Patricia F.
Scout
ScoutCOE Lake Ouachita Buckville Campground
Lake Ouachita, free camping
Excellent free primitive parking/camping.
Best Campgrounds near Russellville, AR
Russellville, Arkansas serves as a hub for diverse camping experiences with several established campgrounds along Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River. The area features a mix of Corps of Engineers sites like Old Post Road campground and state park facilities including Mount Nebo State Park and Lake Dardanelle State Park. Camping options range from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups, cabins, and even yurts at certain locations. Most developed campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, with several offering full sewer connections for extended stays. Proximity to both water recreation and mountain terrain creates varied experiences within short driving distances.
Many campgrounds in the Russellville area remain open year-round, though seasonal considerations affect amenities and reservation requirements. The region experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable camping conditions. Several campgrounds provide shaded sites that offer relief during summer months. "We love this place, but can only stay a week because they do not have sewer. The trees and the shade are wonderful. Peaceful spot on the river with places to walk and enjoy your surroundings," noted one visitor about Old Post Road campground. Reservations are recommended for weekend stays, particularly at lakefront sites during summer months and holiday periods when occupancy reaches capacity.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the Russellville region, with sites along Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River receiving positive reviews. The lock and dam area provides interesting scenery at several campgrounds, with one camper mentioning, "The lock and dam was a neat site to look at along with the view of Dardanelle Rock across the river." Proximity to outdoor activities enhances the camping experience, with options for fishing, boating, hiking, and mountain biking nearby. Campgrounds like Lake Dardanelle State Park feature family-friendly amenities including swimming beaches, playgrounds, and educational visitor centers with aquarium displays. Most established campgrounds maintain clean facilities with flush toilets and hot showers, though more primitive options exist for those seeking a less developed experience.
Best Camping Sites Near Russellville, Arkansas (183)
1. Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park
106 ReviewsAdona, AR16 milesWebsite+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."
2. Mount Nebo State Park Campground
28 ReviewsDardanelle, AR8 milesWebsite+1 (479) 229-3655"Reservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by."
"A great Arkansas destination for outdoorsy people.The steep road climbing to the top of Mount Nebo keeps the big RVs away. Stop your car at the lookout point before you reach the top."
3. Russellville Campground — Lake Dardanelle State Park
16 ReviewsRussellville, AR4 milesWebsite+1 (479) 967-5516"The location is close to many of the region’s other recreation areas, trails, and Russellville is close enough to ensure you are well stocked."
"The State Park systems in the US are some of our favorite places to find beautiful camping spots, but Lake Dardanelle State Park in Arkansas tops most of them all."
4. Piney Bay
13 ReviewsHagarville, AR13 milesWebsite+1 (479) 885-3029$16 - $75 / night
"General: Two things you can count on in a Corps of Engineers campground: very reasonable rates and near water. This is a fairly large Corps of Engineers campground on Piney Bay."
"A great little Corp park right off the Arkansas River. Sites are mostly level with water and electricity. Dump station in park. Nice clean bath houses."
5. Old Post Road
5 ReviewsDardanelle, AR3 milesWebsite+1 (479) 968-7962$26 - $75 / night
"Mount Nebo State Park and Lake Dardanelle State Park are very short drives from the campground as well as the town of Russellville with Arkansas Tech University."
"Peaceful spot on the river with places to walk and enjoy your surroundings."
6. Ivy's Cove RV Retreat
4 ReviewsRussellville, AR3 milesWebsite+1 (479) 280-1662"Close to town but feels like the country."
7. Dardanelle Campground — Lake Dardanelle State Park
3 ReviewsDardanelle, AR5 milesWebsite"On the map it is to the West of Russelville on the same side of the lake. Check google where the state park is."
8. Long Pool Recreation Area
15 ReviewsHagarville, AR18 milesWebsite"You can drive up to the less attractive and less conveniently located RV loop to use the showers, if you need them."
"Access to the creek is nice and plenty of space even on busy days. No cell service which was nice to get disconnected."
9. COE Dardanelle Lake Old Post Road Campground
3 ReviewsDardanelle, AR3 milesWebsite+1 (501) 968-7962"Plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails. Sand volleyball courts. Level sites. Easy back-ins. Beautiful view of the Arkansas River."
Recent Camping Photos near Russellville, AR
263 Photos of 183 Russellville Campgrounds
Annell N.
Old Post Road
Mandi R.
Russellville Campground — Lake Dardanelle State Park
2SHOE S.
Mount Nebo State Park Campground
Olivia M.
Delaware Park
Bradley B.
Adventure RV
Channel O.
Piney Bay
Katie K.
Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park
James N.
Shoal Bay
Frank & Jo K.
Camp 62 on Petit Jean Mountain
Bryan F.
Long Pool Recreation Area
Fred S.
Spring Lake Recreation Area
Amy W.
Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)
Recent Reviews near Russellville, AR
806 Reviews of 183 Russellville Campgrounds
- CCherri D.Scout
Xtreme Paintball and Laser Tag
The best experience!
This was our second time coming back, and it was just as amazing as the first! I’d recommend this place to anyone of all ages. He does a great job making everything fun and fair while still letting you have control over how you want to play. He even gave us a trial of Splatterball to try, which was a really cool bonus. Great guy with tons of experience, and it definitely shows. We’ll absolutely be back again!
- O
Olivia H.
TravelerLake Ouachita State Park Campground
Gorgeous but PACKED!
This site is in BEAUTIFUL spot and is well maintained! But just know that this is a popular location it seems. We reserved our spot for one night about a month ago (if not more) and there were a lot of sites booked them. I think we saw ONE open spot last night. That said, everyone was respectful of quiet hours, and it’s mostly a lot of RV camping—looks like people say for longer periods of time! There are tent sites too, but only a handful. The bathrooms have a shower and real toilets. For a campsite they are incredibly clean!
We stayed in site 21 and could walk down the hill to the bank of the lake for a beautiful view. Noting this as a place we should come back to if we are ever in the area again! So lovely.
- BBill A.
GuideCane Creek Recreation Area
Quiet spot on the water
Small campground with picnic tables, fire rings and a boat launch. Its has a restroom building but the doors have plywood over them. I don't know if its this way because they haven't opened it yet for the season or if its permanent. Be prepared! No water or dumpster. Civilization is only a few miles up the road.
- jjanet B.Scout
Lake Ouachita State Park Campground
Campground theft @Brady mountain AR
Stayed 3 nights on Sunday I went to do laundry got back to find my step stool and skillet dog bowls/beds campsite was cleaned trash bag and all the ranger never put a tag on site 69 and no one knows who took our things. Sad after spending 40+years camping here
- Lindsey M.Guide
Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park
Lovely park
We stayed in section D, site 114! It was so nice and quiet, the trees made it feel so spacious and like you weren’t right on top of other campers! The bathrooms were eh. Not the best but not the worst! All the trails in walking distance was absolutely amazing! Would definitely camp here again :)
Mark S.ScoutMiddle Fork Dispersed Site AR Ozarks
Nice But …
This would be a great campsite but too many people have trashed it. Cans, tp, and broken glass everywhere. Some local charity should clean it up.
- KKyle K.Scout
Kings River Falls Campground
Very pretty, pretty secluded, but our site was trashed.
I love the area we stayed at. Right by the water, surrounded by nature, not a lot of traffic. Felt unplugged from the hectic daily life, and connected to nature. But, the specific site we had booked was absolutely covered in trash. Like 3 full bags of trash that had been ripped open by animals. A lot of the trash was food, which caused flies. We ended up just moving to the furthest campsite away from the original site. It was obviously the previous campers fault, but I just wanted to put this out there so that 1.) the trash problem can be addressed and 2.) we wouldn’t be blamed for the massive mess. There was another set of campers there at a different site, and they noticed the problem also. Overall a really cool place, just wish people didn’t trash the spot.
- ssavGuide
Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River
Beautiful
Lots of room, lots of fire rings. Several (maybe 5?) vault toilets that are well-maintained and stocked. When we got there, there were probably 50 people at 20 different spots scattered across the field. When we left, it was just us and one other group. Lots of trails, great place to trail ride on horses. 25 minute drive to dollar general so don’t forget your lighter lmao. One of the roads into the park is closed, but the detour is signed well and easy to figure out. If I had to guess, it’s closed because one of the edges is getting pretty close to crumbling into the river. I wish I had thought to bring paddle boards and kayaks. There were lots of people who brought big rigs down to the camp site, as well as pulled boats. The gravel roads are well maintained enough that I’d be comfortable doing that, but the hill is pretty steep at times, so be wary.
Guide to Russellville
Campsites near Russellville, Arkansas range from primitive wilderness sites to developed campgrounds with full utilities. The region lies within the Arkansas River Valley at elevations between 330-1,800 feet, creating diverse terrain options for campers. Summer temperatures typically exceed 90°F with high humidity from June through September, while winter overnight lows can drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Swimming at natural pools: Long Pool Recreation Area features a popular swimming area with distinctive rock formations. "The big draw is the charming swimming area with its imposing trio of rocks that swimmers love to jump off of," notes one visitor to Long Pool Recreation Area.
Hiking diverse trails: Mount Nebo State Park offers trails ranging from easy to challenging with valley views. "There are two distinct areas of the 'Rim Trail' that can be driven to...to capture those special photos...Sunset Point and Sunrise Circle," according to a camper at Mount Nebo State Park Campground.
Educational programs: Lake Dardanelle State Park includes exhibits for learning about local ecology. "The information center was large and the employees were very friendly," states a camper at Russellville Campground, noting the educational opportunities available.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Piney Bay campground offers multiple loops with waterfront access. "Most of the sites in Loops B and E are waterfront sites and are spectacular," explains a visitor to Piney Bay, who appreciated the layout of the water-adjacent camping areas.
Clean bathroom facilities: Old Post Road provides well-maintained facilities with hot water. "Very level sites, large fire rings and covered picnic tables. The hosts were super nice. Very clean bathrooms with hot water," reports a camper at Old Post Road.
Shaded campsites: Many campgrounds offer tree coverage for summer heat relief. "This campground has plenty of room in between campsites to stretch out," mentions a reviewer at Lake Dardanelle State Park, appreciating the spacing and shade trees.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Campgrounds like Petit Jean fill quickly during peak seasons. "It's really hard to get a reservation if you don't book at least a year out in A loop," advises a camper at Petit Jean State Park.
Road access limitations: Some campgrounds restrict larger vehicles. "At the base of the climb, signs posted numerous times, 'Crooked and Steep, no trailers over 24 ft'. I have driven up a lot of steep and twisty mountain roads, and these warnings are to be heeded," cautions a Mount Nebo visitor about the road conditions.
Amenities vary significantly: Many campgrounds lack full hookups or sewer connections. "We love this place, but can only stay a week because they do not have sewer," reports an Old Post Road camper about utility limitations that affect longer stays.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "The kids love the playground. There is a nice wide boat ramp with plenty of parking situated in a peaceful cove," notes a camper at Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Deer and small mammals are common sightings. "We had hummingbirds at the site," shares a Piney Bay camper about the wildlife viewing opportunities directly from their campsite.
Swimming safety considerations: Water conditions change seasonally at river locations. "Swimming was a little chilly. We had a wonderful float trip down the piney in the kayak's I got dunked so that's how I know the water was chilly," warns a Long Pool Recreation Area visitor who recommends avoiding May swimming.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring equipment. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level," advises an RVer at Petit Jean State Park.
Loop selection matters: Different camping loops offer varied experiences and hookups. "Trailer hookup sites next to C of E boat ramp, adjacent to numerous covered picnic sites and 3 playgrounds," explains an RVer at COE Dardanelle Lake Old Post Road Campground, highlighting the importance of loop selection for access to amenities.
Pull-through availability: Limited pull-through sites exist for larger rigs. "Easy parking, nice people, all the amenities you would need," reports an RVer at Ivy's Cove RV Retreat, one of the few private campgrounds in the area with pull-through sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Russellville, AR?
What camping is available near Russellville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Russellville, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 183 campgrounds and RV parks near Russellville, AR and 56 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Russellville, AR?
Which is the most popular campground near Russellville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Russellville, AR is Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 106 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Russellville, AR?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Russellville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 56 free dispersed camping spots near Russellville, AR.
What parks are near Russellville, AR?
What parks are near Russellville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 parks near Russellville, AR that allow camping, notably Lake Dardanelle and Nimrod Lake.
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