Best Tent Camping near Mena, AR
Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Mena? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Mena. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Mena, AR (30)
1. Cossatot Falls Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area
Wickes, Arkansas12 Reviews•71 Photos•128 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
2. Albert Pike Recreation Area
Langley, Arkansas6 Reviews•33 Photos•71 SavesNestled in the forested splendor of the rugged Ouachita Mountains, this recreation area is located in the southern portion of the national forest. Visitors are invited to hike the nature trail or experience the excitement of a canoe trip on the Little Missouri River.
Day use/swimming only.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
3. Sandbar Area Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area
Wickes, Arkansas2 Reviews•17 Photos•20 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Trash
4. Pigeon Creek Dispersed
Big Cedar, Oklahoma3 Reviews•22 Photos•147 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
5. Straight Creek Campsite on the Eagle Rock Loop
Langley, Arkansas2 Reviews•12 Photos•49 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
- Picnic Table
7. Shirley Creek
Oden, Arkansas2 Reviews•9 Photos•15 SavesThe picturesque and scenic Ouachita River is one of the most beautiful and clear rivers in the Ouachitas. Beginning in the Ouachita Mountains near Mena, AR, the Ouachita River is a popular floating and fishing river as it flows easterly through the Ouachita National Forest, eventually becoming part of Lake Ouachita and Lake Hamilton near Hot Springs, before continuing its journey south towards Louisiana.
Beginning near Pine Ridge, AR, the Ouachita offers about 45 miles of floatable river until it become Lake Ouachita near AR Hwy 27. Along this stretch, there are seven landing sites, five of which are float camps. These float camps include Shirley Creek, Rocky shoals, Fulton Branch. Dragover and River Bluff. All five float camps are free to the public. These Float camps typically have openings, even on some holiday weekends when other campgrounds are full. Only rarely are these float camps filled up.
Shirley Creek Float Camp is located off of AR Hwy 88, west Pencil Bluff, and is situated right on the banks of the Ouachita River approx. 6 miles downstream from the Pine Ridge Access. This float camp offers six camping sites, as well as picnicking sites, a vault toilet and canoe access to the river.
Shirley Creek Float Camp is typically open Spring through Fall for overnight use, and is available for day use only the rest of the year.
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
8. Bard Springs Campground - CLOSED TEMPORARILY
Umpire, Arkansas2 Reviews•4 Photos•3 SavesAPRIL 2020 - Closed temporarily due to storm damage Small campground with Adirondack-type shelters in a remote mountain setting on a small scenic stream. It provides a good site for a base camp for hikers in the Caney Creek Wilderness.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Cabins
- Toilets
- Alcohol
9. Viles Branch Creek Primitive Campsite on the Eagle Rock Loop
Langley, Arkansas1 Review•15 Photos•44 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
10. Hickory Nut Mountain
Ouachita Lake, Arkansas11 Reviews•46 Photos•283 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Recent Tent Reviews in Mena
436 Reviews of 30 Mena Campgrounds
Gary G.
Traveler
Quail Circle — Beavers Bend State Park
Nice quiet spot
Quail circle is a nice spot with lots of trees and nice areas to hike and explore. The lake is beautiful. The facilities are a little dated, but generally clean. The showers have plenty of hot water. The RV spots have 30 amp hookups and water. No sewer.
- MMark H.
Scout
Winding Stair Campground (Ok) — Ouachita National Forest
Great Site - CLOSED Until May 2025
After driving 4 hours to one of our favorite campsites in this area we arrived to find it closed until May 2025. No explanation why. We have camped here in winter several times before. Disappointing!
James B.
Ranger
Twin Creek Campground
Nice stay for one night
We decided to stay here for an overnight after being in Hot Springs area.
There was only one other camper. The fee is $14 a night, not the $12 listed on sign. There is a pay kiosk that takes cards The campground was very clean and had many many trash cans.
Bathrooms clean and had running water and flush toilets. Cell signal was poor with Verizon. Found an opening and Starlink worked great.
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.
Alice S.
Legend
COE Lake Greeson Self Creek Jim Wylie Recreation Area and Campground
Wooded With View of Lake
This site was difficult to find. It is listed on the highway with a sign but on GPS it wasn't listed. The proper address is 4101 US-70, Kirby, AR 71950.
You book through recreation.gov but it is actually listed under Self Creek campgrounds. When booking just lok for sites listed on LOOP JW.
This is a good site for tents, campervans, and smaller rvs. There are sites for larger rvs but not many. It may be difficult to find a level spot if you're in a larger vehicle. There is only one site directly on the water. The remainder are on the wooded hill but still have a beautiful view of the lake.
The bathhouse has flush toilets and showers but is very old. They maintain it well and it is cleaned regularly. The toilets are perfectly fine but the showers are just old and a bit icky. I would suggest for showers going to the Daisy State Park. They have newer and nicer showers.
- Twyana S.Guide
COE Lake Greeson Self Creek Jim Wylie Recreation Area and Campground
Unable to Locate
The GPS coordinates are wrong for this one but I couldn't locate the correct site. Tookus down a gravel road that wasn't bad until it turned to mud.
- Twyana S.Guide
Self Creek
Lots of Choices
Large campground with lots of different areas to camp. They have sites in the woods, next to the water, and out in the open.
The bathrooms were clean and well maintained.
- Twyana S.Guide
COE Lake Greeson Star of the West
Arkansas Beauty
Amazingly beautiful and cheap. Bathrooms are vault toilets. They smell bad but the room is clean.
- Alice S.Legend
Daisy State Park Campground
Very Nice but Busy
They have a lot of campgrounds but most are very close. Not a bad thing for those social butterflies but a little tighter than I like. Their bathrooms and showers are really nice. Clean and spacious.
It's definitely worth a visit but make sure to book well in advance. They sell out quick.
- Alice S.Legend
COE Lake Greeson Star of the West
Good Location But Better Options Available
The price here is now $10 per day but if you have America the Beautiful Pass it's half price.
Couple downsides are that the bathrooms are pit style bathrooms and kind of nasty and unless you snag one of the sites far back in the woods you are pretty close to the highway so some noise.
It is my understanding that they are scheduled to update the bathrooms in the next year or two but until then I'd definitely suggest going to Arrowhead Point. It's right down the road, same price, quieter, and nicer bathrooms.
- Alice S.Legend
Arrowhead Point — Lake Greeson
Affordable and Comfortable
This location is right on the lake with quite a few camp sites available. The only down side is they have only one site available with electric and hookups. Everything else had no electric or hookups.
The electric site is $22 and all the rest are $10. If you have a senior pass they are half off though. It's first come first serve.
A nice boat ramp is on site as well as a swimming beach. The beach isn't really big and I visited in October so not sure how nice it is or deep but still a good option to have.
The bathroom has flush toilets and are decently clean. No showers but the state park right down the road has showers you can use for free.
Overall, I really like this place. It's quiet and peaceful. And most important, doesn't hurt my pocketbook too bad.
- Alice S.Legend
Miners Camping & Rock Shop
Good For Primitive Camping Terrible Bathrooms
My first impressions of this site were terrible. The Bathrooms are extremely old and honestly seem like they're rotting down. The playground area is small but jot terrible. The area for rvs is pretty cramped with no privacy. Luckily while talking to some folks there they directed us on down the road. There are two more sections specifically for primitive camping that are really nice. There are a couple picnic tables and fire rings. There is also a nice pond. The cell signal isn't terrible but it's a bit hit and miss for internet.
Overall, I would suggest it but don't expect to use their showers or bathroom. Go a couple minutes down the road and use the state parks showerhouse. It's really nice.
Susan L.LegendDaisy State Park Campground
Definitely worth a stay!
I never start a review like this, but this park had the cleanest bath house/restrooms I've ever experienced! 2 stalls in the shower in this loop and they each had a clean shower curtain, a bench, hooks to hang stuff. Immaculate. Better than some hotels!
Stayed in site 104 in the loop by the boat ramp. Nice shade and long parking pad. Sense of privacy. The sites that back to the cove had terraced areas, so if stairs aren't good for you then skip, but the arrangement made for a large area to spread out relax. This site had an additional parking pad next to it that was right next to the tent pad. Handy for ent campers to unload or boaters for boat, plus there were extra parking spots in the cul-de-sac leading down to the boat ramp.
The lake is sometimes smooth as glass. Kayaks for rent and this is a must do. Visitor center was being remodeled at the time of visit. 2 short hiking trails. Great state park!
- Susan L.Legend
Acorn Campground — Beavers Bend State Park
Riverside heaven
Really enjoyed the Acorn campground - south end of park. There are many to choose from in this large state park, but I would return here. Site was level with the usual amenities all in working order and not too close to neighbors. The river ran directly behind the site and I was entertained by an otter family and ducks daily. There is a water release siren that sounds occasionally and it is loud, but it doesn't happen frequently, or at night, at least not during my stay.
Enjoyed the hiking in this park. Lots of great cleared trails. Often times I was the only hiker. A real gem is the COE access road that runs along the river past the spillway. If you walk far enough down you can view the real "wild" river with the islands of cypress trees and boulders creating eddies and the relaxing sounds of the river spilling over and around. 10 out of 10 stars
No Verizon service except at the nature center (definitely worth a visit especially if you have kiddos, and the ranger here is fantastic!!). You can jump on their wifi, or if I walked to the pavilion behind the store I could get one bar on my phone. Note off season store hours in photo. Not much in the store. The BBQ at the Lookout restaurant is the draw.
- 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.
- JJohnTraveler
Deadman Gap South Trail Dispersed Campsite
Beautiful spot
This spot I found already had a man built fire ring made from rocks. Small peaceful pond and is right off the Deadman South Trail.
Aaron D.Guide
Armadillo Campground - Beavers Bend State Park
Beautiful Campground but Cramped with Too Much Traffic
We stayed at AD10. It was a back in spot with an extremely high break over angle. The spot itself was fairly level but getting in and out is a pain. I recommend AD12 which is almost a direct back in from the road. The campground itself is very nice, but it is very winding with all the trees and spots slotted together. If you get a spot in the front near the road, there is a lot of through traffic for people going to or leaving the lakeside. The back of the campground was much quieter near the pull through sites. The dump site was directly across the street from the campground but you have to go down the road and either make a tight left turn or go further down and turn around. Bathrooms were not too far away, they were private, clean and AC. Not a lot of street lights throughout the campground made things nice and quiet at night. The site had okay Verizon cell service, around 10-20 mbps. The T-mobile service was much better around 50-60 mbps. Lots of activities to do around the park, there is the lake, plenty of hiking trails. The parking pass situation can get a little confusing at other areas of the park, but basically if you register your vehicle plate when you make the reservation, you are all set for your stay. It's a quick drive to Hochatown where there are things to do but depending on when you go it can be extremely busy. Broken Bow itself was about a 30 minute drive depending on traffic and there were more things to do, eat, and see. The traffic going back and forth between Hochatown and Broken Bow is quite busy and almost makes you not want to go anywhere. It causes a pain point when trying to get from the Stephens Gap area of the park to the main area of Beavers Bend, where you have to leave, hit 3 lights, wait 30 minutes, just to go 5 miles.Overall it’s a good campground but I might recommend staying at the other area of the park just for convenience sake, getting in and getting out.
Wayne J.Traveler
Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground
Great full hookup campground
I keep coming back here to dig for diamonds. There are cheaper campgrounds in the area, but the State Park grounds are top notch. Very level camper pads, stable power and water and everything is well maintained. There are multiple bath “houses” — single shower room style privacy, not a large room with curtains. A playground in the sites for kids to play on also.
The only downsides that come to mind are the iffy WiFi (the reservation system is pretty accurate on which sites have “good” WiFi and which do not) that is decent for casual web browsing but not likely to be streaming possible. And then a mixed pro/com is that satellite connections (direct or Starlink) is going to be rough due to the wooded aspect of the sites — although the trees do help keep the camper cooler. 🤷🏻♂️
Fred S.Legend
Outlet Area
RV and Big Rig Friendly Campground along Petit Jean River
The Petit Jean River, flowing from an outlet, divides this US Army Corp of Engineers campround into two areas. There are 38 campsites, with electricity and water hookups. This includes three multi-family sites. Fees range from $18 to $40. Reservations are made on recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. First come, first served sites may be available outside the reservation season. The campground description at recreation.gov indicates that the campground is located on Blue Mountain Lake, but there is no lake access from here. A drive to Waveland Park is required for Blue Mountain Lake recreation. Most sites are waterfront; a few are just a short walk away from the Petit Jean River. Most sites have picnic table shelters. There are 12 sites and a restroom/shower house along the north bank of the river. The remaining campsites, along with a restroom/shower house, are on the south side of the river. The sites on the north side, except site #6, are in a open area offering little shade. The sites on the south side are along a forest and are more shaded. There is no privacy between campsites; several sites, especially on the south side, are close to each other. The north side restroom/shower house was closed. The south side restroom/shower house was very clean. The roads accessing and in the campground are paved. The campground is setup to accommodate RVs and big rigs, although tent camping is possible. Fishing in the river appears to be the main recreation activity. Walking access to the river bank is provided by stairs. Two playgrounds are at the south side camping area.
- Fred S.Legend
Girard Rd/Forest Road 20 Dispersed, Ouachita National Forest, AR
Somewhat private dispersed site off of unbusy forest road
Coordinates: 35.02531, -93.88228. Located just off of Girard Road (Forest Road 20) - a maintained gravel/dirt forest road. This road is mostly a single track - narrow with some minor erosion in a few places. A lifted 4x4 vehicle is NOT needed to drive to the site. The dispersed site is located 1.3 miles south of the turnoff to Jack Creek Recreation Area. This site is set off from the forest road on a narrow undesignated dirt track which is easy to miss. It is a small site with enough room for one vehicle - truck camper size and smaller. The site is mostly level on a dirt surface with a rock fire ring. It is mostly shaded, although solar recharging may be possible during the afternoon with solar panels being placed on the access track in front of the site. Tent and hammock camping are possible. Received a strong T-Mobile 5G signal here. Except for some peace and quiet, there is nothing remarkable about this particular campsite. However, is is located in the Jack Creek area of the Arkansas Ouachitas. This area has a few nice swimming holes and hiking trails which one can drive to. OHV recreation is also possible in the area.
- Fred S.Legend
Ashley Creek Recreation Area
Pretty Location, Free Primitive Camping
I didn't camp here, but thought I leave an updated review. Previous review still applies. This is a free primitive campground, but a permit is required to camp here; see COE Web site for info. There is a very clean portable john with tp in the campground. It appears that the campsites themselves have not been maintained in a while, although the campgound itself looks nice, with a view of the lake. Some of the sites are close together offering no privacy. I received T-Mobile cell service. Convenient boat ramp nearby. I wouldn't make this campground a multi-day vacation destinition, but it's convenient for an overnight stay and for those using the lake for recreation.
Chloe T.Guide
Hickory Nut Mountain
Amazing camp site
plenty of spots & a bathroom! Not too far from Hot Springs National Park!
- Wayne J.Traveler
Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground
Great little state park campground
This is a quiet campground with plenty of shaded and nearly perfectly level pull ins. Power is consistent. Water pressure fluctuates from good to high — regulator necessary. Wifi is spotty, but the reservation center is pretty accurate on strength of WiFi at various sites. The site we are in right now, WiFi is sketchy.
In cool weather, a walk to the diamond field would be fine. In hot weather, no way.
Matthew E.ScoutOuachita National Forest Cedar Lake Recreation Area
This is my favorite spot to camp
With so many trails that you can access just by walking out of the camp site. This is my favorite spot to camp in Oklahoma
- MMacKenzie D.Scout
Pigeon Creek Dispersed
No access
We drove slowly back and forth along the road exactly where the coordinates lead us to but there is no vehicle access to the forest there. It’s completely overgrown
azul darcy L.TravelerPigeon Creek Dispersed
Would have been perfect
The river and creek merging was so beautiful! It was a beautiful drive there. But whoever was there before me trashed it out. It’s sad.
- kent F.Guide
Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground
Crater of diamonds AR.State Park
This was on my wifes bucket list, didnt find any diamonds, got dirty but had fun and got dirty. Sites and bath house were nice , full hook ups
Guide to Mena
Tent camping near Mena, Arkansas offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.
Tent campers appreciate these amenities
- Pigeon Creek Dispersed allows campfires and welcomes pets, providing a rustic experience surrounded by trees and flowing water.
- Straight Creek Campsite on the Eagle Rock Loop features picnic tables and toilets, making it a comfortable spot for those who enjoy hiking in scenic surroundings.
- Jack Creek Recreation Area offers a beautiful setting with access to a swimming hole, perfect for cooling off after a day of exploring.
Tent campers should check out Pigeon Creek Dispersed
- The site is nestled next to the Kiamichi River, providing a picturesque backdrop for your camping experience.
- Enjoy the tranquility of nature with no permits required, allowing for a spontaneous adventure.
- The area is free to camp, making it a budget-friendly option for those looking to escape into the wild.
Tent campers like these nearby activities
- Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the trails around Straight Creek Campsite on the Eagle Rock Loop, which offer stunning views and a chance to connect with nature.
- Fishing and swimming are popular at Jack Creek Recreation Area, where you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the water during warmer months.
- Explore the natural beauty of the Ouachita National Forest, where Pigeon Creek Dispersed provides access to various outdoor activities like birdwatching and photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mena, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mena, AR is Cossatot Falls Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area with a 5-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Mena, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 30 tent camping locations near Mena, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.