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Dispersed Camping near Vandervoort, AR

17 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Multiple dispersed camping areas surround Vandervoort in the Ouachita National Forest, offering free campsites with no reservation required. Mena Arkansas and Turner Creek Road offer free tent camping with drive-in access. Both allow fires and pets but provide no amenities. The nearby Talimena Scenic Drive in Oklahoma features several highly-rated dispersed sites along forest roads.

    County Road D1590 and Pigeon Creek Dispersed sites accommodate vehicles with varying degrees of accessibility. Reviews indicate some roads require high-clearance vehicles, with one visitor noting "took our class c down the narrow road. Pretty good mostly rock." Cedar Creek off Forest Road 51220 provides privacy near water, with a camper describing "large area to park and camp all by yourself. Stream is 40 feet away with a swimming hole." Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite offers multiple secluded sites, though access can be challenging. According to reviews, "the road in/out has some tough spots, 4WD would be preferred" and visitors should "practice leave no trace" as some sites have accumulated trash from previous campers.

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    Best Dispersed Campgrounds near Vandervoort (17)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Pigeon Creek Dispersed

      3.0(3)21mi from VandervoortTents

      "Just on the right is a clearing you can’t miss next to the Kiamichi River along side pigeon creek. You’re surrounded by trees, moss and running blue mountain spring water. What’s not to love?"

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      2. Mena Arkansas

      4.0(1)20mi from VandervoortRVs, Tents
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      3. Talimena Scenic Drive

      4.4(5)27mi from Vandervoort

      "We enjoyed this spot and sincerely appreciate whoever marked the coordinates at the turn off, because no one would ever find it otherwise!"

      "Van: Promaster 3500 159 Ext Company: Dog

      Spot comes up on you Fast when driving: Tip if you come from Talihini: You'll see a very clear road on your LEFT (Another Spot) slow down and look on your Right"

      4. County Road D1590 Dispersed

      4.0(3)27mi from VandervoortRVs, Tents

      "Good for camper vans. One car passed in 2 days. Beware of poison ivy."

      "Took our class c down the narrow road. Pretty good mostly rock.camp site was clean."

      5. Quachita NF Dispersed by Cedar Creek off 51220

      5.0(2)27mi from Vandervoort

      "Fire ring for fires , open area for tent , park next to your campsite , and creek near by ! Beautiful scenic area ! Some ATVs pass by but other than that you are unbothered !"

      6. Ouachita NF - CR 51220 Dispersed

      3.0(3)27mi from Vandervoort

      "Then we found the creek just east of us off a small trail. Just start walking right into the woods and you’ll find it. Many camps here some small some large. Some full sun some full shade!"

      "Adjacent spots probably a mile apart"

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      7. Broken Bow Dispersed off Rd 51220

      5.0(1)27mi from VandervoortRVs, Tents

      "Spacious, multiple access to the creek, circle drive easy for mini-van. Most importantly, you don't have to drive all the way into the mountains to feel like you're deep in the woods."

      8. Turner Creek Road

      4.5(4)32mi from Vandervoort

      "Very secluded spot no amenities just a rock fire ring Very peaceful"

      "Challenging & fun UTV trails! Narrow gravel road to arrive --lots of overhanging branches in April. Amour site was approx 1/2 mile in, a pull through on the right with plenty of room."

      9. Pigeon Creek(Auto Access)

      Be the first to review21mi from Vandervoort

      10. Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

      4.3(9)41mi from Vandervoort

      "As you pull off the little turn off just before (or after, depending on which way your going) the bridge of the creek, you’ll find the first spot. It’s nice with an established campfire ring, etc."

      "It also has great spots to see while hiking around. I've been here twice and loved both times."

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    Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Vandervoort, AR

    21 Photos of 17 Vandervoort Campgrounds

    Dispersed Camping Reviews near Vandervoort, AR

    30 Reviews of 17 Vandervoort Campgrounds

    • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
      Nov. 21, 2025

      Blue Knob Road in Ouachita National Forest

      Nice Dispersed Site at FR76/Buck Knob Trailhead, Ouachita Trail

      Free. Title of this review should be "Buck Knob...", not "Blue Knob...". Camped here in mid-November, 2025. Large dispersed site at the FR76/Buck Knob trailhead for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. Should easily accomodate 3 campervan-size rigs. There is a small rock fire ring. There is no picnic table directly on this site, but there is one at the start of the trail, a short walk from the trailhead. The campsite is nearly level where I parked my van. Tent and hammock camping are possible. The site is partially shaded, but I believe limited Starlink connectivity is possible. The dirt/gravel site is close to the forest road, but there is some foliage and ground cover which provides a little bit of separation and privacy. Forest Roads 48 and 76 approaching this area of the national forest are narrow in places but, overall, in good condition. There are a couple of bridges on FR76 west of the campsite that are very narrow with railings; may be too narrow for a truck camper and larger to pass through. I received AT&T and T-Mobile service during the time of my visit. I loved this campsite; very peaceful. Convenient for hiking in a beautiful forest.

    • JThe Dyrt PRO User
      Nov. 1, 2024

      Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

      Great, quiet location.

      My buddy and I read the other reviews and decided to give this site a go. Someone was camping at the main site just off the park road, and honestly, I’m glad they were there, otherwise we wouldn’t have found the great alternative spot. As the gentleman in the other review said, there ARE three alternative spots back North a little ways on the park road. As you pull off the little turn off just before (or after, depending on which way your going) the bridge of the creek, you’ll find the first spot. It’s nice with an established campfire ring, etc. further down (you definitely want a higher riding vehicle, no sedans down this road) about 40 yards maybe is the second site. This is a great little site as well, again with an established fire ring. Go another 40 ish yards and there is the end of the side ‘road’/stone path and you’ll find the site we stayed at.
      There is a great fire pit and a well established site. As was mentioned in the other review, there was some trash about, but we cleaned it up. If you go here, practice leave no trace. Don’t be a jerk. Even if you never meet another person who camps there, if everyone treats the site like garbage it will be no good for anyone in a short amount of time.
      We noticed that there wasn’t much wildlife about and guessed it was because the creek bed was bone dry and a bunch of smoke in the are might have made them leave (there were a few wildfires in SE Oklahoma when we visited). We’ll probably find another place next time for the sake of adventure, but I could see myself coming back someday.

    • Jessie M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 3, 2023

      Ouachita NF - CR 51220 Dispersed

      Could not find.

      Could not find. find. The grid cordinates lead to someones private cabin. Tucked in middles of residential cabin colmunity. It is national forest borders but private lots.

    • jThe Dyrt PRO User
      May. 1, 2026

      County Road D1590 Dispersed

      Deep woods

      Isolated in the woods. Good for camper vans. One car passed in 2 days. Beware of poison ivy.

    • C
      Mar. 20, 2021

      Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

      Great place to treat right

      Great spot. As most have said the main site that this link takes you to is up hill some ways from a creek that runs quite a way through the area snaking around and getting to various fill levels depending on recent weather. It also has great spots to see while hiking around. I've been here twice and loved both times. This second time I discovered there are it seems at least 2-3 more, seemingly established, campsites here. The ones that are not given here are along the same main road but along a separate turn off (IT IS NOT MARKED PRIVATE though there is private property marked in the area) that looks more suited for 4 wheel drive or at least something sitting higher than my small car. The furthest of these is essentially on the other side of the creek down from the main site. I can't speak to how nice they are to stay at but I imagine they are nice enough given how nice the main one is. I did walk through 2 and they didn't look bad as I walked through (the 3rd was occupied so I didn't get a look there just saw a person caming). All and all this place is great and I highly recommend. Just please don't take rocks and set up your own fire ring. The main has 2 already and the others all seem to have one. PLEASE PRACTICE LNT!!!

    • West River J.The Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 19, 2020

      Potato Hill Vista - Dispersed Camping

      Right off the highway and right off the Ouchita Trail

      If you're near the end (heading west) or got a late start heading east, detour north towards Potato Hill Vista for a flat area with a stone fire ring near Highway 88/1. You can throw down your tent here for the night. The side trail even leads to a parking lot off the highway if you're driving and want a place to camp or want someone to pick you up a few miles closer than Talimena State park.

    • SThe Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 8, 2020

      Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

      Perfect for all

      First time in the Ouachita national forest and we found a most excellent spot next to Lillard Creek off of 6010 Deadmans trail Rd. Would recommend a 4wd vehicle. There’s a short rock trail to go up to reach the campsite, also too narrow for my Tundra. Enough space for a family or if your going on a solo camp. Done hanging out at camp? There’s an awesome trail a little north of camp called Boardstand trail, take it east and you you can follow it to 8554 Red Bank, follow it south to Ouachita Trail, then follow it west until you reach Talimena Scenic drive, then you can walk along side the road to the Scenic view of where you were just hiking and bask in its glory! Next you’ll run up on 6010 deadman’s gap trail road again. Take it back down to your camp! Your back! It’s a good 6 mile hike that will get your heart going. Steep hills, beautiful waterways, gorgeous mountains! Nothing better! The creek water runs all the time so no need for your forest noise making machine. All the sounds you’ll need are by the fire and the Lillard Creek. It was a blast! Get out there and breath the fresh air! Peace and Love, Seth Armes

    • Wesley H.The Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 23, 2025

      County Road D1590 Dispersed

      Really in the woods

      Took our class c down the narrow road. Pretty good mostly rock.camp site was clean.

    • Daniel S.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 8, 2020

      Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

      Solid Dispersed Campsite

      Pretty great dispersed campsite. If you're not familiar with dispersed camping, PLEASE research it before going. Completely undeveloped other than fire ring. Plenty of flat clear space for tents but we used hammocks, and plenty of trees were available for that. Campsite is right off the forest road and a few miles off the paved road. Surrounded by mature pine trees. There is a creek with a pool maybe 100 yards downhill from the campsite, great for cooling off on a hot summer day or filtering water.

    Guide to Vandervoort

    Several dispersed camping areas surround Vandervoort, Arkansas within the Ouachita National Forest. Mena Arkansas and Turner Creek Road offer free tent camping opportunities with primitive conditions. Both locations permit campfires and allow pets, but provide no drinking water, toilets, or waste facilities. Turner Creek Road receives positive reviews for its seclusion and peacefulness.

    Across the state line in Oklahoma, additional free dispersed sites include Pigeon Creek, County Road D1590, Talimena Scenic Drive, and several locations along Cedar Creek. Most sites accommodate both tent and RV camping, though road conditions vary significantly. According to reviews, County Road D1590 has "mostly rock roads" suitable for larger RVs including class C motorhomes, while Pigeon Creek access can be challenging with reports of overgrown vegetation blocking forest entry. Cedar Creek sites near forest road 51220 offer more amenities, with one visitor noting "a large area to park and camp all by yourself with a stream 40 feet away with a swimming hole."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Vandervoort, AR?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Vandervoort, AR is Pigeon Creek Dispersed with a 3-star rating from 3 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Vandervoort, AR?

    TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near Vandervoort, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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