Samantha L.
Scout
ScoutOuachita Campground at Edendell
Sites are closer together than what appears online—overall clean and well maintained. A hike to the bathhouse but there is one!
Camping near Wickes, AR
186 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Campgrounds near Wickes, Arkansas range from developed sites with full hookups to primitive tent camping areas, primarily centered around the Cossatot River and nearby lakes. The Cossatot River RV Park in Wickes provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with amenities including electric hookups, water, and sewer connections. Within a short drive, Cossatot River State Park offers more primitive camping experiences at locations like the Sandbar Area Campsites, where visitors can enjoy riverside tent camping with basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets.
Road conditions vary significantly when accessing campgrounds in the region, with some sites requiring travel on gravel forest roads. The Sandbar Area Campsites at Cossatot River State Park, for example, requires navigating several miles of gravel roads between the highway and campground. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability from spring through fall. Summer temperatures can be very hot, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Cell service is limited throughout the region, particularly at more remote sites. One camper noted, "The 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."
Riverside camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the Wickes area, with multiple campgrounds offering direct water access. The Cossatot River provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, and paddling, with campsites often positioned near calm sections of the river. Campers frequently mention the natural beauty and tranquility of the region as highlights of their experience. Sites at Cossatot River State Park's Sandbar Area are described as "relatively private" with easy river access within "a very quick walk" to sections where "the river is very calm." While some campgrounds offer more developed amenities like showers and electric hookups, others maintain a more primitive experience with vault toilets and no running water. The surrounding Ouachita Mountains provide scenic backdrops and hiking opportunities that complement the water-focused activities available throughout the area.
Best Campgrounds near Wickes (186)
1. Cossatot Falls Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area
"Awesome location right near and easy access to the falls. No water and there is a “out house” type of restroom."
"We take our border collies and they are able to follow with minimal assistance."
2. Cossatot Reefs - Gillham Lake
"There's a canoe launch, volleyball, basketball, playground, horseshoes... showers and toilets are clean and there is easy access to hiking trails."
"Near Gillham Lake but on the river below the spillway."
from $23 - $40 / night
Check Availability3. Shady Lake Campground
"We have been coming to Shady Lake for decades and it is one of our most favorite places."
"Shady Lake is a great place to get away from it all. It has a beautiful lake, a creek and trails to hike on. There is tent and RV camping sites."
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availability4. Sandbar Area Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area
"The campground is tricky to locate, I would recommend familiarizing yourself with the directions especially if you are arriving after dark."
"This 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."
5. Little Coon Creek
from $23 - $30 / night
Check Availability6. Cossatot River RV Park
"It was off the beaten path. Very quiet and peaceful. It seemed most people were gone during the day, maybe working. We explored the state park down the road and went on some fun drives."
from $25 / night
Check Availability7. Beavers Bend State Park Campground
"We had initially planned to go camping at Lake Ouachita in Arkansas; however, unfortunately we were unable to go due to the COVID crisis and Arkansas only allowing in-state residents to begin camping again"
"Watched a lot of people walk there in the dark without lights with their kids."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability8. Bellah Mine
"Four more parks close by."
"Every site had an unobstructed view of the lake due to the unique terraced landscapes. Paved, mostly level sites with good power 30 and 50A service and shade."
from $23 - $45 / night
Check Availability9. CMA Iron Mountain Cabins and Campground
"This campground is located right off of Hwy 71 for easy access. Plenty of room for big rigs. Just a short ride to the Wolf Pen Gap trail system."
"I drive truck, always have a hard time getting in/out of places with a semi and usually end up not getting to camp. The main pavilion in the center of the grounds is HUGE!"
from $12 - $105 / night
Check Availability10. KOA Mena/ Ouachita National Forest Journey
"There is also a beautiful pond on the grounds that was awesome to walk around and just a very pretty place to stay. I will go back👍!"
"Very nice staff and close to Mena and Ouachita national park. Sewer hook ups on almost every site and a lot of trees and well shaded area, but little tight place and not well leveled."
from $25 - $60 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 19 min from Texarkana, TX
- 1 hr 31 min from Hot Springs, AR
- 1 hr 55 min from Fort Smith, AR
- 2 hrs 16 min from Little Rock, AR
Recent Camping Photos near Wickes, AR
130 Photos of 186 Wickes Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Sandbar Area Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area
Cossatot Falls Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area
Cossatot Reefs - Gillham LakeS
Pine RidgeJ
Jefferson Ridge - Dierks Lake
Pioneer Campgrounds
CMA Iron Mountain Cabins and CampgroundJ
Mena/ Ouachita National Forest KOAC
Mena Cabins
Shady Lake CampgroundJ
FR50240 Dispersed
Armadillo Campground - Beavers Bend State Park
Recent Reviews near Wickes, AR
524 Reviews of 186 Wickes Campgrounds
Benjamin S.
GuideParaloma Landing
N8ce park but it almost looks forgotten. When we drove through there were no campers and it looked like some of the sites needed a little TLC.
- Benjamin S.Guide
Beard's Bluff Park
Great little park, right on the water. We booked site 007 a good sized pull through, we are about 60 feet with our TOAD We had to pull to the front of the spot since we didn't have levelers, so we needed 30 feet of extention cord to reach our rig. But it was a beautiful park.
Tammy Jo M.ScoutTurner Creek Road
Great pull through space. Plenty of sticks around for a small fire. We did have a visitor at around 3 AM, we assume it was a coyote but were too tired to check lol.
- AAmber L.Scout
Cossatot Reefs - Gillham Lake
Beautiful Quiet
Remote enough to feel like a getaway but close enough to food and direction access if needed. Beautiful trees and fall changes colors and lots of wildlife to watch- deer, squirrels, eagles, armadillos, cranes and fishing. Just know that you may need extra hose as some spigots are shared. The electric has both 30 and 50amp plugs. Bathrooms have showers and are clean. Beautiful view of the creek from our site.
- mmark F.Guide
Miners Camping & Rock Shop
Not just gracious but helpful
Really cool hosts. Very helpful had all you need to find diamonds. Offers tours. People living their dream.
- mmark F.Guide
Miners Camping & Rock Shop
Great hosts
Didn’t book ahead. They had space. Gracious host. Provided more than a place to stay. I’m glad we found you.
- TTonya D.
TravelerQuachita NF Dispersed by Cedar Creek off 51220
Great spot!
The drive-in was easy. It’s pretty much a one lane road. Beautiful spot with trees all around! It is one of two or three spots. In my opinion, this is the best one. You can fit probably three or four vehicles in here if you had a group too. The creek was dry when we came at our spot. It seems like there is also a tent spot down below our actual camp spot.
We enjoyed walking down the road, a mile past our campsite, but there were wolf spiders on the road! It was in the evening so that could’ve been why they were out. We haven’t seen any in our campsite though.
- JJamin T.Scout
Winding Stair Campground (Ok) — Ouachita National Forest
First camping trip
This was my first camping trip alone and first sleeping in my car. The site was well maintained, restrooms were clean, and it was very peaceful. Plenty of trails around to hike and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Guide to Wickes
Camping options near Wickes, Arkansas center around the Cossatot River and nearby natural areas. The Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area offers primitive tent camping at Cossatot Falls Campsites and Sandbar Area Campsites, both located about 5 miles down gravel forest roads. More developed facilities are available at Cossatot River RV Park in Wickes, which provides full hookups for RVs and cabin rentals. Additional mixed-use campgrounds include Little Coon Creek and Cossatot Reefs at Gillham Lake, located within 10 miles of Wickes, providing electric and water hookups.
Access to many campgrounds requires preparation, particularly for those in Cossatot River State Park. The primitive sites are reached via several miles of rough gravel roads that can challenge some vehicles. Most park campgrounds operate seasonally, with Shady Lake Recreation Area and Cossatot Reefs only open from March through November. Reservations are now required at Cossatot Falls, which was previously first-come, first-served. Facilities at primitive sites include vault toilets but no running water or showers. One camper noted, "The campsites are gravel and good luck putting your tent spikes in! There is NO water except what you bring with you or if you pull some from the river."
Riverside camping experiences are the main attraction in the region. The Cossatot River provides opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and fishing alongside camping areas. Campsites at Cossatot Falls feature large tent pads, fire rings, picnic tables, and bear poles, with reasonable separation between most sites. While RV parks offer more amenities, they lack the immersive natural setting of the state park. Several visitors highlighted the beauty of the river environment, with one noting, "The river is crystal clear and you can watch fish swim by. The surrounding foliage is beautiful." Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant, though campers should be aware of ticks and snakes. Cell service throughout the area is limited, offering a true disconnected outdoor experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Wickes, AR?
What camping is available near Wickes, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Wickes, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 186 campgrounds and RV parks near Wickes, AR and 17 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Wickes, AR?
Which is the most popular campground near Wickes, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wickes, AR is Cossatot Falls Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area with a 5-star rating from 13 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wickes, AR?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wickes, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Wickes, AR.
What parks are near Wickes, AR?
What parks are near Wickes, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 parks near Wickes, AR that allow camping, notably Gillham Lake and DeQueen Lake.
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