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Best Tent Camping near Sweet Home, AR

595 Reviews

Public lands surrounding Sweet Home, Arkansas offer several primitive tent camping options within the Ouachita National Forest and nearby wildlife management areas. Camp Robinson Dispersed Site provides free tent-only camping near Lake Conway, while Mike Freeze Wattensaw Wildlife Management Area features numerous designated tent campsites marked by blue rings painted on trees. Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite in Perry County offers backcountry tent camping along a creek with a short hiking trail to a cascade. Dispersed sites along Forest Road 132 in the Ouachita National Forest provide access to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail for hikers seeking tent camping with trail access.

Most tent campsites in this region feature minimal amenities, requiring self-sufficiency from campers. Sites typically have rock fire rings but lack drinking water, toilets, and trash service. Campers should bring all necessary supplies and follow leave-no-trace principles. The terrain varies from soft ground at Mike Freeze WMA to gravel surfaces that may require padding for comfortable tent camping. Access roads are often unpaved, with some requiring navigation of large gravel that can be challenging for low-clearance vehicles. During summer months, insect activity increases near water sources, making bug spray essential equipment. Many sites are unmarked or minimally signed, with small "designated camping area" indicators that require careful attention to locate.

Tent campers frequently report peaceful experiences at these primitive sites. According to reviews, the Brown Creek Cascade site offers "large pine trees" suitable for hammock camping, with "the sound from the creek" providing a soothing background. One visitor noted that Camp Robinson provides isolation "but not too far out," making it convenient for overnight stays. Sites deeper in the Ouachita National Forest offer greater seclusion, though navigation can be challenging. A camper at Mike Freeze WMA reported waking "to birds singing and trees rustling" with "no other soul" encountered during their stay. Wildlife observations are common, with ducks, beavers, frogs, and various birds frequently seen near water features. Cell service varies significantly by location, with some sites offering good reception while others have none.

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Best Tent Sites Near Sweet Home, Arkansas (10)

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7 Photos of 10 Sweet Home Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Sweet Home, AR

595 Reviews of 10 Sweet Home Campgrounds

  • T
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    Small free for all tent sites

    Small open Campground with no specific sites (Tent Only Area). There is a small lot nearby to park then you must walk everything in. This can be anything from right next to your car to a few hundred feet away depending on where you want to set up. Picnic tables, fire rings and campground grills located throughout but again nothing is marketed as far as site numbers. The area allows for up to six camp permits per night. Could be good for smaller groups. It’s up away from the lake unlike the rest of the campgrounds in the park. There are restrooms nearby with flushing toilets and sinks. Also a playground is located close to the campsite. Overall it was clean but felt cramped among other campers and parking away from the tent made for multiple trips back and forth.

  • Bailey W.
    May. 14, 2022

    Toad Suck

    A good little campground

    Toad Suck is a great campground- with some caveats. All of the sites are reservable and have concrete pads. This makes it impossible to stake down a tent but also provides a great level spot. There's no foragable wood at the sites, but there's a quick stop type gas station very nearby that sells it cheap and locally sourced. The bathrooms can be a trek from your site or right next door, depending on where you're staying, but theyre immaculately clean. They service them twice daily. It's right next to the lock and dam at Toad Suck on the Arkansas River so there's a constant roar of water and the sound of barges throughout the night and day. I don't mind it but keep that in mind if you don't like those sounds. The campsite is peaceful otherwise. Dogs are allowed! ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL.

  • Richard
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Woolly Hollow State Park — Wooly Hollow State Park

    Nice little park

    This park is pretty much spotless. I tent camped in the fall and loved it. All the tent sites have a gravel pad, picnic table and fire ring. Lots of trees to set up your hammock. They have a swim beach and small boat rentals in the summer. There’s a nice paved walking trail too. I highly recommend.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    Fabulous Water-Edge Campsite

    PROS 

    Senior discount 

    Reserved on-line 365 days prior to arriving 

    Site #68 allowed parking RV 12 feet from water edge which was fabulous 

    Totally level site 

    Asphalt campsite pad 

    Pea gravel and grass around asphalt 

    Good night sky viewing 

    Squirrels ate from our hand 

    Saw ranger patrolling campground frequently 

    Waste containers every other campsite 

    Metal picnic table on concrete slab 

    One hook lantern pole 

    Metal fire pit with cooking grate 

    Pedestal BBQ grill 

    Clean restroom/shower and adequate TP and hand soap. Women had 2 showers, 2 sinks, 3 toilets 

    Weekend campground nearly filled to capacity 

    4 bars Verizon LTE 

    Hike to waterfall a bit tricky, but worth the effort 

    Hot Springs National Park 15 miles from campground; nice to watch the crowds from Superior Bathouse Brewery 

    Free water from the springs next to the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center- must have your own containers to fill 

    Enjoyed Red Oak Fillin’ Station so much we dined there twice 

    Diamond Head 19th Hole Restaurant, open to the public and very close to park entrance 

    CONS 

    Damn Canadian geese crap everywhere 

    Fire pit was filled with oversized logs and once removed there was unburned charcoal and lots of ash 

    Unable to move picnic table 

    Site#68 no shade what so ever 

    No privacy from other sites 

    Lots of speed boat and jet ski noise, even after sunset 

    Morning train noise 

    Power plant lights and humming noise 

    No security gate closure overnight 

    No WIFI

  • 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.

  • Napunani
    Dec. 1, 2023

    Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park

    One of Arkansas' Finest

    PROS 

    No reservation transaction fee 

    Senior discount 

    Quiet 

    Moveable metal picnic table on a concrete pad, pedestal BBQ grill, fire ring with cooking grate, and one hook lantern pole 

    Site 14 partially shady 

    Good condition asphalt parking pad with gravel and grass surrounding 

    Good view of lake from Site 14 

    Sites well spaced 

    Campground A toilet/shower building clean and sufficiently stocked. Heated but not air conditioned. 

    Site 14 more than long enough for trailer and tow vehicle 

    Dark sky friendly as there are no street lights in Campground A 

    Very nice 6ft wide asphalt bike trail from Campground B to Mather Lodge

    (approximately 1.75 miles) CCC Hike and Bike Trail 

    New Visitor Center built 2021 

    Beautiful CCC built Mather Lodge

    (restaurant added in 2012) 

    Grass throughout campground mowed 

    Firewood sold in the yards of residences along State Road 154 

    CONS 

    Site 14 extremely unlevel side to side 

    No privacy from other campsites 

    No entrance security gate to the park or any campgrounds as State Road 154 cuts thru the park 

    No park ranger drive thrus 

    Mather Lodge Restaurant OK. Don't expect much from the menu or service but it has a full bar 

    3 of our 4 day stay there was a religious group prophetlytizing at the Park Visitor Center WIFI only at Lodge and Visitors Center 

    NO TMOBILE service

  • 2SHOE S.
    Aug. 27, 2018

    Lake Sylvia Recreation Area

    Easy getaway from Little Rock

    Lake Sylvia recreation area offers a lot of fun and relaxation within an easy drive from Little Rock. We ate dinner in town at Izzy's on Highway 10, and got to the campground with enough time to set up before dark.

    The primitive camping loop is especially attractive and not a single soul was utilizing it last weekend. Even those tent camping seemed to want access to the electrical outlets on the main loop. Or possibly the hot showers: the primitive sites have their own bathroom with lights and plumbing but the showers are not heated except in the main bathhouse among the hookups sites. The sites in the primitive loop are $5/night lower than the sites with water and electric.

    The main camping loop is nice for small to medium campers. No Class A rigs here. Nobody claimed the campsite on either side, affording us plenty of privacy, and just a short walk to the bathhouse. We enjoyed the hiking trails around the lake, and hiking a short way up to the Ouachita Trail.

    The swim beach is a great spot that is used as a day area. There are also fishing spots down the bank. The rules say that dogs are not permitted at the day use area, but we saw a couple of dogs with their owners and the ranger who drove by either didn’t notice or didn’t enforce it, I guess. Which isn’t a big deal, except that I wish they’d either enforce it or change the rules to match the practice. If it’s permitted I’d have brought my own dog to join in the fun instead of leaving it behind.

    Several paces up a trail from the campground is a small amphitheater with a wooden stage. It looked like an awesome place to set up a portable projector for a movie night.

    If this campground were open year round, I would give it five stars - with access to good hiking here (including the Ouachita Trail), it is a shame that the campground is closed in late fall and early spring. Its website even states that the best time to visit is Fall-Spring. Still a wonderful place to try; just make sure you check that it's open before you go.

  • Roxy V.
    Jun. 6, 2020

    Hot Springs National Park KOA

    Nice Campground

    We stayed here only as an overnight on our trip cross-country trip, but overall nice campground. It is about 20 min off the main highway. Things close up early here and once off main highway there really is nothing as you drive to the park. Make sure you come in with all of your supplies otherwise you will be driving back out a ways for groceries, supplies, etc. Everyone there was very friendly- families, seniors, etc. We were late check-ins and they were extremely accommodating by placing our paperwork on the check-in board for us. Even in the dark our site was easy to find. They offer RV, cabin rentals, and tent sites. We tent camp and the pad was of good size with a fire ring, picnic table and pea gravel. Most all of the tent sites are located with tree shade above them (note: not enough trees that you could hang hammocks or tarps though). There is a small pond that looked as though they allow family fishing in. "Grandpa's Griddle" is a small kitchen on site that they offer home-cooked breakfast to be purchased from in the morning. Mostly simple items: biscuits & gravy, breakfast sandwiches, eggs & bacon, etc. The restrooms / showers were all very clean. We did not go in to the National Park, but it looked very pretty from what we could see. The view of the mountains in the morning was very pretty to wake up to.

    Pandemic note: Even though the pandemic was still going on (visited on 5/28/20-5/29/20), no one was really wearing masks here. We did since we were traveling but were the only ones I saw.

    The photos are of the pond and some of the super cute vintage RVs that we saw there.

    I would recommend staying here.

  • J
    Jul. 6, 2019

    Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park

    Beautiful area

    Our first time in Petit Jean State Park and hopefully not our last! The area is so beautiful and the park is clean. We stayed in one of the yurts. The kids enjoyed the geese right outside the door and at night, the deer came out only feet from the yurt. The yurt itself is was as expected. Only beds inside with one table, 4 chairs and a fan. It does have electricity inside but no water. Outside is a nice deck, propane stove, water faucet, fire ring, picnic table and bbq pit. It also has a canoe available for use with each yurt. The boathouse was not too far away and well maintained. There is a very nice pool on the grounds also. We really enjoyed the hiking trails.

Guide to Sweet Home

Tent camping near Sweet Home, Arkansas offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the tranquility of the outdoors. With a variety of options available, campers can find the perfect spot to pitch their tents and unwind.

Explore the Scenic Beauty of Lake Conway

  • Experience the serene environment at Camp Robinson Dispersed Site, where you can camp among the trees near a partially drained lake, perfect for a peaceful night under the stars.
  • Enjoy stunning sunsets and the sounds of nature at Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite, located near the South Fork of Brown Creek, ideal for those who appreciate a quiet setting.
  • Pitch your tent at Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA, where you can find numerous campsites surrounded by woods, offering a great escape from the hustle and bustle.

Activities for Outdoor Enthusiasts

  • Hike the nearby trails at Dispersed FR132 Ouachita National Forest, AR, which provides easy access to the Ouachita Trail, perfect for those looking to explore the area on foot.
  • Enjoy a quiet night at Beagle Club Road Pull-Off, where you can relax and listen to the sounds of nature after a day of hiking or fishing.
  • Camp at Cedar Glades Park for a quick overnight stay, although overnight camping is currently restricted, the park is still a beautiful spot to visit during the day.

Tent Camping Features to Consider

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Sweet Home, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sweet Home, AR is Camp Robinson Dispersed Site with a 3.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Sweet Home, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Sweet Home, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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