Richland Creek Recreation Area

This was a beautiful camp ground. It is well kept. It has clean well maintained toilets. and good clear campsites and trails. You have the rushing river below your campsite and the mountains all around. I had hoped for wonderful wild flowers and was not disappointed. 

((((()))))) I would recommend anyone with a low clearance under their vehicle or pulling a camper to google to find the route from Highway 7 to the campground. The road down from Falling Water had been washed out and repaired but was almost washed out again. We had just enough road to get down with our small camper but were afraid to try to get out back that route. The folk at our neighboring camp site had maps and we found a route north which we followed to a low water crossing. There was no way we were going to  be able to cross it with the camper. So we left the camper with some great folk and crossed with only our truck. We will return along the Hwy 7 route to get the camper and camp along that route. 

I will review the alternate route after we have completed it.

Quick single night trip out during the week in mid September. 

I ended up staying at a dispersed spot on the way in.. I noticed it on my way to the campground and after circling the tent sites I decided to give it a shot. One of the best spots I've ever camped in. If you're cool with no/a short drive to the vault toilets then I'd recommend grabbing this spot if you see it open. It's before the giant hill with the offroad track going up it, 3 or so spots back. It's tucked down between the road and one of the creeks. Plenty of room for a couple cars, tents and hammocks. 

There's a small walkway down to the creek right in the campsite. The primo secret is that there is a short (5-10 yards) trail behind the campsite leading to a great wading spot in the river. The water was low while I was visiting so I lugged some supplies out onto some rocks in the middle of the creek to brew the morning coffee and cook breakfast. 

You can easily wade downstream the river to a fairly wide and deep swimming hole with a great rock outcropping.

**For anyone worried about the drive - I made it in a 2dr civic sport coupe. The pothole dodging was actually fun - it's rough but definitely not as bad as some earlier reviews make out

Beware of landslides - there are at least two points on the gravel road to the campground that have recently been repaired.**

I visited this area in June 2020, and the campground itself was closed. I had found information online that Arkansas campgrounds were reopened, so it was a surprise to see it closed. Fortunately, there are dispersed campsites along the road leading to this campground and beyond. We arrived on a Friday, late afternoon, and it was very difficult finding a site. We actually managed to find a TINY spot, up a small hill on a driveway to a larger spot down by the water. It fit our van, the fire pit, the tent and that's it. Luckily, it was right next to the creek, so we were able to swim and cool off. The family who was staying at the larger site did keep walking past our site and gave us some raised eyebrows for setting up so close to them in such a small space. I don't think they realized how competitive it was so find a campsite that evening. 

The creek is the ultimate reward: cool rushing waters, providing relief from the heat and incredible white noise. We had a few horseback riders pass right by on the trail/road our site was on. Bugs weren't bad. There's no bathroom anywhere near these dispersed sites.

I would suggest having a back up plan if visiting this area on a nice weekend. I left the next day, and even more seemed to be piling into the area on top of one another. Go during the week if possible. It's a gorgeous area, and best to take in when it's peaceful, not overrun by families.

Camped here with 3 teenagers and a 3 year old just before it was shut down in March 2020 for COVID.  We planned to go to Haws Creek but it was closed due to flooding, so we got in late in the evening.  It was during Spring Break week but there were still spots.  We didn't pick the best one (inside the loop) because it was dark when we got there, but even so it was still flat and enough space from neighbors.  The spots on the outside of the loop have more privacy so I'd recommend one of those.

We spent two nights and did make the hike to Twin Falls.  Had to carry the 3 year old some just to keep a decent pace, but it was worth it.  You'll have to ford the creek at least once and the trail isn't easy, but it's well marked enough that you can't miss it.  Two of the teenagers wanted to quit after about 2 miles, which was still a beautiful hike, but the rest prevailed on them for the last half mile and they were glad they did.

There are a number of other waterfalls and trails nearby, and in summer the creek would be a lot of fun.  The tradeoff for going in March and the falls running well is cold water and cooler weather though.

As others mentioned, no phone service (a blessing) and no showers, but fairly clean toilets.  

The only complaint was our firepit had recently had all the ash removed.  Starting a fire 2 feet deep in a barrel with no air flow proved a challenge, though we eventually got it going.  I recommend bringing some of your own starter wood because the area was picked fairly clean of all but small sticks.