Central Arkansas offers diverse camping and RV options near McRae with terrain ranging from riverside locations to rural campgrounds. The area sits at approximately 240 feet above sea level with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round though flooding can affect riverside locations during spring rains.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Willow Beach campground provides access to both the Arkansas River and Willow Lake. "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!! The water hyacinths were in full bloom while we were here and are beautiful!!" notes Jo E.
Wildlife watching: Tar Camp offers excellent wildlife viewing along the Arkansas River. "Great site right on the river. We could watch the tug boats with their barges go by. Not many campers here right now so it's quiet," shares Angela G. Bird enthusiasts should consider Camp Conway RV Park, where one camper reported: "Must have seen 12 bird varieties thriving in the park."
Urban exploration: At Downtown Riverside RV Park, you can access downtown Little Rock via walking bridge. "Great location, walkable to downtown. Good WiFi, great reception... It was nice to be parked in a place that didn't require driving to explore," writes Michelle H.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many RV sites near McRae, Arkansas offer ample space between neighbors. At Willow Beach, "Campground located on the river with beautiful scenic views. Covered picnic table and tall fire ring. Spacious camps. Flat pad," according to Shiloh M.
Clean facilities: Tar Camp receives praise for its maintenance. "A mostly clean bathrooms and shower house," notes Wendy L. Similarly, Sweet Escape RV Resort earns high marks for cleanliness: "The bathrooms are the cleanest that I have seen in a campground/RV park they clean them daily."
Quiet atmosphere: H&G RV Campground offers peaceful camping close to I-40. "It's quiet, safe, and Gary is so nice. It's in the country and close to 40 but you don't get the traffic noise," mentions Debbie M.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds in the area have partial-year schedules. Tar Camp operates from March 1 to October 31, while Lakeside RV Park runs May 1 to September.
Bathroom availability: Not all RV accommodations near McRae provide shower or bathroom facilities. At H&G RV Campground, "While they don't have much in way of amenities they make up for it in service," according to Jason C.
Flooding potential: Riverside campgrounds may experience closures during high water. "The park itself is beautiful... They evacuated the park due to high water while we were there," reports Christopher T. about Tar Camp.
Connectivity variations: Internet access varies widely between parks. In Downtown Riverside RV Park, campers report "good WiFi, great reception," while at H&G RV Campground, one guest noted: "Lucky that my Tmobile hotspot allowed me to work, stream, Zoom on my rest day."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife awareness: Parents should monitor children in riverside areas. At Willow Beach, one camper cautions: "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."
Bug preparation: Mosquitoes can be problematic near water. As Jeff R. noted about Willow Beach: "Mosquitos are very bad. Overall a really nice spot." Another camper at Downtown Riverside advised: "Clean, family friendly, plenty of room. Temps above 50* mean stock up on big repellent."
Holiday activities: Seasonal events enhance family camping experiences. At Sweet Escape RV Resort, "In the winter they have complementary hot chocolate and a 15 ft Christmas tree!!!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup specifications: Many campgrounds offer full hookup sites with different amperage options. At H&G RV Campground, "Electrical hookups are 50 amp so have an adapter if you need 30 amp service," advises Richard G.
Site conditions: Level sites are consistently available at Willow Beach, where campers note: "The sites are extremely level! I didn't even need to level my pop-up camper!!" Similarly, Downtown Riverside RV Park features "concrete, level pads" that overlook the Arkansas River.
Arrival coordination: Some RV parks near McRae provide personalized check-in. At H&G RV Campground, "Gary met me as I arrived in the park, guided me to my spot and even helped connect the water while I hooked up electric and waste," reports Chris L.
