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Best Dispersed Camping near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

56 Reviews

The Ozark St. Francis National Forests have several dispersed camping areas where you can pitch a tent away from designated campgrounds. These primitive spots require complete self-sufficiency since you won't find restrooms or running water at places like City Park Campground. You'll need to follow Leave No Trace guidelines and set up at least 200 feet from any water sources or roads. Most dispersed sites in the forests limit stays to 14 days. Many of the best spots require driving on rough forest roads, so vehicles with higher clearance work better for accessing remote areas. The Recreation Area has additional wild camping with no built facilities - no fire rings, no tables, just open space. Fire bans often happen during dry months, so check with rangers before planning to build a campfire. All trash needs to go back out with you when you leave. Weather in the Ozarks can change quickly between hot days and cool nights. Cell phones typically don't work well throughout much of the forests, making paper maps essential. Following the rules helps keep these public lands open and protected for everyone who wants to camp here.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests (45)

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54 Photos of 45 Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

56 Reviews of 45 Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Campgrounds

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 12, 2022

    Dispersed FR132 Ouachita National Forest, AR

    Dispersed Camping near Ouachita National Recreation Trail, AR

    Located along Forest Road 132 (Winona Scenic Drive) in the Ouachita National Forest, Saline County, Arkansas. Flatside Wilderness Area located across the road from the site. Access to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail located nearby. Free dispersed site, no facilities. Rock fire ring. Should be enough parking for 2 vehicles. Suitable for tent camping, car camping, truck camping & van camping. Mostly level. There was plenty of firewood left by the fire ring. Camped here in February; very quiet. Only 2 vehicles drove by. Had a few bars of T-Mobile service.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 14, 2022

    Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite

    Free dispersed camping in the Ouachita National Forest

    Popular dispersed campsite in the Ouachita National Forest. Only one site; not a campground. Located on the gravel Brown Creek Road in Perry County, Arkansas. The South Fork of Brown Creek runs behind this campsite. Located next to the trailhead for Brown Creek Cascade - a short 1/4 mile hike (includes a creek crossing). This campsite is suitable for tent camping, car camping, camper vans & truck campers. Two vehicles can easily fit on this level site. There are other dispersed sites along Brown Creek Road. The site is close to the road; there's a large mud puddle covering one of the 2 entrances to this site. 2-wheel drive passenger cars can make it to the site. Large pine trees on the site. Hammock camping is possible. No water (except for creek). No toilets nor showers. No trash - take out what you bring in. May need to hike a ways in the woods to find firewood. Large rock fire ring on site. No AT&T and T-Mobile cell service. Very quiet; no vehicles passed by during the night. The sound from the creek was soothing.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2024

    Brock Creek - Charleston Rd Dispersed, Ozark NF, AR

    Nice Dispersed Site Above Brock Creek

    Not sure if the location pin is correct, so here are the coordinates: 35.49995, -92.80930. A large, wooded dispersed site situated above Brock Creek off of Charleston Road in a popular national forest OHV and multi-use trail area. Charleston Road is a wide, well maintained gravel road. The dispersed site can accommodate 2 or 3 vehicles - campervan size and smaller. There are 2 access driveways into the site. Access for a truck camper is tight due to the location of trees on the site. Access for 2WD low clearance vehicles may be rough due to some erosion. The dispersed site is a dirt surface with some embedded rocks jutting out. Some leveling may be required depending where the rig is parked. Tent camping is possible. There is a vehicle turnaround at the rear of the site. The site is shaded, so solar charging is limited. Except for a little bit of glass and some bullet shell casings scattered about, the site was clean at the time of my visit. The site has a large rock fire ring. There is a wide track that leads off the site toward the south along and above the creek. This track does not appears on any of the current forest service maps (including MVUM) that I have, so I'm assuming that it is not a legal motorized vehicle track. The track is hikeable. The site is convenient to OHV and multi-use trails. It was a pretty site during my summertime visit, but I bet it's beautiful during the Fall season. It is set back from Charleston Road. It is a really nice spot.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2025

    Brown Creek Rd/FR805 Dispersed

    Nice wooded dispersed site above a small creek

    Coordinates: 34.87057,-92.89844. Camped here on April 20, 2025. Located along Brown Creek Road (Forest Road 805), appoximately 1/2 mile west of the Brown Creek Cascade dispersed site and trail head (see separate listing). Large, level site with a dirt surface. Should easily accomadate 2 or 3 rigs and tents. Recommend campervan and smaller rigs. Due to the trees on the site, a truck camper will have a difficult time pulling all the way into the site (although it can park on the access driveway). Easy access from the forest road. The site is clearly visable from the forest road; no privacy, and dust may be an issue during the dry season. Only 6 vehicles passed by during my stay (which was on a Monday evening). There is a large, nicely constructed rock fire ring on the site; other than this, there are no amenities at the site. A small creek is down the hill behind the site; the creek is dry during the dry season. A beautiful wall of trees is across the creek. The site is shaded; solar charging and Starlink connectivity may be difficult. Hammock camping is possible. No T-Mobile cell service. No access to hiking trails at the site; trailheads for Brown Creek Cascade and the Ouachita National Recreation Trail are a short drive away. Loved this site. Peaceful at night. The only sounds came from the birds, the breeze and the creek. Note that due to recent severe Spring storms, portions of Brown Creek Road have some erosion. The rocky surface is moderately rough in places, although a 2WD passenger car can make it if driven carefully through the rough spots. No issues for high clearance 4x4 vehicles.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 6, 2025

    FR1802A, Meadows Knob Rd Dispersed

    Secluded, Light Usage, Dispersed Camping in the Ozarks

    Coordinates: 35.58695,-93.20723. Camped here Dec 29, 2024. Set well off of Meadows Knob Rd. Expect pinstriping along the access track to this secluded dispersed campsite. FR1802A toward the site has some erosion; low clearance vehicles may high center in one or two spots. The main forest road into this part of the Ozark National Forest is okay. The campsite is in open area, located in an old clear cut area. There is a partial view of the distant mountains. The site is a level, dirt surface. Not a large site; okay for one rig. Tent camping possible. No nearby mature trees for hammock camping. The site is overgrown with grass and weeds; a weed whacker is needed to clear the rock fire ring. There is a spot on the ground where a previous campfire was made. Good AT&T and T-Mobile 5G service. No shade; access to Starlink is possible. No hiking trails, although there is a 2-track for hiking that leads down into Graves Creek Canyon and some unnamed waterfalls. The hike along this trck is nice. This is not a pretty dispersed site, but it is well off of the main forest road; very private. Access to the site may be difficult for some vehicles. High clearance 4x4 vehicles should have no problems.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2022

    Middle Fork Dispersed Site AR Ozarks

    Creekside Dispersed Site, Middle Fork Illinois Bayou

    Large clearing along the Middle Fork of the Illinois Bayou. Located on Middle Fork Road, about a 1/4 mile in from AR Hwy 27, near Hector, AR. The site is on national forest land and appears to be popular. It's large enough for 3 car/truck/campervan rigs. Area is level for rigs & tents, although the ground is mostly hard buried gravel - maybe uncomfortable to sleep on without pads. Three large puddles on the site. Three ways to enter the site from  Middle Fork Road. Middle Fork Rd itself can easily accommodate 2wd passenger vehicles. Other dispersed sites further down the road along the creek. The site is not pristine, but it's nice to camp close to the bayou. Very peaceful, but there is occasional faint truck noise from Hwy 27. A half dozen or so vehicles passed by, some were residents who live further down the road. No facilities; need to bring your own water. No trash pickup; pack in, pack out.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2024

    Group Dispersed, Charleston Road, Ozark NF, AR

    Large Group Dispersed Camping

    Coordinates: 35.50873, -92.81549. Group dispersed site located less than a 1/4-mile south of the Zing Trailhead on Charleston Road. Charleston Road is a wide, well maintained gravel road located in a popular national forest OHV area. This dispersed site is a level with a dirt and grass surface. The site can accomodate multiple vehicles; tent camping is possible. There is a large rock fire ring at the rear of the site. The site is open with little shade, making recharging with solar panels possible. Other than accommodating a group of OHV and offroad enthusiasts, and stargazing at night, there is nothing remarkable about this campsite.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2024

    Charleston Road Dispersed, Ozark NF, AR

    Convenient to National Forest OHV Area

    Pin location may not be correct, so here are the coordinates: 35.52534, -92.83158. Located on Charleston Road in a popular national forest OHV area - 1/2 mile southeast of the Mountain Man Trailhead. Charleston Road is a well maintained gravel road. The site is at the beginning of an old unnamed, closed, dirt track - close to Charleston Road. The site has a dirt surface; not quite level, but more level toward the rear. It is a pull-in site which can accommodate one campervan and smaller. Tent camping is possible. The site is mostly shaded. There is poison ivy around the perimeter of the site. The site includes a large rock fire ring. Except for a little bit of trash in the fire ring, the site was pretty much clean. The old track is gated just past the site,; the track is hikeable, leading up to the northern-most Stoebuck Mountain (there are two "Stoebuck Mountains" in this area). Except for being convenient to OHV trails, there is nothing remarkable about this dispersed site. It is good for an overnight stay.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2024

    Brock Creek Lake View Dispersed, Ozark NF, AR

    Lake View Dispersed Camping

    Coordinates: 35.49123, -92.80548. Large open dispersed site set back from Charleston Road, just north of Bell Rd (Forest Road 1334). Located in a popular national forest OHV and multi-use trails area. Charleston Road is a wide, well-maintained gravel road. Access to the site from Charleston Road is on a 400 foot long narrow dirt track; pinstripping is possible. The dispersed site has a dirt surface with some embedded rocks. It's on a rise above the lake, offering a nice view. Solar recharging is possible in this open site. The site is on what appears to be a parking area along an old dirt track; this track appears as an older section of Charleston Rd on some maps. There is a dirt ramp into the lake. There is room for multiple rigs at the campsite. Some leveling may be required depending on the spot the vehicle is parked. There are two rock fire rings - one large and one small. Tent Camping is possible near the fire rings. The lake was drained at the time of my visit; otherwise, it's a really nice view.

Guide to Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests in Arkansas, where nature lovers can enjoy serene landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Enjoy Scenic Views While Free Camping Near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

  • Experience breathtaking sunsets at Harris Brake Lake, where you can set up camp by the water and soak in the natural beauty.
  • The Brock Creek Lake View Dispersed site offers a stunning vantage point above the lake, perfect for those who appreciate picturesque surroundings.
  • For a peaceful retreat, the Camp Robinson Dispersed Site provides a tranquil atmosphere with beautiful views, ideal for unwinding after a day of exploration.

Top Activities for Dispersed Campers

Unique Attractions for Dispersed Campers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a map available for dispersed camping in Ozark-St. Francis National Forests?

While there isn't a dedicated map specifically for dispersed camping in Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) available from the Forest Service show forest roads where dispersed camping is permitted. Physical maps can be obtained at ranger district offices in Russellville, Jasper, Mountain View, and other locations. For digital planning, sites like Brock Creek - Charleston Rd Dispersed and Charleston - Bell Roads Dispersed provide GPS coordinates (35.49995, -92.80930 and 35.49101, -92.80686 respectively) that can be entered into mapping applications. The Forest Service website also offers interactive maps showing general forest boundaries and roads.

Where can I find dispersed camping in Ozark National Forest?

Dispersed camping in Ozark National Forest is available in several locations throughout the forest. Adams Mountain Rd Dispersed Campsite in the Piney Creek Wildlife Management Area offers a large camping area with multiple established fire rings near ATV trails. Another option is Middle Fork Dispersed Site AR Ozarks, which is a large clearing along the Middle Fork of the Illinois Bayou, about a quarter-mile from Highway 27 near Hector. Look for camping opportunities along forest roads, especially near trailheads and recreation areas. Most sites are found off gravel forest roads and are often marked by established fire rings or cleared areas.

Can I camp with an RV when dispersed camping in Ozark National Forest?

RV dispersed camping is possible in Ozark National Forest, but site accessibility varies significantly. At Brown Creek Rd/FR805 Dispersed, the large, level site can accommodate 2-3 rigs on its dirt surface. However, many forest roads have limitations - Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite is accessible via gravel roads that may challenge larger RVs. Consider road conditions carefully, as some areas have erosion issues, low clearance concerns, or narrow passages that cause pinstriping. Smaller trailers and camper vans generally have more options than large motorhomes. No hookups are available at dispersed sites, so be prepared for dry camping with sufficient water and waste capacity.

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Ozark-St. Francis National Forests?

Dispersed camping in Ozark-St. Francis National Forests is generally free and follows standard Forest Service guidelines. At sites like FR1802A, Meadows Knob Rd Dispersed and Bear Creek Horse Camp, camping is limited to 14 consecutive days within a 30-day period. Camp at least 100 feet from water sources, trails, and developed recreation areas. Practice Leave No Trace principles by using existing fire rings, properly disposing of waste, and packing out all trash. Firewood gathering is typically allowed for on-site use only (dead and down material). Check for seasonal fire restrictions before your trip. Some areas may have specific restrictions during hunting seasons or due to wildlife management concerns.

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