Arkansas isn’t known as “The Natural State” for nothing. Our home is full of beautiful sites to explore and discover. And now, thanks to Jacob Slaton and Camp Arkansas, every family has an easy way to find more adventure: a comprehensive map to all state and federal Arkansas campsites. Now the hardest part will be picking whether you want Camp Arkansas’ fold-out map or poster! 

We caught up with Slaton to learn a little more about the project! If you’re all in, get your copy here! 

LRF: What inspired this project?

JS: I was initially inspired to create a comprehensive list of campgrounds in Arkansas when my friends and I started camping with our kids nearly every other weekend. At the end of each camping trip, we would always talk about where to go next, and we found ourselves frustrated that there wasn’t a simple, easy-to-use resource for finding new places to camp. There’s plenty of information out there, but we wanted to see it all in one place. So I got to work researching and digging through everything I could find on camping in Arkansas. 

LRF: What inspired the map/poster format?

JS: My original idea was to create a full guidebook for all the campgrounds in the state with photos and reviews and everything, but I quickly realized that what we really wanted most was simply to see which campgrounds were located close to where we wanted to explore next. We also wanted to know what type of campsites exist at each location in terms of hookups and everything. We camp in a popup camper so electric and water hookups are very important to us! In addition to those needs, we were also in the process of planning a big summer camping trip out west, so we purchased a number of maps to plan the trip. We all had so much fun spreading the maps out on the table and making plans together as a family that the map idea just seemed like the perfect direction. 

LRF: Did you discover any campsite you're excited to explore with your family?

JS: We discovered so many amazing new places while researching this map, and we are still a long way off from visiting them all. The best hidden gem we’ve found so far has been Mississippi River State Park near Marianna. It’s truly the perfect campground with fishing, boating, hiking and a beautiful visitor’s center with lots of educational opportunities for the whole family. Another family favorite has been Moro Bay State Park near Crossett which has the best park ranger of all time, Ranger Caleb! Families with kids will love his educational sessions with live animals and all kinds of interesting natural treasures found around the park.