One Tank Trip for Arkansas Camping

One thing’s for sure: The people of Arkansas know how to let their hair down and have fun. This is Ozark country, and it’s next to impossible to go anywhere without hearing live bluegrass music, and during the steamy summer months, there’s always some event or festival taking place. The Buffalo River draws campers from all around, and Civil War buffs are drawn to the many historic landmarks and monuments. A recent addition to Arkansas’ list of monuments is the Bill Clinton Birthplace Museum in Hope.
Let’s kick this one tank trip off in Little Rock, Arkansas’ state capitol. There’s a lot to keep you occupied here in town, starting with the Bill Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, and for the military history buffs on the trip, the Douglas MacArthur Military History Museum, located at the Little Rock Arsenal. Little Rock has several areas devoted to showcasing the state’s contributions to history, including the Quapaw Quarter, which features more than 200 historic properties listed in the National Register. Take a romantic walk along the Mississippi River, or wait till the sun goes down and check out the River Market District, where you can enjoy live music ranging from jazz and blues to good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll. By day, you’ve got your pick of secluded spots to park the rig and soak up nature’s handiwork with Arkansas camping.
Take a westbound drive along Highway 30 and after a little more than 20 miles you’ll come to Benton, a quiet, family-friendly town with ample opportunities to pull over and hook up the rig. You’ll want to spend a day or two exploring the town and the many hiking trails that wind through the thick surrounding woods.
From Benton, it’s a beautiful westbound drive through 23 miles of Arkansas territory that brings you to the city of Hot Springs, so named for the…well, you can guess. Visitors from all over the world have been traveling to this area for the better part of two centuries to enjoy these healing waters, which reach an incredible temperature of 147 degrees. Conversely, there are cool mineral springs in the area as well, so once you’ve soaked for a while at one of the thermal spas, grab a glass and cool yourself down with refreshing mineral water. It’s not all about the water, though: There’s a quartz crystal mine available for exploration, a theme park, and the Mid-America Science Museum. On the peninsula of Lake Hamilton, a 200-acre estate has been transformed into the Garvan Botanical Gardens. This relaxing oasis contains a staggering number of different species of flowers and greenery, numbering well into the thousands. The winding path meanders through a sweet-smelling bouquet of antique roses, more than 150 types of azaleas, and hundreds of rare plants. When you factor in this town’s opportunities for golfing, and fishing, you can see what makes this cozy town so popular for Arkansas camping.
Arkadelphia’s a quiet, charming town that’s managed to retain the old school grace from a bygone age. It’s the kind of place where the neighbors are friendly, and people still look out for one another. From Hot Springs, drive 35 miles on the southbound AR-7, which brings you into Arkadelphia’s city limits. If you haven’t camped out on this trip, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more beautiful spot than right here. This place was built with outdoor enjoyment in mind, and has several excellent hiking trails for you to wander along. Maybe you’d like to rent a houseboat for a day or so and enjoy the nautical life, or maybe canoeing or kayaking is your idea of fun. If so, you’ve come to the right place. You can take a driving tour of the historic homes in the city, or see the stars at the local planetarium. Arkadelphia is chock full of fun and interesting things to keep you entertained.
It’s an easy return to Little Rock to complete this one tank trip; take the eastbound I-30 for a little over 60 miles and you’ll find yourself right where you started; a city with quiet country spirit and bluegrass music wafting through the air. Woodall's Recommended Arkansas RV Campgrounds