j
jim 
Traveler
TravelerCounty Road D1590 Dispersed
Deep woods
Isolated in the woods. Good for camper vans. One car passed in 2 days. Beware of poison ivy.
Best Campgrounds near Wickes, AR
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 Camping Sites Near Wickes, Arkansas (184)
1. Cossatot Falls Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area
13 ReviewsWickes, AR6 milesWebsite+1 (870) 385-2201"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
9 ReviewsGillham, AR9 milesWebsite+1 (870) 386-7261$23 - $40 / night
"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."
3. Shady Lake Campground
15 ReviewsUmpire, AR18 milesWebsite+1 (501) 321-5202$15 - $40 / night
"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."
4. Sandbar Area Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area
2 ReviewsWickes, AR6 milesWebsite+1 (870) 385-2201"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."
6. Cossatot River RV Park
3 ReviewsWickes, AR7 milesWebsite+1 (479) 243-3525$25 / night
"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."
7. Beavers Bend State Park Campground
57 ReviewsEagletown, OK32 milesWebsite+1 (580) 494-6538$20 - $40 / night
"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."
8. Bellah Mine
3 ReviewsGillham, AR13 milesWebsite+1 (870) 386-7511$23 - $45 / night
"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."
9. CMA Iron Mountain Cabins and Campground
5 ReviewsMena, AR16 milesWebsite+1 (870) 389-6560$12 - $105 / night
"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!"
10. KOA Mena/ Ouachita National Forest Journey
3 ReviewsMena, AR16 milesWebsite+1 (479) 394-6099$25 - $60 / night
"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."
Recent Camping Photos near Wickes, AR
128 Photos of 184 Wickes Campgrounds
Vanessa M.
Sandbar Area Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area
Deb B.
Cossatot Falls Campsites — Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area
Steph C.
Cossatot Reefs - Gillham Lake
Jo E.
Pine Ridge
J.R. B.
Jefferson Ridge - Dierks Lake
Pioneer C.
Pioneer Campgrounds
John
CMA Iron Mountain Cabins and Campground
CHRISTI A.
Mena/ Ouachita National Forest KOA
The Dyrt
Mena Cabins
J.R. B.
Shady Lake Campground
Fred S.
FR50240 Dispersed
Marlin B.
Armadillo Campground - Beavers Bend State Park
Recent Reviews near Wickes, AR
499 Reviews of 184 Wickes Campgrounds
- RRandall B.
GuideShady Lake Campground
Very quiet
This campground is very quiet. It has beautiful surroundings and lots of nature to see. The spot we are camping in needs a little attention but it doesn't stop us from enjoying the area. A nice picnic table with grill and fire ring make this an awesome spot. Cell phone service is sketchy, thankfully we have starlink. The only bad I have found with this campground is the showers need a deep cleaning and updated (D Loop).
- RRandall B.Guide
Billy Creek
Primitive camping
We arrived late. The pit toilet is boarded up. Not usable. The area is beautiful with a nice creek. Very peaceful. No potable water!
Brenda Y.
RangerTurner Creek Road
Peaceful forest, a big-rig site
Beautiful setting in the Ouachita Natl Forest --peaceful and calm. Only a few UTVs and trucks drove by in our 5 days there. Challenging & fun UTV trails! Narrow gravel road to arrive --lots of overhanging branches in April. Amour site was approx 1/2 mile in, a pull through on the right with plenty of room. There were 2-3 other campsites farther down the road for a tent, van, or small camper. Easy access to trails.
- Brenda Y.Ranger
Ouachita/Mill Creek
Umm, nope - No campsites
Maybe a camp used to exist here, but currently there's only the Fourche Mt UTV staging area, and a crumbling, overgrown road ending in a pile of rocks and a downhill slope not navigable by any vehicle other than UTV. Don't make our mistake--we drove our 43' RV in a ways, and had to unhook our towed truck, back to the staging area to get turned around to leave.
- HHolly B.
ScoutBroken Bow Dispersed off Rd 51220
Sweet, easy to access, still secluded
First site after turning off the main road along the creek. Spacious, multiple access to the creek, circle drive easy for mini-van. Most importantly, you don't have to drive all the way into the mountains to feel like you're deep in the woods. Site has not been cleaned but the mess is in just one area. There are a couple large abandoned tires and old camping equipment in the middle of the circle drive. Absolutely lovely to camp at. I'd haul the trash if I could.
ChelsTravelerTaylors Lot #1
Perfect Spot
This spot is right outside of city limits so it's a quiet spot that feels private but is also just a couple minute drive to the middle of downtown.
- ChelsTraveler
Travelers Lane RV Park LLC
Clean and peaceful!
Stayed here recently and it was a really convenient spot. They offer nightly, weekly, and monthly sites, which is nice depending on how long you’re planning to stay. All the sites have electric and water, and some have full hookups with sewer. If you’re in a site without sewer, there’s a dump station and water available on the way out, which made things easy. 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. There are bathrooms on-site, and they even have a small coffee shop in the office, which was a nice touch. It’s really close to Tyson, so I could see it being a great option for anyone working in the area. Even though it’s in town, it was surprisingly quiet during my stay. I enjoyed sitting outside in the evenings, there’s a fire pit and picnic tables that make it easy to relax after a long day. Overall, a solid, no fuss place to stay whether you’re just passing through or need something longer term.
- KKalynn S.Traveler
Billy Creek
Beautiful!
This was such a cool place and a perfect distance away from everything. There were plenty of options for camping spots but also plenty of people there that you don’t feel completely alone.
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 184 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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