Dispersed camping near Wilburn, Arkansas primarily focuses on public lands in the Ozark National Forest and nearby Wildlife Management Areas. These sites range from basic clearings to managed primitive campsites with minimal facilities. Most areas require campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste, as trash collection services are not provided at dispersed locations. Summer temperatures in this region regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity from June through September.
What to do
Fishing access points: Camp Robinson Dispersed Site provides direct access to Lake Conway. While portions of the lake have been drained for maintenance, one camper noted, "The lake has been partially drained to allow work to be done on stumps. The road back to it is well maintained and we had good cell reception with AT&T and Spectrum."
Target practice options: Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area includes shooting range facilities adjacent to camping areas. A visitor mentioned, "There is a shooting range on the road before you get to the site," making this area popular with hunters preparing for hunting season.
Primitive camping experience: For those seeking isolation, Tackett Mountain Road Dispersed offers small, natural sites. One camper described, "This is a small dispersed campsite with a level dirt surface, just big enough to accommodate one vehicle - truck camper and smaller. Tent and hammock camping is possible."
What campers like
Lakeside views: The shoreline access at Camp Robinson Dispersed Site receives high marks from visitors. One camper stated, "Great spot to pitch a tent by lake Conway. Isolated but not too far out," while another appreciated that "The sunset was beautiful."
Convenience for travelers: These sites provide good stopping points for travelers crossing Arkansas. A cross-country traveler noted, "Nice place to sleep and get back on 40East in the morning. Doing a cross country from San Francisco to Pennsylvania."
Natural soundscapes: Wildlife sounds enhance the camping experience at several sites. Campers report natural audio experiences, with one visitor at Camp Robinson mentioning, "The birds and frogs sang all evening."
What you should know
Permit enforcement: Arkansas Wildlife Management Areas strictly enforce permit requirements. At Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area, one camper warned, "Apparently this is true of all Arkansas public property despite app saying otherwise," after receiving a written warning for camping without a hunting/fishing permit.
Road conditions after rain: Access roads to many sites become difficult or impassable during wet conditions. A camper at Henry Gray noted, "It had rained and the road in was near a foot deep flowing water. Not a problem on our motorcycle but a car may have issues with water coming in."
Insect activity: Mosquitoes are extremely prevalent at most sites, particularly in summer months. A visitor in October remarked, "I'm here in October and there are still quite a few mosquitoes. I imagine in the warmer months they would be unbearable."
Nighttime disturbances: Some sites experience unexpected vehicle traffic at night. At Camp Robinson, one camper reported, "I woke up at 11am to someone driving in then 12:30am then at 1:30 a loud truck came in slinging rocks and a guy was screaming out the window. So I was packed up and was out by 2am."
Tips for camping with families
Clean up efforts needed: Many dispersed sites require camper maintenance. One visitor at Camp Robinson reported, "Picked up a med bag of trash; cans, bottles, and paper. Looks better now," indicating sites may need attention before setting up camp with children.
Limited space considerations: Most sites accommodate only small groups. At Tackett Mountain Road Dispersed, a camper observed the site is "just big enough to accommodate one vehicle - truck camper and smaller," making it unsuitable for larger family gatherings.
Concrete pads available: Some sites offer concrete surfaces for tent setup. Henry Gray Hurricane Lake provides "8-10 concrete pads" according to a visitor, making it easier to establish a clean, level tent space for children.
Tips from RVers
Site size restrictions: Most dispersed sites near Wilburn accommodate only smaller recreational vehicles. A reviewer at Tackett Mountain noted the site is suitable for "truck camper and smaller" vehicles, with limited turning space.
Parking limitations: Larger vehicles with trailers may find separate parking areas at some locations. At Henry Gray Hurricane Lake, "There is a huge parking lot next to it for trucks with boats/trailers to park," which can be useful for RVers towing boats or equipment.
Solar considerations: Some sites offer limited solar charging potential. A Tackett Mountain visitor mentioned, "Some solar charging may be possible depending on the time of day and if the solar panels can be set up along the track in front of the site," which is important for RV campers relying on solar power.
