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Arkansas is known as The Natural State, and first-time visitors will quickly understand why when they experience the beauty, geological diversity, and active outdoor lifestyle here. Enjoy hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, and fishing in the forests, lush valleys, creeks, and lakes found throughout the state. Camping is a popular activity, and Arkansas has an excellent state park system for RVers and backcountry tent campers alike.
Starting with its user-friendly website, you can search for Arkansas state parks by type: adventure, historic, forest, lake, river, and others. Campgrounds are developed and maintained, with partial or full hookups, restrooms with showers, and dump stations. Campers can enjoy the natural setting and amenities available in the parks, from lodges, visitor centers, and engaging ranger programs to sport courts and boat rentals. Most parks include a variety of accommodations, including cabins and rental RVs, making them ideal for family gatherings. A few parks still have original Civilian Conservation Corps buildings from the 1930s, which add to the historic feel and are reminiscent of national parks.
Reservations
To make a reservation, visit arkansasstateparks.com/reservations or call the park directly. Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance. A minimum of two nights is required on regular weekends, three nights over holiday weekends.
Campsite sizes
Sizes vary by campground. The reservation system does not allow searches by RV size, but each campsite description includes a maximum length. As RV details are not required to make a reservation, be sure to read the description and book a site that will fit your RV. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the park directly.
Accessibility
ADA-accessible sites are displayed in the reservations system search results. These sites may be booked by someone who doesn’t meet the ADA’s definition of disabled if there are no other sites available. However, if a comparable non-ADA site is available upon arrival, the property manager reserves the right to transfer the reservation to the non-ADA site.
Hookups
Partial and full hookups are available at all RV sites and vary per campground. Arkansas state park campsites are categorized as follows:
Class AAA: Full hookups with 50 amp electric
Class AA: Full hookups with 30 amp electric
Class A: Partial hookups, water, and 50 amp electric
Class B: Partial hookups, water, and 30 amp electric
Class C: Either water or 30 amp electric
The park information page and the reservations system display the options available at each campground.
Connectivity
Some Arkansas state parks offer free WiFi. This information is included in the park information page. Details may be noted in the reservations system if the WiFi reception is good or spotty for each campsite.
Maximum stay
The maximum stay is 14 days in a 30-day period.
Additional facilities
Most Class A to AAA campsites have a picnic table, lantern hanger, and grill. Many include a separate tent pad. Some Class B and C sites have these features, too. Flush toilets, hot showers, and dump stations are located in most campground areas.
Arkansas state parks offer an array of amenities that are often found at private RV resorts. Many have standard services like visitor centers, interpretive programs, playgrounds, and stores, and some include lodges with shopping and dining, water parks, and an extensive selection of outdoor activities and rental gear.
Cost
The per-night camping fee ranges from $18 for a Class C site (water or electric) to $36 for a Class AAA site with full hookups.
Additional Fees:
Nonrefundable reservation fee: One night’s basic camping fee.
Pet policies
Pets are allowed as long as they’re kept on a leash and the owner has vaccination records. Of course, campers should always pick up after their pet.
Additional regulations
- Maximum occupancy per site: 8 people and 1 or 2 vehicles.
- Check-in time: Varies by park. Check-out time: 3 p.m.
- Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to sunrise.
- Alcoholic beverages: Permitted.
- Generator use: Permitted except during quiet hours.
- Campfires: Allowed in designated rings or pits, following local advisories.
- Drone use: Permitted only with a Special Use Permit from the Office of the Director.
Featured Campgrounds
Devil’s Den State Park
11333 West Arkansas Highway 74, West Fork, AR 72774
Established as a state park in the 1930s, Devil’s Den is iconic and one of the most intact Civilian Conservation Corps sites in the country. The CCC’s rustic structures, built from local wood and stone, complement the park’s natural beauty. Situated in a lush, wooded valley, Devil’s Den gets its name from a series of caverns and caves that were rumored to be used as hideouts by outlaws. Multiple trails of varying skill levels explore the highlights of the park, from unusual rock formations to fossils, streams, springs, and waterfalls. Scenic Devil’s Lake provides opportunities for boating and fishing. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails lead into the surrounding Ozark National Forest. The well-developed campground has more than 130 sites, most of them with full hookups that can accommodate big rigs. Note that cell service is spotty to nonexistent, but there is free WiFi at the visitor center.
Mount Magazine State Park
16878 AR-309, Paris, AR 72855
This resort-like state park is built around Mount Magazine, the highest point in Arkansas at 2,753 feet. There are outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy, from scenic drives, hiking, and horseback riding to technical rock climbing and hang gliding. The Lodge at Mount Magazine features a heated indoor swimming pool, restaurant, and spectacular views. The wooded campground includes concrete padded sites with full hookups that are spacious and private. The campground is small, with less than 20 sites, so a reservation is recommended.
Petit Jean State Park
1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110
The natural beauty and fascinating geology of the Petit Jean Mountain inspired the creation of the first Arkansas state park and the entire state park system. Petit Jean features original Civilian Conservation Corps trails, bridges, cabins, and the historic Mather Lodge. The park grounds offer plenty of amenities, including ranger programs, two swimming pools, basketball and tennis courts, playgrounds, and pedal boating on Lake Bailey. Hiking trails display the geological formations of the park—sheer bluffs, natural bridges, waterfalls, and much more. There are more than 120 campsites with full or partial hookups available near Lake Bailey. The campground is shady, spacious, and well maintained, although sizes vary. Note that the closest store is at least a 30-minute drive away, so stock up before arrival.
Arkansas state park campgrounds that accommodate RV camping
Bull Shoals-White River State Park
Cane Creek State Park
Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Crowley’s Ridge State Park
Daisy State Park
Davidsonville Historic State Park
Degray Lake Resort State Park
Delta Heritage Trail State Park
Devil’s Den State Park
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area
Jacksonport State Park
Lake Catherine State Park
Lake Charles State Park
Lake Chicot State Park
Lake Dardanelle State Park
Lake Fort Smith State Park
Lake Frierson State Park
Lake Ouachita State Park
Lake Poinsett State Park
Logoly State Park
Millwood State Park
Mississippi River State Park
Moro Bay State Park
Mount Magazine State Park
Mount Nebo State Park
Petit Jean State Park
Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Village Creek State Park
White Oak Lake State Park
Withrow Springs State Park
Woolly Hollow State Park
For more information on Arkansas state park campgrounds, visit arkansasstateparks.com.
