By:
Submission
Located south of Mena. The northern route to the park is via Ark. 246 between Vandervoort and Athens. The southern route is via U.S. 278 between Wickes and Umpire.
Awesome Tent site layouts, level and gravel for water run off. You will be 25 yards from the river. Sites have fire pit, grill and trash hanging poll to keep the critters from getting into it. They have 6 camp sites first come first get and it is primitive camping with vault toilet. (FYI) No generators allowed after 10PM to 8AM. Rangers do several drive through checks daily and are super nice and will answer any of your questions. The views are epic and the water is awesome. Be careful in the falls area as it can be dangerous. Bring extra toilet paper as it runs out quick in the bathroom. I recommend hitting the falls area first thing in the morning as the day use people roll in and fill up the parking lot and are everywhere by 12 to 1PM. Then head back to the camp ground and float the river right in front of your site. (if you are squeamish about you bathrooms...... bring your own portable one! The smell was intense and a ton of bugs in the bathroom fyi)
Best camping experience ive ever had! Loved everything about the place! HIGHLY recommend taking your family there! It's first come first serve. And you pay at the pay station!
I have been coming to this area since I was a child, now 40. I now live in the Galveston area and travel here AT LEAST once a year. It's beautiful, well kept, peaceful, and I always find something to do! This is a true camping experience with river access. There is a bathroom but it's not what you think. I would steer clear during a hot day. Park rangers are always friendly and helpful.
