Dispersed camping near Pettigrew, Arkansas offers wilderness camping opportunities in the rugged Ozark Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,200 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with colorful fall foliage from mid-October to early November, and moderate winter temperatures averaging 25-45°F. Forest service roads throughout the region typically require higher clearance vehicles after heavy rainfall when erosion can create challenging driving conditions.
What to do
Fishing and swimming access: The Forest Service Rd 82 Dispersed camping area provides easy access to Redding Recreation Area. According to Jon D., "Easy access to the Redding Recreation Area for fishing/swimming, and the Spy Rock Trail. Any car should be fine on the gravel road, just go steady on the way up!"
Hiking to scenic overlooks: Head to Spy Rock Trail for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Caitlin F. notes, "Spy rock is gorgeous, the trail is a little rough but totally worth it. Trail head is on the right about a mile past camp."
Off-road vehicle trails: Several forest service roads accommodate off-road vehicles, though they contribute to road erosion. Amy A. shares her experience: "The frequent off-road vehicle traffic of the four wheelers and side-by-side that go by constantly have combined with the recent rains to degrade it over the past couple of days."
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: The Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed area offers large camping spots with good separation. Hannah M. describes it as a "Perfect spot with a great view. We were the only ones and it was super peaceful. Good amount of shade for when it's hot and good amount of trees to hang tarp when it's raining."
Cell service reliability: Despite the remote location, some areas have surprisingly good connectivity. Amy A. reports, "T-Mobile has anywhere from one bar LTE to three bars of 5G extended to 2 bars 5G here. I was able to stream video on my phone before bedtime each night and use my phone to plan for the following day."
Wildlife observation: Primitive camping at Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area offers opportunities to see native animals. The designated sites are "high on a bluff top" according to Robert B., providing excellent vantage points for wildlife spotting.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Wildlife Management Areas require proper permits. At Gene Rush, a visitor notes, "100% of Wildlife Management Areas in the state of Arkansas require a Hunting license or WMA camping permit purchased though Arkansas Game and Fish." This $5 permit can be purchased online at www.agfc.com.
Road condition variability: Access roads range from well-maintained to challenging. Philip W. advises about Morgan Mountain Road, "Just go slow, as there are some ruts from previous rains. There are various outfitters along the way to the dirt road. So you don't have to go too far if you forgot something."
Water availability: No drinking water is available at Cane Creek Recreation Area or other dispersed sites. Devin R. cautions, "Be self contained and you'll be fine. Do not. I repeat DO NOT think you can use the pit toilets here."
Seasonal hunting activity: Be aware of hunting seasons when planning your trip. According to a Gene Rush WMA visitor, "There is pretty much at least one open hunting season from September each year through the following May."
Tips for camping with families
Weather preparation: Ozark storms develop rapidly and can be intense. Sadie P. advises, "Have a weather app, if you're not local storms here are fast to arrive and violent compared to other parts of the country."
Finding level sites: Look for spots that accommodate family tents and hammocks. Jeff F. found at Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed, "Site is large enough for 3, maybe 4 Overlanding Rigs. Couple established fire rings."
Pet management: Many campgrounds allow pets but have different etiquette expectations. Jacquelyn H. observed at Sam's Throne Recreation Area, "I think I'm the only one here who has my dog tethered to a tree with a long rope, everyone else allows the dog to be off leash and that almost created a dog fight so just be cautious of that."
Site privacy considerations: Choose sites based on your family's privacy needs. Kelsey R. notes Sam's Throne has "Private camping spots, with trees separating each site. There's fit pits, but no rv hook ups and only a couple bathrooms there."
Tips from RVers
High clearance recommendations: Many dispersed camping areas in Ozark National Forest require vehicles that can handle rough terrain. Fred S. advises about FR1802A, Meadows Knob Rd Dispersed, "FR1802A toward the site has some erosion; low clearance vehicles may high center in one or two spots."
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven parking at dispersed sites. Fred S. notes about one Morgan Mountain site, "Except for one small spot, the site is not level - slopes downhill a little toward the ridge. Camping rigs may need leveling depending on the parking spot."
Self-contained requirements: Most free dispersed camping near Pettigrew requires being completely self-contained. Ed O. confirms at Cane Creek, "Excellent free campground if you are self contained. No water/electric or toilet. Secluded and safe."
