My family camped my entire childhood on basically every vacation/trip we ever took. You do not have to be packed in like sardines, but unless you skip ahead to backpacking, you probably won't have 2 acres ;) I disagree with nereo; I think if you haven't been tent camping before you should go car camping first. Probably at a place with running water. Then work your way up in badassity.
There are nice campgrounds, but there's no rhyme or reason to which ones; nor have I ever been in Arkansas to make recommendations. By nice I mean you have trees or rocks or bushes, whatever is native, screening you from the next site. They may be geographically close, but you have some isolation. I've seen these in state parks, national parks, state/national forests, and private camps (not KOA). The amenities varied as well. Most had water spigots (a few did not). Some had running water in bathrooms (usually cold, no soap), and flush toilets. A select few had showers. Electricity is generally only available at RV sites, which are *always* side by side and crowded. Avoid RV sites. Charge your phone in the car or bathroom.
We have also stayed in some of the barren, side-by-side, packed like sardines camps, typically when there weren't other options. While we weren't given to much loitering around camp, we did it even less in those places. The campsite was a place to make food, eat it, and go to sleep. In nicer places we would have a relaxing evening by the campfire. I'm just saying it's tolerable. There's just no fun in the 'camping' aspect of it, you focus on the hikes, have picnics, chill by water source (lakes, creeks, rivers) if they're available.
Anyway, as far as planning your trip: look up pictures and maps of the campgrounds, you can usually figure out which ones are packed and which ones are roomier and better laid out. Have fun!