Trail, gravel bar or state park – some of our most memorable moments happen in camp.There’s something about a crackling fire, a sky full of stars and the laughter of friends that’s just not the same anywhere else. To help you find it we’ve put together a very small sampling of the thousands of places you can find a unique camping adventure.
NOTE: Some of the information is less specific than you’ve come to expect from The Guide. This isn’t because we’re lazy or in a hurry to get going on our next adventure, and it’s not because we want to keep you in the dark. It’s because our public lands are being overwhelmed, too often by folks who don’t understand the dos and don’ts of ethical outdoor recreation. We’re not talking about you. If you’re spending time with us you care about doing things the right way, but one of our guiding principles is to provide enough information to motivate and inspire and let our fellow adventurers take it from there. So – read, click, plan and dream, and we’ll…………..
See you out there!
Deuce
ARKANSAS STATE PARKS Our state parks system is one of The Natural State’s best assets. Our parks are the envy of border states, and we can tell you from personal experience they are amazing.
NATIONAL FOREST RECREATION AREAS Uncle Sam has seen fit to bestow a multitude of recreational opportunities on The Natural State via hundreds of thousands of acres of public land. Camping on them is just one of the many ways we can take advantage of our tax dollars and use fees at work. Speaking of use fees – be sure to pay them, fellow adventurers, even if there’s no one around. The Forest Service depends on that revenue to maintain campgrounds, trails, cabins and everything else we love about USFS recreation areas.
Ozark – St Francis National Forest
OUACHITA TRAIL Did you know you can embark on a multi-day hike without having to carry a tent? Thanks to the folks at Friends of the Ouachita Trail (FOOT) there are strategically placed shelters that make just such an adventure possible.
BUFFALO RIVER There’s a good chance you’re already familiar with the campgrounds on the Buffalo, but did you know there are also nearly infinite opportunities for primitive camping away from the herds? All you need is a little creativity, a little extra effort and minimal gear (and possibly a boat). There are hundreds of miles of trails, all of which are open to primitive camping (please practice Leave No Trace ethics), and any gravel bar not within half a mile of an access is fair game. Drop us a line if you’d like to learn more, and be sure to read our eBook Float Camping 101 if you’re interested in camping on a gravel bar. We promise you’ll be glad you did!
LITTLE MAUMELLE RIVER We didn’t forget you, swampers. Thanks to The Nature Conservancy, Arkansas Canoe Club, Arkansas Game and Fish’s Arkansas Water Trails initiative and hundreds of volunteer hours you can choose from floating camp platforms like this one on the Little Maumelle River. Bonus; if you’re a central Arkie this one is in your back yard. You’re welcome!