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Best Tent Camping near Star City, AR

53 Reviews

Tent camping near Star City, Arkansas provides limited but accessible options within driving distance. The region offers several established tent campgrounds, including Arkansas City Trailhead in Delta Heritage Trail State Park, Ste Marie Park in Pine Bluff, and White River National Wildlife Refuge's Hudsons Landing area in Ethel. These locations are situated in the southeastern Arkansas lowlands, characterized by river bottomlands and agricultural landscapes, offering tent campers basic amenities within relatively short drives from Star City.

Tent campsites in this region typically feature simple, primitive setups with varying levels of accessibility. Arkansas City Trailhead provides walk-in tent sites with flush toilets but lacks drinking water, electric hookups, and fires are not permitted. The camping area consists of an open grassy space adjacent to a parking area rather than designated sites. Ste Marie Park offers drive-in and boat-in tent camping with drinking water, toilets, and picnic tables, but also prohibits fires. Seasonal closures affect accessibility, with Ste Marie Park typically closed during winter months and reopening around March 1st. Campers should bring sufficient water supplies when visiting sites without potable water.

The backcountry tent camping experience near Star City reflects the region's rural character and proximity to waterways. According to reviews, Arkansas City Trailhead provides convenient access to the levee while being situated "right in the middle of town" with "clean restrooms with flush toilets." However, campers noted access issues at Ste Marie Park, with one visitor reporting that "the gate is locked to general public" despite the park being "clean and well kept." Tent campers should call ahead to confirm access, especially during off-seasons. The White River NWR's Hudsons Landing area offers a more remote primitive tent camping experience for those seeking greater solitude, though amenities are minimal. Summer camping in this region requires preparation for heat, humidity, and insects typical of southeastern Arkansas lowlands.

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Best Tent Sites Near Star City, Arkansas (3)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Star City, AR

1 Photos of 3 Star City Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Star City, AR

53 Reviews of 3 Star City Campgrounds

  • L
    Jun. 8, 2019

    Cane Creek State Park Campground

    Cane Creek

    We are from Star City so we have visited the park often but finally decided to camp there and it was so nice. The campgrounds are nice and the visitors center offers fun activities for the kids.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 16, 2023

    Donna's Hammock Hideaway

    Peace and Wildlife

    Ashley here with The Dyrt! I'd like to welcome Donna to our platform. This property offers hot showers, a fire-pit and restroom. You'll likely get a visit from one of her goats. Rustic sites offer level ground for you to pitch your tent. Book your stay in the magical forest and leave a review!

  • Lacee G.
    Jul. 16, 2019

    Cane Creek State Park Campground

    Gorgoeus park with fun activities

    We visited Cane Creek over Memorial Day weekend. The sites were level. 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 (resembles a beaver with a skinny tail). You have to walk through thick brush on a slope to reach the water. My husband mostly chose to walk down to the fishing pier and docks. It was about a two minute walk away from our site. We stayed in site 17 I believe.

    There are water and electricity hookups with a bathroom close by. We rode bikes so it didn’t take long to get the the restroom. Our neighbors had issues with their electricity because they were trying to run an air fryer, and it kept throwing the breaker. We ran our box fan without any issues.

    You can rent kayaks for very reasonable. Do it! The water trail is unlike any I have seen. Don’t miss out on the hiking trails, but watch out for ticks!

    You can rent an RV here as well. It’s set up at the entrance of the campground. It seemed like a nice setup. We rode past it several times on our explorations of the park.

  • Steve S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 29, 2020

    COE Arkansas River Wilbur D Mills Campground

    Great fishing

    love this place camp here alot nice roomy sights plenty of shade ,quiet and relaxing. plenty of wildlife showers were cold but covered picnic tables, fire ring,grill ,paved level spots and it is closed in winter opens back up in March went by today 1-12-2021 and saw pelicans

  • A
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Merrisach Lake

    Starting to get a little run down but a nice park for r to he most part

    This was one of the last parks available on the Memorial Day weekend. One of the great things for us was the proximity of some Arkansas State Parks such as Cane Creek and Arkansas Post. First we were in E campground and it was not very well taken care of. The pads for the campers were starting to become covered up with grass and tree debris. Our picnic table has a corner busted off and the water hydrant was combined for two sites to one hydrant spot. Our 25 ft hose was too short so we borrowed a hose from the camp manager till we were able to buy another 25 footer. There was no showers in E and the restrooms were just toilets, no sinks to wash your hands. We were told by several people that we would be all but guaranteed to see an alligator but we never did. Not that they aren’t there, we just never got that lucky. The dump station is probably a mile and a half from the campground so if you have a grey water tote tank that you pull behind the truck like me, expect a fairly long drive. Overall it was an ok park but the campground E was definitely on the decline. Other campgrounds seemed to be in better shape but still sad that part of the park is in such shape. I would not put this on the top of my list but it’s not the worse either.

  • Steve S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 4, 2020

    COE Arkansas River Merrisach Lake Park

    Great park

    we stayed in e10 Thanksgiving 2020 it was very quiet only 2 other campers in our area .it looked more like an overflow area had some broken picnic tables and bathrooms had no shower but it was great now area a,c,d where awesome showers, great views really nice park along of wildlife

  • Allison N.
    May. 27, 2020

    Pendleton Bend

    Nice people, basic facilities

    I stopped here for one night with a travel trailer and was in site B-01 for $16. The sites are spacious. For example, the water hookups are half way between the sites to be shared, and my 50ft hose just barely could reach. It is pet friendly and we had fun sitting on a dock and watching the cargo boats. There is absolutely no cell phone signal and no WiFi, so have physical directions on you. The park is only a couple miles from Arkansas Post National Memorial which was very beautiful and worth a visit.

  • Steve S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2020

    Notrebes Bend Park n- CLOSED

    WAS a great park

    Closed now due to river erosion and damage to boat ramp. Hope they get it back up to par and re-open. Used to be a beautiful spot with bathrooms, covered picnic tables, grills, and fire rings. Also had electric and water hook-ups. Needs to open!

  • Joseph B.
    Jun. 7, 2019

    Cane Creek State Park Campground

    A quiet and pleasant place

    I grew up in Star City and have been to this park many times. It is not a breathtaking place, but it accurately portrays the nature of south Arkansas. I have seen ducks, deer armadillos and eagles live here as well. The playgrounds are good. The pavilions are clean and the AC works well. Halloween brings thousands of visitors each fall. The campsites all decorate for the holiday and everyone wants to see it!

Guide to Star City

Tent camping near Star City, Arkansas encompasses several established sites within a 50-mile radius. The region features lowland camping areas situated among agricultural fields, cypress swamps, and along major waterways including the Arkansas and White Rivers. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter months bring occasional freezing temperatures that affect campground operations and accessibility.

What to do

Fishing access points: Arkansas City Trailhead offers convenient access to levee fishing opportunities with clean restrooms with flush toilets. Located directly within Arkansas City, this tent camping area provides a grassy space adjacent to parking rather than designated sites.

Boat launching: Ste Marie Park includes boat ramp facilities for watercraft access to nearby waterways. The park provides a nice day use area that's clean and well maintained, though some visitors report intermittent public access issues.

Wildlife observation: White River National Wildlife Refuge contains numerous wetland habitats supporting over 300 bird species and abundant deer, turkey, and small game populations. Primitive tent camping areas provide bases for wildlife photography and birdwatching, particularly during spring and fall migrations.

What campers like

Accessible facilities: Campers appreciate that Arkansas City Trailhead is conveniently located in the middle of town while still providing access to natural areas. The central location allows for easy resupply options.

Quiet atmosphere: Despite seasonal closures and access challenges, when open Ste Marie Park offers peaceful camping with minimal crowds. The park features toilets and drinking water but restricts campfires for safety reasons.

Minimal development: For campers seeking more remote experiences, primitive tent sites throughout the region offer few amenities but greater solitude. Sites typically lack designated tent pads, restroom facilities, or potable water sources, requiring self-sufficient camping preparations.

What you should know

Seasonal closures: Confirmed closure patterns affect campground availability throughout the year. Ste Marie Park typically closes during winter with gates locked, reopening around March 1st according to visitor reports.

Access inconsistencies: Several campgrounds in the region show unpredictable access patterns. Visitors report finding gates locked even during scheduled operating seasons, requiring advance calls to confirm current status.

Limited amenities: Most tent camping options near Star City provide basic facilities only. Campers should prepare to bring their own water, waste disposal bags, and complete camping supplies as services are minimal to nonexistent at most locations.

Tips for camping with families

Water safety precautions: Families camping near water access points should bring personal flotation devices for all children. Summer water levels can fluctuate rapidly due to upstream dam releases or rainfall events.

Insect protection: The region's wetland ecosystems support significant mosquito, tick, and chigger populations from April through October. Effective insect repellents, protective clothing, and nightly tick checks are essential for family comfort and safety.

Alternative accommodations: When tent camping options are limited due to seasonal closures, families can consider nearby cabins at state parks within a 60-90 minute drive. These provide more reliable accommodations with full facilities during challenging weather conditions.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most camping areas near Star City accommodate smaller RVs only, with limited turn-around space and narrow access roads. Units over 25 feet may encounter difficulties at most locations.

Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven parking surfaces at primitive sites. Many areas lack designated RV pads and may require substantial leveling blocks, particularly after rainfall when soft ground conditions are common.

Generator restrictions: Noise regulations and quiet hours limit generator usage at many camping areas. RVers should ensure batteries can support essential systems overnight or consider solar options for extended stays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Star City, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Star City, AR is Ste Marie Park with a 2-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Star City, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Star City, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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