It's not legal to camp just anywhere in Arkansas although dispersed camping also called primitive camping and boondocking is allowed in Arkansas on public lands such as National Forests, there are still some guidelines and restrictions that you must follow.
Some lands are privately own and so you cannot camp in those areas and on the private land and you must ensure that the land you're camping on is a public land.
Both the Ouachita National Forest and Ozark St, Francis National Forests allow for dispersed camping in Arkansas but you have to be a certain distance from established campgrounds and water sources.
In Wildlife Management Areas, camping is permitted in Arkansas in designated dispersed camping spots and you'll have to check the specific rules for each WMA, which includes 14 day camping limits.
Dispersed camping is also often allowed on BLM lands also known as Bureau of Land Management Lands, but it's also important that you check for any specific restrictions.
The cost to camp in Arkansas state parks ranges from $12.00 to $42.00 per night depending on the campsite and state park and any hookups such as electrical, water, sewer etc.
More primitive campsites at the state parks in Arkansas will cost less and campsites with hookups including electrical and water and sewer will cost more.
Group camping areas in Arkansas state parks can cost as much as $75.00 to $85.00 per night.
My favorite campground in Arkansas is Petit Jean State Park which is very beautiful and has 125 campsites with various different amenities, which include electrical and water hookups and some campsites at Petit Jean State Park even have 50 amp electrical hookups with sewer.
Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas has a main camping area, a rally style area and a group camp area.
The rally style camping area has 44 units with 20 amp electrical service which is suitable for camping clubs.
The group camping area is reservable near Lake Roosevelt and includes a heated bathhouse.
The fly in campground has 5 tent sites with water and electric along with grills and picnic tables.
Petit Jean State Park also has 33 cabins for rent and some include kitchens and you can also rent Yurts from March through November which offer a unique camping experience.
The Petit Jean State Park also has a sanitary dump station, drinking water, flush toilets and trash collection as well as hot showers.
All the campsites at Petit Jean State Park are also reservable and it's recommended that you book a campsite in advance, especially for holidays and weekends.
Petit Jean State Park is a beautiful state park in Arkansas.
Petit Jean State Park is Arkansas' first state park that is also known for it's natural beauty and historic sites and the CCC built facilities.
The Petit Jean State Park offers a variety of different scenic views, which include Cedar Falls and Petit Jean's Gravesite, along with picnicking, hiking and even opportunities to explore Lake Bailey.
The name of the only national park in Arkansas is Hot Springs National Park.
Hot Springs national park is known for it's natural hot springs and historic bathhouses.
Hot Springs national park is located adjacent to the city of Hot Springs Arkansas.
The best month for visiting Arkansas is in the spring months of April to May or the Fall months of September through October.
The months of April through May and September through October have pleasant weather and beautiful scenery and less crowds than the peak summer season.
In the months of April through May Arkansas explodes with vibrant colors as flowers and trees bloom.
The weather is also generally mild, with comfortable temperatures and occasional rain and is a great time for hiking, enjoying waterfalls and also exploring the state's natural beauty.
And in September through October, the Fall foliage transforms the landscape into a stunning display of color.
The temperatures often reach the 90s in summer months and while some people may find the heat uncomfortable, it's a good time to enjoy water activities and also explore the state of Arkansas's lakes and rivers.
The prettiest place in Arkansas to visit is Eureka Springs Arkansas as well as Whitaker Point "Hawksbill Crag" in the Ozark National Forest.
Eureka Springs Arkansas is one of the prettiest locations in Arkansas to visit due to it's charming and historic downtown and scenic mountain backdrop.
Other prettiest places in Arkansas to visit are the Ozark National Forest, Mount Magazine State Park and Petit Jean State Park.
The #1 tourist attraction in Arkansas is Garvan Woodland Gardens.
Garvan Woodland Gardens is a 210 acre botanical garden that is located in Hot Springs Arkansas and is also associated with the University of Arkansas.
The Garvan Woodland Gardens features diverse gardens as well as scenic overlooks and even the Evans Children's Adventure Garden.
The diverse gardens in Garvan Woodland Gardens showcase native and also ornamental plants, including camellias, magnolias and over 160 types of azaleas.
It also includes a Japanese garden, a treehouse and scenic overlooks.
And being the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas adds to it's appeal and prestige.
Arkansas is also known as the natural state and is also famous for it's diverse landscapes, which also includes it's hot springs, lakes and mountains, which make Arkansas a popular destination for for outdoor recreation.
Arkansas is also known for it's rich history and most particularly the Civil Rights Movement at Little Rock Central High School.
Also Arkansas is a major agricultural producer, notably in rice and poultry and is also home to the only public diamond mine in the United States.