No, there is no BLM land in Arkansas. Most BLM land is in the Western states and Alaska. However, Arkansas does have plenty of National forest land for anyone interested in dispersed or primitive camping.
BLM Land Alternatives in Arkansas
If dispersed or primitive camping is what you are looking for, you can still do that in Arkansas even though we don’t have Bureau of Land Management land.
The two main locations are the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest and the Ouachita National Forest.
Primitive and Dispersed Camping in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
The Ozark-St. Francis National Forests offer a variety of camping opportunities. You can pitch a tent, park the RV, pop-up trailer or pick-up truck, or roll out the sleeping bag. Whatever your method of camping, it will be a truly natural experience in the Ozark Mountains or along Crowley’s Ridge. -source
If primitive camping is your thing, you can do so almost anywhere in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests unless there is a sign stating otherwise. You also cannot camp on a wildlife food plot.
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Primitive Camping Tips
Please place camps well away from creeks and tributaries. Showers can be locally heavy and occasionally have been known to produce 5 to 10 inches of rain in a few hours. Such storms will cause flooding in the rivers and tributaries of any or all of these wilderness areas. These same streams will usually be dry in the late summer and early fall. Carry water or a water filtration device with you into the wilderness. -source
Primitive and Dispersed Camping in Ouachita National Forest
Primitive and dispersed camping is also allowed in the Ouachita National Forest. You can drive out on Forest Service roads to find a clearing or a spot in the woods to camp. Using an existing campsite is preferred but not required.
Ouachita National Forest Dispersed Camping Tips
Camp on bare soil if possible, to avoid damage or killing plants and grass.
Do NOT camp within 100 feet of any water source, plants near water are especially fragile.
Do not camp in the middle of a clearing or meadow; try to make your campsite less visible so that other visitors will see a “wild” setting
Do not try to level or dig trenches in the ground at your campsite. Pick a tent site that is already level with good drainage.
-source
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How long can I camp in the Ouachita National Forest?
You can camp in a dispersed area for up to 30 days. Once your 30 days are up, you must move at least 5 road miles away before you set up camp in another dispersed area. You may not return to the same campsite within a calendar year.
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