Gunner Pool Recreation Area

Camped at site #3 for 3 nights in early October 2025. This site was really good for my camper van; just about level. The site backs up to a beautiful forest. The campground in this recreation area has  27 sites in 3 separate sections. There are some sites at the "pool" which are appropriate for car and tent camping. There is a section down a dirt road along the creek bottom that has a handful of sites; these sites are also good for car and tent camping. I camped in a wooded loop; the sites here can accomodate car, van and tent camping. A few towables may fit in this section. This is a beautiful wooded campground; clean and very well maintained. Most sites are level. Hammock camping is possible in some sites. Most sites have a table, tent pad, lantern pole, metal fire ring and a grill. Some sites are open, some shaded. No hookups. Potable water is located in a central area of the sections; the water was turned on during my visit. There are 4 vault toilets - clean and supplied with tp. Parts of the campground is prone to flash flooding. Very peaceful; the campground wasn't too busy midweek. The campground has access to the beautiful North Sylamore Creek trail. Access to campground on the gravel Gunner Pool Road from Highway 14 was very good during my visit. This forest road goes through the recreation area; it is busier than you would see on typical forest roads. Love this recreation area. One of the best that the Arkansas Ozarks has to offer for outdoor recreation.

FCFS 

No reservations 

Open all year 

27 sites(no electric) 

Drinking water pit toilets fire pits/grills picnic tables lantern poles 

Directions: From Mountain View take highway 14 west for 14.2 miles, right on Forest Service Road 1102(this is a gravel road) at times this road is washboard and always steep, and sharp curved. 

Gunner Springs is excellent for tent, car, van, or small RV’s. Campground is densely forested so solar will have difficulties. Gunner Pool is located in the Sylamore Wildlife Management Area. During hunting season hunting is allowed anywhere except in developed areas. Black bear, deer, wild turkey, squirrel and other game while in season. Hunting season varies by weapon and animal. 

Sylamore Hiking Trail is accessed by a trailhead located in the Gunner Pool Campground. Blanchard Springs Cavern (due to COVID the cave is closed) is located a short distance away. The nearest town of any size is Mountain View. Stock up on all supplies unless you just want to take in the local sights. 

Gunner Pool is an oasis in this world we live in. The lushness of a hidden holler and dense forest and beautiful blue green waters of Gunner Pool. Fishing, hiking or hunting, your choice

 There is a one lane bridge that crosses the creek. Warning, if you want to take that way out of the campground it will take several miles before you hit pavement. If you traverse the creek you will discover an old dam that was built by the CCC. Gunner Pool was named Camp Hedges from 1933 to 1942 and it was a base camp for some 2,222 CCC workers. Construction methods were old school and that is why you will still see so many of the building, dams, etc. still standing across the United States. 

LNT 

Better than when you found it 

Stay safe Happy travels

For Full Video Review. CLICK HERE

While traveling through this portion of Arkansas I stumbled upon a small roadside for Gunner Pool Recreation Area just a short distance past Blanchard Springs.    3 miles down a gravel, but well maintained roadway, the campground sat nestled between to sections of the water way.     On one side, slow moving water is met by the dam forming the blue toned pool and on the other a gentle flowing stream flanks the massive mountain side.   

Along the camping loop, spaces are well separated and have plenty of room to spread out.   Each site is equipped with standard camping amenities such as picnic tables, lantern hooks and fire rings.      Vault toilets are centrally located in several areas of camp both on the upper and lower loops.   In addition locking style garbage cans are placed near restrooms. 

When I visited the Forest Service was on property trimming trees and clearing debris from recent rain.   Their office is located just a short distance from the entry of the roadway, so they are often here to work on the property.

A little gem in the midst of the campground is located just across from the pay kiosk, the story of the property and the CCC camp which actually created not only this property but also worked on neighboring sites at Blanchard.   Definitely check out the story!!

Tips:

• Bring your own envelop for the pay kiosk, when I visited the paper envelops were soggy and unable to be used.    You can easily pull one but putting money in them they simply fell apart.
• Bring everything.   There are no stores in the camp in addition to no fire wood available at the campsite so make sure you come prepared.    The closest store for major things is located over 15 miles away.

General: We were apprehensive about planning to stay at this campground as the nearby one in Blanchard Springs was closed, we could not make reservations, five of the 27 sites were closed due to potential flooding from Hurricane Laura, and access is via a three-mile winding dirt road (not recommended for large RVs but it was navigable for our campervan), so we made alternate backup plans. There was no need to worry, however, as there were plenty of open sites, including some overlooking North Sylamore Creek when we arrived on a Sunday afternoon in mid-October for a hike. 

Sites/Facilities: Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, tent pad, and lantern pole. There is a central water source.

Activities/Amenities: This is a no-frills campground – no electric or water hookups, dumpster, playground, or flush toilets – just vault toilets. What struck me most was how quiet it was. There is access to the Sylamore hiking trail; you can hike five miles to the Blanchard Springs picnic area.

If you don't like to primitive camp, make an exclusion for this one, or at least visit for the day. Don't let the road discourage you. When you make it to camp go strait back and hang a right immediately before the bridge; this is where you will find the awesome swimming hole. There is limited parking for day use.

Our family loves this area. With the scenic rock wall along the creek, which is clear water, it has an awesome swimming hole. Hike the creek in both directions to discover the waterfall and other scenic views and unique swimming holes.

Tents or pop ups only, no big rigs as this is a little off road. Campgrounds are primitive with no showers or water, however you can ride down the road to the Blanchard Springs Camp and get your showers there....or bathe in the creek! The camp sites are well kept and very roomy. Don't forget the lantern as there are no lights posted.

Head down the road and view the Caverns for only ten bucks, see Mirror Lake, the old mill, cavern falls, and Mirror Lake falls. All Blanchard Springs area are handicap accessible.

Head in to town for five dollar go carts, free folk concerts in town square, antique shops galore, and loco ropes treetop adventures.