Arkansas RV Camping
Arkansas RV Camping and Campgrounds
Arkansas has a wide variety of RV camping locations with spectacular scenery, solitude, and interesting history. Public lands and private RV parks and campgrounds offer a wide range of camping facilities from full service RV hookup campsites to remote primitive camping (boondocking) locations throughout Arkansas.
Arkansas Private RV Parks and Campgrounds
- Arkansas Private RV Parks - Research tools for finding privately owned RV parks and campgrounds in Arkansas.
Federal RV Camping Information
- National Park Service - NPS information about National Parks and other NPS administered lands in Arkansas. There are some RV camping opportunities available in Arkansas.
- US Forest Service - Arkansas - USFS information about National Forests in the Arkansas. Dispersed RV camping (boondocking) is permitted on lands managed by the USFS.
- US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in Arkansas. Some wildlife areas permit RV camping. Check refuge regulations about RV camping restrictions.
- US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about water projects and camping in Arkansas. RV camping is allowed with a water recreation backdrop.
State RV Camping Information
- Arkansas State Parks - Information about RV camping and campgrounds in Arkansas.
- Arkansas Fish and Game - Information about state wildlife management areas (WMA) and RV camping opportunities.
- Arkansas Official Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do in Arkansas. Includes RV camping locations.
Campground Reservations
- Camping Reservations - Make your Arkansas federal campground reservation in advance and your campsite will be waiting for you when you arrive.
RV Dump Stations In Arkansas
- RVDumps.com - Places to dump your RV in Arkansas.
- Sanidumps.com - Arkansas RV dumps listed by town.
Free RV Camping
Public Lands offer virtually unlimited free "dispersed camping" opportunities. You can get free RV camping location tips from the USFS (US Forest Service) Ranger Districts. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) also has some free RV camping facilities. Check with local public lands managers for local regulations.
Northwest of Hot Springs are USDA Forest Service (USFS) and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) managed with free RV camping opportunities as well as fee campgrounds. The Lake Ouachita area has numerous RV camping opportunities provided by USACE, and the surrounding area is primarily USFS managed lands.
Twelve miles north of Huntsville is the Madison County Wildlife Management Area (WMA). 23 primitive camping sites are designated on the area. These areas were developed and are maintained by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and are available free on a first come first serve basis.
Free dispersed RV camping (boondocking) is permitted in the National Forest. This large forest offers outdoor recreation such as fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, and birdwatching. You will have to explore to find free camping locations, but this page will help you get off to a good start.
The White River National Wildlife Refuge offers free RV camping in many locations. This 160,000 acre refuge offers the RVer outdoor recreation opportunities including hunting, fishing, hiking, and especially bird watching. The NWR is nearly 90 miles long, but only a few miles wide.
To find free RV
camping sites in Arkansas, you need good maps. We
recommend the Arkansas Atlas & Gazetteer
Arkansas Public Campgrounds
RV camping is available throughout Arkansas public campground systems. The National Park Service (NPS), USDA Forest Service, and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE/COE) offer campgrounds from primitive to full RV hookup campsites. The following list are just samples of the RV camping locations available, and you can find other recreational vehicle campsites by searching the public lands links above.
Fishing, boating, and of course RV camping activities are available not far from El Dorado in the Moro Bay State Park. Twenty campsites are available, some with full hookups. Popular boating and fishing area.
A great area for RV camping in northwest Arkansas is the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE/COE) Beaver Lake. Several campgrounds with electric hookups and water.
RV camping is allowed at the Gulpha Gorge Campground in Hot Springs National Park year round. This National Park was established as a reserve 40 years before Yellowstone, and is the oldest public lands in the National Park System. Outdoor recreation opportunities include hiking, biking, camping, and bird watching.
RV camping is available North of Langley at the Ouachita National Forest Albert Pike Campground. This campground has RV hookups as well as traditional US Forest Service amenity campsites that include fire ring and picnic table.
A popular area for RV camping as well as other outdoor recreation activities can be found at the Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Located on top of the second highest mountain in Arkansas, this is a popular park for it's scenery alone.
Located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, RV camping is available in many locations. The UDSA Ozark National Forest has many developed campgrounds. The Blanchard Springs Recreation Area is only one example of the great RV camping locations available.
RV camping is permitted in Forest Service Campgrounds. Dispersed RV camping (boondocking) is also allowed for those looking for remote RVing experiences. Outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, biking, fishing, rock climbing, bird watching, and boating are only a few of the possibilities to go with your RV camping trip.
Located in the Northeastern hill country of Arkansas, Crowley Ridge State Park offers RV camping at 26 campsites. Hiking, biking and fishing are just a few things to do during your RV camping trip.
The Gulf Mountain WMA (Wildlife Management Area) consists of over 12,000 acres of public land. RV camping is permitted in designated areas within the Wildlife Management Area. There are 6 primitive camping areas with 118 campsites.
Located in southwestern Arkansas, the USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) manages Millwood Lake. There are several designated campgrounds suitable for RV camping. The Beards Bluff Public Use Area offers electric and non electric campsites, as well as an RV dump station.
The USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) manages the Blue Mountain Lake. Reservations are accepted for RV camping at this popular lake.
A short distance west of Winslow, you will find the Devil's Den State Park. RV camping is allowed at 144 campsites in the park. Hiking, biking, fishing and more await you for your RV camping trip to the Ozark Mountains.
- RV Camping Home
- RV Rentals
- RV Parks
- RV Products
- Articles
- Boondocking
- RV and Camping Tips
- RV Clubs
- FAQ
www.rv-camping.org
Public Land
RV Camping Information
USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.
NPS (National Park Service) - General information about RV camping and campgrounds in US National Parks. With campgrounds in the most historic and scenic places in the country, the NPS offers some of the best places for RV camping.
USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, RV camping possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.
Free and Low Cost
RV Camping Ideas In Arkansas
Here's a list of places to consider when looking for a free overnight RV camping or parking location in Arkansas. We always recommend asking for overnight RV parking permission when looking for a free spot to spend the night. The smaller your RV, the better chances you will have finding places to stay if you choose not to ask permission. If you don't ask permission, you end up "sneaking" into places and hoping nobody bothers you or issues you a trespassing ticket before you move on.
Be smart and Be Safe...Ask Permission.
- Truck Stops - Asking permission is usually not a requirement Be considerate of the big rigs!
- Walmart - Not all stores allow overnight RV parking in Arkansas due to city ordinances. Check store for policy.
- Nightclubs - Had one too many or just pretending?
- Grain Elevators - Ask where you can park your RV out of the way for the night.
- Fraternal Organizations - VFW, Elks etc. may allow members free overnight RV camping.
- Cemetery - Sounds creepy to us, but we've also heard they may have water available.
- Fairgrounds - State and County facilities may allow RV camping when not otherwise in use.
- Parks - City, County, State, and Community parks often have free RV camping.
- Churches - You can almost make "reservations" by calling ahead for permission.
- Hotel Parking Lots - Assuming a nightclub/bar is inside, had one too many or just pretending?
- Truck Terminals - Parking areas for large trucks might allow you free RV camping permission.
- RV Dealers - Pretty brave to us, but you could fit right in.
- Cracker Barrel - These nationwide restaurants usually allow free overnight RV parking.
- Movie Theaters - Too tired to drive home after the late show?
- Highway Rest Areas - All rest areas allow a few hours of free RV parking, but noisy.
- Drive In Movies - Got a small RV, park in the back row and enjoy the show. Fell asleep by accident right?
- Vehicle Repair Shops - Need to see the repairman first thing in the morning?
- Big Box Retailers - Kmart, Best Buy, Sams Club often allow free RV camping.
- Roadside Parks & Picnic Areas - The early day version of the rest area.
As you can see, there are a lot of free RV camping and parking possibilities in Arkansas. If you are not asking permission, it's best to keep a very low profile. If your RV has slide outs, jacks and TV antennas, don't use them so as not to draw attention to yourself. Consider your surroundings carefully and if you feel uncomfortable with the area, move somewhere else.
