Hello All- I am new to this forum and seek advice. Does anyone know of a good free dry camping spot in Arkansas no further North than say Lake Catherine? Or maybe near the Broken Bow Oklahoma area? We'll be driving from Dallas after work so we'll be arriving after dark. So we can't spend a ton of time searching. It's so hard to tell if it's a great spot or not at 11:00 at night! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Where are you headed or you just looking for a place to dry camp for a day or two and return home? And if that is the case, why Ark, are you interested in anywhere else?
Heck, Wal-mart was started in Arkansas.....just about every town larger than 5,000 people has one! (Sorry, just could not resist myself....)
Actually, when I was there 2 summers ago, I found the prices of COE and State Parks very reasonable....$12-$18 "with" electricity. But there are some wilderness spots that I heard about....just did not need to use them when I was there.
wordiks12 wrote: Hello All- I am new to this forum and seek advice. Does anyone know of a good free dry camping spot in Arkansas no further North than say Lake Catherine? Or maybe near the Broken Bow Oklahoma area? We'll be driving from Dallas after work so we'll be arriving after dark. So we can't spend a ton of time searching. It's so hard to tell if it's a great spot or not at 11:00 at night! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I just spent over a week dry-camping at mostly Wal*Marts and Cracker Barrels in Arkansas, while vacationing there. Works out real well, especially in your instance where you will be hunting a place to overnight at "11:00P.M." Many small towns allow parking overnight in their city parks, or near their old town squares or historic railroad depots. I stayed several nights near one in Mena, AR. Find the local police station in a small town, and inquire, is your best bet. State Parks are best arrived at during daylight hours, IME.
* This post was
edited 06/08/09 07:44pm by Skid Row Joe *
I have a sweet tender nature, however I enjoy sharing my thoughts and opinions.
Fulltiming RVer & homeowner.
No reason in particular on Arkansas, other than I know of no public lands in Texas that are desirable to camp on and Arkansas is quite pretty.. If you have other suggestions within a few hours of the DFW area, I'm all ears!! I just don't want to spend to much time driving. And I want to avoid campgrounds because the weekend we are contemplating this little adventure will be a holiday weekend. I'm just not up for hords of family reunions, booming stereos, campsites full of RV's lit up like Christmas trees all night long and inconsiderate neighbors. Price isn't an issue. I just seek solitude in the woods.. Picky, I know.. :-)
Walmarts are not really an option since we camp in tents.. :-) Something tells me the solitude would be an issue as well.
I have boondocked in Arkansas before but I really think I lucked totally out. I don't think I'd ever find that spot again in a million years and if I did, it would probably be taken. It was prime. I also found a nice spot near Broken Bow on Oklahoma once, but again, I just bet it would be taken on a busy weekend and we won't likely arrive before dark.
I will try the Arkansas.com small parks. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!
wordiks12 wrote: No reason in particular on Arkansas, other than I know of no public lands in Texas that are desirable to camp on and Arkansas is quite pretty.. If you have other suggestions within a few hours of the DFW area, I'm all ears!! I just don't want to spend to much time driving. And I want to avoid campgrounds because the weekend we are contemplating this little adventure will be a holiday weekend. I'm just not up for hords of family reunions, booming stereos, campsites full of RV's lit up like Christmas trees all night long and inconsiderate neighbors. Price isn't an issue. I just seek solitude in the woods.. Picky, I know.. :-)
Walmarts are not really an option since we camp in tents.. :-) Something tells me the solitude would be an issue as well.
I have boondocked in Arkansas before but I really think I lucked totally out. I don't think I'd ever find that spot again in a million years and if I did, it would probably be taken. It was prime. I also found a nice spot near Broken Bow on Oklahoma once, but again, I just bet it would be taken on a busy weekend and we won't likely arrive before dark.
I will try the Arkansas.com small parks. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Well......there's always a Motel 6 on your way........
* This post was
edited 06/08/09 10:52pm by Skid Row Joe *
Shoe777 sent 2 good links. However, since you are planning this on a holiday weekend, anywhere will be hard to find a space to pitch a tent or park a RV.
Take a quick clance at Mena Ark . Google it on the web. There are many places to dry dock and not be bothered. Just stay away from the so called "rafters" places, as they will be drunk and full.
A couple of the COE parks on Toledo Bend on the La side are good places to dry dock also and not very busy. Look at Caddo Lake , plenty of places to dry dock and quiet , beautiful and lonely. Many of the private lakes in E Tx , Cypress Creek etc Monticello have small out of the way private parks that dont charge but 15 bucks, (shhhh) camp right on the water, fish, have a good time, with no idiots or out of control folks from your neck of the woods.
However, if you feel lonely, try Tawakoni !!!!!!!!!! LOL
Offline
