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Mountain Pine, Arkansas - September 29: Lake Ouachita State Park in Mountain Pine, Arkansas on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Will Newton/ADPHT)
There are plenty of campgrounds in Arkansas where you’ll find rows of RVs, playgrounds, bathhouses, and neighbors just a few feet away. There’s nothing wrong with that, but sometimes the best way to experience the Natural State is to leave a few of those comforts behind.
Many people don’t realize just how much public land is available across Arkansas. From the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests to Wildlife Management Areas and designated wilderness areas, thousands of acres are open to campers looking for a little more peace and quiet. Some sites are tucked down gravel forest roads where the nearest neighbor may be out of sight, while others require hiking several miles before you ever pitch a tent.
Primitive camping isn’t about luxury. Most of these campsites don’t have electricity, showers, or even running water. Some provide little more than a flat place to pitch a tent and a fire ring, while dispersed campsites may have no developed amenities at all. Instead, what they offer is something that’s becoming harder to find: quiet mornings, dark night skies filled with stars, and the chance to truly unplug for a while.
Whether you’re looking for a drive-in campsite beside a mountain stream or a backcountry adventure deep in the woods, these secluded camping areas offer a different way to experience Arkansas. If your idea of a perfect weekend includes fewer crowds and more birdsong, this list is a great place to start.
Ozarks & Buffalo River
Richland Creek Wilderness
Location: Newton County
Camping: Drive-in primitive campground and hike-in backcountry
Richland Creek is one of the most scenic wilderness areas in Arkansas, known for its crystal-clear streams, waterfalls, and rugged beauty. Whether you camp in the small primitive campground or hike deeper into the wilderness, it’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for peace, great hiking and some of the state’s prettiest scenery.
Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area
Location: Hagarville, Johnson County
Camping: Drive-in primitive campground
This quiet campground sits beside a picturesque waterfall and mountain stream, making it easy to unwind without venturing far from your vehicle. It’s especially appealing for campers who enjoy relaxing around camp, exploring nearby trails, or cooling off in the creek on a warm afternoon.
Long Pool Recreation Area
Location: Dover, Pope County
Camping: Drive-in campground with nearby dispersed camping
Fee: $15/$20 per night
Long Pool is a favorite for campers who enjoy fishing, swimming and spending time on the water. If you’re looking for even more solitude, nearby forest roads provide access to dispersed camping in the Ozark National Forest.
Photo by cambiodia via Flickr. CC-BY-NC-2.0.
Gunner Pool Recreation Area
Location: Fifty-Six, Stone County
Camping: Drive-in primitive campground
Fee: $15 per night
Nestled beside North Sylamore Creek, Gunner Pool offers a peaceful setting with clear water, towering bluffs and plenty of shade. It’s a great destination for anyone who enjoys hiking, creek exploration and quiet evenings around the campfire.
Barkshed Recreation Area
Location: Fifty-Six, Stone County
Camping: Drive-in primitive campground
Fee: $5/day
Often overshadowed by nearby Gunner Pool, Barkshed offers the same beautiful creek setting with fewer visitors. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy a slower pace while exploring the nearby Sylamore Trail and surrounding forest.
Kingston, AR – November 6: Camping at Hawksbill Crag/Whitaker Point in Kingston, AR on November 6, 2022. (Photo by Will Newton/ADPHT)
Photo by Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
Kyles Landing
Location: Buffalo National River, Newton County
Camping: Drive-in primitive campground with nearby hike-in opportunities – Seasonal reservations required
Fee: $20/night
Kyles Landing is a favorite starting point for some of Arkansas’s most iconic hikes along the Buffalo National River, including Big Bluff and Hemmed-In Hollow. The scenic setting and river access make it well worth the drive down the steep gravel road.
Buffalo National River Gravel Bars
Location: Throughout Buffalo National River
Camping: Hike-in or float-in
Camping on a Buffalo River gravel bar is one of Arkansas’s most memorable outdoor experiences. Falling asleep beside the river and waking up surrounded by towering bluffs and birdsong is hard to beat, especially after a day of hiking or paddling.
Photo by Jonathan Ball via Flickr. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Ozark Highlands Trail
Location: Northwest and north-central Arkansas
Camping: Hike-in only
Stretching more than 290 miles across the Ozarks, this trail offers countless opportunities for overnight backpacking. Along the way, you’ll pass scenic overlooks, waterfalls, remote forests, and campsites where the sounds of nature replace the noise of everyday life.
Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area
Location: Newton and Searcy Counties
Camping: Drive-in primitive campsites
Gene Rush WMA offers quiet primitive campsites surrounded by rolling hills and forest near the Buffalo River. It’s a great choice for campers who enjoy wildlife watching, scenic drives, and having plenty of space between campsites.
McIlroy Madison County Wildlife Management Area
Location: Carroll and Madison Counties
Camping: Drive-in primitive campsites
With more than twenty primitive campsites spread across a large section of the Ozarks, it’s usually easy to find a peaceful place to set up camp. The surrounding mountains, forest roads and wildlife make it especially appealing for anyone wanting to get away from busy campgrounds.
Photo by risingthermals via Flickr. CC-BY-NC-2.0.
Ouachita Mountains & Southwest Arkansas
Caney Creek Wilderness
Location: Mena, Polk County
Camping: Hike-in only
Arkansas’s first designated wilderness area is known for clear mountain streams, waterfalls and rugged backcountry trails. It’s an excellent destination for experienced backpackers looking for a true wilderness experience with very few modern distractions.
Eagle Rock Loop
Location: Montgomery and Polk Counties
Camping: Hike-in only
Eagle Rock Loop is the longest loop trail in Arkansas. The challenging trail winds through mountain valleys, stream crossings, waterfalls and scenic ridges. It’s a rewarding trip for hikers who don’t mind earning their campsite.
Jack Creek Recreation Area
Location: Booneville, Montgomery County
Camping: Drive-in primitive campground
This small campground sits in a quiet corner of the Ouachita National Forest with easy access to the Ouachita Trail. It’s an excellent choice if you enjoy mountain scenery without the crowds.
Crystal Recreation Area
Location: Norman, Montgomery County
Camping: Drive-in campground
Located near the headwaters of the Caddo River, Crystal Recreation Area offers a peaceful setting with easy access to hiking, fishing and swimming.
Charlton Recreation Area
Location: Garland County
Camping: Drive-in campground – Reservations required
Fee: $15/$25 per night
Charlton sits in a wooded area beside Walnut Creek. The nearby creek and surrounding forest make it a favorite for families looking for a quieter place to spend a weekend outdoors.
Howard County Wildlife Management Area
Location: Dierks, Howard County
Camping: Drive-in primitive campsite
Bordering both Gillham Lake and the Cossatot River, this WMA offers a quiet camping experience surrounded by pine forests. It’s especially appealing for anglers, paddlers and campers looking to explore southwest Arkansas.
Poison Springs State Forest
Location: Ouachita and Nevada Counties
Camping: Drive-in primitive campsites – Free reservations required
With more than 90 free primitive campsites scattered throughout the forest, Poison Springs offers plenty of opportunities to find your own quiet corner of the woods. It’s also a popular spot for ATV/UTV use and equestrian trails.
Gum Flats Wildlife Management Area
Location: Little River County
Camping: Drive-in primitive campsites
Fee: Leased Land Permit Required
Quiet pine forests and lightly traveled roads make Gum Flats a great destination for campers seeking solitude in southwest Arkansas. It’s a place where you can slow down, enjoy the sounds of nature, and leave busy campgrounds behind.
Central Arkansas & Arkansas River Valley
Flatside Wilderness
Location: Perry and Saline Counties
Camping: Hike-in dispersed camping
Only about an hour from Little Rock, Flatside Wilderness feels surprisingly remote once you leave the trailhead behind. Scenic overlooks, rocky ridges and miles of forest trails make it a favorite for backpackers looking for a quick escape into nature.
Lake Sylvia Recreation Area
Location: Perry County
Camping: Drive-in campground with nearby backpacking – Reservations required
Fee: $16/$26 per night
Lake Sylvia combines the convenience of a developed campground with easy access to the Ouachita Trail for those wanting to hike farther into the forest. It’s a nice option for campers with mixed experience levels or groups that enjoy both hiking and relaxing around camp.
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area
Location: White County
Camping: Drive-in primitive camping
Outside of waterfowl season, Hurricane Lake becomes a peaceful destination where flooded timber, wetlands and abundant wildlife create a completely different camping experience than the mountains. It’s an excellent place for fishing, birdwatching, photography and quiet evenings outdoors.
Delta & Eastern Arkansas
Sheffield Nelson Dagmar Wildlife Management Area
Location: Monroe County
Camping: Drive-in primitive campsites
With towering hardwoods, wetlands and abundant birdlife, Dagmar showcases a side of Arkansas many people overlook. If you’ve only camped in the Ozarks, this peaceful Delta landscape offers a completely different outdoor experience.
St. Francis National Forest
Location: Lee County
Camping: Drive-in dispersed camping
Arkansas’s only national forest in the Delta is known for its quiet forest roads, cypress-lined wetlands and abundant wildlife. It’s a wonderful destination for campers who enjoy solitude and exploring a lesser-known part of the Natural State. Camping areas are located around Bear Creek and Storm Creek lakes.
Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita Wildlife Management Area
Location: Ashley and Union Counties
Camping: Drive-in primitive campsites
This remote WMA follows the Ouachita River through south Arkansas, making it an excellent choice for paddlers, anglers and anyone who enjoys camping away from the crowds. The peaceful river setting offers plenty of opportunities to unplug and enjoy the outdoors.
Northeast Arkansas
Harold E. Alexander Spring River Wildlife Management Area
Location: Sharp County
Camping: Drive-in primitive campsites
Several primitive camping areas are scattered throughout this WMA, offering easy access to the Spring River without the crowds often found around developed campgrounds. It’s a great home base for fishing, floating or simply enjoying a peaceful weekend outdoors.
Lake Frierson State Park
Location: Greene County
Camping: Drive-in primitive campsites – Reservations required
Fees: $16/$26 per night
Lake Frierson’s primitive campsites provide a quiet retreat on Crowley’s Ridge, one of Arkansas’s most unique natural regions. The peaceful lake setting makes it a great choice for campers who enjoy birdwatching, kayaking and relaxing by the water.
If you’re looking to truly get away from it all, Arkansas has no shortage of places where the only sounds you’ll hear are the breeze through the trees, a nearby creek, or maybe an owl after dark. Some of these campgrounds are reached by rough gravel roads, while others require you to shoulder a backpack and hike a few miles before pitching your tent. Either way, they’re perfect for campers who value solitude over amenities.
Check out these camping articles we think you’ll enjoy:
- 7 Best Remote Tent Camping Spots in Arkansas
- Arkansas Campgrounds with Amenities
- 12 Campgrounds in Central and Northeast Arkansas
- 5 Single-Night Arkansas Backpacking Trips to Ring in the New Year
Cover photo by Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
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