145 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Jack Creek Recreation Area allows pets at its primitive campsites near Waldron, Arkansas, with several dispersed camping options throughout the Ouachita National Forest. The area features pet-friendly tent and RV camping with varying amenities - some sites have picnic tables and fire rings while offering no hookups or modern facilities. The campground is small but quiet during off-season periods. Queen Wilhelmina State Park also welcomes pets with sites that accommodate tent camping, RVs, cabins, and glamping experiences, though the RV sites are positioned quite close together with limited privacy between neighboring campers.
Hiking trails throughout the Ouachita National Forest provide excellent opportunities for dog exercise, including paths near Jack Creek where pets can access swimming holes during warmer months. Most dispersed camping areas require pets to be leashed and under control at all times. The Forest Road 20 dispersed sites offer private wooded spots with access to Jack Creek for dogs that enjoy water activities. Weather considerations are important when camping with pets in this region, as summer temperatures can become quite warm while higher elevation sites like Queen Wilhelmina State Park provide cooler conditions. Pack extra water for pets when using primitive sites without drinking water access.
"The location is a big plus, it’s right across the road from a pharmacy, laundromat, Dollar General, and O’Reilly’s, so you don’t have to go far for anything."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Trails are short but have nice views. Forest trail is overgrown once you leave the state park and go into the national forest."
"Driving through this part of Arkansas you can quickly get taken aback by the winding roads the ample beauty, but until you visit the campground and park you will only have a portion of the beauty of the"
from $23 / night
Check Availability"The picnic table had a few steps up to it. This site is at the entrance, we might have preferred something at the back. Everyone coming in or out drove by our spot."
"There is also a lake nearby. Dog friendly.
There are lots of nature trails, but none very long.
Lots of ticks, tricky to get good starlink connection."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"No bathrooms or water but there is a trail that goes directly to the day use area. There are changing rooms, no shower or running water. There was a trash can."
"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."
"I have a 30ft Class C which is probably the largest vehicle you would want to drive down the dirt road to this site."
from $25 / night
"Located 2.5 miles past the entrance of the Jack Creek Recreation Area, and almost 1 mile past the turn off to the shooting range."
TravelerThis park is located on the Arkansas River. There’s a boat ramp, so bring your boat and enjoy the beautiful Arkansas River. Pets are allowed, there is a leash law. Bring your own firewood. Campsites are both Electric and primitive. Flush toilets and Warm Showers are available. Good cell service. Very clean and peaceful.
LegendCrystal Springs campground is great. The lake is great. I was too busy having fun and didn't take enough pictures. There are breathtaking views of the Ouchita Mountains. There is springs coming out of the ground on hikes. The creeks are crystal clear and fun to wade around in. There is a swim beach but you can swim anywhere. So when I got hot I just jumped in the water to cool down. Most the campsites are at the waters edge. We fished at night for catfish and caught what we needed. The campground is pet friendly. My dogs are like my kids and they had fun. There was a night or two when I had to hush them up because of raccoons. The bathrooms have hot and cold water. There is a fish cleaning station. Our campsite #18 was great. It had a picnic table, fire pit, barbecue grill and a little table beside grill and nice shade. The campground is about 16-17 miles from Hotsprings, Arkansas.
GuideThis place is a beautifull forested remote area and you have to drive over 4.5 miles to get to the campsite, its a two lane dirt road, lookout for deer and other critters crossing. We stayed at the walk in campsites, they have those and a few where you can park next to your site, don’t expect very much privacy, you can’t make reservations, they are all first come first serve and you pay at your site. All are tent only. we stayed at #20 with a short walk from the parking area but a little bit too close to #21, 18 and 19 seem to be the ones with more privacy. We did have a nice shaded site with a fire ring, a barbecue grill, a picnic table and nice surface for your tent. the camping area is just a short walk to the sandbar where you can enjoy the cool floating water. The bathrooms are adequate but no running water, therefore don’t expect showers. We camped with our dog Lulu, the sites are pet friendly and she had fun in the water too. There is an abundance of wild life, keep an eye for snakes and thicks!
TravelerSimple, but nice. No frills. Quiet. If you are looking for a peaceful, quiet place, away from the city, this is a great place. I love it. Have stayed several times in several different sites. Will stay again. About 13 campsites, all gravel. Has a wooded trails for walking and a big open are for walking and playing with pets. Water, sewer and 30/50amp electric are easy access and to hook up. James the owner is great and has a U-Pick orchard as well.
ScoutI have been camping out here for years but never took advantage of the A side. A12-14 are premian spots to camp. I tent camp and the view is amazing. It’s in between the Arkansas river and Massard creek. You can launch a boat or you can go kayaking in Massard creek. There’s Cat fish, Perch and, Bass.
TravelerWe have been coming to Shady Lake for decades and it is one of our most favorite places. It is a good location on the edge of the Ouachita National Forest with plenty of things to do within the recreation area and in the surrounding area as well. There are multiple hiking trails, some with connections to longer trails outside the rec area. Access for hunters and ATVs outside the rec area. Beautiful canoeing (bring your own boat) where you can see otters, eagles, yes- snakes and all kinds of wildlife. I love that this is an older more rustic park, some people have considered that a negative but to me that is a positive (people who like everything shiny and new definitely should look elsewhere). If the cat wasn't already out of the bag on this treasure of a camp, I certainly would not make a post encouraging more people to come here. lol! Sadly they have demolished the A camping loop right at the front and are 'upgrading' it to bring in more people with bigger rigs. the heavy construction has run off a lot of the wildlife for a couple seasons so will see how it turns out in the end. I hope the Bald Eagle and otter family return when it all quiets back down. There are sites with water and electric and tent only sites- some of which are very primitive and if you like to be far from other campers and can do primitive sites- they are a plus! (some will think they are awful, but to others they are a bonus- lol!) If you love getting back nature, peaceful cell phone free beauty and quiet in a rustic camping setting you will love it. Fishing, hiking,, swimming, nearby ATV riding, hunting, easy access to other nearby national forest rec areas, rivers and trails.
TravelerThis is a small, family run location. There are restrooms and shower facilities, as well as tent sites and RV hook ups. Plenty of room for boat parking. The cabins are adorable and feel like they are out of the 1970's but well worth the experience. Nice place to kayak. Gorgeous places to hike, watch the sunrise/sunset, and tons of room for kids to play. Pet friendly. The resident will visit you every day for belly scratches.
GuideWe stayed in Loop C at the very back past the group campsite, which is tent camping only and a short walk from the bathroom. The campsites were more isolated and there was easy access to and great views of Walnut Creek. We had water access and trashcans in this area and every campsite was well-shaded. Very pretty and easily accessible with all campsites being empty besides ours and one other in the loop. Provided enough distance from the RVs for peaceful sleeping and raccoons were active at night and grabbed any food or trash accidentally left out. Bathrooms were clean although there is only one shower per bathroom and toilet paper ran out one day. Campground is a short distance from Brady Mountain, Joplin, Hickory Nut Mtn, and other areas on Lake Ouachita. Swimming area is nice and is accessible by car or a short walk from any campsite.
LegendThe 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.
The campsites are relatively private, we pretty much had the campground to ourselves until after the first night. A very large family arrived and decided that the best campsite available was immediately next to us. Had it been full this wouldn't have been irritating, but there were more than a dozen other sites to choose.
Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire pit, there are toilets available but no showers and phone signal is sparse. River access is within a very quick walk, this section of the river is very calm. Overall the campground is isolated. Its about a fifteen minute drive to the park headquarters, popular trails, and other activities. The park is dog friendly, the surrounding trails are accessible for dogs.
Dispersed camping options near Waldron, Arkansas cluster around the Ouachita National Forest, where elevations range from 500 to 2,500 feet across varied terrain. The Jack Creek area provides multiple free camping sites with access to creek swimming and hiking trails during warmer months. Forest Road 20 offers several primitive camping spots that don't require reservations but have minimal facilities.
Creek swimming access: Jack Creek Recreation Area provides swimming holes that are particularly popular with local families. "When the weather is nice, there's a swimming hole" that's perfect for cooling off, according to one camper at Jack Creek Recreation Area, who noted that "there is a day use area where camping is NOT permitted" separate from the camping area.
Hiking trail exploration: Queen Wilhelmina State Park features multiple trail options including access to the longer Ouachita Trail. "The Ozark Highland Trail does pass close by and the Lover's Leap trail is pleasant with some amazing views," notes a visitor who explored the area's shorter day hikes.
OHV recreation: The Jack Creek dispersed camping area provides access to off-highway vehicle trails. As one camper at Jack Creek Dispersed mentioned, "OHV recreation is also possible in the area" making it suitable for those bringing ATVs or dirt bikes.
Mountain biking: The trails near Queen Wilhelmina State Park accommodate mountain bikes on certain routes. A camper noted "there are many hiking and mountain bike trails available in the area," making it a good base camp for cyclists.
Privacy at dispersed sites: Forest Road 20 offers secluded camping spots away from crowds. A camper at Girard Rd/Forest Road 20 Dispersed described their site as "somewhat private dispersed site off of unbusy forest road" that is "set off from the forest road on a narrow undesignated dirt track which is easy to miss."
Cooler temperatures: The higher elevation at Queen Wilhelmina State Park provides relief from summer heat. One visitor experienced "a cool summer breeze" and noted "beautiful vistas everywhere" at this mountaintop location.
Primitive experience: Jack Creek offers a back-to-basics camping setup that appeals to those seeking simplicity. A local camper stated, "I have lived in the area for 12 years and this is where we always go. Primitive, but thats the best part about it. You got the creek for water play, bathrooms and picnic tables."
Large wooded sites: Some dispersed areas offer ample space and natural settings. A camper at Jack Creek Dispersed described finding "a large wooded dispersed campsite that has a short path down to Jack Creek" and noted "this is a large wooded dispersed campsite that has a short path down to Jack Creek."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping areas have minimal or no amenities. At Jack Creek Recreation Area, a visitor noted it's "primitive but bathrooms are available. It's small and very popular with the locals."
Site access considerations: Forest roads to dispersed sites may have some challenges. A camper at Girard Road described "a maintained gravel/dirt forest road" that is "mostly a single track - narrow with some minor erosion in a few places" but added that "a lifted 4x4 vehicle is NOT needed to drive to the site."
Cell service variability: Connectivity differs across camping areas. While some campers report "great cell service" at certain Jack Creek sites, others noted "I received no T-Mobile cell service" at Jack Creek Dispersed camping areas farther from main roads.
Campground size limitations: Queen Wilhelmina State Park has space constraints that affect the camping experience. A visitor observed "the campground is small with limited pads. Each site is close to the next and are generally occupied with RVs or camper trailers."
Swimming hole access: Families with children appreciate water features for recreation. A visitor to Jack Creek Recreation Area mentioned "You got the creek for water play, bathrooms and picnic tables. A little further down the road is an outdoor gun range. Very peaceful and great place to recharge. Kids love it."
Mountain activities: Mount Magazine State Park offers family-friendly hiking options. A camper reported, "The hike up to the highest point in Arkansas is easy and family friendly for kids. Campground and bathhouse were well maintained and nice."
Limited playground access: Unlike some state parks, certain mountain campgrounds lack child-specific amenities. A camper at Mount Magazine State Park noted "for anyone with kids, I would say at the outset that this isn't a very kid-friendly park. No playgrounds, very, very mountainous, and generally just not a park for kids."
Educational opportunities: The area offers learning experiences for children. One visitor to Mount Magazine mentioned "the park essentially sits on top of a bluff that is nearly surrounded on all sides by straight rock face," providing opportunities to learn about geology and ecosystems.
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should come prepared for uneven grounds at some campgrounds. At Springhill Campground, a visitor found "our concrete pad at site A5 had a bit of an incline, and it looked to be the case for some others as well."
Size restrictions for dispersed camping: Larger rigs may have difficulty accessing some forest road sites. A camper with a CDL license warned about Blue Knob Road, saying "I have a 30ft Class C which is probably the largest vehicle you would want to drive down the dirt road to this site."
Site spacing considerations: Queen Wilhelmina State Park has closely positioned RV sites. A camper observed "the campground for the most part is one single road with many camp spots on each side" and another added that it's "more like a small RV park" where "these spots aren't super roomy, but you aren't bumper to bumper either."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Waldron, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Waldron, AR is Travelers Lane RV Park LLC with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Waldron, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 145 dog-friendly camping locations near Waldron, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
