Arkansas Campsites
Going camping in Arkansas? Twenty-eight of Arkansas's 52 state parks feature camping. Park campsites are located in scenic settings showcasing the natural beauty and geological diversity of Arkansas—The Natural State. Campsites range from primitive hike-in tent sites to those with modern conveniences including water, electric and sewer hookups. Campgrounds include modern bathhouses with hot showers and flush toilets.
Arkansas camping facilities at state parks are available by reservation or on a first-come basis. Campsites can be reserved by phoning or visiting the park center during business hours or online at this Web site.
It is necessary to register at the park visitor center before occupying campsite. The registering attendant will assign all campsites. Campers may be assigned a requested site if it is available and has the capability of accommodating the camping rig, equipment and gear. Arkansas camping sites at state parks are limited to occupancy by eight persons, excluding day-use guests, and one camping unit consisting of no more than two structures. A minimum of one adult (18 years of age and above) must register for and occupy the campsite during the entire registration period.
Camping in Arkansas State Parks is limited to one 14-day stay within a 30-day period.
Pets are welcome in Arkansas State Parks campgrounds, but must be kept on a leash, caged or otherwise restrained to protect the pets and avoid disturbing other park visitors. Pet litter must be cleaned up continuously by owner, bagged or wrapped in paper, and deposited in trash cans.
While Arkansas's state parks are open throughout the year, some facilities close on certain days of the week or during certain seasons. Check with the individual parks for details. Unless demand dictates, campground bathhouses are closed December through February.
The Arkansas State Parks camping rules and regulations policy is available online at: www.adptfoi.com.
The following state parks offer Arkansas camping facilities:
Individual Campsites
The majority of Arkansas State Parks campsites feature water and electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and lantern hangers. Some campsites are combination RV/tent sites. Campsite types also include tent sites and primitive hike-in sites. Modern bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers are located in most park campgrounds. Dump stations are available, too. "Overflow" sites are not designated campsites, but rather spaces in open fields, parking lots and similar areas that may be assigned when all developed campsites are occupied.
2009 Campsite Rates
Class AAA (with 50 amp/water/sewer): $27/day
Class AA (with electricity/water/sewer): $24/day
Class A (with 50 amp/water): $21/day
Class B (with electricity/water) or Dardanelle Self Pay: $17/day
Class C (with electricity or water): $13/day
Class D (no hookups) or Tent Site: $10/day
Tent Site: [Cossatot Self Pay & Delta Heritage Trail] $12/day
Tent Site: [Jacksonport or Mount Magazine ] $13/day
Overflow: $9/day
Petit Jean Rally-style or Overflow: $12/day
Petit Jean Fly-in Tent Site (with electricity/water): $19/day
Group Camp (tent only): [See Devil's Den, Logoly, Petit Jean & Withrow Springs]
Horse Camp at Devil’s Den: $13/day
Horse Camp at Village Creek: $15.50/day
Campsite Reservations
Campsites can be reserved by visiting or phoning the park visitor center during business hours or online from this Web site. Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance of the scheduled arrival date.
Single night reservations can be made for any night Sunday through Thursday. Weekend reservations will be taken for a minimum of two or three nights depending on the site. A three or four night minimum will be required when a holiday causes a three-day weekend, such as Memorial Day, July 4th or Labor Day. No refund will be made for early departure on a two or three day reservation or a three or four day holiday weekend reservation.
Payment of a non-refundable reservation fee of one night's full basic camping fee will be required by credit card or debit card at the time campsite reservations is made by phone. A personal check will be accepted only when the reservation is made in person. Guaranteed reservations will be held until 10:00 a.m. on the day following the scheduled arrival date.
Rent-A-Camp: [Bull Shoals-White River or Lake Catherine] $40/day — deposit $40; [Petit Jean] $50/day — deposit $50
Rent-An-RV: Bull Shoals-White River $80/day, Lake Charles or Millwood $70/day; Cane Creek State Park $70/day (A 29-ft. trailer with heat & air-conditioning, private bath with shower, deck with gas grill, refrigerator, microwave, stove, and television. Cooking and eating utensils are included. Linens are not furnished. The RV is permanently set up at a park campsite offering c/w/s hookups.) [Sleeps up to eight persons.]
Rent-A-Yurt [DeGray Lake Resort State Park]: $50/day (a large round, high-walled tent with electricity, wood floors, screened windows, and a door that can be locked. Equipped with cots, a lantern, stove, and ice chest. Linens are not furnished.) Deposit: $50 [Sleeps up to six persons]
Rent-A-Tepee: [Petit Jean] $50/day (incl. equip. & canoe) [Sleeps up to six persons] Deposit: $50
Camping Discounts
- Arkansas citizens age 62 and over will be admitted to campgrounds at a 50 percent discount off the regular campsite fee Sunday through Thursday nights and at a 25 percent discount weekends and holidays. [NOTE: A driver's license or Golden Age Passport can be used as proof of age.]
- Out-of-state citizens age 62 and over will receive a 25 percent discount Sunday through Thursday nights and no discount on weekends or holidays. [NOTE: A driver's license or Golden Age Passport can be used as proof of age.]
- U.S. citizens with 100 percent total and permanent disability will be admitted to campgrounds at one-half the regular campsite fee throughout the year. Current written proof of 100 percent total and permanent disability is required. Document must specify "Permanent and Total Disability" or indicate an individual is "100 percent Disabled." For veterans, this should be a copy of the Awards letter (dated within the last two years) from the Veterans Administration Regional Office or an Arkansas license plate with the letters DV. For non veterans, a qualifying document would be a letter from a personal physician, Railroad Retirement or Civil Service (federal or state government) dated within the last two years stating "100 percent disabled" and/or "permanent and total disability."]
- The discount offered to senior citizens and disabled citizens does not apply to winter rates or Rent-A-Camp options.
- Arkansas State Parks does not accept the federal Golden Eagle Pass, Golden Age Passport or Golden Access Passport for discounts.
Winter Rates
50 percent discount off regular campsite rates during January, February and December [Exception is Lake Chicot State Park during February]. Senior citizen and total and permanent disability discounts do not apply to winter discount rates.
2009 Fees & Rates (PDF 431Kb)
Additional Details
For more information about Arkansas State Parks camping policies, go to: http://www.adptfoi.com/Parks/.
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