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Best Dispersed Camping near Sims, AR

36 Reviews

The Ouachita National Forest near Sims, Arkansas offers numerous backcountry camping opportunities on forest roads throughout the region. Blue Knob Road and Turner Creek Road provide secluded dispersed sites with primitive fire rings and no amenities. Several camping areas like Jack Creek Dispersed and Buck Knob accommodate small to mid-sized vehicles, though larger rigs may struggle on narrow forest roads. One camper noted, "I have a 30ft Class C which is probably the largest vehicle you would want to drive down the dirt road to this site."

Access varies considerably between locations, with many sites requiring careful navigation on mixed dirt/gravel roads. Forest Roads 779, 11, and 83W contain multiple pullouts where campers can find established primitive sites. Most locations lack facilities entirely, though Irons Fork provides basic pit toilets, albeit poorly maintained. "The bathrooms are RANK so just pee n poop in the woods," advised one visitor. Sites near water, particularly along Jack Creek and the Fourche La Fave River, are especially popular. The standard 14-day camping limit applies throughout the national forest, and campers should practice proper food storage as reviews confirm "it is bear country."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Sims, Arkansas (38)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Sims, AR

36 Photos of 38 Sims Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Sims, AR

36 Reviews of 38 Sims Campgrounds

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 12, 2022

    Dispersed FR132 Ouachita National Forest, AR

    Dispersed Camping near Ouachita National Recreation Trail, AR

    Located along Forest Road 132 (Winona Scenic Drive) in the Ouachita National Forest, Saline County, Arkansas. Flatside Wilderness Area located across the road from the site. Access to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail located nearby. Free dispersed site, no facilities. Rock fire ring. Should be enough parking for 2 vehicles. Suitable for tent camping, car camping, truck camping & van camping. Mostly level. There was plenty of firewood left by the fire ring. Camped here in February; very quiet. Only 2 vehicles drove by. Had a few bars of T-Mobile service.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 14, 2022

    Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite

    Free dispersed camping in the Ouachita National Forest

    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. The South Fork of Brown Creek runs behind this campsite. Located next to the trailhead for Brown Creek Cascade - a short 1/4 mile hike (includes a creek crossing). This campsite is suitable for tent camping, car camping, camper vans & truck campers. Two vehicles can easily fit on this level site. There are other dispersed sites along Brown Creek Road. The site is close to the road; there's a large mud puddle covering one of the 2 entrances to this site. 2-wheel drive passenger cars can make it to the site. Large pine trees on the site. Hammock camping is possible. No water (except for creek). No toilets nor showers. No trash - take out what you bring in. May need to hike a ways in the woods to find firewood. Large rock fire ring on site. No AT&T and T-Mobile cell service. Very quiet; no vehicles passed by during the night. The sound from the creek was soothing.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2025

    Brown Creek Rd/FR805 Dispersed

    Nice wooded dispersed site above a small creek

    Coordinates: 34.87057,-92.89844. Camped here on April 20, 2025. Located along Brown Creek Road (Forest Road 805), appoximately 1/2 mile west of the Brown Creek Cascade dispersed site and trail head (see separate listing). Large, level site with a dirt surface. Should easily accomadate 2 or 3 rigs and tents. Recommend campervan and smaller rigs. Due to the trees on the site, a truck camper will have a difficult time pulling all the way into the site (although it can park on the access driveway). Easy access from the forest road. The site is clearly visable from the forest road; no privacy, and dust may be an issue during the dry season. Only 6 vehicles passed by during my stay (which was on a Monday evening). There is a large, nicely constructed rock fire ring on the site; other than this, there are no amenities at the site. A small creek is down the hill behind the site; the creek is dry during the dry season. A beautiful wall of trees is across the creek. The site is shaded; solar charging and Starlink connectivity may be difficult. Hammock camping is possible. No T-Mobile cell service. No access to hiking trails at the site; trailheads for Brown Creek Cascade and the Ouachita National Recreation Trail are a short drive away. Loved this site. Peaceful at night. The only sounds came from the birds, the breeze and the creek. Note that due to recent severe Spring storms, portions of Brown Creek Road have some erosion. The rocky surface is moderately rough in places, although a 2WD passenger car can make it if driven carefully through the rough spots. No issues for high clearance 4x4 vehicles.

  • Jeff P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 9, 2020

    Ouachita National Forest Fourche Mountain

    Exploring the hidden road

    This section of the National Forest offers two hours gravel road through the forest. Please do your homework because the road signs are lacking. Word of advice, best to stay away during hunting season as we spotted over ten deer hunters in the area in a single day; a hunting paradise as well. On the path offers hidden creek waterfalls, lots of one way bridge and a serenity drive.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2024

    FR132 Grindstone Mountain Area Dispersed, Ouachita NF. AR

    Forested Group Dispersed Site near Crystal Mountain Overlook

    Coordinates: 34.83903, -92.94556.  Set back from Forest Road 132 off of an old track - a short distance west of Forest Road 75. There is some minor erosion on the access to this site from FR132. Large site; good for groups. Should accommodate 4 rigs -  truck campersize & smaller. This site can accommodate 4x4 drivers that are planning to tackle Forest Road 132A to the Crystal Mountain Overlook - a short distance east of this site. FR132A is hikeable for those who do not drive high clearance 4x4s. The dispersed site has a level dirt surface. There are two rock fire rings. Beautiful forest backdrop. No T-Mobile service.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2024

    CR133/FR146 Hogan Creek Dispersed, Ouachita NF, AR

    Small Dispersed Site, Tucked Away

    Coordinates: 34.93095,-93.32258. This a small dispersed camp site tucked away a short way from County Road 133/ Forest Rd 146 in the Ouachita National Forest. It's at the end of a short dirt track which may have been an old forest road. Above Hogan Creek, sounds of the creek can be head at this site. There is a path along the creek behind the campsite; it eventually provides access down hill to the creek. This is a secluded spot which can not be easily seen from CR133/FR146. Backing your vehicle into the site is best. There is a small rock fire ring at the end of the access track. The site's entrance is on the right hand side just after the bridge crossing Hogan Creek when coming from the west on CR133/FR146. A truck camper and smaller can fit into the site. A little bit of leveling may be required. Tent camping is also possible. It's a pretty campsite. The forest road is in great shape.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2024

    Crystal Mountain Dispersed

    Good View with Difficult Access

    I haven't camped here recently. Forest Road 132A, which climbs up to the Crystal Mountain Overlook fom Forest Road 132, is not maintained and badly eroded. Drivers with high clearance 4x4 vehicles and OHVs will enjoy driving up this track, but I don't recommend this drive for the average passenger vehicle. I no longer attempt this with my stock AWD Subaru Outback - just not enough clearance. There are two rock fire rings at the top. Despite the nice views at the top, the dispersed campsites are usually trashy. I included an older photo of the view with Lake Winona in the distance.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2023

    Irons Fork

    Nicest free spot I’ve seen!

    The place was beautiful and had plenty of lake access points too. I went in mid July so it was hot and humid but I was able to swim a bit to help that. Some nice mature trees were there but didn’t get in the way of our view of the lake. There was even a pit toilet! There seemed to be about 5 sites, each with a grill and fire ring. More spaces are available near the road as well. Bugs weren’t much of an issue but we did use bug spray. There was a lil bit of trash from previous campers, some of which made it into the campfire. I’m happy we visited, but not happy about the humidity- I am thankful we were able to sleep in the car though! There was only one other person there. It is black bear country, so just be smart about your waste and food storage. We had about 1-2 bars of AT&T coverage, but the road leading in has some better signal.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2024

    Girard Rd/Forest Road 20 Dispersed, Ouachita National Forest, AR

    Somewhat private dispersed site off of unbusy forest road

    Coordinates: 35.02531, -93.88228. Located just off of Girard Road (Forest Road 20) - a maintained gravel/dirt forest road. This road is mostly a single track - narrow with some minor erosion in a few places. A lifted 4x4 vehicle is NOT needed to drive to the site. The dispersed site is located 1.3 miles south of the turnoff to Jack Creek Recreation Area. This site is set off from the forest road on a narrow undesignated dirt track which is easy to miss. It is a small site with enough room for one vehicle - truck camper size and smaller. The site is mostly level on a dirt surface with a rock fire ring. It is mostly shaded, although solar recharging may be possible during the afternoon with solar panels being placed on the access track in front of the site. Tent and hammock camping are possible. Received a strong T-Mobile 5G signal here. Except for some peace and quiet, there is nothing remarkable about this particular campsite. However, is is located in the Jack Creek area of the Arkansas Ouachitas. This area has a few nice swimming holes and hiking trails which one can drive to. OHV recreation is also possible in the area.

Guide to Sims

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Sims, Arkansas, where nature lovers can find solitude and adventure in the Ouachita National Forest. With a variety of locations to choose from, campers can enjoy the great outdoors while experiencing the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Sims, Arkansas

  • When visiting Ouachita National Forest Fourche Mountain, be prepared for a rustic experience as there are no amenities like showers or trash disposal, making it essential to pack out what you bring in.
  • For those looking for a bit of privacy, Blue Knob Road in Ouachita National Forest offers a secluded area where you can enjoy the tranquility of nature without the noise of other campers.
  • If you're traveling with pets, Irons Fork is a pet-friendly option that allows you to bring your furry friends along for the adventure, ensuring everyone can enjoy the great outdoors together.

Dispersed campers should check out Irons Fork

  • The Irons Fork area features multiple lake access points, making it a great spot for swimming and fishing during the warmer months.
  • This location is known for its spacious sites, accommodating larger vehicles, which is ideal for those traveling with RVs or larger camping setups.
  • While the area is beautiful, be mindful of the litter and road conditions, as some visitors have noted that the access road can be challenging.

Hidden gems for dispersed camping near Sims

  • Jack Creek Dispersed offers a large wooded site with a short path leading down to Jack Creek, perfect for fishing or wading on hot summer days.
  • For a more rugged experience, Creekside Dispersed, Hogan Creek provides a secluded spot along a creek, ideal for those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy nature's sounds.
  • If you're seeking a site with a bit of history, Girard Rd/Forest Road 20 Dispersed is located near old forest roads, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and exploration opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Sims, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Sims, AR is Blue Knob Road in Ouachita National Forest with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Sims, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 38 dispersed camping locations near Sims, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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