210 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Pettigrew, Arkansas ranges from developed RV campgrounds to free dispersed campsites within the surrounding Ozark Mountains. Wolf Pen Recreation Area Campground, located directly in Pettigrew, offers year-round tent and RV camping with basic amenities including drinking water and toilets. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access Byrd's Adventure Center in Ozark with full hookups and glamping options, or explore White Rock Mountain Recreation Area with its panoramic mountain views and varied accommodation types. Free dispersed camping is available at Morgan Mountain Road/Spy Rock, while those seeking more developed facilities can venture to Redding Campground or Mulberry Mountain Lodging & Events.
Road conditions throughout the region require careful planning, particularly for accessing remote sites. As one camper noted, "Be prepared for limited or no cell service and miles of gravel roads - download or print your driving and hiking maps ahead of time." Many campgrounds in the Ozark National Forest have uneven terrain, with several reviewers mentioning the need for leveling blocks. Summer temperatures can be quite hot, prompting many visitors to seek shaded sites or water access. Corps of Engineers campgrounds near lakes and rivers typically offer reasonable rates but fill quickly during peak season, with reservations strongly recommended from May through October.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the region. A camper at White Rock Mountain Recreation Area described their experience: "When we awoke, shortly after dawn, we hiked the cliffs' edge where we saw miles of inviting green landscape. As our hike around the mountain progressed we saw much vegetation and wildlife!" The area is particularly popular with off-road enthusiasts, with Mulberry Mountain described as "an off-road enthusiasts playground" with "trails directly into the outback." Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are common throughout the area. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many campgrounds, though some locations like Devil's Den State Park offer paid WiFi access. Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities with hot showers, though amenities vary significantly between primitive and developed sites.
"Camped near the river and had a wonderful time exploring the off-road trails near the area."
"This is one of the best campgrounds in Arkansas. Dog friendly"
from $10 - $22 / night
Check Availability"Access to Spy Rock trail, but the vast amount of cobwebs made it seem like it’s not used much."
"Drinking water is available at spigots near the swimming hole. There is a downside here, though, and it's a big one: horseflies."
"Located beyond a perfectly canopied gravel road and surrounded by miles of mostly uninhabited forests White Rock Mountain has been the most delightful treasure of 2016."
"The views, as other reviewers have said, are impressive and the Rim Trail is worth doing any time of day and any season."
from $15 - $215 / night
Check Availability"Less than a minute from the Kings River Falls Trail-head, and nestled alongside the headwaters of the Kings River in Venus Arkansas."
"It is one of the most beautiful spots in Arkansas. Highly recommend."
from $27 - $30 / night
Check Availability"A downed tree blocks part of the view, but still has a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding mountains."
"There are walking trails, with Spy Rock a short distance away."
"I was looking for a quiet, small campground with minimal amenities and cool features that was driving distance to good hikes. This was perfect. Only six spots."
"Traffic drives right by the sites to explore the campground and must drive back past all the sites. Very good sized sites and probably very private (besides the road) once the leaves full in."
"Near the Mulberry River and White Rock recreation area, the facility is an off road enthusiasts playground! Trails directly into the outback from the facility."
"It's a great escape for off-roading and overloading. Be sure to stop by the Oark Cafe in Oark, Arkansas, which is a 25-minute drive from the campground."
from $30 - $100 / night
Check Availability"The sign said "campground full" but thanks to another review we disregarded this and found an open site, as did the person who drove in behind us."
"Pros: Great location on the river and close to plenty of hiking trails! Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. The bathrooms were well maintained and there is drinking water available."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Devil's Den is a gorgeous parked tucked in the mountains of Arkansas. The primary campground for RVs is one of the better campgrounds I have seen. The facilities and amenities have been great. "
"The trails are great and our campsite had a path right down to the river. The water hookup was a bit tricky, it leaks all over the place until you turn it all the way."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"This small State Park just outside Huntsville Arkansas has many amenities. Family friendly handicap accesible. I has 30 tent Rv and walk in tent camping."
"This is one of our favorite ‘close to home’ campsites. It’s about an hour out of Northwest Arkansas. All of the trails are very nice to hike, even for our little ones."
GuideWe have a beautiful spot right on the lake, but it's pretty crowded with the adjacent spots and the lake is very noisy in the afternoons and early evening with all kinds of boats with loud engines and thumping music. If that's your scene, then this place is for you! Also, the bathroom and shower was in bad need of cleaning and repairs.
LegendHad a large time here!! Great staff, park and marina! Will definitely be back!
GuideNice graveled road to get back in on very nice spot for anyone who likes the out doors and no crowds. Would recommend this spot for the outdoor lovers.
ScoutI grew up around this area so Waveland is always a safe choice for some casual casual camping. We chose site 06 because it’s a bit separated from the other areas and since there was hardly anyone there, it was almost dead quiet. Very private and peaceful. My only complaint is that there was no one working the station where you’re supposed to check in— we tried three separate times thinking maybe they were on break or at lunch, but no luck. We also tried calling several times but no one picked up. It rained quite heavily and stormed in the area, and a part of me wonders if it got bad enough, would anyone have come notified us to leave? The lake is currently closed to swimming and most everything except fishing/boating and in a certain area— but it’s in an effort to improve wildlife and fish populations, which was already quite noticeable!
TravelerMost sites are levelish side to side with down hill slope. There appears to be no supervision in this park. We have stopped here on our way out west then on our way back. No one has checked us in or made sure we were supposed to be there. Traffic moves from the boat ramp until late at night. Still a good stopover when traveling Verizon worked well.
LegendHad a good golf course and good amenities for large rigs
ScoutEasy to find with Apple Maps, Waze took me past the turn, makeshift rock fire ring and some firewood but I brought some and left a couple of logs. There was a tiny bit of trash when I arrived but I picked it up along with mine. Great for a night or two getaway!
LegendGood for tents and smaller rigs. Beautiful wooded area with great hiking.
GuideNice spot, especially if you get one of the old campsites. However those were taken by long term folks who either just left their trailer there with no one in it, or they ran generators through the night. The remaining campsites were inaccessible by car, so we ended up staying in the bathroom parking area. Bathrooms boarded up, no trash cans, a fair bit of trash lying around.
Camping opportunities in Ozark National Forest near Pettigrew, Arkansas center around the Mulberry River watershed, with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 feet. Most campgrounds maintain pit toilets or vault toilets that require regular servicing during peak season. Winter camping remains available at several locations, though water systems are typically winterized from November through March.
Kayaking and swimming access: Redding Campground offers direct Mulberry River access with a dedicated put-in spot. "Camp spots are nicely spaced out. Water available. No electric. Had cell service for the most part. Bathrooms well kept. Pretty secluded area. Mulberry is one of my favorite rivers I have kayaked and this campsite offers a great take out spot," notes Suzsan M.
Off-road adventures: The network of forest service roads provides extensive off-road opportunities. "Near the Mulberry River and White Rock recreation area, the facility is an off road enthusiasts playground! Trails directly into the outback from the facility. Plants of space to stretch out and enjoy the deep Forrest areas of Arkansas," according to John F. about Mulberry Mountain Lodging & Events.
Hiking to panoramic views: Forest trails range from short nature walks to challenging ridge hikes. "Camped in site #6 on Nov 20, 2024. The Mulberry River had some serious flooding a few weeks ago which caused this campground to close. The campground is now open, and work is being done to restore the campground and its campsites back to its previous clean state," reports Fred S. from Redding Campground.
Riverside camping spots: Camping directly alongside the Mulberry River ranks consistently high with visitors. "This place is beautiful! Nicely spaced spots, very nice swimming hole. Only downside was the upkeep could be better. I will camp here again," says Scott G. about Redding Campground.
Dark night skies: The remote location provides excellent stargazing. "January 31-Feb 3 2025. White Rock is a great little campground. With only 8 tent camp sites it is very quaint. The cabins were packed and there were many people visiting the overlook but my partner and I were the only tent campers," shares Erin-Frannie R. from White Rock Mountain Recreation Area.
Affordable dispersed options: Free camping on forest service land provides budget options. "Coordinates: 35.69300,-93.76803. Large dispersed site with a view, especially in the winter, of the mountains to the west. Located along Morgan Mountain Road, Forest Road 1504, a little over a mile north of AR Hwy 215. The trailhead to Spy Rock is about a mile north of this site," notes Fred S. about Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed.
Road conditions: Forest service roads require caution, especially after rain. "It's a slow, beautiful drive. The reviews are correct that the last hour of the drive is only 20 miles. Make sure to stop for gas! It is an unpaved road that in some spots is maybe wide enough for 2 small vehicles to pass each other," warns Erin-Frannie R.
Bug protection essential: Summer brings significant insect activity. "This place is an amazing bargain. For just $15 a night, you get nice, big, secluded campsites, a large bathroom with running water, flushing toilets, and showers, and an awesome swimming hole. There is a downside here, though, and it's a big one: horseflies. They attacked me as soon as I got in the water, and they were relentless," reports Alex M. from Redding Campground.
Seasonal facility closures: Most campground amenities close during winter. "My best friend and I stayed October 22-25. I was looking for a quiet, small campground with minimal amenities and cool features that was driving distance to good hikes. This was perfect. Only six spots. Fire rings and low to the ground grills. Vault toilets near the entrance," shares Loura P. about Wolf Pen Recreation Area.
Kid-friendly swimming: The Mulberry River offers shallow areas for children. "The campsite is located on the Mulberry River. It has six campsites, most with elevated grills and fire rings. The campground does have 2 Vault restrooms and a place to dispose of trash. There is no water avalible so bring your own. Very quite and campsites are relativly private," notes Susan H. about Wolf Pen Recreation Area.
Bathroom accessibility: Choose campgrounds with maintained facilities for children. "Stayed here for a four wheeling trip. Was a decent location - sites were mostly dirt/gravel," says Jenny about Byrd's Adventure Center.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer wildlife observation from camp. "A downed tree blocks part of the view, but still has a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. The disbursed sight is large, but only part of it is level enough to camp on in my opinion. Spy Rock overlook is down the road and the view is spectacular," mentions AMY A. from Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed.
Site leveling: Many campsites require leveling equipment. "I decided not to camp here during my visit due to a brisk, cold north-northwest wind blowing through the campsite," says Fred S. about Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock.
Limited large rig access: Most campgrounds accommodate smaller RVs only. "Facility is what you would expect for an outdoor adventure facility. The sites are very spacious on the RV area, the smaller camper and primitive sites are very generous as well. The store is well stocked an has ice cream and fresh foods," shares John F. about Byrd's Adventure Center.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited but available. "Byrd's was awesome. They not only have their own trails on private land, but off-roaders can hit trails in National Forest territory not too far down the road. Good place for vehicles that need to hook up or primitive. They also have an area at the back of primitive where bush pilots can fly in," explains Eric L.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Pettigrew, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Pettigrew, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 210 campgrounds and RV parks near Pettigrew, AR and 22 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Pettigrew, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pettigrew, AR is Byrd's Adventure Center with a 4.1-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pettigrew, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Pettigrew, AR.
What parks are near Pettigrew, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Pettigrew, AR that allow camping, notably Lake Dardanelle and Ozark Lake.
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