Camping spots near Newport, Arkansas range across several counties with varied terrain features. The area sits at elevations between 200-400 feet within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, with distinct geological features appearing at Crowley's Ridge. Summer temperatures frequently reach above 90°F with high humidity levels. Most campgrounds maintain water hookups year-round, though seasonal closures affect some shower facilities during winter months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Charles State Park Campground offers productive fishing across its 645-acre lake. "Very nice place. We have been there twice and will be going back there this spring. Nice camping areas and the fishing was good. Also has a nice swimming area," reports Leroy T.
Historic exploration: Visit the exhibits at state parks that showcase local history. At Jacksonport, "The visitor's center is a must see. Lots of great exhibits detailing the history of the area," notes Andy H. The park preserves the region's river commerce heritage through interactive displays.
Paddling activities: Several parks rent boats for exploring their lakes. "We did paddle boating and walked the trails!" shares a visitor about Crowley's Ridge State Park Campground. The park maintains rental options that remain open when other parks have limited services.
Hiking trail options: Trail systems vary across the parks with different difficulty levels. "There are trails for hiking or bike riding. All three campground areas have access to the lake for fishing," explains Jeff E. about Lake Charles. Many trails connect directly to camping areas for convenient access.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Washrooms and grounds maintenance receive consistent praise. "The bath houses have just been renovated and the facility is maintained very well," notes a reviewer at Lake Poinsett State Park Campground. "Bathhouse cleaned and well maintained," confirms another visitor.
Swimming areas: Designated swimming beaches provide relief during hot months. "Really lovely lake with a great area for swimming. We had kind neighbors and felt very safe," shares Mandy J. about Lake Charles. Some parks include slides and dedicated swimming zones separate from fishing areas.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer well-proportioned sites with adequate separation. "The sites are very large and level," confirms a visitor to Lake Poinsett. At Jacksonport, "All sites looked quite level. There are quite a few depressions around the campground that filled with water when it rained, but the water tended to drain within a day or so."
Natural features: The varied landscape creates distinctive camping environments. "The lake area is beautiful with a small spring fed waterfall, a swim beach area and even a slide into the water," describes a camper at Davidsonville Historic State Park Campground, which features "Beautiful, peaceful, smaller campground with a small lake, a river, hiking trails and historic sites with interpretive signage."
What you should know
Bug concerns: Insects require preparation, especially at dusk. "Mosquitoes were a bit of a nuisance in the evening, but that is to be expected for the area," advises Nathaniel B. about Lake Charles. Another visitor cautions, "It's in Arkansas so don't forget your mosquito spray after dark."
Cell service variability: Coverage differs significantly between providers and locations. At Jacksonport, "AT&T coverage was surprisingly good here, generally between 2-4 Bars of 5Ge service, with speeds up to 8 MB/s," reports Ray & Terri F. At Lake Poinsett, expect "No Cell service for ATT. There is WiFi at the bathhouse, but was very sketchy due to the busy weekend."
Shopping access: Most campgrounds require planning for supplies. Lake Charles visitors note, "Located near a very tiny town, so bring everything you need with you because a quick trip to the store will take you at least 30 min." Some areas are in dry counties, requiring longer drives for certain purchases.
Reservation timing: Booking patterns vary seasonally. "We stayed over Memorial Day weekend. Every site was booked but not crowded," notes Sean D. about Lake Poinsett. For John F. Kennedy Campground, a visitor advises, "This spot is popular so get your reservations in! Some come as you go spots but they go quickly!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks maintain playground equipment for children. Craighead Forest Park offers "several very cool playgrounds, a paved trail that encompasses the park as well as a dirt trail around the outside." Another visitor confirms it's "great for family's. The lake is nice for fishing and feeding the ducks."
Swimming options: Kid-friendly water access varies by location. "The lake area is beautiful with a small spring fed waterfall, a swim beach area and even a slide into the water," notes a Crowley's Ridge visitor. Some parks maintain dedicated swimming beaches separate from boating areas.
Space for activities: Site selection affects family comfort. "We stayed in site 4 for 3 days. All of the sites looked quite level," reports a Jacksonport visitor. At Village Creek, "the sites are large, and spaced out pretty well. Bathrooms were clean, park staff was great."
Educational opportunities: Historic exhibits engage children with regional history. "We stayed in the primitive area which is first come first served. We were the only people there on a busy weekend so we had our pick of sites," notes a visitor to Davidsonville, which features interpretive displays about early Arkansas settlements.
Tips from RVers
Road access challenges: Approach routes can create difficulties for larger vehicles. "The roads into this area are narrow, winding and have no shoulder. Not the best for an old Class A, but worth the trip," cautions a visitor at Lake Charles. Jacksonport visitors recommend, "Coming into Jacksonport off of AR Hwy 69 and onto Avenue St, which is also a tight turn from the North, but the street is much wider."
Site selection: Research site dimensions carefully before booking. At Village Creek State Park Campground, "Some sites are really small, so make sure to take RV length into consideration." Kim C. advises about Davidsonville, "It would be easier to back rigs into the sites if they didn't have the wooden signs at the entrance to each site with the site#, but we got in with lots of back and forthing."
Hookup configurations: Amenities vary significantly between campgrounds and sections. "We were in site 2, which was a pull through with full hook ups. Each site has a designated tent pad as well as a lantern hook," reports a Davidsonville camper. At Village Creek, "There is a dump station as you exit each Campground loop."
Leveling considerations: Terrain affects setup requirements. "Our site was totally level," reports a Village Creek visitor, while others note some parks have "Not the biggest or best park in the state, but a good one, with plenty to do, and usually not very heavily populated, even by the locals."
