Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Ouachita Lake? We've got you covered. With The Dyrt, it's easy to find peaceful dispersed camping near Ouachita Lake. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Arkansas excursion.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services; such as trash removal, and little or no facilities; such as tables and fire pits, are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets. There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers. Typically, dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads. Many people drive out on Forest Service roads into the woods and find a clearing or a spot near a stream or with a view of the mountains. Do not drive on meadows to access your camping site. Drive on existing roads to prevent resource damage. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway. How to Pick a Campsite If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that has been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites so using existing ones will minimize your impact in the forest. If there is no existing campsite, then follow Leave No Trace guidelines.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services; such as trash removal, and little or no facilities; such as tables and fire pits, are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets.
There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Typically, dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads. Many people drive out on Forest Service roads into the woods and find a clearing or a spot near a stream or with a view of the mountains. Do not drive on meadows to access your camping site. Drive on existing roads to prevent resource damage. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway.
How to Pick a Campsite If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that has been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites so using existing ones will minimize your impact in the forest. If there is no existing campsite, then follow Leave No Trace guidelines.
If you are one of those folks who prefers a different, more rugged camp experience, primitive camping is allowed almost anywhere in the Ouachita National Forest unless there is a sign stating otherwise, or it is a wildlife food plot. Located throughout the Forests are areas that have been campsites for many years. These are located along roadsides, trails, mountain tops, or near streams. Camping at dispersed locations have additional responsibilities: "Leave No Trace" so others can have a similar backcountry experience, pack out any trash or litter, scatter campfire ash around so it doesn't pile up, and leave the area better than you found it.
Please filter water before drinking! Beware of stream crossings after heavy rains. Please read the Dispersed Camping guidelines before heading out. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ouachita/recreation/?cid=fseprd727994
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services; such as trash removal, and little or no facilities; such as tables and fire pits, are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets.
There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Typically, dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads. Many people drive out on Forest Service roads into the woods and find a clearing or a spot near a stream or with a view of the mountains. Do not drive on meadows to access your camping site. Drive on existing roads to prevent resource damage. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway.
How to Pick a Campsite If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that has been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites so using existing ones will minimize your impact in the forest. If there is no existing campsite, then follow Leave No Trace guidelines.
Legend
Coordinates: 34.82029,-92.82184. Large creekside dispersed campsite located on a rocky, bumpy track, about 150 yards east of Forest Road 179 (aka Wildcat Mountain Rd). If going southbound on FR179, the track is on the left immediately after crossing a bridge. The track may look sketchy to some drivers, but I drove down it okay in my Subara. Good spot for car camping. The site itself is very rocky, so it may be uncomfortable for tent camping. There are trees for hammock camping. There are 3 large rock fire rings. This site is prone to flooding. The site appears to be popular and well used. There are no hiking trails, but the access track passes the site and continues along the creek - good for an easy stroll. Tried fishing here, but no luck. I do know from previous experience that there is fish in the creek. The creek is nice for a summertime dip when its running high. The site is mostly shaded; may be difficult to get a Starlink connection. I received no cell service. This is a pretty nice site, offering some privacy from the forest road and a wonderful sound of the creek.
Legend
Coordinates: 34.84016,-92.82538. Located along unpaved Forest Road 179 (Wildcat Mountain Road), about 3/4 miles south of junction with Forest Road 132. The forest road was in good condition during my visit. A 2-wheel drive passenger car should be able to reach this site. It is a large campsite, close to forest road; no privacy from the road. The site is a dirt surface with a very large rock fire ring. Mostly level. Tent and hammock camping possible. No T-Mobile service. Has AT&T 5G service. Shaded; connection to Starlink will be a challenge. Beautiful forest with a very small pond behind the site in the woods. May be able to back a truck camper into the site; I don't recommend anything larger. Pretty area; nice area for a stroll in the woods. There is a hiking trailhead near FR132 with a dirt parking space. This is a really nice, clean site if one doesn't mind the lack of privacy from the forest road.
Scout
First off the coordinates are 34.80858, -93.07552 This campsite has amazing 360 sunsets and sunrises. A bit rocky for tent campers but should have no trouble finding a spot for a 4 man tent. There is also limited level ground but not bad. This site has room for 2-3 rigs. If ya needed to squeeze 4 you definitely could. There is a good breeze as it is on the top of the ridge which would be great in summer but can get a bit nippy in the colder seasons so keep that in mind. Nice sound of the breeze in the trees to put you right to sleep and extremely rare traffic so minimal reminders of society!!! I’ve rambled a bit but this site genuinely ticked all the boxes for me. Made for a beautiful evening.
Legend
WARNING Stay on the good gravel roads. GPS took me down 4 miles of an old log trail that I wasn't able to turn around on. Spent thirty minutes cursing GPS and contemplating my life choices. I was headed for one of the other sites but was so tired when I saw this one I took it.
The site is at a crossroads so quite convenient. Only room for one vehicle. It does have a stone ring for a fire pit. The main draw however is that there is pretty good signal with Verizon here which is really rare in the area.
Guide
We arrived late at night, and I'm glad we had our lightbar. It's dispersed camping, so no dumpster, no gray water dump. It does have a picnick table, though.
Traveler
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. Bring a chair if you want a comfortable seat, also hard to find decent wood to burn, had to walk a bit to find. Not many cars drive down the road, saw some people hiking, also Sunday morning there were hunters out, so hearing gunshot pretty close to camp. All in all though it is good to be with nature and I’d go back to this spot or find another one on the road. I didn’t go very far down the road have more to explore!
Legend
Coordinates: 35.02281, -93.81060. Located 2.5 miles past the entrance of the Jack Creek Recreation Area, and almost 1 mile past the turn off to the shooting range. Jack Creek Road is a mixed dirt/gravel road, wider than a single track; it is well maintained with some minor erosion in a few places. The campsite is well off of Jack Creek Road, down an undesignated dirt track, offering a lot of privacy. Access is easy although the dirt track may be muddy during the wet season. This is a large wooded dispersed campsite that has a short path down to Jack Creek. Depending on the water level, fishing and wading are possible at the creek. The site has a level dirt surface which can accommodate 4 rigs - truck camper size and smaller. Tent and hammock camping are possible. The site has a clean rock fire ring. There is a lot of shade during the summer. Solar charging is possible in an open field at the entrance of the site. This is a wonerful site to camp in. Jack Creek Recreation Area and the Sugar Creek hiking trail are a short drive away. I received no t-Mobile cell service.
Legend
Coordinates: 35.02422, -93.81997. Located 2 miles past the entrance of the Jack Creek Recreation Area, and 1/3rd mile past the turn off to the shooting range. It is a small pull though campsite with a small rock fire ring, close to Jack Creek Road (forest road); there is very little privacy from the forest road. Jack Creek Road is a mixed dirt/gravel road, wider than a single track; it is well maintained with some minor erosion in a few places. This campsite can receive dust from passing vehicles. The site can easily accommodate 2 vehicles, truck camper size and smaller, parked one behind the other. The site is shaded with a level dirt surface. Small tent & hammock camping is possible near rock fire ring which is located between the pull through driveway and the forest road. Easy access into the site. There is no T-Mobile cell service. There is nothing special about this campsite; no recreation, such as hiking trails, in the immediate vicinity. Jack Creek Recreation Area and the Sugar Creek hiking trail are a short drive away.
Legend
Not sure if the pin location is accurate, so here are the coordinates: 35.02802, -93.82913. Located 1.3 miles past the entrance of the Jack Creek Recreation Area. It is a large site with a large rock fire ring, set back a little from Jack Creek Road (forest road). Jack Creek Road is a mixed dirt/gravel road, wider than a single track; it is well maintained with some minor erosion in a few places. The campsite has a mostly level dirt surface that can accommodate 2 vehicles - truck camper size and smaller. Tent and hammock camping is possible. The site is mostly shaded in the summer. There is an old undesignated track near the rear of the site; this may lead down to Jack Creek, but I was not able to verify this due to large mud puddles on the track. There was a little bit of trash at the site, but not too bad. I received no T-Mobile cell service. There is nothing special about this campsite; just a nice place to camp in for a night or two. Jack Creek Recreation Area and the Sugar Creek hiking trail are a short drive away.
Legend
Coordinates: 35.02531, -93.88228. Located just off of Girard Road (Forest Road 20) - a maintained gravel/dirt forest road. This road is mostly a single track - narrow with some minor erosion in a few places. A lifted 4x4 vehicle is NOT needed to drive to the site. The dispersed site is located 1.3 miles south of the turnoff to Jack Creek Recreation Area. This site is set off from the forest road on a narrow undesignated dirt track which is easy to miss. It is a small site with enough room for one vehicle - truck camper size and smaller. The site is mostly level on a dirt surface with a rock fire ring. It is mostly shaded, although solar recharging may be possible during the afternoon with solar panels being placed on the access track in front of the site. Tent and hammock camping are possible. Received a strong T-Mobile 5G signal here. Except for some peace and quiet, there is nothing remarkable about this particular campsite. However, is is located in the Jack Creek area of the Arkansas Ouachitas. This area has a few nice swimming holes and hiking trails which one can drive to. OHV recreation is also possible in the area.
Legend
Large dispersed campsite located 2 miles west of Lake Sylvia State Park, where Forest Road 152 meets Forest Road 132. Clean site with one rock fire ring. Can fit a couple of vehicles. Because of the position of the trees on the site, maneuvering a truck camper into the site may be a challenge; don't recommend anything larger. Tent camping is possible. This is a level dirt site with some embedded rocks jutting up. Nice wooded area around site to stroll through. Seasonal track FR132C is adjacent to the site; this track is hikeable. Since the site is at the intersection of popular forest roads, there will be vehicles driving by. The site is set back enough that dust may not be a concern. No T-Mobile cell service. This is convenient, pretty campsite.
Legend
Coordinates: 34.85431, -92.88115. Small dispersed campsite in the woods just off of Forest Road 132. Close to the forest road; easy access. There is a clean rock fire ring. Good campsite for a quick overnight stay. The surface of the site is dirt with a little bit of pea gravel. This site is only big enough for one rig, truck camper and smaller size. Pitching a tent is possible in a small clearing to the left of the rock fire ring. Slight downward slope but not bad. Shaded in summer. Nice wooded area. No T-Mobile cell service. There are no hiking trails nearby or remarkable natural features here, but the forest at this site is pretty. This is a nice site in the autumn.
Legend
I haven't camped here recently. Forest Road 132A, which climbs up to the Crystal Mountain Overlook fom Forest Road 132, is not maintained and badly eroded. Drivers with high clearance 4x4 vehicles and OHVs will enjoy driving up this track, but I don't recommend this drive for the average passenger vehicle. I no longer attempt this with my stock AWD Subaru Outback - just not enough clearance. There are two rock fire rings at the top. Despite the nice views at the top, the dispersed campsites are usually trashy. I included an older photo of the view with Lake Winona in the distance.
Legend
Coordinates: 34.83903, -92.94556. Set back from Forest Road 132 off of an old track - a short distance west of Forest Road 75. There is some minor erosion on the access to this site from FR132. Large site; good for groups. Should accommodate 4 rigs - truck campersize & smaller. This site can accommodate 4x4 drivers that are planning to tackle Forest Road 132A to the Crystal Mountain Overlook - a short distance east of this site. FR132A is hikeable for those who do not drive high clearance 4x4s. The dispersed site has a level dirt surface. There are two rock fire rings. Beautiful forest backdrop. No T-Mobile service.
Legend
This is an update to my Feb 2022 review. This dispersed camp site has a level pull-thru driveway which can accomodate about 2 or 3 vehicles. I believe this driveway can accomodate a truck camper. Parking is not next to the rock fire ring; the fire ring is a very short walk away into the woods. The site is pretty much surrounded by forest - easy to stroll around in. Despite the site's elevation, there is no view of distant hills. Included some summer time images with this review. I like this spot, especially with the easy access to the Ouachita Trail nearby.
Legend
Near Oak Mtn Vista overlook. Great spot; fantastic unobstructed view of the hills to the south. Some shade in the summer. Fantastic view during the winter season. Large site; can comfortably accommodate 2, maybe 3 rigs - truck camper & smaller. Not level; some leveling is required. Dirt surface with exposed embedded rock - may be uncomfortable for tent camping. Close to road, which can get busy at times. Nice rock fire ring. Clean site. T-Mobile cell service.
Legend
Small drive up site in a nice, wooded area. Very close to Forest Road 124, which is not busy. A few sections of this forest road coming from Trail 86 has minor erosion, but a 2WD passenger vehicle can carefully make it. The campsite slopes down slightly; some leveling may be required. Rock fire ring. Although close to the forest road, this is a pretty site. Good for an overnight stay while exlporing the forest. No T-Mobile cell service.
LegendLocated on Forest Road 153. Small site with a nice view. The view is better during winter season camping. Close to the forest road with very little traffic; may get dusty at times. Two rock fire rings. This site has a rocky surface with sparse grass. High summer undergrowth around site. The site was not quite level, but workable. Fits one rig, truck camper and smaller. Finding a soft place for a tent may be difficult. Forest road 153 btween this site and Highway 7 appears to have been badly damaged by heavy rain and erosion. Looks like attempts were made to repair it, but still sketchy in places. There are some minor obstacles and washouts. I don't recommend this road for a 2WD passenger car; 4x4's with some high clearence should have no problem. I received good T-Mobile service at this site. Love this dispersed campsite.
Legend
The coordinates placed me at a gated forest road. There is no dispersed campsite here. There is also no river access or creeks at this location. I bet the original reviewer is describing a location down Forest Road 796 which goes westbound from near this location toward the Fourche La Fave River.
Legend
Camped here on Dec 13, 2023. Along well maintained gravel forest road, FR 179 in the Ouachita National Forest, Saline County, Arkansas. Really nice large site with a creek that flows into the North Fork of the Saline River was behind the site. Site appears to be large enough for 2 rigs no large than a truck camper. Multiple tents can be set up here. Did not have a problem parking our camper van on a level spot. The dirt surface is level. The site has a rock fire ring. Only a few vehicles drove by the site on FR179. Lots of trees surrounding the site with an open sky above for star gazing. Fishing is possible in the North Fork of the Saline River a short walk south of the site. No hiking trails nearby. No T-Mobile or AT&T cell service. Love this spot!
GuideLarge site if you are sleeping on the ground bring plenty of padding it is rocky and no very flat. If you are in a rooftop there are plenty of rocks to level up on. Great views
GuideOff grid camp site need 4×4 some washouts on forest service rd 153
ScoutI have a CDL and back stuff all day. Don't try to pull in. Back in off the Buck Mountain
TravelerThere was a fire pit, prepared firewood, and a nice stump to chop more on. Very isolated, didn’t see any cars past 7 pm. Ample room for large van and many tents. Beautiful view from atop the mountain!
TravelerWhile this spot is gorgeous You must be able to sleep through barking dogs. I sleep inside my vehicle so it wasn't as bad but I couldn't imagine anyone in a tent Getting much sleep at all. the neighbor dogs bark non-stop about everything. Any movement on the site they go crazy it is really really loud.
ScoutGood secluded spot for Privacy
TravelerI have a 30ft Class C which is probably the largest vehicle you would want to drive down the dirt road to this site. There is a clearing near the Ouachita Trail with a fire pit and plenty of space to park. You're in the middle of nowhere and it's gorgeous!
Dispersed camping near Ouachita Lake in Arkansas offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With a variety of sites available, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ouachita Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ouachita Lake is Forest Service RD 153 Ouachita National Forest with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Ouachita Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 36 dispersed camping locations near Ouachita Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
