There are many camp sites throughout the forest which are free and can be used for tent or small R.V. Most of these do not have hookups, but some have cooking grills and water is never far away, although it may be in a creek. You should always boil any water not piped in for drinking water. Some of the sites below are in the forest and some are located in RV community parks. You can rough it or have modern facilities, the Ouachitas have it all.
The camping sites continue to grow, and many are now privately owned. So check the Lodging page for more.
Check our Trails page for more on some of these sites. These listings are for modern to semi-modern camping. There are many rustic campsites throughout the Ouachita National Forest, and along rivers and lakes.
Bard Springs Area (near Albert Pike area)
Camp Albert Pike (on Little Missouri River)
Cossatot State Park (near Vandervoort & Wickes)
Caron's Apts. and R.V. Park (outside town of Mena)
Highway 27 Fishing Village
Kamping on the Caddo
Lake Wilhelmina
Little Missouri Falls Area (Ouachita National Forest Service)
Little Missouri Falls (great pictures)
Polk County Fair Grounds (in Mena)
Queen Wilhelmina Campground (Polk County)
Rich Mountain R.V. Park- 479-394-5300 (Polk County)
Shady Lake Recreation Area
Shadow Mountain Campground (5 miles from downtown Mena)