Blessed with a temperate climate and beautiful views of the Ozark Mountains, fertile valleys, impressive waterfalls, and some of the friendliest people in the country, Arkansas is an ideal place to go RVing and even better if you happen to be boondocking. This is because the state has a huge number of awesome boondocking spots available.
Here are some of our favorites!
Boondocking Sites in Arkansas
Big Timber Wildlife Management Area
The Big Timber Wildlife Management Area offers several spaces where RVers can pull off the road to spend the night at no cost. All campsites are designated; use of clear areas not designated as campsites is prohibited. These primitive sites aim to provide a place for hunters and anglers to pursue excess game within the national forest borders. The Big Timber Wildlife Management Area is near Murfreesboro, AR, providing ample hunting and fishing opportunities for city residents and visitors.
Mike Freeze Wattensaw Wildlife Management Area Camp 24
The Mike Freeze Wattensaw Wildlife Management Area Camp 24 offers five sites alongside County Road 122 outside the town of Hazen, AR. Though the sites were developed for hunters and anglers, RV travelers through the state often use them to stay overnight. The sites are placed in heavily wooded areas providing comforting canopies for summer travelers. Some of the favorite activities visitors enjoy are wildlife watching, fishing, and hunting.
Hobbs State Park Conservation Area
Hobbs State Park Conservation Area offers five dispersed camping sites with dirt pads. Located near Rogers, AR, this state park is the largest in Arkansas and the only one that allows regulated hunting. Besides the free camping, guests are welcome to use the lake as a swimming hole. All sites are in heavily wooded areas with fire pits and picnic tables.
Upper Weir Road Dispersed Camping
Upper Weir Road Dispersed Camping offers five sites within the Casey Jones Wildlife Management Area near Dermott, AR. The sites have dirt pads that require some leveling for RVs. These sites were built for hunters and anglers visiting the area and accommodate rigs up to 40 feet in length. Some of the campsites are narrow, making deployment of any slide-outs a rig may support unlikely. The various campsites lie among a mix of wildlife habitats, including upland pines, which are high and dry, and bottomland pines that lie near lakes and rivers.
Jack Creek Recreation Area
The Jack Creek Recreation Area offers five boondocking campsites. Located close to Booneville, AR, these campsites lie within the boundaries of the Ouachita National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service regulates the sites. Visitors to this campground comment about the towering rock bluffs and free-flowing rivers that make the environment a natural wonderland.
Brock Creek Campground
Brock Creek Campground offers six boondocking campsites. The campground is located inside the Ozark St. Francis National Forest near Jerusalem, AR. Vault toilets are available for camper use, and picnic tables and fire rings decorate each campsite. The U.S. Forest Service maintains the campground. Any boating on the lake is limited to a “no wake” speed. Each campsite is covered in shade by overlapping trees that supply a year-round canopy. Fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching are the main activities that draw visitors to this campground.
Where to Boondock in Arkansas
- Spanning over a million acres in northern Arkansas, the Ozark National Forest offers numerous free camping areas. Places like Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area and Richland Creek are popular spots, with beautiful forest scenery, waterfalls, and plenty of hiking trails.
- The Ouachita National Forest in western Arkansas is great for secluded, scenic camping. Shady Lake Recreation Area and Little Missouri Falls are beautiful locations, providing access to trails, fishing, and the forest’s signature rolling hills.
- Near the Buffalo River, dispersed camping is allowed in some areas of Buffalo National River Area, especially around Steel Creek and Tyler Bend Recreation Area. This area is known for its scenic bluffs, crystal-clear water, and paddling opportunities, making it a great spot for nature lovers.
- Known for its pristine waters, the Lake Ouachita area offers several spots for dispersed camping. Look for free campsites along forest service roads surrounding the lake, where you’ll enjoy lake views, fishing, and easy access to trails.
- Also located in the Ozark National Forest, White Rock Mountain has dispersed camping with stunning views, especially from White Rock Overlook. It’s a favorite among hikers and provides panoramic views of the Ozark Mountains.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Wildlife Management Areas such as Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA or Bayou Meto WMA, often allow dispersed camping with a free permit. These spots are excellent for wildlife watching, fishing, and waterfowl hunting, depending on the season.
You’ll make memories that last a lifetime when you take a boondocking adventure through Arkansas. Renting an RV to make that trip is easy with RVshare!
