Best Equestrian Camping in Arkansas

Chock-full of scenic natural beauty and breathtaking geological diversity, camping in Arkansas is an experience hard to forget. Campgrounds can be found on top of magnificent mountain ranges, sparkling lakeshores, and nearly anywhere in between. Known as “The Natural State,” Arkansas boasts two mountain ranges, three national forests, 600,000 acres of lakes, and 9,000 miles of streams and rivers. In addition to numerous camping and backpacking opportunities, Arkansas is long famous for its hunting and fishing scene. So lace up your boots and get ready for an unparalleled getaway camping in Arkansas!

Take an extraordinary escape to the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas in Eureka Springs. The entire city is on the National Register of Historic Places with its carefully preserved Victorian Buildings and unique architecture built around the city’s natural springs. Numerous campgrounds near Eureka Springs offer campers an opportunity to get up close with nature while staying within reach of the city’s curvy hills and winding streets free of traffic lights.

Just south of Eureka Springs lies the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, dedicating 459 acres to exotic cats. The sanctuary is home to tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars. Animal lovers can enjoy guided habitat tours and open discovery areas daily.

Just over an hour from Little Rock, AR, sits the largest lake in Arkansas. Renowned for its scenic beauty and clear waters, Lake Ouachita is surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest. Named one of the cleanest lakes in America, Lake Ouachita provides campers with ample water sports opportunities, including swimming, scuba diving, and angling. The Lake Ouachita State Park also offers scenic trails, two swimming areas, and a marina with boat rentals and fishing supplies.

Embark on a gorgeous trip through The Natural State. With The Dyrt, you can be sure to find the best camping in Arkansas along the way.

Best Equestrian Sites in Arkansas (37)

    1. Devil's Den State Park Campground

    86 Reviews
    Winslow, AR
    Website
    +1 (479) 761-3325

    $20 / night

    "Devil's Den is a gorgeous parked tucked in the mountains of Arkansas.  The primary campground for RVs is one of the better campgrounds I have seen.  The facilities and amenities have been great. "

    "General: Located in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, you can enjoy time off the grid (we had limited cell service when we were at the summit of the Yellow Rock Trail but none in the campground"

    2. Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    83 Reviews
    Jones Mill, AR
    Website
    +1 (501) 844-4176

    $15 - $25 / night

    "We stayed in site 54 (w/e/s) that was right on the lake. We could walk to the dock right behind the site to fish, although did not have very good luck."

    "Lake Catherine State Park, like all Arkansas state parks, is immaculately clean!  Most RV sites have close access to the water and there are small stationary docks to park your boat. 

     "

    3. Village Creek State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Colt, AR
    Website
    +1 (870) 238-9406

    $25 / night

    "There are nearly 100 sites here at Village Creek State Park. They are Spacious, paved and well maintained."

    "There are 3 campground areas in the park, A, B, and Equestrian. Area A is situated at the bottom of the hill that leads up to Area B and the Equestrian camping."

    4. Roaring River State Park Campground

    45 Reviews
    Eagle Rock, AR
    Website
    +1 (417) 847-2539

    "Located in South Missouri it is an easy day trip into Branson Missouri or Eureka Springs Arkansas. Very well located and very well run by the state."

    "Campground 1 was tucked up in an inlet that went back into the valley. It dead ends at a wonderful trailhead. The west side on CG#1 is lined by a beautiful creek that runs into the rotating river."

    5. Mount Magazine State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Blue Mountain, AR
    Website
    +1 (479) 963-8502

    $35 / night

    "The picnic table had a few steps up to it.

    This site is at the entrance, we might have preferred something at the back. Everyone coming in or out drove by our spot."

    "There is an unofficial overflow campground with a well kept pit toilet that offers the best view from the campgrounds over the Arkansas valley."

    6. DeGray Lake Resort State Park — De Gray State Park

    30 Reviews
    Bismarck, AR
    Website

    "This weekend we camped at DeGray Lake Resort State Park in Bismarck, Arkansas. We had a blast! DeGray Lake has a lot to offer for groups large and small wanting to get away."

    "Great ranger led boat tour of the lake. Lots of nice level sites. Super cool yurts for rent that have the best views! Arkansas has the best State Parks!"

    7. Mount Nebo State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Dardanelle, AR
    Website
    +1 (479) 229-3655

    "Reservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by."

    "A great Arkansas destination for outdoorsy people.The steep road climbing to the top of Mount Nebo keeps the big RVs away. Stop your car at the lookout point before you reach the top."

    8. Steel Creek Campground — Buffalo National River

    24 Reviews
    Ponca, AR
    Website
    +1 (870) 861-2570

    $20 / night

    "The sign said "campground full" but thanks to another review we disregarded this and found an open site, as did the person who drove in behind us."

    "You wake up every morning to the sound of the Buffalo River coursing by just a few hundred yards away, and are greeted by the breathtaking view of the bluffs you are surrounded by!"

    9. Woolly Hollow State Park — Wooly Hollow State Park

    22 Reviews
    Greenbrier, AR
    Website
    +1 (501) 679-2098

    "There are lots of trails, bike paths, water activities and BEAUTIFUL scenery. Very photogenic. Arkansas State Parks are always enjoyable. Staff was excellent and friendly."

    "I tent camped at Site #3, right beside the lake. Put my hammock up and watched the sun set and the fireflies start dancing. A few ducks played on the edge of the water and walked on shore for a bit."

    10. Byrd's Adventure Center

    16 Reviews
    St. Paul, AR
    Website
    +1 (479) 667-4066

    $10 - $22 / night

    "This is one of the best campgrounds in Arkansas. Dog friendly"

    "Camped near the river and had a wonderful time exploring the off-road trails near the area."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews in Arkansas

509 Reviews of 37 Arkansas Campgrounds


  • Laura G.
    Oct. 10, 2020

    Village Creek State Park Campground

    Unique Terrain, Sites Need Updates

    We camped at Village Creek State Park in the Crowley’s Ridge region of Arkansas over Labor Day weekend. We booked two class B RV sites - one for ourselves and one for my husband’s parents - in advance. On our way to camp we got a call informing us that they had accidentally deleted one reservation assuming it was a duplicate (same name), and that there were no longer two sites together in that loop. They offered to re-book us in the only section that still had side-by-side campsites available. Village Creek is a somewhat unique park in that has an Equestrian Camp offering with stables, exercise corrals, water, mounting blocks and the like available for those who would like to travel with their own horses. While it was not what we originally booked, staying in “Horse Camp” was really cool and different - a BIG hit with our kids. The park has over 30 miles of equestrian trails and is a popular destination for horse owners. While all of that made for really cool atmosphere, the sites themselves left a lot to be desired. It almost looks like major erosion has occurred since these sites were first built - at every site in this loop, the picnic table and fire ring are IN the woods, and often partway down a ravine, with lots of brush, branches and vines hanging around them. We tried to use the table and fire ring on our first night and abandoned it for the rest of the trip. Our inlaws’ table was in such a dangerous location that we couldn’t access it at all, and we quickly realized was a cozy home for copperheads. Our water hookup had a wasp nest inside it. All of these details made it hard to relax as we were constantly on our guard with our kids and dog. We checked out the other camping areas and they were in much better shape, recently renovated and with full hookups. The trails at Village Creek were BEAUTIFUL. There is a particularly stunning trail that includes one of the most well-preserved sections of the Trail of Tears. This made for both an lovely hike and a history lesson for our seven year old. The Crowley’s Ridge region of the state is home to unique geological formations, soil and plant life unlike anywhere else in Arkansas. The Big Ben Nature Trail offers a great opportunity to identify these unusual plant species and is a short, easy hike. However, erosion is a big issue on the ridge, and sections were somewhat washed out after recent heavy rains. There are two small lakes that are popular with anglers. A couple of boat ramps are available for fishing boat launch. There is a small swimming area for campers only, but this lake is not great for swimming as it is pretty muddy. Take lots of bug spray in summer, and maybe only consider horse camp if you HAVE a horse. It’s worth a walk through in the morning or late afternoon when riders are tacking up or returning from rides.

  • Christy C.
    Jul. 1, 2016

    Village Creek State Park Campground

    Lots to choose from

    There are nearly 100 sites here at Village Creek State Park. They are Spacious, paved and well maintained. The campground is spread out on plenty of land. 2nd largest park in Arkansas in such a tiny town. Many deer walking freely at night. Water and electric hookups, bathrooms and a museum too. They have concerts occasionally here in the big field. Cabins are great too above the rim of the lake. Many hikes to take here and so peaceful. There are stables and horse trails as well as mountain biking. The park is located in Wynne, Arkansas. I have visited here many times camped in RV and stayed in the cabins. The rangers are always friendly and it is close to my relatives in Forrest City.

  • Cheri H.
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Devil's Den State Park Campground

    It was ok, I wasn’t super impressed

    I had heard so many great things about this park but I was not that impressed. The sites are fairly close together. There’s no signs warning that if you are in a large RV you shouldn’t come in on a certain highway. They do have equestrian trails and a campground to accommodate campers with horses. They have a lot of hiking trails. There are cabins and a pool.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2021

    Village Creek State Park Campground

    Arkansas State Parks Continue to Please

    This huge park and campground area were easy to find. Check in was a breeze and we headed to back-in site 56 with FHUs. Backing in was easy in this premium campsite with stand up bbq, separate fire pit and patio. The sewer is at the back of most of these long pads so you need about 20’ of sewer hose. There are 3 campground areas in the park, A, B, and Equestrian. Area A is situated at the bottom of the hill that leads up to Area B and the Equestrian camping. The 2 loops of A sites are a little closer together than the B area. We definitely preferred the B area up on the hill. Site 56 is one of the best(spacious and private) sites in the park. Another good site is 65, though its near the main campground road, it has privacy the way it backs to the woods. We were here during a mid April weekend and there was not a horrible amount of vehicle traffic moving about. All the campsites in our little cul de sac were spacious. Directly across from us were 2 long and straight pull through sites, 58& 59. There’s also another cul de sac loop where sites 42-49 reside. That loop is where the swim beach and a play ground reside. All sites are pretty nice with 47 having the best lake view over the swimming area. Heads up on site 48 as this back-in has a pretty steep incline with evidence of asphalt scars from longer rigs. I wouldn’t put anything over 35’ in that site. We walked through the equestrian area and the campsites were very nice with horse stables available. We got 1 bar each on Verizon and AT&T. You can pay for WiFi but we did not. We got a fair amount of OTA channels. With all the tree cover satellite could be iffy in a lot of sites. The sites along the road between the two B loops have a pretty good shot to the south sky. We saw deer near our campsite plus evening visits by a raccoon. We would definitely stay here again.

  • Susan E.
    Jul. 30, 2020

    Erwin Estate High Point

    Erwin Estate High Point Excellent Views!

    VOTED BEST HIPCAMP IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS! 

    My mom and dad, Debra and Mike Erwin, have been enjoying welcoming campers to our little slice of heaven in Magnet Cove, Arkansas for a couple of years now. We have had many happy campers and are extremely proud to win this award! We hope to increase awareness about our listing and beautiful camping location. We boast the highest point in Southern Arkansas- Our“High Point”. You can camp on the tower or around it and enjoy one of the best views in the state of Arkansas. Debra and Mike Erwin truly care about their guests and make sure that they are taken care of with true Southern hospitality and safety in mind. 

    As of late, there is considerable wildlife to view and great fishing in our pond. 

    Occasionally, we even have a Golden Eagle that will make an appearance! HipCamp is like the camping version of Air BnB. Pitch your tent in our Erwin Estates High Point and have access to the lookout tower with a swing.

    • Just 15 minutes from beautiful Hot Springs, Arkansas! 

    • 180+ degree view overlooking Benton to Malvern to Greater Hot Springs.

    • Cattle roam the pastures.

    • Our natural spring pond is a place to fish where it's an almost guaranteed catch as we have stocked it well! 

    • Great for nature, vista, and sunset photography. 

    • Nearby river and lake fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking 3-15 miles away. Private vendors available. 

    • Wildlife sitings: Eagle, White-tail Deer, Wild Hogs, Birds, Squirrel, and more. Onsite catch and release pond bass fishing(bring your own gear). 

    • Bait, gas and convenience store within 3 miles. 

    • Walmart and restaurants 10 miles. 

    • Kiting is excellent atop High Point with great winds year round. 

    • Star gazing at night with a very romantic sunset. 

    • Novaculite and Quartz geology, mineral exploration.

    • Take home a piece of this mineral rich area of the world! Free rocks to all! 

    • Drone flying is superb! 

    • Great cell phone reception. 

    • Major hospital within 13 miles in nearby Hot Springs. 

    • Bath Houses and downtown historical Hot Springs. Music Festivals. 

    • Oaklawn Racing and Gaming(horse races and casino) all within 15 min drive. 

    • GREAT FOR PROPOSALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS! 

    • To view and book through our official HIPCAMP listing, visit: https://bit.ly/2i1AQ6k 

    • NOW AVAILABLE ON AIRBNB!!! BOOK NOW WITH AIRBNB: http://bit.ly/2LXf8NT 

    Thank you!~ Susan Erwin Prowse and The Erwin Family

  • J
    May. 30, 2021

    Mount Nebo State Park Campground

    Hike in sites are great!

    Reservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by. We opted for the hike in site and it was perfect for us. Off-road and hiking were great! Views are breathtaking!!

  • Hannah W.
    Oct. 15, 2018

    Steel Creek Campground — Buffalo National River

    Close sites, beautiful area

    We rolled in at 8pm on a Friday night. The sign said "campground full" but thanks to another review we disregarded this and found an open site, as did the person who drove in behind us. The 26 sites are in two layers, one closer to the parking lot, one closer to the woods, river and bluffs. Rangers patrol regularly and are very helpful. There is a ranger station beyond the horse campground which is a pleasant walk or a quick drive. We stopped there to get our National Park stamp! Easy access to a trail directly from the lot, or walk beyond the horse camp to the Old River trail head. Centerpoint Trail is a 15 minute drive away and offers access to the Big Bluff/Goat Trail. Caution drivers: the road in to the campground is windy and steep. A sign warns against bringing RVs. However there were an enormous bus and tons of horse trailers and campers at the bottom of the hill - braver people than I:) Bathrooms are clean, dimly lit at night presumably to keep bugs out. Each site has a lantern pole, fire ring and picnic table. Lost Valley Trail and shelter are a 10-15 minute drive away. Since it was raining we cooked our dinner in the shelter. Overall a beautiful place with great access to multiple trails as well as river access. Sites are a little close, but if you're fine with having neighbors 20 or so feet away, we highly recommend:)

  • Lawrence P.
    Sep. 11, 2021

    Village Creek State Park Campground

    Quiet, Serene place to stay!

    Very nice place to stay. Quiet. Serene. Peaceful. Glad we stopped in for the week. The staff, Vicky, Nina and others, made us feel very welcomed. We had a small issue with our site and they were very accommodating in helping to resolve it. Thank You! There are plenty of places to stay that are very nice, from just water and electric to full hook-up. They even have an equestrian area if you have a horse. The restroom/bathhouse are cleaned daily and well kept. Many campers used it for their morning shower! There is lot's to do, if you wish. You can hike, bike, fish, boat, rent kayaks or just walk around and enjoy the peaceful setting! Heads up.... The Verizon cell service is sparce. We bought the Via-Sat WIFI svc for a few days while here. It's a bit pricey so be prepared. It's has a decent download but a slow upload.

  • Gonzo A.
    Jan. 3, 2025

    Devil's Den State Park Campground

    A Park Must When in Arkansas

    Devil's Den is a gorgeous parked tucked in the mountains of Arkansas.  The primary campground for RVs is one of the better campgrounds I have seen.  The facilities and amenities have been great.  The sites are generally spacious.  If you want the best experience - grab one of the sites along the ridge (83, 85, 87) - these have a great view off the back and offer incredible space.  There are several hiking trails within the park and other activities during warmer months (i.e. pool).  If you have a large rig - make sure to take the West Fork exit off I-49 vs. the south exit (Winslow).  There's no cell service whatsoever but Wifi (paid) is offered by the park.  Make sure to stock up on supplies beforehand - there are not many options within that area as far as food and services.


Guide to Arkansas

Horse camping in Arkansas offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the state while enjoying the companionship of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds equipped with horse-friendly amenities, equestrian enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to unwind and ride.

Tips for equestrian camping in Arkansas

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like spacious sites and water access