The best waterside camping in Arkansas

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Arkansas does waterside camping right. With over 8,400 campsites tucked along rivers, lakes, and creeks, you’ll find everything from quiet fishing spots to swim-friendly shores. Most sites sit near classic Arkansas water—think clear Ozark streams, deep swimming holes, and long stretches perfect for casting a line or spotting herons. Nightly prices run from just $5, but most campers pay around $35. Showers, pet-friendly rules, and toilets are standard at many sites, so you won’t have to rough it. Local favorites include Bentonville Bike Camp (663 reviews), Pinnacle Springs Recreational Park (619 reviews), and Red Fern (518 reviews). Bring your rod and binoculars—fishing, swimming, and wildlife-watching are part of the package here.

96% (5.7K) 103 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Arkansas

Thunder Mountain Private River Camp

1. Thunder Mountain Private River Camp

100%
(118)
Caddo Gap, AR · 2 sites · Tents, RVs
80+ acres all to yourself!! This beautiful and very secluded property, with river, kayaks, trails, and creeks is offered to only one group at a time to ensure peace, quiet, and seclusion. No other guests will overlap your stay. You will enjoy the peaceful solitude in nature completely alone! It's a great location for romantic getaways, silent personal retreats, yoga, playing in the river, or just spending quiet one-on-one time with your spouse or significant other. The last 1/2 mile of dirt road is a little rough, so cars with very low ground clearance are not recommended. Campers on Thunder Mountain enjoy the entire property by themselves - including the unique outdoor bathhouse with outdoor tub and shower, impressive multi-level decks, kayaks, grill, trails, hammocks, and tubes - without the cost of the cabin. The cabin on the property will be vacant during camping stays, but you can still enjoy the WiFi and other amenities outside. Pricing: $30-90/night camping; $190-280/night cabin - listed separately. Last minute bookings may have discounted rates. Camping bookings for 1 to 2 nights are sometimes available even if the calendar does not show availability (due to cabin cleaning days). We'll try to move our cleaning days around to help you out if possible. If the price looks really high (like $999), that is a date that is available at a low price ($30-50) but will have a later check-in or earlier check-out time. Just ask first before booking it and I'll lower the price!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

2. Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

98%
(37)
National forest in Arkansas · 312 sites
Two distinct forests rolled into one package! That means twice the amount of outdoorsy goodness to explore. The Ozark National Forest covers most of the Ozark Mountains, including the highest peak in the state. It’s awesome here when the dogwood and redbuds bloom in the spring, and when the leaves change color in the fall. The St. Francis National Forest is more diverse, with the St. Francis and Mississippi Rivers running through it, as well as lakes, valleys, and tons of wildlife. It’s the only place in the national forest system where you can access the Mississippi River from the shore, so that right there is a must do! The whole expanse of land is filled with multi-use trails, hundreds of campsites, spots for swimming, fishing, and boating, and even some amazing caves to explore. Mother Nature crushing it as usual.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Greers Ferry Lake

3. Greers Ferry Lake

96%
(17)
Park in Arkansas · 1133 sites
Discover Greers Ferry Lake's scenic beauty and outdoor adventures.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Ouachita National Forest

4. Ouachita National Forest

96%
(25)
National forest in Arkansas · 342 sites
The Ouachita mountains may become your new go-to for hiking, fishing, and camping in Arkansas.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Devil's Den State Park

5. Devil's Den State Park

100%
(27)
State park in Arkansas · 161 sites
Hike past ancient rock formations or take a pedalboat out on the lake.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lake Catherine State Park

6. Lake Catherine State Park

100%
(11)
State park in Arkansas · 91 sites
Peace, quiet, and mountain views on the shores of Lake Catherine.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Dierks Lake

7. Dierks Lake

100%
(3)
Park in Arkansas · 245 sites
Discover Dierks Lake: A Haven for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Nature Lovers.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake

8. John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake

100%
(3)
Park in Arkansas · 47 sites
Not to be confused with John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake extends 26 miles along the Arkansas River in both Arkansas and Oklahoma. Its shoreline is characterized by bottomland hardwood timber banks, steep bluffs, open fields, and urban developments. There are oodles of recreational opportunities among four smaller parks, most notably fishing. The fertile waters harbor all kinds of fish native to the state, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission stocks the lake with striped sea bass and sauger. Year round catch includes catfish, bream, crappie, white and largemouth bass. Multi-purpose trails are also a popular activity.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Beaver Lake and Dam

9. Beaver Lake and Dam

88%
(21)
Park in Arkansas · 618 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Beaver Lake and its majestic dam.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Greeson Lake

10. Greeson Lake

100%
(9)
Park in Arkansas · 373 sites
Discover the serene beauty and outdoor adventures at Greeson Lake.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Degray Lake

11. Degray Lake

93%
(7)
Park in Arkansas · 426 sites
Discover DeGray Lake: A Haven for Recreation and Relaxation.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires

Arkansas does waterside camping right. With over 8,400 campsites tucked along rivers, lakes, and creeks, you’ll find everything from quiet fishing spots to swim-friendly shores. Most sites sit near classic Arkansas water—think clear Ozark streams, deep swimming holes, and long stretches perfect for casting a line or spotting herons. Nightly prices run from just $5, but most campers pay around $35. Showers, pet-friendly rules, and toilets are standard at many sites, so you won’t have to rough it. Local favorites include Bentonville Bike Camp (663 reviews), Pinnacle Springs Recreational Park (619 reviews), and Red Fern (518 reviews). Bring your rod and binoculars—fishing, swimming, and wildlife-watching are part of the package here.

96% (5.7K) 103 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Arkansas

Thunder Mountain Private River Camp

1. Thunder Mountain Private River Camp

100%
(118)
Caddo Gap, AR · 2 sites · Tents, RVs
80+ acres all to yourself!! This beautiful and very secluded property, with river, kayaks, trails, and creeks is offered to only one group at a time to ensure peace, quiet, and seclusion. No other guests will overlap your stay. You will enjoy the peaceful solitude in nature completely alone! It's a great location for romantic getaways, silent personal retreats, yoga, playing in the river, or just spending quiet one-on-one time with your spouse or significant other. The last 1/2 mile of dirt road is a little rough, so cars with very low ground clearance are not recommended. Campers on Thunder Mountain enjoy the entire property by themselves - including the unique outdoor bathhouse with outdoor tub and shower, impressive multi-level decks, kayaks, grill, trails, hammocks, and tubes - without the cost of the cabin. The cabin on the property will be vacant during camping stays, but you can still enjoy the WiFi and other amenities outside. Pricing: $30-90/night camping; $190-280/night cabin - listed separately. Last minute bookings may have discounted rates. Camping bookings for 1 to 2 nights are sometimes available even if the calendar does not show availability (due to cabin cleaning days). We'll try to move our cleaning days around to help you out if possible. If the price looks really high (like $999), that is a date that is available at a low price ($30-50) but will have a later check-in or earlier check-out time. Just ask first before booking it and I'll lower the price!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

2. Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

98%
(37)
National forest in Arkansas · 312 sites
Two distinct forests rolled into one package! That means twice the amount of outdoorsy goodness to explore. The Ozark National Forest covers most of the Ozark Mountains, including the highest peak in the state. It’s awesome here when the dogwood and redbuds bloom in the spring, and when the leaves change color in the fall. The St. Francis National Forest is more diverse, with the St. Francis and Mississippi Rivers running through it, as well as lakes, valleys, and tons of wildlife. It’s the only place in the national forest system where you can access the Mississippi River from the shore, so that right there is a must do! The whole expanse of land is filled with multi-use trails, hundreds of campsites, spots for swimming, fishing, and boating, and even some amazing caves to explore. Mother Nature crushing it as usual.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Greers Ferry Lake

3. Greers Ferry Lake

96%
(17)
Park in Arkansas · 1133 sites
Discover Greers Ferry Lake's scenic beauty and outdoor adventures.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Ouachita National Forest

4. Ouachita National Forest

96%
(25)
National forest in Arkansas · 342 sites
The Ouachita mountains may become your new go-to for hiking, fishing, and camping in Arkansas.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Devil's Den State Park

5. Devil's Den State Park

100%
(27)
State park in Arkansas · 161 sites
Hike past ancient rock formations or take a pedalboat out on the lake.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lake Catherine State Park

6. Lake Catherine State Park

100%
(11)
State park in Arkansas · 91 sites
Peace, quiet, and mountain views on the shores of Lake Catherine.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Dierks Lake

7. Dierks Lake

100%
(3)
Park in Arkansas · 245 sites
Discover Dierks Lake: A Haven for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Nature Lovers.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake

8. John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake

100%
(3)
Park in Arkansas · 47 sites
Not to be confused with John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake extends 26 miles along the Arkansas River in both Arkansas and Oklahoma. Its shoreline is characterized by bottomland hardwood timber banks, steep bluffs, open fields, and urban developments. There are oodles of recreational opportunities among four smaller parks, most notably fishing. The fertile waters harbor all kinds of fish native to the state, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission stocks the lake with striped sea bass and sauger. Year round catch includes catfish, bream, crappie, white and largemouth bass. Multi-purpose trails are also a popular activity.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Beaver Lake and Dam

9. Beaver Lake and Dam

88%
(21)
Park in Arkansas · 618 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Beaver Lake and its majestic dam.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Greeson Lake

10. Greeson Lake

100%
(9)
Park in Arkansas · 373 sites
Discover the serene beauty and outdoor adventures at Greeson Lake.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Degray Lake

11. Degray Lake

93%
(7)
Park in Arkansas · 426 sites
Discover DeGray Lake: A Haven for Recreation and Relaxation.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires

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