Primitive tent camping options surround West Memphis, Arkansas with many sites located near water bodies or natural terrain. Most camping areas are within 30 to 60 minutes of the city, typically offering minimal amenities but opportunities for solitude. Seasonal weather variations significantly impact camping conditions, with high humidity in summer months and potential flooding near river sites in spring.
What to do
Fishing at Arkabutla Lake: Kellys Crossing Campground provides direct lake access for fishing enthusiasts. One visitor observed, "This is an off the beaten path area for standard recreation. It's technically a boat ramp that accesses Arkabutla Lake with picnic and camping areas nearby."
Explore wooded terrain: The areas around Maple Flat Group Campground feature natural forest environments suitable for short hikes and nature observation. A camper noted, "Large trees, lots of moss and no overgrowth make this a beautiful place to explore for an hour or so."
Canoe inlets: The Mississippi River area offers water routes for paddlers. According to one review, "The lake has a lot of inlets to explore by canoe. It's a small campground that fills up since it's so close to Memphis (and to the river)."
What campers like
Waterfront positioning: Many campers appreciate sites with water views. One camper mentioned their experience at Maple Flat: "The site was right on the water with a good amount of space between us and the next site."
Quiet atmosphere: The low density of campers creates peaceful settings at many locations. A camper commented about Kellys Crossing, "The positive is that you won't be fighting a lot of other campers to be able to stay here. The access to the lake is nice. Would be a good spot to go if you needed to get away for some solitude."
Winter solitude: Off-season camping offers near-complete privacy. One winter visitor noted, "I am visiting at the end of December, so there are hardly any other persons around besides the fishermen out on the water."
What you should know
Maintenance varies significantly: Some campgrounds receive limited upkeep. A review of Pleasant Hill Campground warns, "The campsites are overgrown or sunken. Looks like no one has camped here or taken care of the property in years. The newer looking (of the two on site) bathhouse is closed for some reason, but the terrible smelling vault toilet bathroom is open."
Limited facilities: Expect basic amenities only. A camper described Maple Flat: "This is an old, boy scout style group camp. A couple of picnic tables are grouped together at the front of the camp and then there are several remnants of old tent pads throughout the area. There is (1) vault style toilet in the center of camp."
Some sites now free: Fee structures may have changed at certain locations. One visitor reported about Kellys Crossing, "The bulletin board has primitive camping rules and guidelines to follow. The fee has been reduced to free, so enjoy but be respectful!"
Tips for camping with families
Space for activities: Some campgrounds offer larger group areas. A camper noted about Maple Flat Group Campground, "We did a bit of hiking at the park which was nice as well. It was a great place to spend a night."
Proximity to attractions: Consider locations with nearby points of interest. One reviewer mentioned, "Everyone spends their days out on the water but there's some trails too and tourist attractions outside the park for all ages."
Site spacing: Look for campgrounds with adequate separation between sites. A camper observed, "Shady, wooded, pretty large individual sites...simple but a fine place."
Tips from RVers
Boat access considerations: Several primitive campgrounds function primarily as boat access points. A reviewer explained, "This is more of a boat ramp than a campground. There are a couple of picnic tables with an few areas to set up tents."
Privacy awareness: Some sites require passing private property. One camper advised, "Private property is close by and you have to travel past them to get to the public day use area so also be aware of that."
Accessibility limitations: The best tent camping near West Memphis, Arkansas often involves unimproved access roads. Most primitive campgrounds are not designed for large vehicles, with limited turnaround space and occasional rough terrain.
