Primitive campgrounds near Little Rock, Arkansas offer varied terrain for equestrian enthusiasts across wildlife management areas and state parks. The region maintains several horse-friendly camping locations within 30-45 minutes of the city, situated among the rolling Ouachita foothills and lowland lake areas. Temperatures range from summer highs near 95°F to winter lows around 30°F, with spring and fall providing the most comfortable camping conditions.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Bear Creek Horse Camp provides direct access to interconnected loop trails throughout the Ouachita National Forest. "The trailhead is located at the rear of the camp. Free. Four sites (2 official national forest sites with metal fire rings plus 2 dispersed sites with rock fire rings), available on a first-come/first-based only," notes Fred S. at Bear Creek Horse Camp.
Hiking with waterfall views: Lake Catherine State Park features multiple trails with scenic rewards. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," shares Alison C. at Lake Catherine State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Woolly Hollow State Park offers anglers accessible shorelines and boat rentals. "The park has a fishing tournament for the kids," mentions Lona T., adding that sites near the water fill quickly during peak seasons.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Lake Catherine's layout provides natural separation between campers. "The campsite was a great size and well spaced out from our neighbors. There were trees to hang our hammocks," notes Alison C., who particularly appreciated the lakefront views.
Bird watching: Camp Conway RV Park attracts diverse wildlife despite its proximity to urban areas. "Must have seen 12 bird varieties thriving in the park. Convenient to Conway and even Little Rock," reports Burt at Camp Conway RV Park.
Scenic viewpoints: Erwin Estate High Point offers panoramic vistas unique to the region. "180+ degree view overlooking Benton to Malvern to Greater Hot Springs. Cattle roam the pastures," describes Susan E. at Erwin Estate High Point, noting the site's popularity for nature photography.
What you should know
Bug protection essential: Insect activity varies by season but remains consistent at water-adjacent sites. "Mosquito spray is more important than food," warns Jason W. bluntly about primitive camping at Adam's Lake Boat Ramp and Camp.
Reservation timing: State parks near Little Rock book quickly, especially during holiday periods and pleasant seasons. "They have 30 campsites with power, water, and sewer hookups," notes Jason B. about Woolly Hollow, where weekends often fill months in advance.
Road conditions: Access roads to primitive horse camps can present challenges during wet weather. "Some minor erosion on FR772 where small creeks cross the road. FR11 is in good condition at the time of this visit," reports Fred S. about reaching Bear Creek Horse Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly trails: Woolly Hollow State Park offers educational programming for young visitors. "The state park ranger had a weekend full of planned events from a box turtle demo to a sand castle competition," shares Kelci C. at Woolly Hollow State Park.
Water activities: Kayaking and calm water appeal to families with various age groups. "We enjoyed the hiking trails and rented a few kayaks. It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water," explains Alison C. about Lake Catherine.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing creates natural learning experiences. "As a homeschool family we are always looking for learning opportunities and we are thrilled we stumbled upon this campground," mentions Kelci C., appreciating the guided hikes with naturalists.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Camp Robinson requires advance planning for larger vehicles. "The road back to it is well maintained and we had good cell reception with AT&T and Spectrum," notes Julie A. at Camp Robinson Dispersed Site.
Unlevel terrain challenges: Adam's Lake presents difficulties for recreational vehicles. "Dirt roads no electric nice little quiet excluded spot but it's be tough for an RV to get around there," cautions Loren J. about the primitive camp's layout.
Solar power limitations: Bear Creek's forest canopy impacts renewable energy systems. "Sites are mostly shaded making solar recharging and Starlink access a challenge," mentions Fred S., noting that conventional hookups remain unavailable at this horse-friendly primitive site.
