North Little Rock, Arkansas camping options stretch along the Arkansas River offering sites for RVs of various sizes. Located at approximately 300 feet above sea level, the area experiences humid subtropical climate with hot summers reaching 90°F and mild winters rarely dropping below freezing. The Arkansas River creates a natural boundary between North Little Rock and Little Rock, with several riverside campgrounds offering direct water access.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Willow Beach campground offers fishing along the Arkansas River. "I would definitely stay again but next time I'm bringing a fishing pole," notes Nicole F., highlighting the popular fishing spots along the shoreline.
Pedestrian bridge access: Downtown Riverside RV Park provides direct access to downtown Little Rock via a pedestrian bridge. "There is a pedestrian bridge accessed through a security gate that crosses the river and arrives at the Clinton Library and park. It was so nice to stroll through after a day of driving," shares Pam R.
River watching: Enjoy watching commercial river traffic from your campsite. At Tar Camp, "We could watch the tug boats with their barges go by. Not many campers here right now so it's quiet," according to Angela G.
Walking routes: Several parks offer walking paths with river views. Gary I. notes, "We enjoy walking and the nearby pedestrian bridge makes it handy to get over to town. Once across you can take a nice town/parks walk and come back on another pedestrian bridge further down the river."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the well-spaced sites at Willow Beach. "Large sites, not piled in on each other like RV parks. It's a clean campground outside the city, can't beat it for the price," writes Justin M.
Level camping areas: Site conditions are notably level at some campgrounds. Jo E. reports, "The sites are extremely level! I didn't even need to level my pop-up camper!!"
River views: Waterfront sites offer scenic views of the Arkansas River. "Beautiful campsite along the Arkansas River. The sites are all very spacious with very long back in driveways," Kelly E. shares about Willow Beach.
Urban accessibility: RVers appreciate the proximity to city attractions. "Right on the river, this city owned rv park is close to everything. And you can walk across the bridge to the Clinton Library," notes Troy about Downtown Riverside.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Some parks close during winter months or for high water. "Was a great park at one time with a boat ramp and bathrooms. Nice spot to camp with plenty of wildlife. Hope they reopen soon. WAS INFORMED 11-1-2020 That they will be opening March of 2021," Steve S. mentions about Tar Camp.
Limited amenities: Not all parks offer full facilities. Beth R. notes about Downtown Riverside RV Park, "Pros: Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP), Concrete, level pads, Overlooks the Arkansas River, Large Pavilion, Gated RV park, Easy access to downtown Little Rock AR. Cons: Limited amenities."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife, particularly near water. Jennifer C. cautions about Sweet Escape RV Resort: "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."
Insect preparation: River proximity means insects. "It is near water so there are a lot of mosquitos, so come prepared," advises Kelly E. about camping at Willow Beach.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some parks offer playground equipment. Jennifer C. notes, "Nice playground but it was taped off during our stay due to covid."
Fishing opportunities for kids: Several campgrounds offer fishing access without needing a boat. "This is a pretty campground with huge trees for shade. The water hyacinths were in full bloom while we were here and are beautiful!!" says Jo E. about the shoreline at Willow Beach.
Dog-friendly options: Gold Creek Landing RV Park and Sweet Escape welcome pets. "Very friendly campground. Many amenities including laundry, bathhouse, very nice showers, and large dog park. We really enjoyed the fishing ponds as well," writes Jessie J. about Sweet Escape.
Security features: Some parks offer additional security. Jennifer C. notes, "They lock a gate every night at the entrance to the campground, however they do give you the code to the padlock."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For rv sites near North Little Rock, Arkansas, experienced RVers recommend waterfront sites. "We lucked into site 29 which was huge and right on the Arkansas River," shares Pam R. about Downtown Riverside.
Bathroom facilities: Check bathroom availability before arrival. "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," notes Kelly E.
Concrete pads: Several RV parks offer concrete pads for easy leveling. "All the spots had large concrete pads," William M. reports about Downtown Riverside.
Distance from highway noise: Some RVers note the impact of nearby roads. Gary I. mentions, "Road noise not noticeable from inside our RV at nights so slept well."