 ft down the gravel trail.

    This is the same gravel trail, approximately 3 miles long, that circles the lake. Needless to say there is a lot of foot traffic on it.

    There was plenty of room at the site. We set up two tents and a hammock plus had the picnic table, fire pit and gravel pad which is right on the lake. If you bring your fishing gear or water craft it’s easy to tie off right at your campsite.

    Directly across from primitive camping are two very large , active playgrounds a pavilion and restroom. There’s a snow cone vendor with loud music who frequents that parking area too. In addition the park is not closed during the night so we got to listen to several loud conversation, music blaring from a car stereo until about 1:30am and a rather colorful argument at one point.

    You drive through the RV area on your way in to the primitive area. There is a nice new bathroom facility with uncomfortably warm cranking heat, the metal fixtures were warm to the touch. One drawback to there being only one restroom about 1/4 mile from the primitive area, you know people aren’t walking that far at night when the need to go…, just saying.

    So Pros: centrally located, water access, nice trails, good size sites, a lot to do

    Cons: foot traffic, noise, no privacy, noise, not limited access

  • Michael W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2021

    Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground

    Great little hidden Gem

    Let me start by saying that the Rangers who run this place are top notch folks. The head Ranger stopped in a couple times every day to ask if we needed anything and to inquire about our opinion of the new site (more on this later). The facilities were well maintained, and a pleasant surprise for such a small state park.

    So, we stayed on site #3. According to the head Ranger, we were the first to camp on this site since its renovation. Previously it had been a tent pad, but was now a concrete pad with a new 50A post and new water hydrant. Online, it lists the site as being 40’ long and 15’ wide. What they don’t tell you is that only the pad is this size. I had another 30’+ of gravel to park on in front of the pad. It was large enough for the biggest of fifth wheels with slides on both sides. There are now 11 total sites like this in the park thanks to recent renovations. All seemed very level. Site #3 and it’s neighbor #2 seemed perfectly level laterally, but required dropping the nose quite a bit to get level longitudinally. I still believe any length RV could pull it off easily. Each concrete site had a charcoal grill with adjustable height grates, a lantern pole, a fire pit with grill grate, and a picnic table that is bolted down (this might be my only nitpick complaint, as I like to move my picnic tables under the awning and on top of my mat... but I understand why it’s done.). The two bath houses are basically single occupancy Men and Women side facilities, but are almost brand new and heated for winter use. The Ranger said they added to accompanying porta potties for extra toilets until they can add an extra stall on each side to the buildings.

    There is no playground in the campground, but a short drive into the park gets you to a very nice picnic area with a playground that looks as new as the bath houses and RV pads. Drive a bit further and you can visit the museum dedicated to the Fort after which the park is named and the men who died there. Get a map and hike the well marked trail to see a recreated portion of the fort (yes, it well marked with colored flashes and signs). Along the drive you will also find a scenic overlook of the Mississippi River and a small lake you can fish in. Canoe, Kayak, and Paddle Boat rentals are available at the museum.

    For those wishing for a more rustic camping experience, the primitive sites here are among the best I have ever seen. Ever site is level, and graveled with smooth pea gravel. They all have the same fire pit, grill, and table as the RV sites. Some Require a bit of a walk from your parking spot, but you will well rewarded with some isolation. The only down side for some is that these sites have no on site water and only a few offer an electric post. There are community hydrants around the park for filling up bottle or tanks.

    My personal favorite spot for primitive tent camping would have been site number 27. It is accessed via a short gravel road off the main paved road and past site 26. While it is a haul to get water, it is almost completely isolated from the rest of the campground and you can drive rite up to it with no walking. It has low ground on three sides. One side is the road leading into the park, but traffic here is light and it shouldnt be an issue.

    Speaking of roads, this place is kind of out in the middle of nowhere, and the roads in can be narrow when meeting oncoming traffic. It’s not terrible but can make you a bit nervous when you meet another RV heading the other way.

    All in all, I would say this park is a gem of a find since the remodeling of the RV sites and a solid 7/10 for those primitive tent campers. My only knock is the lack of a playground for those with kids. If you are empty nesters or young adults or just generally travel without kids, this is a solid 10/10 kind of place.

  • Taylor C.
    Apr. 18, 2024

    Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

    Loved it here!

    Just so beautiful. Trails were well marked but not for faint of heart. Campsites were pretty close together and bathrooms not too great. Little black bugs swarmed on warm nights right a dusk for an hour. There’s an airport nearby and planes were constantly flying over one of the nights. We were the only tent there. Tent pads aren’t clearly marked but plenty of level ground to set up. Lake was gorgeous too, I was literally the only one out there.

  • Curren C.
    Jun. 28, 2022

    Tom Sawyer's RV Park

    Motorcycle Friendly & Free Laundry

    Found this campsite on the Dyrt and was pleasantly surprised with the location and family friendly atmosphere. Right on the River but not swimable water. In an industrial park but felt very safe. Just a few minutes from the interstate.

    The tent site is just a primitive grassy group area but had tons of shade from giant oak trees and is right next to the bathhouse.

    Laundry is free on the second story of the bathhouse which was a wonderful treat.

    The bathrooms weren’t awful but could use some TLC.

    Tent sites do not get picnic tables. No fire rings.

    Overall a decent night’s stay - whatever you do don’t forget your bug spray!

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 7, 2022

    South Abutment Recreation Area

    Gorgeous sunrises (and the sunsets aren't bad either)!

    We arrived just before sunset in late November (dang Daylight Savings time) so quickly got to our site and set up. Did not see anyone to check in but had reservations as now are required at all CoE campgrounds (a ranger drove through the next morning). The water level looked to be very low, but we still had a nice view at the end of the loop.

    Sites are FHU and other amenities include a large concrete picnic table, lantern hook, fire pit, BBQ grill, and food prep table. Sites are paved, generous in size, and spaced a very decent distance apart from each other; even though all the leaves had fallen and there were other campers in our loop, I did not feel a lack of privacy.

    The restrooms were clean and although there were paper towels, the soap dispensers were empty (my only beef with this campground)! The showers looked to be reasonable, but it was below freezing the next morning, so I didn’t try them out. There was also what appeared to be a utility sink in the bathroom but no shelves or other place to stage dishes. 

    I can only assume that water sports are in-season and not sure about other recreational activities. Because the ground was frozen the next morning, I was able to walk down to the water and get some great photos of the sunrise and birds. 

    This was just an overnight stay for us but for $12 (with the Golden Access Pass), it is a real bargain and the reason we often seek out Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2018

    Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

    Older Feeling Park With Nice Features

    This was one of the first state parks in Tennessee I visited on my trip through the state. Despite being an older feeling camp it offered many unique features and options for keeping myself entertained. (Check Out Their Website)

    When it came to camping not only were there tent sites but also cabins which had a very rustic feel. I opted for a tent site which ran $25 and had full electrical hookups (site 40), a big perk for charging my devices at the end of a busy day. My site had a bbq grill and fire ring in addition to a picnic table and was well shaded. I felt like the sites along this side of the road were a little more spacious than the other side of the road which were a little more close together.

    I was about half way down the loop and a short distance from the restroom and showers which were in decent shape but nothing super special. The water pressure here was good for showering.

    My favorite thing about this camp was the outdoor activities which seemed to be everywhere. I hiked both the Woodland and Pioneer Springs trails (MAP), each about 4 miles and along the way enjoyed just taking in the outdoors. I will say that if you do any trails in late summer here you will need mosquito spray because they come in droves.

    You can travel to the boat ramp and marina and rent boats there or bring your own to take advantage of the lake which winds through various types of vegetation and allows you to see the lake in a way you cannot from the shore line. I most enjoyed taking out a kayak and exploring the swampy feeling area, though I will say being so close to the Mississippi River I was afraid of what I might find lurking in the water.

    Book Your Site Here

    TIPS:

    • Bring citronella candles for your table when camping and try to put a dryer sheet in your pocket to ward off mosquitoes. In addition to spray these will make your trip here a bit more comfortable.
    • Bring your own firewood if you want to have a campground. There were signs around camp saying not to move wood.

Guide to Marion

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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Marion, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Marion, AR is Kellys Crossing Campground with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Marion, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Marion, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.