Best Tent Camping near Wickes, AR
Tent campers exploring the Ouachita National Forest near Wickes, Arkansas can find primitive sites at Cossatot River State Park, which offers both walk-in and drive-in tent camping options. The Cossatot Falls Campsites provide six large, improved sites situated near the river, while the Sandbar Area Campsites offer additional tent-only options within the park. Primitive backcountry camping is also available along the Eagle Rock Loop trail system at sites like Viles Branch Creek, Long Creek, and Straight Creek campsites.
Most tent sites in the area feature cleared ground with fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities remain minimal. The Cossatot Falls area provides vault toilets but no running water, requiring campers to filter water from nearby streams or pack in their own supply. Access to many sites involves traveling on gravel forest roads, with some campgrounds requiring a 4.5-mile drive on dirt roads to reach. The primitive sites along Eagle Rock Loop are accessible only by hiking in from designated trailheads. During spring and summer, insects can be intense, with ticks being a particular concern. According to one visitor, "treating clothing and gear with permethrin to prevent ticks and using picaridin for other insects" is recommended.
Tent campers at Cossatot Falls enjoy large tent pads that accommodate even substantial family tents. Sites offer varying levels of privacy, with campers noting that sites 18 and 19 at the Sandbar area provide more seclusion. The primitive walk-in sites along Eagle Rock Loop provide opportunities for fishing, with one camper reporting catching and releasing seven trout and one sunfish within an hour at Long Creek. The campsites are generally situated near water features, allowing for swimming and exploration of the crystal-clear waterways. A recent review noted that "each campsite has a picnic table and a fire pit, there are toilets available but no showers and phone signal is sparse."
