Best Campgrounds in Arkansas

Arkansas, fondly nicknamed “The Natural State,” lives up to its moniker with breathtaking landscapes that range from the misty Ozark Mountains to the serene waters of the Buffalo National River. Tucked within these natural wonders are some of the most spectacular campgrounds you’ll find anywhere in America. Whether you’re pitching a tent under star-filled skies or parking your RV with all the comforts of home, Arkansas offers camping experiences that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Let’s explore the very best campgrounds this beautiful state has to offer, where adventure awaits around every corner and tranquility settles in with the setting sun.

Devil’s Den State Park

Number of Campsites: 135
Reservations: Arkansas State Parks Reservation System
Address: 11333 W. Highway 74, West Fork, AR 72774

Nestled in the heart of the Ozarks, Devil’s Den State Park stands as a testament to nature’s creativity. Massive sandstone crevices carve through the landscape, creating a playground for explorers and photographers alike. The campground sits in a lush valley, surrounded by ancient trees that whisper tales of bygone eras when CCC workers first built the rustic cabins that still stand today.

As evening falls, the forest comes alive with the gentle symphony of crickets and frogs. The air carries the sweet scent of pine and wildflowers, mingling with campfire smoke that spirals lazily upward. Here, you can choose from modern campsites with all the amenities or more primitive spots where you can truly disconnect from the modern world.

During the day, hikers can lose themselves on over 20 miles of trails that wind through the park. The Yellow Rock Trail offers panoramic views that will stop you in your tracks, while the Devil’s Den Trail leads you through mysterious caves and crevices formed millions of years ago. Mountain bikers find their paradise on dedicated trails that range from gentle curves to heart-pumping descents.

What truly sets Devil’s Den apart is its remarkable diversity. In one day, you might spot white-tailed deer grazing at dawn, marvel at rare butterflies fluttering between wildflowers, and end your evening watching for constellations in some of the darkest skies in the region. The park’s lake invites anglers and paddlers, while its historic structures offer a glimpse into Depression-era craftsmanship that has stood the test of time.

Buffalo National River (Buffalo Point Campground)

Number of Campsites: 83
Reservations: Recreation.gov
Address: 2229 Ranger Road, Yellville, AR 72687

America’s first National River flows free and wild through the Arkansas countryside, cutting dramatic bluffs and creating emerald pools that beckon swimmers on hot summer days. Buffalo Point Campground sits perched above this natural wonder, offering campers front-row seats to one of nature’s greatest shows.

The campsites here feel like they’re carved out of the wilderness itself. Tall oaks and hickories create a dappled canopy overhead, while limestone outcroppings provide natural boundaries between sites. Morning mist rises mystically from the river below, creating an ethereal landscape that feels almost otherworldly until the sun burns through and reveals the crystal-clear waters of the Buffalo.

What makes this campground extraordinary is its access to the river itself. Stone steps lead down to gravel bars where you can dip your toes in the cool water or launch a canoe for a day of gentle paddling. The river changes personality with each bend – sometimes lazily meandering, other times dancing over small rapids, but always clear enough to spot the fish darting below the surface.

Hiking trails radiate from the campground like spokes on a wheel. The Indian Rockhouse Trail leads to a massive cave where Native Americans once sought shelter, while other paths reveal hidden waterfalls and unexpected vistas. Wildlife abounds here – from the majestic elk that sometimes graze in distant meadows to the bald eagles that soar overhead, riding thermals with barely a wingbeat.

At night, the stars seem close enough to touch, and the only sounds that break the silence are the gentle gurgle of the river and the occasional call of a barred owl asking, “Who cooks for you?” In these moments, time seems to slow down, allowing you to truly savor what it means to be immersed in the natural world.

Mount Nebo State Park

Number of Campsites: 44
Reservations: Arkansas State Parks Reservation System
Address: 16728 West State Highway 155, Dardanelle, AR 72834

Perched atop a mountain that rises dramatically from the Arkansas River Valley, Mount Nebo offers camping with a view that few locations can match. The campground sits near the summit of this flat-topped mountain, where on clear days, you can see for what seems like forever – rolling hills unfurling toward the horizon like a rumpled green blanket.

The campsites here cling to the mountainside, creating an experience where you might feel as though you’re camping in the sky. The morning sun creeps over distant ridges, painting the landscape in gold and amber hues, while evenings bring spectacular sunsets that set the western sky ablaze. In autumn, this vantage point offers one of the most breathtaking leaf-peeping opportunities in the entire state, with the valley below transformed into a kaleidoscope of red, orange, and yellow.

What makes Mount Nebo truly special is its microclimate. Often cooler than the surrounding lowlands, the mountain creates its own weather patterns. Summer brings refreshing breezes that rustle through the trees, while spring carpets the ground with wildflowers found nowhere else in the region. Hang gliders launch from designated areas, soaring like birds over the valley, while those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground can explore the Rim Trail that circles the entire mountain.

The park’s rustic cabins, built by the CCC in the 1930s, stand as testaments to craftsmanship, with native stone and timber construction that seems to grow organically from the mountainside. For history buffs, interpretive exhibits tell the story of the mountain’s past as a 19th-century resort area where visitors would come to escape the summer heat long before air conditioning existed.

Whether you’re watching for migrating hawks in the fall, photographing the “sunrise to sunset” panoramas, or simply sitting by your campfire as twilight wraps the mountain in its gentle embrace, Mount Nebo offers a camping experience that touches something primal within us – the desire to climb high and see far.

Lake Ouachita State Park

Number of Campsites: 93
Reservations: Arkansas State Parks Reservation System
Address: 5451 Mountain Pine Road, Mountain Pine, AR 71956

Lake Ouachita stretches across 40,000 acres of crystal-clear water, its shoreline undeveloped and wild as it winds around more than 200 islands. The state park campground sits on a peninsula that juts into this watery paradise, offering sites where you can fall asleep to gentle waves lapping at the shore just feet from your tent.

The lake itself is the star attraction here – its waters so clean and clear that visibility often extends 30 feet below the surface. This clarity has made it a destination for scuba divers who explore the underwater forests and rock formations hidden beneath the surface. For those who prefer to stay above water, the lake offers unparalleled fishing, with bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish lurking in its depths.

The campground nestles among shortleaf pines and hardwoods that provide welcome shade in summer months. Sites range from waterfront spots where you can practically fish from your camping chair to more secluded areas tucked into the forest. Modern amenities ensure comfort, while the surrounding wilderness ensures you never forget you’re in the heart of nature.

Hiking enthusiasts can explore the Caddo Bend Trail, which winds along the shoreline and through the forest, offering stunning views of the lake from multiple vantage points. The park marina rents boats for those without their own, making it easy to explore distant coves and islands where you might have an entire beach to yourself for a day of swimming and sunbathing.

What’s particularly magical about Lake Ouachita is its designation as a dark sky park. Light pollution here is minimal, allowing the Milky Way to shine in all its glory on clear nights. Amateur astronomers set up telescopes in open areas, while others simply lie back on warm rocks to watch for shooting stars. The experience of seeing the star-studded sky reflected in the still waters of the lake creates a moment of perfect symmetry between heaven and earth.

Petit Jean State Park

Number of Campsites: 125
Reservations: Arkansas State Parks Reservation System
Address: 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110

Petit Jean Mountain rises like an island from the surrounding plains, creating a world apart where legend, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation blend seamlessly together. According to local lore, the mountain was named for a young French woman who disguised herself as a boy to follow her beloved to the New World, only to fall ill and request burial on this beautiful mountain she’d come to love.

The campground spreads across a wooded area near the mountain’s top, offering sites that range from secluded forest nooks to spots near the park’s centerpiece – Lake Bailey. Tall pines create a natural canopy, while massive boulders leftover from the mountain’s formation add character and privacy between campsites. The smell of pine needles warming in the sun mingles with campfire smoke to create the quintessential camping perfume.

What draws visitors back to Petit Jean year after year is the breathtaking waterfall known as Cedar Falls. The 95-foot cascade plunges into a emerald pool, surrounded by moss-covered rocks and ferns that thrive in the mist. The hike to reach this natural wonder winds through a canyon where massive rock formations create natural rooms and passageways that spark the imagination.

Beyond the falls, over 20 miles of trails showcase the mountain’s diverse ecosystems. The Seven Hollows Trail leads through a series of small canyons, each with its own personality and surprising features. The Bear Cave Trail doesn’t actually lead to bear habitat but rather to massive boulder formations that create cave-like spaces perfect for exploration.

The historic Mather Lodge, constructed of native logs and stone, offers a glimpse into the park’s past while providing modern amenities for those seeking a break from camping. Its restaurant’s massive windows frame views of the canyon below, allowing diners to connect with the landscape even while indoors.

As evening settles over the mountain, the woods grow quiet except for the occasional call of a whippoorwill or the distant hoot of an owl. The air carries a slight chill, even in summer, making campfires not just atmospheric but practical. These are the moments when Petit Jean works its subtle magic, creating memories that call people back season after season, year after year.

Crater of Diamonds State Park

Number of Campsites: 47
Reservations: Arkansas State Parks Reservation System
Address: 209 State Park Road, Murfreesboro, AR 71958

Where else in the world can you camp near a diamond mine where finders are keepers? This utterly unique state park centers around a plowed field that is actually the eroded surface of an ancient volcanic crater – one of the few places in the world where anyone can search for diamonds and keep what they find.

The campground itself sits a short walk from this geological wonder, nestled in a wooded area that provides welcome shade and privacy. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs, with modern amenities that ensure comfort after a day of diamond hunting. The atmosphere here buzzes with a unique energy – part treasure hunt excitement, part relaxed outdoor enjoyment.

While the diamond field is undoubtedly the main attraction, the park offers much more for the outdoor enthusiast. A small creek running through the property provides opportunities for wading and cooling off during hot summer days. Children splash in the water while using their plastic shovels and buckets for impromptu gold panning – sometimes finding not gold but quartz crystals and other interesting minerals.

Trails wind through the surrounding forest, offering peaceful walks where you might spot white-tailed deer, rabbits, and a variety of songbirds. The Diamond Springs Water Park provides a more structured water experience, with wading pools and water features that delight younger campers after a morning of serious diamond searching.

Evenings at the campground often include impromptu show-and-tell sessions, as campers display their finds of the day – perhaps not diamonds (though over 33,000 have been found since the park opened), but maybe interesting jasper, agate, or quartz. The shared excitement creates an instant camaraderie among strangers who quickly become friends united by the universal appeal of a treasure hunt.

As night falls and campfires glow throughout the campground, conversations often turn to famous finds from the past – like the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam diamond or the 16.37-carat Amarillo Starlight. Dreams of similar discoveries fuel excitement for the next day’s adventure, making this perhaps the only campground in America where guests set their alarms not for sunrise hikes but for early access to the diamond field.

Final Thoughts About Camping in Arkansas

Arkansas’s campgrounds offer far more than just places to pitch a tent or park an RV. They serve as gateways to experiences that connect us with nature in profound ways – whether it’s the thrill of standing beneath a thundering waterfall, the tranquility of watching sunset colors dance across a mountain vista, or the simple pleasure of toasting marshmallows under a blanket of stars.

What makes these six campgrounds truly special is their diversity. From mountain-top experiences to riverside retreats, from diamond hunting to dark sky watching, “The Natural State” offers camping experiences that appeal to everyone from solitude-seeking nature lovers to families looking for outdoor adventures to share.

As you plan your Arkansas camping journey, consider the season – spring brings wildflower displays that carpet forest floors, summer offers swimming holes and cool mountain breezes, fall transforms the landscape with brilliant foliage, and winter reveals views obscured by leaves during other seasons. Each visit will show you a different face of this remarkably diverse state.

These campgrounds aren’t just destinations; they’re portals to experiences that remind us why getting outdoors matters – for our well-being, for our sense of wonder, and for creating memories that outlast any material possession. So pack your tent, fill your cooler, and hit the road – Arkansas’s best campgrounds are waiting to welcome you to the natural state.