Best Tent Camping near Morrilton, AR

Tent campers visiting Morrilton, Arkansas have access to several primitive camping options within the Ouachita and Ozark National Forests. Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite offers a popular free tent camping area surrounded by pine trees with a creek running nearby, while Bayou Bluff Point of Interest provides four tent-only campsites with unique CCC-built rock shelters overlooking the Illinois Bayou. Several dispersed camping areas, including sites along Forest Road 132, provide basic tent camping opportunities for those seeking more remote experiences.

Most primitive tent setups in the region lack amenities, requiring campers to be self-sufficient. Tent campsites typically feature fire rings—some metal, others made of stones—but rarely include trash service. A camper wrote, "There is no water, no electricity, and vault toilets are the only facilities available at most sites." Pack-in, pack-out principles apply at nearly all tent camping areas, with several locations explicitly mentioned as having no trash receptacles. Surface conditions vary from flat, compacted dirt to uneven forest floor with minimal site preparation. Most tent camping areas accommodate small vehicles with two-wheel drive, though some remote locations require hiking gear to access.

The tent camping experience near Morrilton offers genuine forest immersion with minimal development. Areas farther from highways provide better solitude, though even accessible sites maintain a wilderness feel. Many tent campsites serve as ideal baselines for exploring nearby attractions such as Haw Creek Falls, where tent camping options place visitors within walking distance of swimming holes and hiking trails. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "When water is low enough, you can go down to the water and walk along the creek," making water access an appealing feature at several locations. Tree cover provides good shade for most tent camping areas, with pine and oak forests dominating the landscape. Hammock camping possibilities exist at numerous sites where properly spaced trees accommodate alternative sleeping arrangements.

Best Tent Sites Near Morrilton, Arkansas (25)

    1. Shirewood

    1 Review
    Morrilton, AR
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (501) 920-7895

    $125 / night

    "Check them out and share your trip on the Dyrt!"

    2. Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

    10 Reviews
    Hector, AR
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 284-3150

    "This campground has no water or electricity but has 4 drive-up campsites with picnic tables, fire circle, and rock shelters that overlook the beautiful Illinois Bayou."

    "The stone buildings are so nice to set up somewhat out of the weather and have functional fireplaces.  The walk to the river is very easy.  "

    3. Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Paron, AR
    21 miles
    Website

    "Located on the gravel Brown Creek Road in Perry County, Arkansas. The South Fork of Brown Creek runs behind this campsite."

    "Didn’t have to drive too far down the road found a spot on the left. Nice stone camp fire circle, good flat spot for my tent, which is a four person."

    4. Camp Robinson Dispersed Site

    4 Reviews
    Mayflower, AR
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (833) 345-0325

    "Great spot to pitch a tent by lake Conway. Isolated but not too far out."

    "Picked up a med bag of trash; cans, bottles, and paper. Looks better now. I definitely put on bug spray right away. Nice place to sleep and get back on 40East in the morning."

    5. Dispersed FR132 Ouachita National Forest, AR

    3 Reviews
    Jessieville, AR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 984-5313

    "First was a couple miles from the main road (highway 7). Plenty of room but close to the road and some trash, decent for pulling in after dark though."

    6. Haw Creek Falls Camping

    23 Reviews
    Pelsor, AR
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 964-7200

    "This is a pretty nice and quite camp site there is definitely traffic through here more than we’re use to but it’s a really nice spot, it’s all primitive camping, there is vault toilets on site we keep"

    "The campground is located in the Ozark National Forest. Beware of flooding during the rainy seasons. When it rains a lot, the creek floods and covers the road into the campground."

    7. Xtreme Paintball and Laser Tag

    1 Review
    Dover, AR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 280-4009

    $350 / night

    8. COE Nimrod Lake Carter Cove Campground

    2 Reviews
    Nimrod Lake, AR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 272-4835

    "Clean, kid friendly campground with RV and tent sites available, 30 amp electric and water, bathrooms are kept clean and have showers."

    9. South Fourche

    2 Reviews
    Nimrod Lake, AR
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 321-5202

    "It is located on a body of water (not the cleanest at least when I was there). It is a pretty small campground and I assume stays pretty quiet (so would be good for groups that want lots of privacy)."

    10. Delaware Park

    3 Reviews
    Dardanelle, AR
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 968-5008

    "We pulled in after a long drive through Arkansas, tired and chilly. We picked a random site as there were plenty to choose from since no one was in the entire park."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Morrilton, AR

854 Reviews of 25 Morrilton Campgrounds


  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2024

    Fourche Mountain Campground

    Free Overnight Stay in the Ouachita National Forest

    Stayed here on June 11, 2024. Small 5-site primitive campground. No water. No electric. Clean vault toilets with tp, and a trash barrel. Clean campground & campsites. Sites are small with reasonable separation, but no privacy. Sites have clean picnic tables, fire ring/grill. Some have lantern plies. Gravel drive. Sites nearly level. No tent pads, but tents can be set up. Sites may be able to accommodate a truck camper & smaller. Lots of highway noise from nearby Hwy 27, but not too bad overnight. There was logging activity elsewhere in the national forest, so log haulers were driving by during the day. Campground is located at eastbound turnoff onto Forest Road 83W - a well maintained gravel road. Pine & oak trees in the campground. Probably a beautiful view of distant mountains during the winter. This campground is good for an overnight stay when exploring the national forest or passing by on Highway 27. There is no recreation in this recreation area; no water access, no hiking trails. Good T-Mobile cell service. Despite some of the road noise from nearby Highway 27, I really liked this campground.

  • Amy W.
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

    Small campground with CCC-built rock shelters

    This recreation area is as close to off-grid as you can get with so many great options right off the pavement. This campground has no water or electricity but has 4 drive-up campsites with picnic tables, fire circle, and rock shelters that overlook the beautiful Illinois Bayou. I only recall seeing trash receptacles on the lower loop.  An upper loop is accessible by hiking in. These are tent sites only with no rock shelters on the sites. The rock shelters have a large rock fire area.  There's also a vault toilet on the lower loop. A pavilion onsite is reservable and has electricity. There's also several small trails through the campground but it's most fun when the water is low enough, to go down to the water and walk along the creek. The area is close to many great hiking trails and dirt roads to explore around Hector and makes a great home base. Just up the road is a great area to explore with Jeeps or ATVs. Look up Lindsey Mtwy. This area is not on many people's radar so it's possible that you may only see a local or two while you're here. I still had cell service with my Verizon network while I was in the campground but I lost service when I went down by the Illinois Bayou.  Overall, this is a heck of a nice campground for the non-electric camper. If you visit the area, please leave no trace. :-)

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2022

    Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

    Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

    The Bayou Bluff Recreation Area is now called the Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI). In summary, there are only 4 campsites, including a group site. Also, these sites are free, first come, first serve. Here's is info directly from the Bayou Bluff  page on the National Forst Service Web site: "Effective October 2021, Bayou Bluff became a Point of Interest. The fees are suspended for camping and day use and is now open all year. Upper loop is closed to camping and will be eliminated completely. Use of the vault toilet, large pavilion, three shelters, and a small pavilion will remain. The pavilions are managed on a first-come, first-service basis. Trash services are managed by visitors as "pack-it-in, pack-it-out," and Leave No Trace ethics are posted on information kiosks. Active partner groups and volunteers are helping extend the life of the current amenities, excluding trash services." Also: "Open all year. No fees. Upper loop closed. Pavilions available on a first-come, first-served basis only. No trash services. Pack it in- pack it out." The NF page also indicates that there is no water available, but there may water in the group site. The vault toilets are clean, and the campground grounds appear to be reasonably maintained. I recommend only tent camping here, as well as car/truck/van camping. Sites appear to be too small for RVs & trailers.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2024

    Spring Lake Recreation Area

    Beautiful Family Campground

    Camped here mid-week on May 28, 2024, just after Memorial Day weedend. The Spring Lake Receation Area is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The recreation area is gated between 10pm and 6am. It has a day use area, and a campground which is a long walk or short drive away from the day use area. The day use area has picnic tables, grills, beach and a central restroom/shower facility. Day use fee is $4. The small campgound is situated in the woods along Spring Lake across from the day use area. Camping fee is $15 ($7.50 for federal pass holders). Sounds from folks enjoying the day use area can be heard in the campground during the day, but it's very quiet during the night when the day use is closed. The campground has 13 sites. All of the sites can accomodate tent camping. Each site is unpaved and has a level tent pad, table, metal fire ring and lantern pole. Most of the sites are small with little privacy between sites. The sites are in the woods and have a view of the lake, with some actually on the lake shore. Our site, #8, has a short walking path to the shoreline - good for bank fishing. The campground has two single unit vault toilets which were reasonably clean. For showers and flush toilets, campers will have to use the central restroom/shower facilites in the day use area. The campgound has two water spigots, and trash reeceptacles. There is also a playground with swings and a group pavilion in the campground. There are no hookups at the campsites. I don't recommend this campground for RV camping; Cove Lake Recreation Area is a better choice. Because of the campsite sizes, levelness and ability to access, I believe sites 1, 5, 7 and 8 can accomodate van, RTT or SUV camping, and possibly small towables such as a pop-up or tear drop campers. In my opinion, all of the other sites are too small with tight access and not level enough for anything other than tent camping. Our site, #8, had a level pad which accomodated our camper van, plus a smaller seperate tent pad. The camp host was very friendly and provided good information. There is an iron ranger with payment envelopes at the campground entrance; cash and checks are accepted. There was no AT&T and T-Mobile reception, although cell reception may be possible at other locations around the lake. I came across three possible disperse camping spots around the lake (see separate listings). Overall, this is a beautiful campground. It was quiet and peaceful during the night. I would stay here again, especially in the Fall.

  • Bailey W.
    May. 14, 2022

    Toad Suck

    A good little campground

    Toad Suck is a great campground- with some caveats. All of the sites are reservable and have concrete pads. This makes it impossible to stake down a tent but also provides a great level spot. There's no foragable wood at the sites, but there's a quick stop type gas station very nearby that sells it cheap and locally sourced. The bathrooms can be a trek from your site or right next door, depending on where you're staying, but theyre immaculately clean. They service them twice daily. It's right next to the lock and dam at Toad Suck on the Arkansas River so there's a constant roar of water and the sound of barges throughout the night and day. I don't mind it but keep that in mind if you don't like those sounds. The campsite is peaceful otherwise. Dogs are allowed! ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL.

  • Richard
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Woolly Hollow State Park — Wooly Hollow State Park

    Nice little park

    This park is pretty much spotless. I tent camped in the fall and loved it. All the tent sites have a gravel pad, picnic table and fire ring. Lots of trees to set up your hammock. They have a swim beach and small boat rentals in the summer. There’s a nice paved walking trail too. I highly recommend.

  • Richard
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Lake Ouachita State Park Campground

    One of the best in Arkansas

    Definitely my favorite park in Arkansas so far. It’s a really big park at the lake with lots to do. I was there in the fall so I didn’t do any lake stuff but still had a great time tent camping. There’s a nice hiking trail to explore. Also, the bathrooms were the cleanest I’ve ever seen at a state park. All the tent sites have a gravel pad, grill, picnic table and fire ring. There are also walk in tent sites on the peninsula which are nice and quiet. If you get one at the end I’d say it’s probably 200 meters to the parking lot and bathrooms. I peeked into one of the cabins and they look really nice. They also have camper cabins that have heat/air but no bathroom. In all there are 93 RV/tent sites, 8 cabins and 4 camper cabins. The park is also near Hot Springs so there is lots to do.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2024

    Wards Crossing Dispersed, Nimrod Lake Rec Area, AR

    Large dispersed site along Fourche La Fave River

    Large dispersed campsite along the Fourche La Fave River on US Army Corps of Engineers land in the Nimrod Lake area. A boat launch to the river is next to the site. Because of erosion, direct access to the river bank from behind the site is difficult. This site can accomodate multiple rigs. Tent camping is possible. The level site surface is a mixture of dirt, sand & gravel. A small rock fire ring, lantern pole and a broken picnic table is included. There was some trash at the site but not too bad. Access to the site is on River Road which is gravel and a little pot-holed. A small RV, small towable, truck camper and any rig smaller should have no problem accessing the site. Note that accessing it on Duck Pond Rd from the south, you have to cross the narrow Wards Crossing Bridge which has a 3 ton weight limit.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 14, 2022

    Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite

    Free dispersed camping in the Ouachita National Forest

    Popular dispersed campsite in the Ouachita National Forest. Only one site; not a campground. Located on the gravel Brown Creek Road in Perry County, Arkansas. The South Fork of Brown Creek runs behind this campsite. Located next to the trailhead for Brown Creek Cascade - a short 1/4 mile hike (includes a creek crossing). This campsite is suitable for tent camping, car camping, camper vans & truck campers. Two vehicles can easily fit on this level site. There are other dispersed sites along Brown Creek Road. The site is close to the road; there's a large mud puddle covering one of the 2 entrances to this site. 2-wheel drive passenger cars can make it to the site. Large pine trees on the site. Hammock camping is possible. No water (except for creek). No toilets nor showers. No trash - take out what you bring in. May need to hike a ways in the woods to find firewood. Large rock fire ring on site. No AT&T and T-Mobile cell service. Very quiet; no vehicles passed by during the night. The sound from the creek was soothing.


Guide to Morrilton

Tent camping near Morrilton, Arkansas offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $5

  • Enjoy a free stay at Camp Robinson Dispersed Site, where you can pitch your tent among the trees by a drained part of the lake.
  • For a small fee of $5, you can camp at South Fourche, which features picnic tables and vault toilets, making it a convenient option.
  • Haw Creek Falls Camping is another free option, offering stunning views of waterfalls and a serene atmosphere.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Explore specific local attractions

  • The COE Nimrod Lake Carter Cove Campground offers access to a sandy beach and boat ramps, making it a great spot for water activities.
  • Visit the scenic Fourche Mountain Campground for a peaceful retreat, surrounded by pine and oak trees, perfect for hiking and wildlife watching.
  • For a unique experience, check out Cedar Glades Park, known for its beautiful landscapes and proximity to Hot Springs attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Morrilton, AR is Shirewood with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Morrilton, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.