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Best Campgrounds near Paron, AR

1,068 Reviews

Camping areas around Paron, Arkansas include both established campgrounds and dispersed sites within the Ouachita National Forest. Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite offers free primitive camping with access to hiking trails and a creek, while Lake Sylvia Recreation Area provides developed facilities with electric hookups and showers approximately 15 miles from Paron. The region features a mix of tent and RV sites, with some locations like Petit Jean State Park also offering cabin accommodations and glamping options within a reasonable driving distance.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, with many forest roads requiring careful navigation. "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," notes one visitor about Brown Creek Cascade. Most dispersed sites in the Ouachita National Forest have limited or no cell service, with visitors reporting spotty coverage on major carriers. Weather considerations are important, as summer brings higher temperatures and humidity, while spring often features thunderstorms that can affect forest road conditions. Campgrounds like Lake Sylvia operate seasonally, typically open from late April through mid-October, while dispersed camping is available year-round but subject to forest service regulations.

The Ouachita National Forest provides numerous opportunities for solitude and nature immersion. Several visitors mention the peaceful settings and proximity to water features as highlights. At Brown Creek Cascade, campers appreciate the "sound from the creek was soothing" and the short quarter-mile hike to a waterfall. Fire rings are common at dispersed sites, though firewood may require foraging deeper in the woods. For those seeking more amenities, established campgrounds in the region like Lake Catherine State Park offer lakefront sites with hookups and access to hiking trails. Campers frequently mention wildlife viewing opportunities, with one reviewer noting, "We have seen quite a bit of wildlife including an up close encounter with a bald eagle, several blue herons, and a few river otter sightings" at a nearby Arkansas River campground.

Map showing campgrounds near Paron, ArkansasExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Paron, Arkansas (185)

    1. Maumelle Park

    50 Reviews
    Maumelle, AR
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 868-9477

    $28 - $75 / night

    "Stayed 6 nights at Maumelle COE campground next to Arkansas River. Nice and quiet especially after the weekend crowd left. Nice walking trails and still close to major conveniences."

    "By looking at the Arkansas River you would think the east side of the river would all be considered North Little Rock or Little Rock. Maumelle is on the west side of the Arkansas."

    2. Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park

    105 Reviews
    Adona, AR
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 727-5441

    $25 - $40 / night

    "._ There are several viewpoints/vistas that you can access from roads (just two close together that involve some driving on gravel)."

    "Super cool paths, views and community. Tons of historical value and it's obvious that Arkansas cares about it's forests, natural resources and outdoor communities."

    3. Gulpha Gorge Campground — Hot Springs National Park

    75 Reviews
    Hot Springs National Park, AR
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 620-6715

    $34 / night

    "There are many positives to this campground well beyond the proximity itself. With electricity at all sites and a flat rate it seems to have a lot of positives to check off."

    "With close proximity to the town of Hot Springs, AR, this campground is well maintained and convenient but lacks in privacy. I stayed here as an overnight while driving north through the Midwest."

    4. Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    83 Reviews
    Jones Mill, AR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 844-4176

    $15 - $25 / night

    "Lake Catherine State Park, like all Arkansas state parks, is immaculately clean!  Most RV sites have close access to the water and there are small stationary docks to park your boat. 

     "

    "We stayed in site 54 (w/e/s) that was right on the lake. We could walk to the dock right behind the site to fish, although did not have very good luck."

    5. Lake Sylvia Recreation Area

    9 Reviews
    Paron, AR
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 889-5176

    "Lake Sylvia recreation area offers a lot of fun and relaxation within an easy drive from Little Rock."

    "Be careful how close you are to the wash house in B; the halogen light outside humms all night. Camp host WILL make sure you follow the rules, including paying."

    6. Harris Brake Lake

    14 Reviews
    Perryville, AR
    15 miles

    "We stayed here with our dog on our drive west! It’s a great little spot, fairly quiet and secluded. Some car traffic on a nearby road but not bad."

    "I was greeted with a sign at the entrance saying that a hunting/ fishing license or land pass was required to camp."

    7. Lake Ouachita State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Mountain Pine, AR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 287-2757

    "This state park sits on one of the prettiest and clearest lakes in the state of Arkansas. The area that I will be focusing on is the primitive tent sites."

    "Definitely my favorite park in Arkansas so far. It’s a really big park at the lake with lots to do. I was there in the fall so I didn’t do any lake stuff but still had a great time tent camping."

    8. Hot Springs National Park KOA

    22 Reviews
    Hot Springs, AR
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 624-5912

    "Laundry was a bit small especially in a world of social distancing but clean. You have to drive through the entire campground to get to the lower sites."

    "The sites are close to each other, but they are stair stepped, so you feel like you have more privacy which was really nice."

    9. Toad Suck

    22 Reviews
    Conway, AR
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 759-2005

    $24 - $75 / night

    "On the bank of the Arkansas River, great access to water. Good boat ramp, picnic tables and RV sites. Very clean, bring your mosquito repellent."

    "There's no foragable wood at the sites, but there's a quick stop type gas station very nearby that sells it cheap and locally sourced."

    10. Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Paron, AR
    10 miles
    Website

    "Located on the gravel Brown Creek Road in Perry County, Arkansas. The South Fork of Brown Creek runs behind this campsite."

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Paron, AR

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Recent Reviews near Paron, AR

1068 Reviews of 185 Paron Campgrounds

  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    DeGray Lake Resort State Park — De Gray State Park

    Very quiet and secluded CG

    We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 12 for 1 night in mid September. The CG is clean and well maintained but showing its age. The CG roads are paved, but narrow, winding, and fairly bumpy in spots. Few if any of the sites in this section of the CG were anywhere close to level and our site, one of the few pull-throughs, was one of the worst, I mean seriously sloped even after ratcheting up the front levelers as far as they’d go. The CG is very quiet and peaceful. There was only one other camper in this section of the CG while we were there. 

    AT&T coverage was basically nonexistent with 1 bar of LTE service but very little if any throughput. The CG is heavily wooded, so Starlink was unusable.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Toad Suck

    Lock & Dam

    Small clean campground. Some spots are very private Some not so much. Spots are large. Great views of lock. Multiple playgrounds and pavilions. Basketball, volleyball and store across the street.

  • Christopher T.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Tar Camp

    Not much to say

    The park itself is beautiful other the the volunteer camps at the gate house they both have so much junk piled up around them and the one has a dirty old schoolly not that I have anything against schoollys but this one is dirty. They evacuated the park due to high water while we were there and we never receive the phone call or a text The only way we knew is I got a notification from the bank will they refunding those our money back.we where out and about when it happened we get back they had everything locked up and where gone now I grew up a commercial fisherman fishing the Arkansas river and took it back up after I retired from the army and have lived next to the Arkansas White and Chache river all but the 20 years I gone to the army so I know the river. The water never broke flood stage nor came close to it. So there was zero reason to evaluate us. But that being said we should have been notified

  • Christopher T.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Maumelle Park

    Great volunteers

    Love this place and the people who work there

  • Travis A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

    Nice ACOE campground

    Nice lake with beach area. Playground for kids. Clean restrooms. Some of the sites are small so check the length. Not far from Hot Springs.

Guide to Paron

Camping near Paron, Arkansas, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Petit Jean State Park. One visitor mentioned, "Beautiful campground... Even ate at the restaurant which was nice." The park has stunning views and various trails to enjoy.
  • Fishing: At Lake Catherine State Park Campground, you can fish right off your campsite. A camper shared, "Our site on the lake was very beautiful and every site on the water has a small dock you can fish off."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground. One reviewer said, "Gorgeous lake front sites! This place is really popular in summer time, so expect to book a year in advance."

What campers like

  • Scenic views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One visitor at Catherine's Landing noted, "The property offers large pull-through RV sites, tent sites, yurts, and cottages... The hills of the Ouachita River Valley envelop the immaculate property."
  • Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A reviewer at Gulpha Gorge Campground mentioned, "Cleanest shower house I've ever seen. The camp host was very welcoming and helpful."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. At Hot Springs National Park KOA, one guest said, "The staff ensure each space is clean and everything is working properly."

What you should know

  • Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Petit Jean State Park noted, "Just no signal. Also a little expensive for me but others may not think so!"
  • Amenities vary: Some campgrounds have more amenities than others. For example, Lake Catherine State Park Campground offers a swimming beach and hiking trails, while Gulpha Gorge Campground has no showers.
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. A visitor at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground warned, "Beware of the crows. They are relentless and even took a bag of sealed tortilla chips."

Tips for camping with families

  • Space for kids to play: Look for campgrounds with open areas. One family at Catherine's Landing enjoyed, "Plenty of room for the kids to ride bicycles and a direct, private access at the campground to Lake Catherine."
  • Activities for all ages: Choose a campground with various activities. A camper at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground mentioned, "The marina has kayak rentals and also canoes, boat rides, pedal boats, etc."
  • Plan for meals: Some campgrounds have food options nearby. A visitor at Lake Catherine State Park Campground said, "A few hiking trails... The office is only open until 5 PM."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Downtown Riverside RV Park noted, "Sites are very close together and face each other... Can’t put your awning out!"
  • Look for full hookups: Many RVers prefer campgrounds with full hookups. One camper at Little Rock North KOA mentioned, "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP)... Overlooks the Arkansas River."
  • Be prepared for noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A visitor at Downtown Riverside RV Park said, "A lot of highway noise all day and night."

Camping near Paron, Arkansas, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With beautiful parks and friendly communities, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Paron, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Paron, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 185 campgrounds and RV parks near Paron, AR and 34 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Paron, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Paron, AR is Maumelle Park with a 4.6-star rating from 50 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Paron, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 34 free dispersed camping spots near Paron, AR.

What parks are near Paron, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 parks near Paron, AR that allow camping, notably Ozark-St. Francis National Forests and Nimrod Lake.

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