Bear Creek Horse Camp provides primitive equestrian camping opportunities near Conway, Arkansas with basic amenities for horse enthusiasts. The dispersed campground accommodates both tents and RVs while welcoming equestrians with their mounts. Toilet facilities are available, but the camp lacks electrical hookups, water connections, and shower facilities. Camp Robinson Dispersed Site offers another option for free primitive camping near Conway, though it doesn't feature specific horse facilities. The camp is accessible via well-maintained roads with good cell reception reported for AT&T and Spectrum networks. Visitors note the peaceful setting with abundant wildlife, particularly birds and frogs in the evening hours.
Moccasin Gap Horse Trail NF Campground features established camping facilities with direct access to horse trails in the Ozark National Forest. Located about an hour from Conway, the campground provides drinking water, toilets, and trash disposal services. The trail system connects riders to scenic forest routes suitable for day rides of varying lengths and difficulty levels. Mount Nebo State Park Campground, while primarily known for other recreation, offers thirty-amp hookups and dump station facilities that can accommodate visitors with horses. The surrounding parks feature varying terrain from lake shores to forested mountains, providing diverse riding experiences for equestrians seeking trails beyond dedicated horse camps.
"The best features of this State Park are: 1) it is close to Conway and an easy drive from Little Rock; 2) there is a separate loop for tent camping and it's closer to the water than the hookups loop;"
"I tent camped at Site #3, right beside the lake. Put my hammock up and watched the sun set and the fireflies start dancing. A few ducks played on the edge of the water and walked on shore for a bit."
"Great spot to pitch a tent by lake Conway. Isolated but not too far out."
"The lake has been partially drained to allow work to be done on stumps. The road back to it is well maintained and we had good cell reception with AT&T and Spectrum. The sunset was beautiful."
"Camp Conway is quiet with excellent bird-watching. Must have seen 12 bird varieties thriving in the park. Convenient to Conway and even Little Rock."
"Reservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by."
"A great Arkansas destination for outdoorsy people.The steep road climbing to the top of Mount Nebo keeps the big RVs away. Stop your car at the lookout point before you reach the top."
"went here on a fishing trip, and i pulled out so many rainbow trouts from this lake!"
$20 / night
"There are some trails nearby, but the area and trails are really designed for ATVs."
"short drives from the campgrounds to beautiful scenery with a little bit of research, or ask greg. alot are even accessible by car. take the 30 min drive to hillbillys lims bbq as well."
$80 - $100 / night
"VOTED BEST HIPCAMP IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS! "
ScoutCamp Conway is quiet with excellent bird-watching. Must have seen 12 bird varieties thriving in the park. Convenient to Conway and even Little Rock. Camp ground is friendly to monthly guests as well as nightly.
ScoutGreat spot to pitch a tent by lake Conway. Isolated but not too far out.
TravelerVOTED BEST HIPCAMP IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS!
My mom and dad, Debra and Mike Erwin, have been enjoying welcoming campers to our little slice of heaven in Magnet Cove, Arkansas for a couple of years now. We have had many happy campers and are extremely proud to win this award! We hope to increase awareness about our listing and beautiful camping location. We boast the highest point in Southern Arkansas- Our“High Point”. You can camp on the tower or around it and enjoy one of the best views in the state of Arkansas. Debra and Mike Erwin truly care about their guests and make sure that they are taken care of with true Southern hospitality and safety in mind.
As of late, there is considerable wildlife to view and great fishing in our pond.
Occasionally, we even have a Golden Eagle that will make an appearance! HipCamp is like the camping version of Air BnB. Pitch your tent in our Erwin Estates High Point and have access to the lookout tower with a swing.
Just 15 minutes from beautiful Hot Springs, Arkansas!
180+ degree view overlooking Benton to Malvern to Greater Hot Springs.
Cattle roam the pastures.
Our natural spring pond is a place to fish where it's an almost guaranteed catch as we have stocked it well!
Great for nature, vista, and sunset photography.
Nearby river and lake fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking 3-15 miles away. Private vendors available.
Wildlife sitings: Eagle, White-tail Deer, Wild Hogs, Birds, Squirrel, and more. Onsite catch and release pond bass fishing(bring your own gear).
Bait, gas and convenience store within 3 miles.
Walmart and restaurants 10 miles.
Kiting is excellent atop High Point with great winds year round.
Star gazing at night with a very romantic sunset.
Novaculite and Quartz geology, mineral exploration.
Take home a piece of this mineral rich area of the world! Free rocks to all!
Drone flying is superb!
Great cell phone reception.
Major hospital within 13 miles in nearby Hot Springs.
Bath Houses and downtown historical Hot Springs. Music Festivals.
Oaklawn Racing and Gaming(horse races and casino) all within 15 min drive.
GREAT FOR PROPOSALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS!
To view and book through our official HIPCAMP listing, visit: https://bit.ly/2i1AQ6k
NOW AVAILABLE ON AIRBNB!!! BOOK NOW WITH AIRBNB: http://bit.ly/2LXf8NT
Thank you!~ Susan Erwin Prowse and The Erwin Family
TravelerReservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by. We opted for the hike in site and it was perfect for us. Off-road and hiking were great! Views are breathtaking!!
LegendCoordinates: 34.78571,-93.15988. Visited in early May 2025. Located along Forest Road 772, about 1 mile north of Forest Road 11 in the Ouachita National Forest. Some minor erosion on FR772 where small creeks cross the road. FR11 is in good condition at the time of this visit. The camp is on the western edge of the Deckard Mountain Walk-in Turkey Hunting Area. The camp serves as a small primitive camping area for equestrian riders on the network of interconnecting loop trails that comprise the Bear Creek Equestrain Trail system. These trails are also open to hikers. The trailhead is located at the rear of the camp. Free. Four sites (2 official national forest sites with metal fire rings plus 2 dispersed sites with rock fire rings), available on a first-come/first-based only. Hitching posts are available in the camp. A small creek runs along side the camp. The grounds of the camp do not appear to be maintained, but the sites were clean. There is a very clean vault toilet located at the rear of the camp; it was well supplied. Tent and hammock camping are possible. Sites are mnostly shaded making solar rechargiong and Starlink access a challenge. I received no T-Mobile cell service. The camp itself is not aesthetically pleasing, but it is located deep in a beautiful forest with easy access to a trail system. Note that, when I last checked, the Ouachita National Forest Web site no longer lists this site as a campground.
RangerThe best features of this State Park are: 1) it is close to Conway and an easy drive from Little Rock; 2) there is a separate loop for tent camping and it's closer to the water than the hookups loop; and 3) it has a nice swim beach open in season. I believe the State Park puts on some interesting programs, too, so watch their calendar. The hiking loops around the lake and grounds are just fine but cannot offer the majestic scenery of some of the more mountainous regions of the state. If you camp in the RV loop you will likely meet some nice folks and enjoy nature among other RVers. The park is well taken care of, but again, it's not winning awards for the most striking setting our state has to offer. Nonetheless, Woolly Hollow makes a good getaway for families that want to spend time outdoors, ride their bikes around or take a swim, look up at the stars, and not venture too far from home.
LegendWe stayed here for some backwoods hiking in the Ozarks and it was about 40 minutes from the various hikes we had planned. There are some trails nearby, but the area and trails are really designed for ATVs.
It doesn’t offer a lot in terms of comfort—there are full hookups but no real fire rings, no trees or shade and it’s HOT in early June. It’s an all gravel path so not great for any elderly walkers or those in need of ADA. The showers are ROUGH, but they exist. They have hot water, but there’s a literal nail to operate the handles. Toilets are okay. No laundry. It has stables for horses and seems to really be built for ATVers.
No ATT or Verizon service there or in the general area, had to download a map that was essentially a PDF to get around.
Nicest people in the world own it and work there. They have a shop and cafe on site that is open only on the weekends. The cafe is okay. It does have WiFi, but that does not extend to the camp/ RV sites. The real draw is the folks who work there, can’t state enough how wonderful and helpful they are.
Dry county with very few places to buy any food or groceries outside of an hour drive.
Very beautiful sites close by: falling water falls, big creek cave falls, glory hole falls, pedestal rocks and kings bluff trails, alum natural bridge—and so much more.
RangerA great Arkansas destination for outdoorsy people.The steep road climbing to the top of Mount Nebo keeps the big RVs away. Stop your car at the lookout point before you reach the top. When you arrive, walk into the Visitor's Center and right through the other door on the back to take in the view and step right onto a nice hiking trail. The campground has an open feel, so you might see cars going by on the main road, or strike up a conversation with your camping neighbors. It is nonetheless a nice place, particularly the sites that overlook the bluff. If you have kids, there are two sites that back up directly to a playground. For tent campers, the real draw is the hike-in campsites, which are easy to hike to on a flat, wide trail that circles the top of the mountain (similar in width to a fire road), or the various other well maintained hiking paths that parallel or criss-cross it. Wake up and check out the view at Sunrise Point, enjoy a day of hiking and other activities, then top it off with the view at Sunset Point.
TravelerI tent camped at Site #3, right beside the lake. Put my hammock up and watched the sun set and the fireflies start dancing. A few ducks played on the edge of the water and walked on shore for a bit. There is a marked Artesian Spring right at the turn to this loop before Site #1.
This park has so much going for it. It is clean, small, handicap accessible....great hiking with short and long options, a pour-off waterfall during the wet season when the lake is high, biking options. You can rent paddle boats and kayaks for the small but beautiful lake that is known for fishing. The visitor's center has nice restrooms, local author's books and art, and is well-stocked in emergency supplies, treats, a water fountain, and friendly staff. I live close by and opt for this park when I need to get away from the hustle and bustle for a while. This park is small enough to avoid the typical state park crowds and still enjoy all the outdoor sights, sounds and activites you are looking for.
Located northwest of Little Rock, Conway, Arkansas provides a central hub for accessing equestrian camping options in the Ozark foothills and surrounding areas. The region experiences mild winters and hot, humid summers, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable camping conditions. The terrain varies from lakeside flats to mountain ridges with elevation changes that provide different riding experiences.
Trail riding near Conway: Bear Creek Horse Camp offers access to interconnected loop trails that comprise the Bear Creek Equestrian Trail system. As one visitor noted, "The trailhead is located at the rear of the camp. Free. Four sites (2 official national forest sites with metal fire rings plus 2 dispersed sites with rock fire rings), available on a first-come/first-based only."
Fishing opportunities: When not on horseback, campers can enjoy fishing at several nearby locations. At Woolly Hollow State Park, one camper described their experience: "I tent camped at Site #3, right beside the lake. Put my hammock up and watched the sun set and the fireflies start dancing. A few ducks played on the edge of the water and walked on shore for a bit."
Bird watching: The natural areas surrounding Conway's camps provide excellent bird watching opportunities. At Camp Conway RV Park, a visitor reported: "Camp Conway is quiet with excellent bird-watching. Must have seen 12 bird varieties thriving in the park."
Peaceful environments: Campers consistently mention the quiet settings available near Conway. One review of Camp Robinson Dispersed Site stated: "The sunset was beautiful. Peaceful and quiet. The birds and frogs sang all evening."
Accessible trails: Horse riders appreciate the well-maintained paths available from dedicated equestrian sites. A visitor to Moccasin Gap Horse Trail NF Campground described it as providing "access to Ozark Highlands Trail," making it functional for its purpose despite some road noise.
Proximity to water: Many campsites offer lake or pond access for fishing or relaxation. At Woolly Hollow State Park, a reviewer commented: "The park offers hiking, swimming and rentals paddle boats," while another noted that "There are 30 campsites with power, water, and sewer hookups."
Site limitations: Bear Creek Horse Camp has minimal facilities. A camper observed: "The grounds of the camp do not appear to be maintained, but the sites were clean. There is a very clean vault toilet located at the rear of the camp; it was well supplied."
Road conditions: Some horse camps require traveling on forest roads with variable conditions. A visitor to Bear Creek reported: "Some minor erosion on FR772 where small creeks cross the road. FR11 is in good condition at the time of this visit."
Connectivity issues: Cell service varies significantly between locations. At Bear Creek, "Sites are mostly shaded making solar recharging and Starlink access a challenge. I received no T-Mobile cell service." Meanwhile, at Camp Robinson, a camper noted: "We had good cell reception with AT&T and Spectrum."
First-time camping: Woolly Hollow State Park offers an approachable introduction to camping with horses. A reviewer shared: "Great for first time campers! Lots of activities. Beautiful well maintained sites. Great for families."
Educational opportunities: Some parks provide learning experiences for children. One family at Woolly Hollow described: "The state park ranger had a weekend full of planned events from a box turtle demo to a sand castle competition. the best part was the guided hike with Master Naturalist group of AR. They put our daughter right up front and identified every plant and tree we passed."
Swimming options: During summer months, water activities provide relief from the heat. A camper at Mount Nebo State Park mentioned: "State park with swimming pool in summer. Playground and swings for young ones. Several hammock friendly sites."
Size restrictions: Mountain campgrounds often have road limitations. At Mount Nebo, a visitor warned: "At the base of the climb, signs posted numerous times, 'Crooked and Steep, no trailers over 24 ft'. I have driven up a lot of steep and twisty mountain roads, and these warnings are to be heeded. Grades are up to 18%."
Hookup availability: RV sites with full connections are limited near horse camps. One camper at Macks Pines noted: "There are full hookups but no real fire rings, no trees or shade and it's HOT in early June. It's an all gravel path so not great for any elderly walkers or those in need of ADA."
Supply planning: Remote locations require advance preparation. A visitor to Macks Pines advised: "Dry county with very few places to buy any food or groceries outside of an hour drive." Plan accordingly for both human and equine supplies when setting up at more isolated horse camps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Conway, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Conway, AR is Woolly Hollow State Park — Wooly Hollow State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Conway, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Conway, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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