Camping areas near Sweet Home, Arkansas center around the Arkansas River, with sites generally positioned at elevations between 250-300 feet. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures averaging 90°F in July and August, while winter lows typically range from 30-50°F. Most campgrounds in the Sweet Home area maintain standard leash rules requiring pets to be kept under control at all times, though specific policies vary by location.
What to do
River fishing access: Tar Camp sits directly on the Arkansas River where campers can fish from the shoreline. "Great place nice sites good fishing they have been repairing since it flooded they told me it would open up in March 2021," mentions Steve S., who highlights the location's revival after flooding.
Waterfall hiking: At Lake Catherine State Park Campground, you can hike the Falls Branch Trail to see the park's signature waterfall. Michael D. notes, "Nice, shady, level sites with full hook-ups. Three very good trails within the park. Situated on a beautiful lake near Hot Springs, AR with a marina."
Urban exploration: North Little Rock offers easy access to downtown attractions via a pedestrian bridge. According to Jennifer K. at Willow Beach, "Great for a quick nights stay! Beautiful surroundings right on the water and well maintained."
Mountain biking: The Pinnacle Mountain Trail system connects directly to Maumelle Park. Stevann H. explains, "The Pinnacle Mountain Trail system was a shaded easy trail system that can be accessed right from this campground. If you like staying close to amenities, this is a great place."
What campers like
Spacious sites: At Maumelle Park, campers appreciate the generous spacing between sites. Brenda L. notes, "Traveling through Arkansas and landed at this beautiful park! Spacious sites and beautiful area! Tried to get a water site but they were full. But after arriving we realized that there really aren't any bad sites."
River views: Many campers value the waterfront locations for watching river traffic. Angela G. at Tar Camp shares, "So happy to find a site right on the river. We could watch the tug boats with their barges go by. Not many campers here right now so it's quiet."
Level sites: Concrete pads and level sites make setup easier. Jo E. at Willow Beach remarks, "This is a pretty campground with huge trees for shade. The sites are extremely level! I didn't even need to level my pop-up camper!!"
Security features: Gated access provides peace of mind at several campgrounds. Kelly E. observes, "Bath house with flush toilets and showers with a laundry. Doors have a key pad entry which is nice since the camp is open to base traffic."
What you should know
Wildlife awareness: Snake encounters are possible at some riverside campgrounds. Jennifer C. warns, "We encountered lots of snakes. I shooed a few off the road and they disappeared as soon as they slithered into the grass, so to me it's pretty risky walking around or letting kids play in the grass."
Seasonal closures: Some Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds close seasonally. At Tar Camp, Jason W. mentions, "Great place until the Corps closes it down for weather or political reasons. I'd give more than three stars but the Corp has a poor track record keeping parks open."
Bathroom quality varies: Facilities at older campgrounds may need updating. Kelly E. at Willow Beach notes, "The only downside is the bathroom/shower rooms. There are four individual ones and they all feel like the heat is on in them when it is 100° here today. The toilet paper is out or almost out in all of them."
Mosquito preparation: Riverside locations mean insect repellent is essential. Jeff R. cautions, "Mosquitos are very bad. Overall a really nice spot."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly trails: Look for accessible hiking options with kids. Alison C. shares about Petit Jean State Park, "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas when weather permits. According to Jeff R., "Playgrounds were present but closed thanks to Covid."
Water activities: Lake Catherine provides safe kayaking opportunities for families. Alison C. reports, "We enjoyed the hiking trails and rented a few kayaks. It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water."
Dog-friendly campgrounds near Sweet Home: Most sites welcome pets but have specific areas. Brenda L. at Maumelle Park mentions, "Great place for dog walking and even a trail to take her on. Our Labrador loved it here too."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Little Rock North KOA, Daniel advises, "Easy access for a KOA, we have a cyclone 4270 (44' triple axel 5th wheel) which is pushing it for most KOA's. We landed a pull through just behind the office and on way out of curve in road so we slide right in."
Leveling requirements: Some sites require significant adjustments. Ryan S. notes about Petit Jean, "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level."
Utility placement: Check utilities and table placement before booking. Ryan S. advises, "Some sites have water and the picnic table on the opposite sides of the camper. It's purely inconvenient and I'm not sure why this is this way. Pay attention when you book your site to campsite photos."
Pet-friendly RV campgrounds: Pam R. at Downtown Riverside RV Park reports, "This location to see downtown Little Rock is fun. We lucked into site 29 which was huge and right on the Arkansas River."
