Campgrounds near Star City, Arkansas range from state parks to riverfront camping areas in the flat, forested lowlands of southeastern Arkansas. The climate typically features hot, humid summers with temperatures reaching the 90s and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Several parks in the region allow camping along the Arkansas River where visitors can observe barges transporting cargo through the McClellan-Kerr navigation system.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Cane Creek State Park Campground offers year-round access to Cane Creek Lake with a dedicated fishing dock near the campground. "Cane Creek Lake has great fishing. Clean park. Bring your own firewood," notes one visitor. The park's fishing piers are approximately a two-minute walk from most campsites.
Wildlife viewing: Take advantage of multiple wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the area parks. At Rising Star, campers can observe river traffic and local wildlife. "Plenty of wildlife to be seen! We will be back! Boat ramp $5, pavilion $60. Nice day use area and playground but watch for snakes," warns one camper. Pelicans are common at several river locations during winter months.
Kayaking and canoeing: Rentals are available at reasonable rates at Cane Creek State Park. "You can rent kayaks for very reasonable. Do it! The water trail is unlike any I have seen," recommends one visitor. The park also offers special events like moonlit kayak tours during full moons, though reservations are recommended.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Many visitors appreciate the regular maintenance at Pendleton Bend, noting "great park well maintained big sights quiet and no problem with bugs." The spacious sites feature water hookups positioned between sites, requiring longer hoses in some cases.
Watching river traffic: Tar Camp provides direct river access with views of commercial vessels. "So happy to find a site right on the river. We could watch the tug boats with their barges go by," reports one camper. The Arkansas River serves as part of a major shipping route that transports approximately 11 million tons of cargo annually.
Scenic seasonal variation: Fall camping at Rising Star offers unique experiences with natural bounty. One reviewer noted, "We picked up enough pecans for 2 pies," highlighting the seasonal foraging opportunities. Winter visitors often report seeing large flocks of pelicans at several river locations.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region. At Pendleton Bend, "There is absolutely no cell phone signal and no WiFi, so have physical directions on you," advises one camper. Rising Star has limited connectivity with "only 1 bar on my Verizon phone."
Insect considerations: Saracen Trace RV Park provides a nature experience close to Pine Bluff. "It is a lovely, well-kept park. Lots of wildlife-squirrels everywhere," but campers should be prepared for seasonal insect activity throughout the region. During certain seasons, insect populations can become overwhelming.
Seasonal closures: Several campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Rising Star operates "March 1 to October 31" according to their official season, while other parks may close during winter or high-water periods. "Ste Marie Park gate is locked to general public," reports one frustrated visitor about off-season access issues.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Rising Star offers dedicated recreation areas for children. "Super peaceful, quiet...shady sites or sunny, whatever you prefer. Some on the water sites, but others aren't far off," notes one visitor. The playground is located in the day-use area near the boat ramp.
Halloween camping: Cane Creek State Park Campground hosts special Halloween events that draw large crowds. "Halloween brings thousands of visitors each fall. The campsites all decorate for the holiday and everyone wants to see it!" One local mentions that this annual tradition makes reservations essential during October.
Wildlife awareness: Families should monitor children around water edges and natural areas. "We did have several fire ant hills that we had to deal with and quite a few red wasps. We were able to watch numerous birds (pileated woodpeckers) and even saw a swamp rat swimming in the lake," reports one family at Cane Creek.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Silver Eagle RV Campground, spaces are functional but compact. "Looks clean, tight spots, not much privacy and not a place to enjoy nature more like a trailer park would be a good place to stay if passing through or long term," notes one RVer. The campground offers 22 full hookup sites year-round but features minimal separation between neighbors.
Power considerations: Be mindful of electrical load at rv parks near Star City. Some campers report: "Our neighbors had issues with their electricity because they were trying to run an air fryer, and it kept throwing the breaker." Most sites offer 30-amp or 50-amp service, but usage limitations vary by location.
Leveling and access: Many rv sites in the Star City area feature level, paved pads. "Easy to get into most spaces, flat long, asphalt RV sites," reports one camper about Cane Creek State Park. However, several parks have terrain challenges requiring stabilizers and leveling blocks.
