The picturesque and scenic Ouachita River is one of the most beautiful and clear rivers in the Ouachitas. Beginning in the Ouachita Mountains near Mena, AR, the Ouachita River is a popular floating and fishing river as it flows easterly through the Ouachita National Forest, eventually becoming part of Lake Ouachita and Lake Hamilton near Hot Springs, before continuing its journey south towards Louisiana.

Beginning near Pine Ridge, AR, the Ouachita offers about 45 miles of floatable river until it become Lake Ouachita near AR Hwy 27. Along this stretch, there are seven landing sites, five of which are float camps. These float camps include Shirley Creek, Rocky shoals, Fulton Branch. Dragover and River Bluff. All five float camps are free to the public. These Float camps typically have openings, even on some holiday weekends when other campgrounds are full. Only rarely are these float camps filled up.

Shirley Creek Float Camp is located off of AR Hwy 88, west Pencil Bluff, and is situated right on the banks of the Ouachita River approx. 6 miles downstream from the Pine Ridge Access. This float camp offers six camping sites, as well as picnicking sites, a vault toilet and canoe access to the river.

Shirley Creek Float Camp is typically open Spring through Fall for overnight use, and is available for day use only the rest of the year.

Shirley Creek

We stopped at this site after several miles in the ouachita river. The nps map still has it listed as a campground, but there was a sign at the main entrance stating day use only. We camped anyways because we felt comfortable there was no flood risk, which is why it was closed. The view was nice, restrooms were nice, and there were even trashcans. 

No longer active, but amazing

When I visited this campsite, it was a pretty decent drive down a small gravel road, nothing crazy.    I noticed a couple of tents set up at the entrance area but no cars, figuring that people were out exploring I went into the site and quickly noticed the water level was very high.   

  

Signs were posted that this is currently a day use area, however you could also see on these signs that some of the things mentioned campground, a bit confusing, and obviously why the people were likely set up in tents.    

  

The area was well shaded and very nicely maintained.   Picnic tables, fire rings, lantern hooks and even pull ins.   However flood warning signs were posted throughout the "camp" and with recent rains, the water level was very near to the top of the bank with visibly covered trees several feet out on the what I assume to be embankment.    This area looked very questionable for camping, so I am not sure if that is why the signs were indicating only day use at this time.   

  

I looked on the NPS site and this is listed as a campground, so perhaps this is a seasonal campground?   Not sure.  There are vault toilets, kiosks with information and additional things to lead you to believe that people do in fact camp here still.   

  

I might have taken a chance had it not have been for the rising waters, but better safe than sorry.   Cell service is pretty limited here so I did not feel comfortable staying.

  

Check the weather ahead of time, check the NPS site and upon visit look at the kiosk to see what it says at the time of your visit.