Tar Camp
Arkansas River - Pool 5 — riverside
Location: PINE BLUFF, AR, AR
Price: From $26 per night
Price range: $26–$75 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (157 reviews)
Season: May through October
Tar Camp Park is situated near Pool 5 Lock and Dam on the Arkansas River. The campground is known for its beauty and first-class fishing. Whether camping, fishing, boating or just relaxing in the sun, this area provides something for everyone.Tar Camp Campground offers more than 50 sites, most with electric and water hookups.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/tar-camp to be notified when sites open up.
Tar Camp Park offers excellent fishing for catfish, bass, crappie and bream in the Arkansas River tail-waters, with most sites located right by the water. Google reviewers praise it as a beautiful, clean, and family-friendly destination with daily bathroom/shower maintenance.
Wildlife alert: Alligator Snapping Turtle, Diamondback Watersnake, Osprey, and Red-headed Woodpecker present in the area. Exercise caution near water.
Insider tips for Tar Camp: Book early — this is a popular federal campground with only 47 sites Most sites are waterfront with river views Bring a self-contained RV or plan for tent camping; no hookups available at most sites
Skip Tar Camp if: You need full RV hookups — only electric hookups available, suitable for self-contained RVs only. You prefer year-round camping — seasonal operations May-October only. You visit outside peak season — reviewers noted the area can seem deserted.
Best time to visit Tar Camp: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Ste Marie Park (PINE BLUFF, AR), Willow Beach (PINE BLUFF, AR), Rising Star (PINE BLUFF, AR), Maumelle (LITTLE ROCK, AR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Tar Camp
Cell signal at Tar Camp (PINE BLUFF, AR): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Tar Camp Park is situated near Pool 5 Lock and Dam on the Arkansas River. The campground is known for its beauty and first-class fishing. Whether camping, fishing, boating or just relaxing in the sun, this area provides something for everyone.Tar Camp Campground offers more than 50 sites, most with electric and water hookups.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with only 47 sites
Most sites are waterfront with river views
Bring a self-contained RV or plan for tent camping; no hookups available at most sites
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Redfield, Arkansas, take State Route 46 east to State Route 365. Turn left and go 1 block, then turn right and drive 4 miles to Tar Camp Park. Follow signs into the campground.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Arkansas River - Pool 5 fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Arkansas River - Pool 5 before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Tar Camp cost per night?+
What season is Tar Camp open?+
Does Tar Camp have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Tar Camp?+
How do I make reservations at Tar Camp?+
What is the cell service like at Tar Camp?+
What season is Tar Camp open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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