Tent camping near McRae, Arkansas offers primitive outdoor experiences in the natural environment of the Arkansas Delta region. Most sites sit at elevations between 200-300 feet above sea level, providing relatively flat terrain for camping with seasonal flooding possible in lowland areas. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA contains numerous ponds and water features for fishing, though water quality varies. According to one camper, "There was a large pond with nearby primitive camping for free, if you need a night's rest and don't want to do the Walmart/travel centers this is your ideal spot with low traffic and a lot of natural beauty. Ducks, beevers, frogs and more."
Wildlife observation: The wetland areas around Camp Robinson Dispersed Site provide good opportunities for viewing native species. A visitor notes, "Nice place to sleep and get back on 40East in the morning. Doing a cross country from San Francisco to Pennsylvania." The partially drained lake areas create unique habitats for birds and amphibians.
Photography spots: The natural light conditions at sunset create excellent photography opportunities at several locations. As one camper at Camp Robinson described, "The lake has been partially drained to allow work to be done on stumps. The road back to it is well maintained and we had good cell reception with AT&T and Spectrum."
What campers like
Solitude and privacy: Many sites at Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA offer isolation from other campers across a large area. One camper reported, "From what I can tell, there is noone else out here. There is some highway noise in the distance at the site we chose, however, there were many other sites that were farther away."
Easy site identification: The designated camping areas at Wattensaw WMA are clearly marked. A camper explains, "There are a ton of campsites down the gravel road and they are well marked. There are signs for designated camping and the trees have a blue ring painted around them, so it stands out."
Accessibility from highway: Beagle Club Road Pull-Off provides convenient access for overnight stays when traveling through the region. As one visitor mentioned, "Spent just one night here. Easy to find and has a water spigot. Noticed a sign in the morning that said hunting, fishing, or camping permit required but no one came by to check."
What you should know
Difficult navigation: Finding specific camping areas can be challenging, especially after dark. A Wattensaw WMA camper advises, "You cannot trust either Apple or Google maps to get you here by these coordinates. Also, 'here' is a relative term. DO NOT just look for a body of water as you're going on the gravel road to let you know you've gotten to a legitimate campsite."
Road conditions: Access roads to camping areas often feature rough gravel surfaces that may damage vehicles. One camper warned about Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA, "The road access is gravel, but LARGE gravel that we are surprised didn't ruin our tires."
Seasonal insect activity: Bug populations can be significant, particularly in summer months near water. A visitor to Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway observed, "Whether you're into hang gliding, kayaking or just relaxing at camp, the hillbilly hideaway is here to provide a great basecamp for your Arkansas adventures."
Tips for camping with families
Best times for visits: Weekdays typically offer quieter camping experiences with fewer disturbances. Weekend visitors to Camp Robinson have reported, "I woke up a 11am to someone driving in then 12:30am then at 1:30 a loud truck came in slinging rocks and a guy was screaming out the window. So I was packed up and was out by 2am."
Site selection: When tent camping near McRae with children, select elevated sites away from stagnant water. A camper at Wattensaw WMA suggests, "A lot of the spots we saw were gravel so I'm not sure if it would be super comfortable to sleep here in a tent. It wasn't too buggy this time of year and we only saw two other cars passing by."
Facility limitations: Prepare for minimal amenities at most sites. A visitor to Mill Creek reported, "This campground was not kept up while we visited. The sites were filled with leaves. The bathrooms were closed, but that could have been due to COVID 19. None of the sites were near the water."
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: Many camping areas near McRae have soft or uneven ground, requiring careful positioning. A Wattensaw WMA visitor noted, "Very nice spot found it quickly at night. Soft ground. Quick to get to off highway."
Parking considerations: Some sites accommodate larger vehicles better than others. A camper at Wattensaw WMA stated, "Parking was slightly graded but an RV would be cool."
Space limitations: Certain areas have restricted room for larger vehicles. Regarding Beagle Club Road Pull-Off, a camper observed, "Not much too it. Basically just two relatively small parking lots in the woods, past some houses off the highway. Would only be good for a super quick over night."
