Morrilton, Arkansas sits in the Arkansas River Valley at approximately 350 feet elevation, offering camping options with varied terrain near the foothills of the Ozarks. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, while spring brings frequent thunderstorms to the region. Several campgrounds north of Morrilton feature lakefront sites, providing water access for boating and fishing activities.
What to do
Fishing at multiple waterfronts: Lake Conway and the Arkansas River offer varied fishing spots for campers. At Willow Beach, "Campground located on the river with beautiful scenic views. Covered picnic table and tall fire ring. Spacious camps. Flat pad," notes Shiloh M., though they caution there's "no clean space to get down a fish from the bank." The river and Willow Lake create dual water frontage at this location.
Crystal mining opportunities: About an hour south of Morrilton, Crystal Ridge RV Park offers unique access to mining experiences. "For $20 you can go spend the day diggin through dirt and finding crystals," reports Justin M., who adds, "We took the spot up top the hill [upper left corner] and found crystals in our campsite around the fire pit." The park connects directly to Ron Coleman Mining for convenient access.
Urban exploration: The pedestrian bridge from Downtown Riverside RV Park connects campers directly to Little Rock attractions. As Richard S. explains, "You can take a walking bridge across the river directly into downtown Little Rock." Michelle H. adds, "Great location, walkable to downtown. It was nice to be parked in a place that didn't require driving to explore."
What campers like
Spacious, well-maintained sites: Campers consistently mention site size and upkeep as standout features. At Willow Beach, Rod A. notes sites are "spread out not crowded," while another camper, Jo E., highlights that "the sites are extremely level! I didn't even need to level my pop-up camper!!" This attribute is particularly valuable for easier setup.
Riverside views and access: Waterfront locations rank high among camper preferences. At Adventure RV, Bradley B. describes it as "Peaceful and quite. Not only is it right on the lake with multiple fishing docks plus a boat ramp, but there is a private fishing pond in the middle of the park as well." These water features provide both recreational opportunities and scenic backdrops.
Bird watching opportunities: The natural surroundings support diverse wildlife viewing. At Camp Conway RV Park, Burt observes, "Camp Conway is quiet with excellent bird-watching. Must have seen 12 bird varieties thriving in the park." These encounters enhance the nature experience without requiring special equipment or planning.
What you should know
Highway noise levels vary significantly: Location relative to Interstate 40 affects ambient noise. Steve S. notes about Morrilton RV Park, "It was a very nice park with full hook-ups.cabins, Very clean and well kept... Looked really great except it is right next to I40. LOTS of noise so we decided to move on." This consideration is important for light sleepers.
Weather impacts on campgrounds: Low-lying areas can retain water after storms. Rod A. observes at Willow Beach, "Campground is low and will be soggy after rain." Similarly, seasonal factors like bugs require preparation, as Jeff R. reports, "Mosquitos are very bad. Overall a really nice spot."
Wildlife encounters: Snake sightings occur in some locations. Jennifer C. warns about Willow Beach: "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 because you can't really see snakes if they are hiding under the grass."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Some parks offer play areas for children. Kelly E. mentions about Willow Beach, "There is a nice playground but it was taped off during our stay due to covid." Jeff R. similarly noted, "Playgrounds were present but closed thanks to Covid." Call ahead to verify current playground status.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Restroom conditions differ between campgrounds. Kelly E. reports about Willow Beach, "The only downside is the bathroom/shower rooms. There are four individual ones and they all feel like the heat is on in them when it is 100° here today. The toilet paper is out or almost out in all of them and there is no soap in any of the dispensers."
Extended stay options: Ivy's Cove RV Retreat accommodates longer family trips. Katherine N. shares, "We lived at this RV park for 5 months while we were house hunting. Great owners. Clean, large showers. Game/exercise room. 5 minutes to anything you need, but still feels secluded." These amenities support comfortable extended stays for families.
Tips from RVers
Concrete pad quality: Level, well-maintained concrete pads simplify RV setup. Cindy C. notes at Ivy's Cove RV Retreat, "Nice level pull-through lots," while Beth R. mentions Downtown Riverside RV Park has "Concrete, level pads."
Site length considerations: Space requirements vary for different RV sizes. At Adventure RV, the 35 sites accommodate larger rigs with pull-through options, while some parks have length restrictions. Verify your RV length against site specifications before booking.
Access road conditions: Entry road quality impacts larger vehicles. Gold Creek Landing RV Park offers big-rig access with full hookups but has limited staffing. As Steve S. reports, "You have to contact in advance via email. There is nobody here to take your money." Always call ahead to confirm arrival procedures, particularly at smaller rv campgrounds near Morrilton, Arkansas.
