Umpire, Arkansas sits in the Ouachita Mountains at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with dense forests of oak, pine, and maple trees creating a diverse ecosystem for campers to explore. The region maintains a humid subtropical climate with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-90s and winter lows around 30°F. Seasonal camping patterns vary significantly, with most visitors arriving from March through November when the weather conditions are most favorable.
What to do
Creek exploration and water activities: Multiple campsites along the Cossatot River offer opportunities to wade, swim, and fish in clear waters. At Shady Lake Campground, "Campsites are pretty well spaced for the most part... Hiking trails in the area if you are in to that. Great place for kids to explore the creek and learn to love camping," according to Bob J.
Fishing opportunities: Little Missouri River and nearby creeks provide excellent fishing spots for trout and sunfish. The Long Creek Campsite on the Eagle Rock Loop offers access to productive fishing holes. As Troy W. notes, "Perhaps 100 feet up river from our campsite I found a nice fishing hole and caught and released 7 trout and 1 sunfish within about 1 hour."
Hiking Eagle Rock Loop: The complete loop trail spans 26-28 miles through the Ouachita National Forest with multiple primitive campsites along the route. At the Viles Branch Creek Primitive Campsite, "you will be rewarded with beautiful scenery as you walk through majestic forests of oak, pine, maple and pecan trees. You will hike along the Viles Branch Creek and need to cross the creek various times."
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: The remote nature of campgrounds near Umpire creates a peaceful environment away from crowds. At Shady Lake Campground, Marcus H. appreciates that "The times I have been there hasn't been very many other campers in the area... We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves... Nothing wrong with that, I kinda prefer it that way."
Water sounds for sleeping: Many campsites are positioned near flowing water, providing natural white noise. Alana T. shared that she "Loved my overnight stay at Shady Lake! Slept right above a babbling creek and heard peaceful water flowing all night."
Cell service limitations: For those seeking disconnection, limited connectivity is a feature. Brian at Shady Lake Campground noted "no cell service. You can decide whether that is a good thing or not (I loved it). If you're really desperate, you can drive 5 mins down the road and get a signal."
What you should know
Access challenges: Gravel roads can make reaching some pet friendly camping areas near Umpire, Arkansas difficult. The Sandbar Area Campsites require preparation: "The campground is tricky to locate, I would recommend familiarizing yourself with the directions especially if you are arriving after dark. There are several miles of driving on a gravel forest road between the main highway and the campgrounds," warns Vanessa M.
Primitive conditions: Most backcountry sites have minimal facilities. Troy W. explains that at primitive campsites like Long Creek, "There are no facilities nearby. You can collect and filter water from the river and dig a hole to poop in the woods. Please practice Leave No Trace in this area."
Weather awareness: Flash flooding can occur with heavy rainfall. When camping at Straight Creek, an experienced hiker noted: "Went here a while back for some hiking and camping. Spent 3 days put here. Rained heavily on the 2nd day and small creeks and rivers became huge swells. This is for a more experienced hiker if ypu going during rainy season."
Tips for camping with families
Campsite spacing: For families needing room to spread out, certain areas offer better separation. At Cossatot Falls Campsites, "the tent pads were huge" and offered "decent separation," according to Summer H., though she notes "the middle row of the Sandbar campground would be tight if there had been a lot of people."
Swimming access: When camping with children, proximity to safe water areas matters. Chris shared that Cossatot Falls Campsites has "6 very large pads right by the river with 2 pit toilets. This place is pretty and offers a lot to do. Hiking trails, kayaking, swimming, fishing."
Wildlife education: The abundant wildlife creates learning opportunities. Ana A. suggests families should "lookout for deer and other critters crossing" on the access roads, and reminds campers with pets that "there is an abundance of wild life, keep an eye for snakes and thicks!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Limited RV camping exists in the immediate Umpire area. At Cossatot River RV Park, Thomas B. found "Easy pull through sites with full hook up. Dog friendly (I think) but there weren't any dogs running loose." He adds it was "Very quiet and peaceful. It seemed most people were gone during the day, maybe working."
Location clarification: RVers should note exact locations when booking. Thomas B. clarifies that "This rv park is not in walking distance to the Cossatot River" despite its name, so those seeking immediate river access should choose another option.
Site maintenance: Some RV parks may lack maintenance. One reviewer noted that Cossatot River RV Park is "clean, has standard RV hookups, and the highway isn't full of noisy traffic," providing a basic but functional option for RVers seeking pet-friendly camping near Umpire.
