Best Campgrounds near Norman, AR

Norman, Arkansas, situated in the Ouachita Mountains region, serves as a gateway to multiple camping areas ranging from developed facilities to primitive sites. Crystal Campground, located directly in Norman, offers free tent and RV camping with picnic tables, fire rings, and basic toilets. Nearby options include Lake Ouachita sites like Crystal Springs Campground, Denby Point, and Tompkins Bend, all within 15-20 miles of Norman. The terrain varies from lakeside locations with boat access to forested mountain settings, accommodating everything from tent camping to RV hookup needs.

Road conditions and campground access in this area change seasonally, with some facilities maintaining year-round operation while others have limited availability during winter months. Most established campgrounds near Norman feature drinking water and toilet facilities, though shower availability is limited primarily to larger developed sites. The region experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Lake levels fluctuate throughout the year, affecting shoreline camping and boat launch access. Cell service varies considerably throughout the mountainous terrain, with better coverage near larger campgrounds and diminished signal in remote areas. According to one visitor, "The campsites have good shade and are all close to the water. You can start fires, keep your vehicle right by, and bring your furry friend along too!"

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, particularly at Lake Ouachita sites where clear water and scenic mountain backdrops create popular destinations. Several campgrounds feature boat-in camping opportunities, allowing visitors to access remote shoreline sites. Crystal Campground provides a more rustic experience with free camping and basic amenities, while nearby Corps of Engineers campgrounds offer more developed facilities with electrical hookups and improved infrastructure. Many campers note the excellent fishing opportunities throughout the region, especially in Lake Ouachita and nearby rivers. Review data indicates the area generally receives high satisfaction ratings, with Crystal Campground earning a 4.8/5 rating. Wildlife sightings are common, with visitors reporting deer, various bird species, and occasional larger mammals throughout the forested camping areas.

Best Camping Sites Near Norman, Arkansas (205)

    1. COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

    45 Reviews
    Royal, AR
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 991-3390

    $14 - $80 / night

    "Arkansas has variable weather in January. Cold clear day today but higher temps predicted for later in the week. Many sites available. Beautiful views."

    "This site also backs to the lake which is nice except that people would park their boats on the shore and walk through the site at which I was camped. This was a first for me."

    2. Daisy State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Kirby, AR
    16 miles
    Website

    "Daisy SP is a fantastic SP located in the southwest corner of Arkansas.  The Camper and RV sites are level and big for any size vehicle.  The walk in tent sites are some of the best in the Midwest. "

    "We are parcel to sites 95 and 96 due to their close proximity to the bathroom. The bathrooms are very clean and we have observed the camp staff regularly checking and maintaining them."

    3. Crystal Campground

    10 Reviews
    Norman, AR
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 321-5202

    "Located in Ouachita National Forest, this campground is easy to get to. Ideal for tent, vans, even tear drop campers. No hook ups. Some sites had really good solar potential, most were well shaded."

    "It is located very central to a lot of quartz crystal mines. 3 miles down the road is collier spring where 1 can get all the drinkable fresh mountain spring water 1 wants."

    4. Denby Point

    18 Reviews
    Mount Ida, AR
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 867-4475

    $14 - $65 / night

    "I took off one star because this site, while located right on the water, is very unlevel."

    "We booked late but were able to find a great spot with lots of trees surrounding us, spread out, and a lake view."

    5. Tompkins Bend

    10 Reviews
    Story, AR
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 867-4476

    $14 - $50 / night

    "We arrived on Friday evening and found our site was even closer to the lake than expected. We were nearly surrounded by water and it made for a pretty view--especially at sunrise."

    "The campground is nicely situated near the end of the LOViT cross country MTB/hiking trail. There are sites ranging from primitive to water and electric."

    6. Charlton Campground

    13 Reviews
    Royal, AR
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 867-2101

    $15 - $40 / night

    "We stayed in Loop C at the very back past the group campsite, which is tent camping only and a short walk from the bathroom."

    "Despite being close to the main road, it was very quiet."

    7. Hickory Nut Mountain

    11 Reviews
    Ouachita Lake, AR
    16 miles
    Website

    "Hidden off road to the top for scenic view. If the gate is open then explore an hour worth moderate off roading. This place also offers great hiking trails and primitive camping."

    "Right next to the trails! Beautiful view of lake below. Only issue was some broken glass around the picnic area. Please pack out all of your trash!"

    8. Albert Pike Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Langley, AR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 356-4186

    "hike this for some of the most beautiful scenery to offer. go about 2.3 miles in once you cross the river twice look for a small trail that leads to the ultimate camping spot. huge rock facing behind it"

    "This area is superb for primitive camping along the mountain road side pulloffs. Or if you're up for more of a challenge like us, you can take on the 28-30 mile Eagle Rock Loop trail."

    9. Caddo River Access RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Caddo Gap, AR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 356-5336

    $12 - $40 / night

    "It is located a little south of central Arkansas so it’s easily accessible to the whole state. It’s also very affordable and has great amenities."

    "They are very close to the outfitter drop spot. Right on the river. Bathroom facilities are very nice and well kept. Outfitter has very nice quality boats for rent as well."

    10. COE Lake Ouachita Joplin Campground

    9 Reviews
    Story, AR
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 867-4472

    $16 - $24 / night

    "Hike in electric spot that overlooked the lake. Easy to walk down and swim in the water!"

    "We enjoyed our 2 nights here on the lake. The campground is literally on a mountain in the lake. Tent sites right on the lake and so are some RV spots. Warning."

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Recent Reviews near Norman, AR

943 Reviews of 205 Norman Campgrounds


  • R
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Jack Creek Recreation Area

    Great, quiet place

    I have lived in the area for 12 years and this is where we always go. Primitive, but thats the best part about it. You got the creek for water play, bathrooms and picnic tables. A little further down the road is an outdoor gun range. Very peaceful and great place to recharge. Kids love it.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

    Must visit !

    Beautiful campground! Sites are spacious. Area is clean and lots of things to do. Near Hot Springs so we did a lot of exploring there.

  • Kenneth F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Hot Springs Arkansas Finish Line RV Park

    Nice little park

    This is a nice little gated park. Close to the national park in Hot Springs Arkansas. And right next door to the flat track/casino. It’s pretty new, but not really any extra amenities. 20/30/50 amp full hookups. Concrete pads, and paved streets. Laundry and bath house. Inexpensive. We’d definitely stay here again!

  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    DeGray Lake Resort State Park — De Gray State Park

    Very quiet and secluded CG

    We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 12 for 1 night in mid September. The CG is clean and well maintained but showing its age. The CG roads are paved, but narrow, winding, and fairly bumpy in spots. Few if any of the sites in this section of the CG were anywhere close to level and our site, one of the few pull-throughs, was one of the worst, I mean seriously sloped even after ratcheting up the front levelers as far as they’d go. The CG is very quiet and peaceful. There was only one other camper in this section of the CG while we were there. 

    AT&T coverage was basically nonexistent with 1 bar of LTE service but very little if any throughput. The CG is heavily wooded, so Starlink was unusable.

  • alicianlv The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground

    Diamond Mining Fun

    What a lovely state park campground. Sites are just close enough not to be crowded. Facilities on site were clean and well maintained. Nice to have a hot shower after mining for diamonds. Will make note that best time to come is October-November. Visitor center was somewhat dated, would have thought they would have basic food stuff and more camper supplies. Other than that it was a nice place and we will come again!

    PS if you have a dog who likes to dig this is a nice place for them to help you dig.

  • Travis A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

    Nice ACOE campground

    Nice lake with beach area. Playground for kids. Clean restrooms. Some of the sites are small so check the length. Not far from Hot Springs.

  • Makayla C.
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Buckville - Lake Ouachita

    Island Camping!!!

    We decided to island camp here and boy was it an experience. Day one was perfect, despite some storms, we really enjoyed ourselves. Day two we had to pack up early, flies got so horrible and wouldn’t stop biting us!

  • Charity S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Irons Fork

    Peaceful

    We were the only campers had a great spot on the water for a morning shower. I used my own pop up toilet as there’s is not close to being clean. It is bear country and others trash was gone through by wildlife in the bathroom.


Guide to Norman

The Norman area camping experience centers around the Ouachita Mountains and multiple waterways, with elevations ranging from 850-2,100 feet. Crystal-clear springs feed creeks and lakes throughout this region, creating cold water bodies that contrast with the hot summer temperatures. Scattered primitive sites offer alternatives to the more developed facilities, especially for campers seeking solitude in the national forest.

What to do

Crystal hunting and mining: Multiple quartz mines operate within 10-20 miles of Norman where visitors can dig for crystals. "Went crystal digging at Coleman which was also unbelievable. Will definitely go back when half the US is underwater!" remarked one camper at COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground.

Creek exploration: Montgomery Creek at Crystal Campground offers clear, cold water swimming spots. "The creek is AWESOME and there's some great trails. Lots of other campsites in that area too," reports one visitor who rated the area 5 stars.

Mountain biking: The Lake Ouachita Vista trail system near Tompkins Bend provides trails for various skill levels. "The campground is nicely situated near the end of the LOViT cross country MTB/hiking trail," notes a reviewer who found the area perfect for outdoor activities.

Spring water collection: Visit Collier Spring near Crystal Campground where "one can get all the drinkable fresh mountain spring water one wants," according to a camper who appreciated this natural resource.

Boat-in camping: Several Lake Ouachita sites allow campers to access remote shoreline locations. "There are sites ranging from primitive to water and electric. Each site has a table and a fire pit and is within reasonable distance from flushing toilets," explains a Tompkins Bend visitor.

What campers like

Privacy at primitive sites: At Hickory Nut Mountain, campers enjoy secluded spots away from crowds. "If you truly want to hide from the world, this is the place for a weekend solitude," reports one visitor who appreciated the remote setting.

Waterfront access: Many sites at COE Lake Ouachita Joplin Campground sit directly on the water. "We had a beautiful spot on a peninsula. Lake was beautiful. You can rent boats and jet skis there at the marina. You could get right in the lake from our site," explains one reviewer.

Affordable camping with passes: Cost-conscious campers appreciate the COE campgrounds' value. "Normal cost is $22 a night but with National Parks Senior Pass the cost was only $11 per night! What a deal!" shared a Denby Point visitor.

Wildlife viewing: The forests around Norman host diverse wildlife. "We saw eagles every day and fishing was great," notes a Crystal Springs camper, while others report regularly spotting deer throughout the campgrounds.

Swimming holes: Natural water features provide relief during hot months. "The creek was dammed to create a swimming hole. Many visitors came during the day for the swimming," reports a visitor to Charlton Campground.

What you should know

Roads and accessibility: Gravel roads lead to several primitive sites and can become problematic in wet conditions. "Take care driving down the well maintained dirt road to get here. It's nicely graded and hard packed but narrow. And I am not sure if it's rained recently if there's the potential for getting stuck," cautions a Crystal Campground visitor.

Limited showers: While toilets are common, shower facilities are less available. A visitor to Denby Point noted, "Can't seem to correct rating--should be 5 stars. We had a beautiful lakeview campsite in this well laid out COE park, number 46. It was one of the most difficult sites to back in we have ever had."

Cellular coverage: Signal strength varies significantly. "Verizon 1 bar" reports a Crystal Campground reviewer, while others mention no service with certain carriers, particularly in the more remote locations.

Bridge weight limits: Infrastructure constraints affect some areas. "Due to bridge weight restrictions, less maintained by COE than other nearby CGs," explains a Joplin Campground visitor.

Maps and navigation: Some campground maps may be outdated. "The map was all wrong. We spent nearly an hour trying to find our spot," warns a camper who struggled at Joplin Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Beach and swimming areas: Several sites offer designated swimming zones. "There is a swim beach but you can swim anywhere. So when I got hot I just jumped in the water to cool down," advises a Crystal Springs visitor discussing Lake Ouachita.

Playground access: Daisy State Park Campground provides family-friendly facilities. "This is a great park. Never too crowded and the staff is super friendly. Nice quiet place to relax," reports one reviewer who found it perfect for a family outing.

Water safety awareness: Flash flooding concerns exist in this region, particularly near creeks and rivers. "Just be careful not to go when rain is expected, because it can be very dangerous," warns a visitor about camping near Albert Pike.

Tent pads and accessibility: Family tent campers should check site specifications. "The tent pads on these sites are level and well kept. We are parcel to sites 95 and 96 due to their close proximity to the bathroom," recommends a Daisy State Park visitor.

Wildlife precautions: Bears and other wildlife require proper food storage. "Raccoons were active at night and grabbed any food or trash accidentally left out," notes a Charlton camper who experienced wildlife encounters.

Tips from RVers

Site levelness: Many mountain campgrounds have sloped sites. "Some sites are off camber due to the mountain side," explains a Joplin Campground visitor, recommending advance research on site topography.

RV size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. "We stayed in Loop C at the very back past the group campsite, which is tent camping only and a short walk from the bathroom," shares a Charlton Campground visitor, highlighting the need to verify access.

Electric options: Check available amperage at hookup sites. "Our site had 50, 30 and 20 amp electric as well as a frost hydrant with decent water pressure," reports a visitor to Joplin, noting the varying electrical options.

Dump station locations: Most RV-friendly sites have dump stations, though not all offer sewer hookups. "No sewer hookup, but between the multiple bathhouses and dump station, we were ok," notes a Joplin camper.

Winter preparations: RVers camping in colder months should prepare for freezing conditions. "Hosts were friendly and made sure we were all set up for freezing temperatures and/or making sure we didn't break the spigot," mentions a Joplin visitor appreciating the wintertime assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Norman, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Norman, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 205 campgrounds and RV parks near Norman, AR and 27 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Norman, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Norman, AR is COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 45 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Norman, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 free dispersed camping spots near Norman, AR.

What parks are near Norman, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 parks near Norman, AR that allow camping, notably Ouachita National Forest and Ouachita Lake.