33 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent camping opportunities near Washington, Arkansas include several established sites within the Ouachita National Forest region. Pikeville Creek Campground and Buckhorn on Lake Greeson offer tent-friendly sites with picnic tables and fire rings, while Albert Pike Recreation Area provides day-use facilities with access to backcountry tent camping along nearby trails. Several primitive tent campgrounds are accessible within short driving distances.
Many tent sites require basic self-sufficiency as amenities are limited. Pikeville Creek and Buckhorn campsites feature vault toilets and trash collection, but lack drinking water and showers. Higher-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing some campgrounds, particularly Buckhorn, where a visitor noted "the road in starts in pretty good shape but breaks down, and if it has rained then it will not be pretty." Most tent camping areas in the region operate seasonally from March to mid-November, with $5-10 nightly fees common at established sites. The Albert Pike area, while closed for overnight camping due to past flooding, serves as an entry point to primitive tent camping along Eagle Rock Loop.
The secluded nature of tent camping in this region provides excellent opportunities for nature immersion. According to reviews from The Dyrt, Bluegill Hill offers "cute and well-maintained little spots in the forest" with hammocking areas and tent clearings. Most tent sites feature some tree coverage for shade, with many positioned near water access points. For backpackers seeking more remote tent camping, the Eagle Rock Loop trail contains several developed backcountry campsites including Long Creek and Straight Creek. These primitive tent locations offer creek-side camping and fishing opportunities but require proper preparation for water filtration and waste disposal. Visitors frequently mention the beautiful scenery, clear swimming holes, and relative solitude of these tent-only campsites even during peak seasons.
from $8 / night
Check Availability"The trails to get to this rec area are for the 4wd’s and off-road vehicles. Great point to camp with great access to water. Didn’t see a boat ramp but wasn’t looking either."
"Open: Mar- Oct 31 Fee: $5.00 per night
Limit: 14 days
Sites: 5 tent
Pit toilet, picnic table, fire ring, lantern pole, pedestal grill, trash Totally amazing sites sitting right on a small finger"
"Vault toilets, no water and no electricity. Each site has enough room for three tents and has a grill, fire pit, table, and bear pole. There is easy access to the falls and hiking trails."
"We also have a large 20’ tent that makes it difficult to fit into regular square pad tent sites. These pads were huge and fit our tent, which was super nice because our original plans fell through."
"Kitty Cove was secluded, but you'll definitely want to bring a tarp or umbrella because there isn't much shade cover. There are two little islands you can swim or kayak to from Kitty Cove."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Although the campground is closed due to the flood (at least last time I checked), it's definitely worthwhile to camp a little up the trail and in the backcountry."
"This area is superb for primitive camping along the mountain road side pulloffs. Or if you're up for more of a challenge like us, you can take on the 28-30 mile Eagle Rock Loop trail."
"This quiet campsite is more tailored to primitive/tent camping with spread out spots including picnic tables and grill pits."
"Clean, more primitive and not developed. Does have flush toilets. Great place to go tent camping."
LegendFee: Day use $5.00
Sites: 4 gravel (no hook ups)
Fee:$8.00 per night Open: Year round
Beware of alligator
Pit toilets, bank fishing, boat ramp, trash, lantern poles, picnic table
This is a very small campground with just 4 tent sites but is a beautiful space. Well maintained but it really is only for tents where you will find shade provided by the nice mature trees.
LNT
AIS Clean, drain, dry
Travel safe
TravelerPit toilets, no water. Only about 6 sites. Fire rings, picnic tables, lantern poles, and standing BBQS. Not many flat sights for tents, but doable. Road in is part gravel and some paved. Only 4 stars because people leave trash on the ground even though there are bins. Trees are plentiful and shady. Many paths down to the river/lake. Boat motor noise, but not too bad.
LegendFee:$8.00
No hook ups
Site: 8 gravel, no hook up
Open: Year round
This is a very small campground that is actually perfect because it is small. There are 6 sites with sheltered picnic table, fire ring, fish cleaning station, trash, NO WATER Very quiet except for some timber trucks(they sound like a helicopter flying overhead) driving across the dam.
AIS Clean, drain, dry
LNT Travel safe
Legend1152-1206
Open: Mar 1- Oct 31
Limit: 14 days
Reserve: 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov (must have reservations) Sites: 24 paved
Camp host on site
Fee: $12.00 no hookups $15.00 water and electric
Bath house and flush toilets, playground, beach, boat launch, covered picnic table, fire ring, pedestal grill, trash, lantern pole electric and water hookups This is a small campground but is totally awesome. The road in heads down into the campground and it is a very good paved road. There are several sites on the water. Grab a spot and spend a couple of weeks enjoying life. There are some pull thru's. If you enjoy the quiet and intimate this is for you.
AIS Clean, drain, dry
Travel safe
LegendThe Long Creek Primitive Campsite is located in the Ouachita National Forest along the Little Missouri Trail on the eastern section of the Eagle Rock Loop. The only way to access this site is by entering at a trailhead and hiking in to the site. The nearest trailhead is at Albert Pike Recreation Area. This is a primitive dispersed campsite, but the ground has been cleared. The site is located alongside a creek.
On your hike into this site you will be rewarded with beautiful scenery as you walk through majestic forests of oak. You'll also see a variety of plants and forest creatures. The campsite is along Long Creek so you will have access to water. 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.
There is adequate clear space to set up a tent or numerous trees to string up a hammock. 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.
Trekking poles are recommended to aid in tackling the various inclines and declines of the trail.
If you need any supplies before entering the Ouachita National Forest stop off in the town of De Queen where there are various grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations.
During the spring and summer the insects can be intense. I advise treating clothing and gear with permethrin to prevent ticks and pacaridin for other insects.
LegendDATES: MAR 1 TO OCT 31
FEE:$8.00 PER NIGHT
LIMITS: 14 DAYS
ALERT: WATER SUBJECT TO SUDDEN RISE
Potable water, pit toilets, trash, picnic table, lantern pole, pedestal grill, fire ring, Campground is right off the highway and the sites right next to the road will be noisy. Drive further in and you will find nice flat sites and they are quieter. Good for tent or small trailer as sites are small. Beautiful shade with mature trees.
LNT
AIS
BTYFI
Travel safe
LegendWhen visiting Arkansas you quickly can get a sense of just what makes the Natural State so spectacular. But with over 50 state parks each one is very distinct. Daisy State Park is one which has a large focus on the lake activities.
But while the lake might be a large part the camping offered here in the wooded forest areas along with the hiking and biking trails can really set it apart from other camping areas nearby.
I opted to check out the various camping looking and noticed a few common occrances. Each is equipped with a picnic table, lantern hook, grill and fire ring. However there is a vast difference for those who choose to stay in the improved camping loops and the primitive loops. Improved camping is elevated and includes both electricity and water at the site.
Many of these sites still have water access although some of them are a bit more steep. The primitive sites all are equipped with tent pads which are very large 12x12 elevated gravel pads but they share water spigots with other sites. These sites are all walk-in and have nice parking only a short distance from the sites. IN addition they do have Yurts available in one camping area. These were available for 2 day rentals only at the time of my visit.
The restrooms at camp are in very good shape and include flush toilets, a full sink and vanity area and well taken care of showers. Additionally there are water stations at the restrooms which have drinking fountains and bottle fill areas.
The campground has rental equipment for those looking to enjoy the lake ranging in price from a single hour to a full day of usage, but they also have boat ramps near the campsites with some trailer parking, this could get a bit crowded during summer however.
LegendThere are six large, improved sites which are first come first serve cash pay only. Vault toilets, no water and no electricity. Each site has enough room for three tents and has a grill, fire pit, table, and bear pole. There is easy access to the falls and hiking trails.
LegendBeautiful and for the most part a quiet campground. I was here on a Sunday night and it was fully occupied by 6:00 p.m. This is an Army Corps of Engineers Class D campground. No services, no electric hookups, and no fees charged. I stayed one night but would happily stay longer the next time I am here. My neighbor went paddle boarding in the cove and it’s a great place to go swimming, kayaking or paddle boarding. I could not get a cell signal in the campground but I walked up the hill going back towards the main road and was able to call out. I have AT&T cell phone service.
There’s tent sites on both the open lake side and on the cove side before you get to the boat launch area. I was on the cove side. Road is nice and paved, well lit near the bathrooms which have flush toilets and screen doors. They are rustic and shows signs of age (built in the 70s), being vandalized with spray paint and not regularly maintained but are working. The campground sites have a concrete tent pad, brown site markers, picnic tables and some a grill and round food prep table.
Outside the designated campground there are several more remote sites. I was able to get back there in my small SUV easily since it was very dry and packed but there’s only a couple that I would attempt if I had been in my Class C RV. None of them would I attempt if it’s rained recently as that would be a recipe for disaster and a great reason to have to call a tow truck which is made more difficult by the limited cell phone coverage in the area. All of the roads in to those sites are dirt and deeply rutted. And since you can’t see if they’re occupied or not until you get back there I would walk in and check out before driving my RV in there because if someone is set up there it’s difficult to turn around since these are essentially what appear to be logging roads.
Also if you are in a RV I noticed two sites beside the road where you could essentially parallel park overnight if it is dry conditions and the campground is full.
Tent camping near Washington, Arkansas typically requires self-sufficient preparation as many sites feature limited amenities. The region sits within the western edges of the Ouachita Mountains where elevation ranges from 300 to 2,700 feet, creating varied terrain for camping experiences. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder conditions ideal for outdoor recreation.
Hiking opportunities: At Albert Pike Recreation Area, trails connect to the popular Eagle Rock Loop. According to a visitor, "go here and go up the mountain on Forest Road 106, 2.1 miles and on your left will be Winding Stairs trailhead. Hike this for some of the most beautiful scenery to offer." The same reviewer recommends hiking "about 2.3 miles in once you cross the river twice look for a small trail that leads to the ultimate camping spot."
Water recreation: Bluegill Hill offers swimming and kayaking opportunities. One camper notes, "There are two little islands you can swim or kayak to from Kitty Cove." The site provides access to clear water recreation during summer months when temperatures are highest.
Star gazing: Several campsites in the region offer excellent night sky viewing. At Bluegill Hill, a camper reported, "Bennett Cove was perfect for star-gazing...You get a wide view of the sky, and if you're lucky like we were, you'll see meteor fireball shoot completely across the sky."
Secluded camping spots: Pikeville Creek Campground provides isolation for those seeking privacy. A camper describes it as having "4wd access, super secluded" and notes it's a "Great point to camp with great access to water." The camper adds, "If you really want to get away, this is the spot!"
Swimming holes: The region features numerous clear water swimming areas. At Cossatot Falls Campsites, a visitor reports, "The water is crystal clear and you can watch fish swim by. The surrounding foliage is beautiful."
Natural features: Campers consistently mention the geological formations. At Cossatot Falls, a visitor explains, "It's not for the faint of heart or people avoiding physical activity because trekking the huge river boulders is not easy. But the beauty is worth it."
Road conditions: Access to several campgrounds requires appropriate vehicles. For Buckhorn, a visitor advises, "I do recommend it to anyone that has a high clearance vehicle and if you are towing that your trailer be one of high clearance too. The road in starts in pretty good shape but breaks down and if it has rained then it will not be pretty."
Limited facilities: Most tent sites near Washington have minimal amenities. At River Run East, a visitor notes, "This is a very small campground that is actually perfect because it is small. There are 6 sites with sheltered picnic table, fire ring, fish cleaning station, trash, NO WATER."
Weather precautions: Flash flooding poses serious risks in this region. One Albert Pike visitor warns, "Just be careful not to go when rain is expected, because it can be very dangerous."
Kid-friendly water features: Cossatot Falls offers water play opportunities for children. A camper shares, "Our children enjoyed climbing on the rocks and splashing in the river."
Spacious tent sites: For families needing room to spread out, several campgrounds offer large camping pads. A Cossatot Falls visitor remarks, "The tent pads were huge and the waterfall area was beautiful."
Nature exploration: Ozan Point - De Gray Lake provides a tent-friendly environment for family camping. A visitor describes it as a "Great place alone or with kids. I keep coming back." Another camper notes it's "more tailored to primitive/tent camping with spread out spots including picnic tables and grill pits."
Access limitations: Many campgrounds near Washington have restrictions that affect RV camping. At Ozan Point, a camper notes the area is "Quiet place. Clean, more primitive and not developed. Does have flush toilets. Great place to go tent camping."
Self-sufficient camping: RVers should prepare for primitive conditions. At River Run West, a visitor reports basic facilities: "Pit toilets, bank fishing, boat ramp, trash, lantern poles, picnic table. This is a very small campground with just 4 tent sites but is a beautiful space. Well maintained but it really is only for tents."
Solar power limitations: Full shade at some sites affects power options. At Ozan Point, one RVer cautions, "Fully shaded so don't expect Solar charging or satellite if you work from a vehicle."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Washington, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Washington, AR is River Run East with a 3-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Washington, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 33 tent camping locations near Washington, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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