CampgroundsDB

First-come camping in Arkansas (no reservation needed)

Arkansas has 20 public campgrounds you can camp at without a reservation, 7 free and 10 charging a fee. All are run by the U.S. Forest Service.

20
Total
0
Reservable
20
First-come

noindex Fewer than 3 campgrounds here clear the indexable bar yet, so this page stays noindex.

First-come campgrounds vs. dispersed camping

Every campground below is a named, developed site that takes no reservations: show up, find an open site, pay if there's a fee. Dispersed camping (boondocking) is different: camping on open public land away from any campground. BLM limits dispersed camping to 14 days within any 28-day period (stay limits vary by field office), asks campers to stay at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and says most areas need no permit or reservation (blm.gov, read 2026-09-26).

Most first-come campgrounds by town: 3 near Healina , 3 near Perry , 2 near Hector , and 2 near Pelsor .

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Bard Springs Polk · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Not on record
 Bayou Bluff Campground Hector · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Beech Point Campground Mariana · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Varies
 Blanchard Springs Recreation Area Fifty Six · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $15 per night
 Brock Creek Campground Hector · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Charlton Group Campground Garland · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $15 per night
 Crystal Norman · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Haw Creek Falls Campground Pelsor · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Hickory Nut Mountain Mount Ida · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Jack Creek Booneville · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Lake Sylvia Perry · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Not on record
 Lake Sylvia Perry · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Not on record
 Lone Pine Campground Healina · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Varies, State Park website
 Maple Flat Campground Healina · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Varies, state park website
 Sam's Throne Pelsor · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Shady Lake Umpire · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $15 per night
 Shady Lake Group Campground Polk · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $15 per night
 South Fourche Perry · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $5 per night
 Storm Creek Lake Campground Healina · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Varies
 White Rock Campground Ozark · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
$15.00 per site, overnight

Common questions

Is there free camping in Arkansas?

Yes. 7 public campgrounds here are free and first-come: Bayou Bluff Campground, Brock Creek Campground, Crystal, Haw Creek Falls Campground, and 3 more.

Can you camp on BLM land in Arkansas?

Yes, in most places. BLM limits dispersed camping to 14 days within any 28-day period (stay limits vary by field office), asks campers to stay at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and says most areas need no permit or reservation (blm.gov, read 2026-09-26).

Campgrounds you can book ahead: camping in Arkansas.