231 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Ouachita National Forest surrounding Sims, Arkansas features multiple established campgrounds and primitive camping areas, with Lake Ouachita serving as the primary destination for most visitors. Crystal Campground offers free primitive tent and small RV sites along Montgomery Creek, while nearby Washita Primitive Camping Area provides lakeside sites with varying levels of amenities. Several Corps of Engineers (COE) campgrounds dot the shoreline of Lake Ouachita, including Little Fir, Twin Creek, and Crystal Springs, offering a mix of both reservable and first-come, first-served camping options.
Road conditions in this region can change dramatically with weather, especially at primitive sites and forest roads. Several campgrounds feature flush toilets and basic amenities, while others are completely undeveloped. The National Forest permits dispersed camping in many areas, though specific regulations apply. Visitors should prepare for limited cell service throughout the region and check ahead for seasonal closures. Flash flooding can affect creeks and low-lying camping areas, particularly after heavy rain. One camper noted, "Crystal Campground is right on Montgomery Creek with a few campsites alongside. The gravel road was in good shape but I believe it could be sketchy when it rains."
Lakefront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with multiple visitors highlighting the peace and solitude of waterfront sites. Campers at Twin Creek describe it as "a beautiful location right on Lake Ouachita" with "very level and spacious" sites. Areas farther from main roads generally offer more seclusion but fewer amenities. The region's primitive camping options typically include picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets, but many lack drinking water. A recent review mentioned that Little Fir Campground is "quiet and beautiful right on Lake Ouachita. Very remote so make sure you have everything you need before you get out there because there aren't any stores even convenience stores or gas stations nearby." Visitors should note that some previously established campgrounds like Rocky Shoals and Shirley Creek have been converted to day-use areas.
"Site 40 water faucet is broken Showers are hot and free Arkansas is very pretty but the trash on the road sides and road kill is too much. Clean up after yourself people!!!"
"Arkansas has variable weather in January. Cold clear day today but higher temps predicted for later in the week. Many sites available. Beautiful views."
from $14 - $80 / night
Check Availability"I took off one star because this site, while located right on the water, is very unlevel."
"We booked late but were able to find a great spot with lots of trees surrounding us, spread out, and a lake view."
from $14 - $65 / night
Check Availability"Located in Ouachita National Forest, this campground is easy to get to. Ideal for tent, vans, even tear drop campers. No hook ups. Some sites had really good solar potential, most were well shaded."
"It is located very central to a lot of quartz crystal mines. 3 miles down the road is collier spring where 1 can get all the drinkable fresh mountain spring water 1 wants."
"This is our second favorite State Park in Arkansas. We had a spot overlooking the lake, which was beautiful. It's a super quiet and peaceful lake. Lots of kayaks and canoes."
"I arrived at my campground - site 68 in Loop D to realize I booked a site right next to the road."
"We arrived on Friday evening and found our site was even closer to the lake than expected. We were nearly surrounded by water and it made for a pretty view--especially at sunrise."
"The campground is nicely situated near the end of the LOViT cross country MTB/hiking trail. There are sites ranging from primitive to water and electric."
from $14 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Hidden off road to the top for scenic view. If the gate is open then explore an hour worth moderate off roading. This place also offers great hiking trails and primitive camping."
"Right next to the trails! Beautiful view of lake below. Only issue was some broken glass around the picnic area. Please pack out all of your trash!"
"Hike in electric spot that overlooked the lake. Easy to walk down and swim in the water!"
"We enjoyed our 2 nights here on the lake. The campground is literally on a mountain in the lake. Tent sites right on the lake and so are some RV spots. Warning."
from $16 - $24 / night
Check Availability"Quiet and beautiful right on Lake Ouachita."
"Beautiful location and you can park your RV or pitch your tent right by the lake. Is a bit remote so I recommend that you make sure you have everything you need before you head out this way."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"We stayed in Loop C at the very back past the group campsite, which is tent camping only and a short walk from the bathroom."
"Despite being close to the main road, it was very quiet."
from $15 - $40 / night
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GuideAfter driving what seemed like forever I finally reached the spot. It is a lovely spot, very shady. I did not see a river at the bottom of the steep bank. Someone who had been there before me left eggshells all over the ground and trash in the fire pit. After cleaning out the trash which included a soiled baby diaper it improved the looks a great deal. I did not pick up all the eggshells.
LegendHad a large time here!! Great staff, park and marina! Will definitely be back!
GuideI stayed 2 nights and it was a great location. I had water views on 3 sides. Site 20 is a good location for tenting, it has pretty good shade coverage. There is water and electric at the site. There are bathrooms and showers available to campers. There is a sandy beach area for swimming. The water is refreshing on a hot and humid day. The camp host is very nice and reassured me to reach out if I had any questions or problems. After dark it was surprisingly very quiet, there was a loud group camped 2 spots away from me but they were quiet after dark. The views around the lake are beautiful. I will definitely stay here again if I’m in the area. Just a side note, if the geese are troublesome, the park rangers will shoot off blanks to scare them out of the cove. This is done without warning, so it’s a bit startling.
GuideI stayed 2 nights and enjoyed the time I was there. The grounds are nice and well maintained. The staff is very friendly. Stay 2 nights or longer and you can get a free demo of how to sift for diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, which is just down the road. They also lend out, for free, equipment to use to hunt for diamonds (if you stay 2 nights or longer).
I stayed at tent spot 2 and it was a great choice for staying in a tent, nice and shady. I car camp with an attached SUV tent and was able to have my set up arranged how I needed it. There were electric outlets at the site. The bathrooms were clean and air conditioned.
I will definitely stay here again if I’m in the area.
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!
GuideThis is our second time here, and both times we were the only people camping here! My grandson did a little fishing, but no swimming and there is a cool bamboo forest to explore. Bathrooms were clean and the sites were huge! (In case there were other campers) LOL NO phone signal however!!
GuideI learned the hard way that the coordinates on this app are 1.5 hours off. BUT! I will say the spot I snagged at 8:35pm on a Monday was incredible. Would love to come back. Restrooms available (didn't use so not sure on quality). Easy to navigate.
TravelerVery nice rv park. Fully paved. Concrete sites. A little out of level so bring needed items to level your rig. Super friendly host. Swimming pool in progress. Stayed in early May so it's getting hot.
TravelerGreat campsite. Beautiful area. The lodge is open 24 hours and park rangers are around all the time. Limited spots, so get them while they last!
The Ouachita National Forest campgrounds near Sims, Arkansas rest within mountainous terrain between 500-2,700 feet elevation. Weather conditions can shift rapidly, especially in spring and fall when temperatures often vary by 30°F within a single day. Most camping areas around Sims feature cold, spring-fed streams with crystal-clear water maintained at consistent temperatures year-round regardless of seasonal air temperatures.
Crystal mining excursions: Several campgrounds serve as base camps for crystal digging adventures. Denby Point campers frequently visit nearby mines. "We come down every year to go to the Crystal mines. And THIS year we watched the total eclipse as well!!" notes Jo E.
Swimming in cold creek waters: Clear, chilly streams provide natural relief during hot months. At Crystal Campground, visitors recommend "Wander to the Little Rock pool!!! It's so worth it," according to Lynzie T. The creek offers a natural swimming spot where "the water is refreshing" as Izzy T. describes.
Night sky observation: Areas with minimal light pollution create excellent stargazing opportunities. "Sunsets and views of the stars are amazing from this campsite on the lake," reports Melissa L. about Denby Point. The remote locations around Sims offer exceptional night sky viewing, particularly during new moon phases.
Waterfront camping: Most campers prize lakeside sites for easy water access. At Tompkins Bend, "Every site had a lake view and most are right on the water... The peace, beauty and spaciousness of the sites more than made up for any minor inconveniences," reports Kelli P.
Well-spaced camping areas: Many campsites offer sufficient privacy despite being in established campgrounds. "The sites are pretty big and has a shelter because it rains pretty often here," notes Jasmine L. about COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse animal populations easily observable from campsites. "We saw eagles every day and fishing was great," mentions Thomas W. about Crystal Springs. At Charlton Campground, campers report frequent raccoon activity and deer sightings in camping areas.
Remote locations require preparation: Most campgrounds have minimal nearby services. At COE Lake Ouachita Little Fir Campground, campers should note it's "Very remote so make sure you have everything you need before you get out there because there aren't any stores even convenience stores or gas stations nearby," advises Cheri H.
Seasonal closures affect accessibility: Several campgrounds close unexpectedly or operate on limited schedules. Campers reported finding Little Fir and Joplin campgrounds with "Gates locked. No one at kiosk," during off-season visits in November.
Drinking water sources vary: While some campgrounds offer potable water, others require bringing your own. "3 miles down the road is collier spring where 1 can get all the drinkable fresh mountain spring water 1 wants," notes Kay R. about camping near Crystal Campground.
Playground proximity matters: When camping with children, select sites near recreation areas. Charlton Campground features "a beautiful CCC dam that forms a beautiful swimming area" with easy access from campsites, according to Cheri H., though some campers note the playground is "a pretty long walk from the campsites."
Tent-specific sites for families: Some campgrounds offer dedicated tent areas better suited for families. At Lake Ouachita State Park, "We got the prime spot for tent camping. It was a haul to get all our gear to the end but they have carts available to help," shares Taylor C.
Wildlife education opportunities: The forest provides natural learning experiences. "We saw tons of deer everyday in the campground," reports Nancy C. about Denby Point, making wildlife spotting an engaging activity for children.
Site leveling challenges: Mountain terrain creates uneven pads at many campgrounds. Lynn W. notes about Denby Point, "I took off one star because this site, while located right on the water, is very unlevel. Also, the pad is narrow and higher than the surrounding ground."
Off-grid preparedness: Many RV sites lack full hookups. "It's a great place for boondockers or self contained rv camping. Only downside for me was zero T-Mobile service," explains Tam E. about Crystal Campground.
Electric service variations: Power options differ between campgrounds. At Tompkins Bend, "There are sites ranging from primitive to water and electric. Each site has a table and a fire pit and is within reasonable distance from flushing toilets," explains Vanessa M.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Sims, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Sims, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 231 campgrounds and RV parks near Sims, AR and 38 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Sims, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sims, AR is COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 46 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sims, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 38 free dispersed camping spots near Sims, AR.
What parks are near Sims, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 parks near Sims, AR that allow camping, notably Ouachita National Forest and Ouachita Lake.
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