Camping near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Campground options around Ozark-St. Francis National Forests in Arkansas provide a mix of established facilities and rustic experiences. Petit Jean State Park serves as a centerpiece destination with cabins, yurts, and both tent and RV camping areas. The park features multiple camping loops, hiking trails, and access to Cedar Falls, one of the region's prominent waterfalls. Cherokee Park along the Arkansas River offers water-oriented camping with electrical hookups, while Harris Brake Lake provides free dispersed camping opportunities. Several campgrounds in the area support tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and specialty accommodations including cabins.
Weather conditions and access considerations vary seasonally throughout the region. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, including Petit Jean State Park and Maumelle Park, though reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak summer months. Cherokee Park charges $24-26 per night from March through October, with electric and water hookups available at most sites. Facilities range from primitive sites with no amenities to developed campgrounds with full restrooms, showers, and dump stations. The terrain includes riverside locations, lake settings, and mountain elevations that affect both temperature and accessibility. A visitor noted, "Petit Jean is a beautiful park overlooking the Arkansas River Valley. Several different campgrounds offer diverse camping experiences."
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews across multiple locations in the region. Campers frequently mention the views from lakeside and riverside sites, particularly at Cherokee Park where visitors appreciate the peaceful setting on the Arkansas River. Sites at Petit Jean State Park draw visitors for both the camping experience and the hiking opportunities, with Cedar Falls Trail being a popular but sometimes crowded destination. The campground layout at many parks provides good spacing between sites and ample shade from pine trees. Multiple reviews highlight the family-friendly nature of developed campgrounds, with amenities such as swimming pools at Petit Jean adding to the appeal. Several campsites offer level, pull-through access, particularly beneficial for RV campers navigating the varied terrain of the Ozarks region.
