- Waterside Camping
The best lakeside camping near Fort Smith
98% (426) • 61 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Fort Smith
Heavener Runestone Park
1. Heavener Runestone Park
97%
(520)
33mi from Fort Smith · 12 sites · Tents, RVs
This 55 acre park is home of a large sandstone that contains 8 markings believed to have been made by Vikings many years ago. The park features a seasonal waterfall, covered picnic areas, playground, amphitheater with seating, community building, scenic views, gift shop and approximately 2 miles of nature trails. Be advised that most tent sites have a tent pad but a few are primitive mountain terrain (rocky). The one RV site is for 16 ft. or less vehicles and smaller teardrop trailers with limited hook-up and no dump station. Restroom and shower facilities are located within the park. Individual campsites DO NOT have onsite toilets. Forest setting while still close to stores in case of forgotten items. Variety of small wildlife in the area. All sites allow campfires UNLESS we are under a county wide burn ban.
*Note moderate cancellation policy for most dates - full refund 3 days before check-in time. *
** Special event camping is a strict no refund policy.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$20
/ night
Sacred Pines
2. Sacred Pines
100%
(47)
45mi from Fort Smith · 8 sites · Tents, Lodging
Surrounded by thousands of acres of National Forest, enjoy secluded time in nature! Stay in our off-grid treehouses, peaceful campsites, cozy tiny homes, and handcrafted cabins, allowing you to connect with others in the wild. We are located near many hiking trails, kayaking spots, swimming holes, atv and bike trails and so muchg more!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$40
/ night
Lake Wilson Retreat 🌲
3. Lake Wilson Retreat 🌲
100%
(13)
47mi from Fort Smith · 1 site
The Lake Wilson Retreat is our 35 acre private property, peacefully situated atop the wooded mountains near Lake Wilson. On the property is The Shed, a simple campsite where you'll find a fire pit and a simple sleeping cabin with a full size platform bed frame and wood stove to enjoy. An ideal place to clear your head.
The Shed comfortably sleep two (2) adults, but you are welcome to bring tents for up to to four (4) other additional campers. We provide a full size platform bed frame, but guests will need to bring their own blow up mattress or camp pads for comfort — as well as all bedding / pillows / towels.
About Lake Wilson:
Lake Wilson Park is comprised of approximately 320 acres of land with 28 acres of water. Park visitors can experience boating, fishing, nature watching, picnicking, and hiking. The park is also an off-leash dog park with both sunny and shady places for pets to enjoy. The nature trail runs almost entirely through the woods with views of the lake and ancient rock formations. There are also lots of beautiful wildflowers in the spring!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$60
/ night
John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake
4. John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake
100%
(3)
Park 133mi from Fort Smith · 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
Ozark Lake
5. Ozark Lake
87%
(5)
Park 19mi from Fort Smith · 102 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Ozark Lake and its myriad outdoor activities.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Lisa Christiansen’s Childhood Home
6. Lisa Christiansen’s Childhood Home
94%
(17)
49mi from Fort Smith · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
A place carved out of history dating back over 200 years ago. This is where history welcomes you to the Cherokee culture. This land has been handed down for generations and has stayed in the family beginning on my mother’s side of the family, Mary Ann Groundhog, the fourth generation great granddaughter of Sequoyah on the “Dick” side of my family tree. My mother was heavily involved with AIM (American Indian movement).
My dad was the last monolingual Cherokee. His name was Mack Vann, he was a man who loved culture and sharing it with visitors and handed down that passion to me. My hip camper site is named after my daddy, I am still a daddy‘s girl. The land originated before Sequoyah. who created the Cherokee syllabary. Sequoyah was my fifth generation great grandfather and I am very proud of my Cherokee heritage, I would love to share my culture, my tradition, and my passion with you.
Learn more about this land:
Come and experience the authenticity of Tahlequah, Indian country, Oklahoma where almost every resident is Cherokee, Native American,
Nature at its most organic state; A place where deer run free, the sunset paints a new picture each evening with glorious colors of warmth and serenity.
Away from the hustle and bustle, peaceful, and inviting. Just a short hike or drive to Todd’s access or you can swim, fish, or float down the beautiful Illinois River.
Welcome to Oklahoma’s best kept secret.
* * * * FREE HIGH SPEED WIFI * * * *
Up to 1,000 Mbps upload and download speeds
With upload speeds matching download speeds, you can transfer and back up large files with ease.
Unlimited data usage, no data caps or throttling.
Capacity for all your devices
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$36
/ night
Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool
7. Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool
Park 23mi from Fort Smith · 94 sites
Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam is known for its fishing and swimming beaches. Anglers will be excited about the abundance of bass, crappie, catfish, walleye, and sunfish. Yum! There are also three swimming beaches here, so bring your swimsuit and sunscreen. Got a boat? Bring it! Launch your sailboat, motorboat, or kayak on the refreshing waters and check out the great surrounding views of spring flowers or fall foliage. There’s a short hiking trail in the park if you want to wander around a bit. This park is ideal for campers seeking a quiet, relaxing getaway on the water.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Lake Fort Smith State Park
8. Lake Fort Smith State Park
100%
(4)
State park 28mi from Fort Smith · 40 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Lake Fort Smith State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Brushy Lake State Park
9. Brushy Lake State Park
State park 107mi from Fort Smith · 14 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Brushy Lake State Park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Devil's Den State Park
10. Devil's Den State Park
100%
(27)
State park 31mi from Fort Smith · 161 sites
Hike past ancient rock formations or take a pedalboat out on the lake.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
11. Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
98%
(37)
National forest 51mi from Fort Smith · 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
Ouachita National Forest
12. Ouachita National Forest
96%
(25)
National forest 67mi from Fort Smith · 342 sites
The Ouachita mountains may become your new go-to for hiking, fishing, and camping in Arkansas.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Wister Lake State Park
13. Wister Lake State Park
100%
(1)
State park 37mi from Fort Smith · 153 sites
Discover the natural splendor of Lake Wister State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Tenkiller Ferry Lake
14. Tenkiller Ferry Lake
50%
(7)
Park 41mi from Fort Smith · 550 sites
Named for the prominent Cherokee family who owned the land and ferry, Tenkiller Ferry Lake is steeped in history and picturesque views. With the clearest body of water in Oklahoma, the lake offers abundant water activities: fishing, scuba diving, jet-skiing, sailing, the list goes on so be prepared to get wet! Be sure to check out the floating restaurant too! Farm to table? More like lake to table. Off the lake, explore the rocky bluffs and lush vegetation. Get a nice view of the water from the shore, and have your breath taken away with the spectacular sunsets. Tenkiller Ferry Lake is sure to become an annual trip.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
98% (426) • 61 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Fort Smith
Heavener Runestone Park
1. Heavener Runestone Park
97%
(520)
33mi from Fort Smith · 12 sites · Tents, RVs
This 55 acre park is home of a large sandstone that contains 8 markings believed to have been made by Vikings many years ago. The park features a seasonal waterfall, covered picnic areas, playground, amphitheater with seating, community building, scenic views, gift shop and approximately 2 miles of nature trails. Be advised that most tent sites have a tent pad but a few are primitive mountain terrain (rocky). The one RV site is for 16 ft. or less vehicles and smaller teardrop trailers with limited hook-up and no dump station. Restroom and shower facilities are located within the park. Individual campsites DO NOT have onsite toilets. Forest setting while still close to stores in case of forgotten items. Variety of small wildlife in the area. All sites allow campfires UNLESS we are under a county wide burn ban.
*Note moderate cancellation policy for most dates - full refund 3 days before check-in time. *
** Special event camping is a strict no refund policy.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$20
/ night
Sacred Pines
2. Sacred Pines
100%
(47)
45mi from Fort Smith · 8 sites · Tents, Lodging
Surrounded by thousands of acres of National Forest, enjoy secluded time in nature! Stay in our off-grid treehouses, peaceful campsites, cozy tiny homes, and handcrafted cabins, allowing you to connect with others in the wild. We are located near many hiking trails, kayaking spots, swimming holes, atv and bike trails and so muchg more!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$40
/ night
Lake Wilson Retreat 🌲
3. Lake Wilson Retreat 🌲
100%
(13)
47mi from Fort Smith · 1 site
The Lake Wilson Retreat is our 35 acre private property, peacefully situated atop the wooded mountains near Lake Wilson. On the property is The Shed, a simple campsite where you'll find a fire pit and a simple sleeping cabin with a full size platform bed frame and wood stove to enjoy. An ideal place to clear your head.
The Shed comfortably sleep two (2) adults, but you are welcome to bring tents for up to to four (4) other additional campers. We provide a full size platform bed frame, but guests will need to bring their own blow up mattress or camp pads for comfort — as well as all bedding / pillows / towels.
About Lake Wilson:
Lake Wilson Park is comprised of approximately 320 acres of land with 28 acres of water. Park visitors can experience boating, fishing, nature watching, picnicking, and hiking. The park is also an off-leash dog park with both sunny and shady places for pets to enjoy. The nature trail runs almost entirely through the woods with views of the lake and ancient rock formations. There are also lots of beautiful wildflowers in the spring!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$60
/ night
John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake
4. John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake
100%
(3)
Park 133mi from Fort Smith · 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
Ozark Lake
5. Ozark Lake
87%
(5)
Park 19mi from Fort Smith · 102 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Ozark Lake and its myriad outdoor activities.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Lisa Christiansen’s Childhood Home
6. Lisa Christiansen’s Childhood Home
94%
(17)
49mi from Fort Smith · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
A place carved out of history dating back over 200 years ago. This is where history welcomes you to the Cherokee culture. This land has been handed down for generations and has stayed in the family beginning on my mother’s side of the family, Mary Ann Groundhog, the fourth generation great granddaughter of Sequoyah on the “Dick” side of my family tree. My mother was heavily involved with AIM (American Indian movement).
My dad was the last monolingual Cherokee. His name was Mack Vann, he was a man who loved culture and sharing it with visitors and handed down that passion to me. My hip camper site is named after my daddy, I am still a daddy‘s girl. The land originated before Sequoyah. who created the Cherokee syllabary. Sequoyah was my fifth generation great grandfather and I am very proud of my Cherokee heritage, I would love to share my culture, my tradition, and my passion with you.
Learn more about this land:
Come and experience the authenticity of Tahlequah, Indian country, Oklahoma where almost every resident is Cherokee, Native American,
Nature at its most organic state; A place where deer run free, the sunset paints a new picture each evening with glorious colors of warmth and serenity.
Away from the hustle and bustle, peaceful, and inviting. Just a short hike or drive to Todd’s access or you can swim, fish, or float down the beautiful Illinois River.
Welcome to Oklahoma’s best kept secret.
* * * * FREE HIGH SPEED WIFI * * * *
Up to 1,000 Mbps upload and download speeds
With upload speeds matching download speeds, you can transfer and back up large files with ease.
Unlimited data usage, no data caps or throttling.
Capacity for all your devices
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$36
/ night
Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool
7. Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool
Park 23mi from Fort Smith · 94 sites
Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam is known for its fishing and swimming beaches. Anglers will be excited about the abundance of bass, crappie, catfish, walleye, and sunfish. Yum! There are also three swimming beaches here, so bring your swimsuit and sunscreen. Got a boat? Bring it! Launch your sailboat, motorboat, or kayak on the refreshing waters and check out the great surrounding views of spring flowers or fall foliage. There’s a short hiking trail in the park if you want to wander around a bit. This park is ideal for campers seeking a quiet, relaxing getaway on the water.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Lake Fort Smith State Park
8. Lake Fort Smith State Park
100%
(4)
State park 28mi from Fort Smith · 40 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Lake Fort Smith State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Brushy Lake State Park
9. Brushy Lake State Park
State park 107mi from Fort Smith · 14 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Brushy Lake State Park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Devil's Den State Park
10. Devil's Den State Park
100%
(27)
State park 31mi from Fort Smith · 161 sites
Hike past ancient rock formations or take a pedalboat out on the lake.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
11. Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
98%
(37)
National forest 51mi from Fort Smith · 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
Ouachita National Forest
12. Ouachita National Forest
96%
(25)
National forest 67mi from Fort Smith · 342 sites
The Ouachita mountains may become your new go-to for hiking, fishing, and camping in Arkansas.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Wister Lake State Park
13. Wister Lake State Park
100%
(1)
State park 37mi from Fort Smith · 153 sites
Discover the natural splendor of Lake Wister State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Tenkiller Ferry Lake
14. Tenkiller Ferry Lake
50%
(7)
Park 41mi from Fort Smith · 550 sites
Named for the prominent Cherokee family who owned the land and ferry, Tenkiller Ferry Lake is steeped in history and picturesque views. With the clearest body of water in Oklahoma, the lake offers abundant water activities: fishing, scuba diving, jet-skiing, sailing, the list goes on so be prepared to get wet! Be sure to check out the floating restaurant too! Farm to table? More like lake to table. Off the lake, explore the rocky bluffs and lush vegetation. Get a nice view of the water from the shore, and have your breath taken away with the spectacular sunsets. Tenkiller Ferry Lake is sure to become an annual trip.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
E
Evan
3 weeks ago
Weekend Trip to Lake Wilson Retreat 🌲
Excellent weekend getaway. The lot is tucked just far enough into the woods to keep you isolated and give you a wonderful view. The building was clean and just spacious enough for two people. Would highly recommend.
See more
A
Anslee
February 2026
With pets
My husband and I loved this spot! The deck was an excellent place for our things, there were fire pokers and a lovely fire pit. The bed frame was perfect in the shed. The stove in the shed made it so warm even on nights where it was below freezing. There was plenty of fallen wood in the forest around us for fire wood. And the lake was a short walk away and the trail allows dogs to be off leash which we love! The spot felt very secluded and private even though it’s so close to town which we also loved! Would definitely come back.
See more
Adolfo
December 2025
With pets
Had a great time at Sacred Pines! The cabin was lovely and the area around beautiful. The cabin has enough beds for a 6+ people and the beds where really comfy. Definitely recommend
See more
Meredith
December 2025
15 ft campervan
We enjoyed our stop at Heavener Runestone Park. The terrain is hilly and scenic. Our highlight was watching the sun set from the scenic overlook. The amenities are a bit faded, but functional. This was a comfortable place to spend the night on our way south. It was fun to learn about this odd bit of history, too!
See moreB
Brandon
December 2025
16 ft car
With pets
Clean campsites. Nice views. Warm shower available at park.
See moreO
Olivia
November 2025
Weekend Trip to Lake Wilson Retreat 🌲
The property was gorgeous! The area felt really safe and the neighbors were very friendly. The shed was very cozy. Be sure to bring a mattress/bedding and some extra fire wood. Overall, it was the weekend we were looking for!
See more
Cory
November 2025
Travis
November 2025
With pets
Very convenient and easy to get to, while still being away from everything and quiet. Everything was set up nicely. The host was very friendly and easy to contact. You can watch the sun rise from the deck in the morning. Perfect place for a quiet getaway! Thanks!
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A
Allison
November 2025
Tent
With pets
My family and I loved tent camping here! The views were beautiful! We were at site #8, it was very pretty and peaceful. Lots of trees for nice shade and great spot for a hammock. There even happened to be a big event at the overlook one of the days we were there, but there was still enough separation that it wasn’t too loud and we still felt like we had our privacy. The Runestone didn’t disappoint! We thought it was cool. We really enjoyed hiking the trails too.
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Ashkan
November 2025
Weekend Trip to Sacred Pines
We loved the vibe and our cabin. It might look a bit expensive, but you would get more than what you need.
See more
G
Greg
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
Incredible location, great views, and check-in couldn’t have been easier. Highly recommend a stay here at the park!
See more
Lori
November 2025
Tent
With kids
Watching the sunset at this location was breathtaking! The campsite, restroom, grounds, and gift shop were clean and well maintained. Everyone there was friendly and very informative. We came for an educational event that was fun and well organized. My family loved every moment of our stay from hiking, seeing the runestone, and tent camping!
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R
Roger
November 2025
Tent
With pets
The campsite was absolutely lovely! The forest felt more like the Black Hills, SD. I had no idea Oklahoma could look like this. It was SO peaceful I could've been 100 miles from civilization, yet Hevener was nestled beautifully in the valley below. Hearing those spooky train horns every hour or so was neat-my boy couldn't get enough! The short hike to the runestone was fun, and that sweet young lady in the gift shop went outta her way for our yard game. What a cozy Oklahoma spot! Terrain was a bit rough and steep and rocky so be advised.
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Loreena
November 2025
Tent
Excellent campsite for our first time visiting the park! The trails were great and easy to navigate, amenities offered worked well, and the host was communicative too. If you plan to stay at this campsite (or probably anywhere in the park), just be mindful there’s a very active train station below the park so you’ll hear it both day & night—earplugs were an essential for me. However, that doesn’t deter my recommendation. The fall leaves were gorgeous, so we picked the perfect weekend to stay.
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R
Russ
November 2025
Tent
Cool views. #10 spot is a lot more of a upward hike than it lets on. It's too far from the site to your vehicle.
See moreJ
Justin
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
This campground was nothing short of amazing! The owners were incredibly kind, friendly, and helpful despite us staying during Scary Pines Fall Festival. The said festival gave our group plenty of things to do, but even without that the kayaking and hiking that my group did was amazing. All around this place is amazing and I couldn’t recommend it enough!!
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k
kellimeyer723
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
A quaint little park with unique history and the perfect hikes for beginners or those needing an hour to waltz with nature. You're outside of town but not so far away that running back for something you forgot to be a real problem. Campsites are as you would expect, a platform that is just big enough for our large sundome tent (8 person), a firepit and metal grill for each site and a concrete and wood picnic table. They even have shepherd hooks for campers to hang a lantern or lights. The camping area is lit up at night by a string of bulb lights, giving just enough glow to get down to the bathrooms without being a nuisance when trying to sleep. A wonderful setup for a relaxing weekend. My son and I were the only people in the park at one point and it was very peaceful. Crows, woodpeckers, and squirrels abound but not much else in the way of wildlife. A definite for families or someone looking for a quiet place to pitch a tent or hang a hammock.
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M
Micah
October 2025
With pets
We loved our stay at Sacred Pines! We stayed in one of the tiny home cabins. Beautifully constructed, had everything we needed and more. The grounds surrounding us were a beautiful spot to walk our puppies around. Super peaceful and close to so many awesome hiking trails. Not great cell service out there (it’s the country, duh. We loved it, really made us more present and hangout with each other rather than be on screens) Perk: our tiny cabin had an awesome pizza oven that we used to make some home made pizza after a long hike! Thank you Miranda for creating such an awesome space, we will be back
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A
Ashley Randolph
October 2025
Tent
With kids
Incredible place to camp 🏕️ ran to Hot Springs for a quick day trip! Kids loved the pond, zip line and swings! Second time here and already can’t wait to come again!!
See moreS
Saul
October 2025
Tent
With kids
Amazing spot! We stayed through the weekend! Great views! Amazing amenities, ZJ helped us get power to our camping spot (Overlook Pavilion). Kiddos loved the scavenger hunt and the different hikes. Over all we will be coming back soon! Thank you to all the staff!
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