Army Corps of Engineers · Arkansas River - Pool 5 · Pine Bluff, AR

Tar Camp

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.

More like this: electric hookups in Arkansas · reservable in Arkansas · big rigs in Arkansas · pets allowed in Arkansas · group sites in Arkansas

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Tar Camp GatehousePlaygroundC LoopBasketball Court
Photos courtesy of PBSO, Aaron Bailey · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard with electric45
group shelter electric2
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 98 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

47 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePowerWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
D-01DElectricBack-in34PavedFull20/30/50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesYesStandard
D-02DElectricBack-in45PavedPartial20/30/50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesYesStandard
D-03DElectricBack-in42PavedPartial20/30/50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesYesStandard
D-04DElectricBack-in48PavedPartial20/30/50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesYesStandard
D-05DElectricBack-in63PavedPartial20/30/50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesYesStandard
D-06DElectricBack-in56PavedPartial20/30/50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesYesStandard
D-07DElectricBack-in51PavedPartial20/30/50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesYesStandard
D-08DElectricBack-in60PavedFull50 ampYes / –8 / 3Yes
D-09DElectricBack-in70PavedPartial50 ampYes / –8 / 3Yes
D-10DElectricBack-in68PavedPartial50 ampYes / –8 / 3Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsElectric, water
Max vehicle length98 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
AccessibilitySites D-01, D-02, D-03, D-04 and 43 more are listed accessible

Tar Camp Campground offers more than 50 sites, most with electric and water hookups. Each campsite has a movable lamp post and grill, as well as campfire rings and picnic tables. Two large group picnic shelters that can each accommodate up to 60 people each can be reserved for day use. A rock climbing wall and basketball court provide additional recreation opportunities.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Tar Camp40°50°60°70°80°January: 3.84 inches of precipitation, 1.0 inches of snowFebruary: 4.02 inches of precipitation, 1.4 inches of snowMarch: 5.05 inches of precipitation, 0.5 inches of snowApril: 5.50 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowMay: 4.80 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 3.36 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 3.53 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 2.98 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 3.14 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 4.39 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 4.46 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowDecember: 5.46 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 40.3°F averageFebruary: 44.3°F averageMarch: 52.5°F averageApril: 61.6°F averageMay: 70.0°F averageJune: 77.3°F averageJuly: 80.0°F averageAugust: 78.9°F averageSeptember: 72.6°F averageOctober: 62.3°F averageNovember: 50.8°F averageDecember: 42.8°F average0 in2 in4 in6 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Keo, 13 miles from the campground at 231 feet, station USC00033862 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 51 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 3 inches a year on the same inches scale.

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.

Nearest townPine Bluff, Arkansas
Coordinates34.4497° N, 92.1125° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Wildfire
    Jefferson 315

    14 mi from the campground · 176 acres

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearBass Pro Shops ↗22.2 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗22.5 mi
RV sales & serviceCamping World ↗23.2 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Take Me Back To Tar Camp - Campground Review

Worth a stop

Little Rock, the state capital and largest city in Arkansas, is only a short drive away and offers many amenities and cultural attractions. The nearby town of Pine Bluff is the home for the Arkansas Railroad Museum, Pine Bluff Regional Park, the Martha Mitchell Home and other points of interest, as well as shopping and groceries.

Natural features

The park is in a forested area along the riverfront, close to the rolling fields of cotton farms. It is 193 feet above sea level; winters are generally mild and summer temperatures reach the upper 90s with high humidity. Red fox are frequently seen in the park, and numerous species of waterfowl live in the water and along the shores.

Recreation

The campground is popular among fishermen. There is excellent catfish fishing in the tail-waters of Joe Hardin Lock and Dam as well as Emmitt Sanders Lock and Dam at the upstream end of Pool 3. Anglers often catch bass, crappie and bream. Hunting is available in nearby forests, and there is duck hunting on the waterways. On shore, families enjoy picnicking and using the playground.

Guidebooks for Arkansas

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • The Ozarks: 43 spectacular hikes in Arkansas and Missouri
    Jim Warnock, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Arkansas Nature Lover's Guidebook
    Tim Ernst and Pam Ernst, 2010
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Scenic Routes and Byways the Ozarks
    Don Kurz, 2013
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Tar Camp?

Sites at Tar Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Tar Camp?

Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Tar Camp have?

47 sites, including 45 standard sites with power and 2 group shelter electric.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Tar Camp?

Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Does Tar Camp have hookups?

Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Tar Camp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Tar Camp. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Tar Camp?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.

Source: Fire nearby

Are there accessible sites at Tar Camp?

Sites D-01, D-02, D-03, and D-04 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 47 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Tar Camp?

The campground is popular among fishermen. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Tar Camp?

Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Little Rock, the state capital and largest city in Arkansas, is only a short drive away and offers many amenities and cultural attractions.

Source: Getting there

What if Tar Camp is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Willow Beach (17.3 mi), Rising Star (28.9 mi), and Maumelle (31.9 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby