Best Dispersed Camping near North Little Rock, AR
Dispersed camping opportunities exist in the Ouachita National Forest near North Little Rock, Arkansas, with several free primitive sites accessible via forest roads. Most sites are located along Forest Roads 132 (Winona Scenic Drive), 179 (Wildcat Mountain Road), and 805 (Brown Creek Road), offering access to wilderness areas like Flatside Wilderness and proximity to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. These public lands permit no-fee camping in designated dispersed areas, typically featuring basic rock fire rings with no other amenities or facilities.
Forest roads in this region range from well-maintained gravel to rough, eroded tracks that may require high-clearance vehicles. Many sites can be reached with standard passenger cars when driven carefully, though some areas become challenging after rain or during wet seasons. Several locations, particularly those along FR132A leading to Crystal Mountain Overlook, demand 4x4 vehicles due to significant erosion. Most dispersed sites have dirt surfaces with some embedded rocks that may be uncomfortable for tent camping. No drinking water, toilets, or trash services are available, and campers must pack out all waste. Camping is permitted year-round with typical 14-day stay limits.
The camping experience includes creekside locations, wooded settings, and occasional viewpoints overlooking Lake Winona and surrounding hills. Sites vary in size, with some accommodating multiple small vehicles while others suit just one rig no larger than a truck camper. Many areas provide access to hiking opportunities, particularly the Ouachita National Recreation Trail and shorter paths like the Brown Creek Cascade Trail. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with T-Mobile coverage particularly unreliable. "Beautiful site in the woods. Quiet. Next to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail which is a wonderful hiking trail," noted one visitor of the North Fork Pinnacle site. Another camper described their experience: "Peaceful at night. The only sounds came from the birds, the breeze and the creek."
