Camping in Arkansas

A complete guide to camping in Arkansas

Majestic Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas by M Haupt

Photo Credit: M Haupt

Overview

Arkansas camping centers on the Ozark and Ouachita mountain ranges that cover the western and central portions of the state. The Ozark Highlands in the northwest hold the Buffalo National River, the first designated national river in the country, where bluff-top and riverside camping draws canoeists and hikers into deep valleys carved through limestone. Eureka Springs and Mountain View anchor the tourism end of the Ozarks, while Mena and the Ouachita Mountains to the south provide a quieter, ridge-and-valley camping character.

Hot Springs National Park in the central part of the state combines the country's smallest national park with a city built around thermal waters. The surrounding Ouachita National Forest extends into a million acres of pine-and-hardwood hills. Eastern Arkansas flattens into the Mississippi Delta, which holds almost no camping interest but contrasts sharply with the mountainous western half. The state park system operates some of the most developed campgrounds in the region, with many parks including lodges and lake recreation.

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Best Seasons to Camp in Arkansas

Spring

Mar-May

High 64°F · Low 52°F

Dogwood and redbuds bloom through the Ozark hollows. The Buffalo River runs high for floating. Temperatures climb into the 60s and 70s. Waterfall flows peak. One of the best camping seasons.

Summer

Jun-Aug

High 83°F · Low 71°F

Hot and humid. Mountain campgrounds above 1,500 feet offer partial relief. The Buffalo River drops to wadeable levels by August. Lake campgrounds fill on weekends. July averages 79 degrees. Afternoon thunderstorms common.

Season	Months	Avg High	Avg Low	Conditions
Spring	Mar-May	64°F	52°F	Dogwood and redbuds bloom through the Ozark hollows.
Summer	Jun-Aug	83°F	71°F	Hot and humid.
Fall	Sep-Nov	64°F	52°F	Ozark fall color peaks in late October through early November.
Winter	Dec-Feb	45°F	33°F	January averages 37 degrees.

Camping Regions in Arkansas

Region	Terrain	Key Areas
Buffalo National River and Upper Ozarks	Mountain	Ponca, Jasper, Mountain Home, Harrison
Northwest Ozarks	Mountain	Eureka Springs, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Siloam Springs
Ouachita Mountains	Forest	Mena, Hot Springs, Mount Ida, Jessieville
Ozark Folk Region	Mountain	Mountain View, Heber Springs, Clinton, Shirley

Buffalo National River and Upper Ozarks

Mountain · Ponca, Jasper, Mountain Home, Harrison

The Buffalo River flows 135 miles through towering limestone bluffs and hardwood forest. Campgrounds at Steel Creek, Kyle's Landing, and Ozark sit on the river. Ponca and Jasper serve as access towns. Elk reintroduction has brought herds back to the river bottoms. Canoeing, hiking, and swimming in river pools define the activity. Steel Creek Campground and Dogwood Springs Campground near Jasper provide the primary private and public options along the upper Buffalo.

Northwest Ozarks

Mountain · Eureka Springs, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Siloam Springs

Eureka Springs, Devil's Den State Park, and the Ozark Highlands Trail anchor the tourism and camping scene. Hobbs State Park on Beaver Lake provides lakefront camping. The terrain rolls through deep hollows and forested ridges. More developed tourism infrastructure than the Buffalo River corridor. Beaver Dam Dive Shop and Resort and Route 62 Motor Resort near Eureka Springs, and Bentonville Bike Camp serve the northwest tourism corridor.

Ouachita Mountains

Forest · Mena, Hot Springs, Mount Ida, Jessieville

East-west running ridges of pine and hardwood south of the Arkansas River. Mena sits at the base of Rich Mountain. The Ouachita National Forest covers over a million acres. Lake Ouachita and DeGray Lake offer reservoir camping. Hot Springs National Park sits on the eastern edge. More pine forest and less dramatic bluffs than the Ozarks. Hanson's Camp Wolf Creek and Shadow Mountain RV Park near Mena serve the western Ouachitas, while Catherine's Landing near Hot Springs covers the eastern access.

Ozark Folk Region

Mountain · Mountain View, Heber Springs, Clinton, Shirley

Mountain View and the Blanchard Springs area preserve Ozark cultural heritage alongside natural camping. Blanchard Springs Caverns offers cave tours. The Ozark National Forest extends through the region. Smaller crowds than the Buffalo River and Eureka Springs corridors. Ozark RV Park and Cabins and Court Square RV Park in Mountain View, and The Woodlands RV Resort in Heber Springs anchor the folk-region camping.

Camping Tips for Arkansas

The Buffalo National River has free riverside and bluff-top campgrounds on a first-come basis. No reservations. Steel Creek, Lost Valley, and Ozark fill first. Arrive early on weekends.
Ticks are aggressive in Arkansas from March through October. Lone star ticks are the most common. Use permethrin on clothing and check thoroughly after every hike.
Ozark rivers rise fast after heavy rain. The Buffalo can go from wadeable to dangerous in hours. Check upstream weather and river gauges before floating or camping near the water.
Copperhead snakes are common in rocky Ozark terrain. Watch where you step and place your hands when scrambling on bluffs.
Devil's Den State Park in the northwest Ozarks has one of the most developed campground and cabin systems in the state. Reserve early for fall color weekends.
The Ouachita National Forest allows dispersed camping throughout. No fee or permit required. Bring your own water as sources are limited on ridges.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to float the Buffalo River?

March through June for the upper sections when water levels support canoeing. The lower Buffalo near Buffalo Point stays floatable longer into summer. By August, the upper river is often too low for boats. Spring flows can be high and fast after rain. Check gauges before launching.

Is dispersed camping available in Arkansas?

The Ozark and Ouachita National Forests both permit dispersed camping on forest land. No fee or permit required. The Buffalo National River has designated campgrounds (mostly free, first-come) but no dispersed camping outside of designated sites. State parks require reserved campsites.

How bad are ticks in Arkansas?

Among the worst in the country. Lone star ticks are aggressive and abundant from March through October in any wooded or grassy area. Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and alpha-gal syndrome (meat allergy triggered by lone star tick bites) are all concerns. Permethrin-treated clothing is the most effective prevention.

What is camping like near Hot Springs?

Hot Springs National Park is an urban park without campgrounds inside its boundary. Gulpha Gorge Campground sits adjacent to the park. Lake Catherine, Lake Ouachita, and DeGray Lake state parks within 30 minutes provide lake camping. The city's bathhouses and restaurants are accessible from nearby campgrounds.

Can I see elk while camping in Arkansas?

Elk were reintroduced to the Buffalo National River area in the 1980s and the herd has grown steadily. The Ponca and Boxley Valley areas along the upper Buffalo are the primary viewing zones. Dawn and dusk offer the best sighting opportunities. Elk are wild animals. Maintain at least 100 feet of distance.