Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests
Reviewed Jun. 28, 2022

Fantastic bargain

This is an incredibly nice campground. There were quite a few people camping here when I visited, but I managed to roll in without a reservation and get the best campsite. It was up on the hill with a paved pull-through driveway and stone steps leading up to a flat terrace area. Plenty of room to spread out.

There are many attractions nearby. At the bottom of the hill, there is a lazy river with a nice swimming hole. Deep enough to dive in from the rocks on the other side of the river, or just do some actual swimming. There's another swimming spot down the road, but the one at the campground is better.

Then there's Blanchard Springs itself. This is a picturesque spot where water rushes out of a lower exit to Blanchard Springs Caverns (closed when I visited but open for tours soon). Adjacent to the springs, there is a disused road that leads up into the forest, past a derelict picnic shelter, and ultimately to AR-14 N, where it is blocked off. There is also a sort of natural stair that goes on a good ways, carved by the water (and apparently improved by the Civilian Conservation Corps) in years gone by. These are both worth a hike. I explored them hoping to find an alternate entrance to the caverns. No dice.

For amenities, the campground has a single bathroom with flushing toilets and running water. It was nice but fairly busy when I visited. There is another bathroom at a picnic shelter down the road. This one was just as nice if not nicer, and totally empty. Water at the campground was very good to drink, but only available from a single spigot at the base of the hill.

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Month of VisitJune
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  • Review photo of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests by Alex M., June 28, 2022
  • Review photo of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests by Alex M., June 28, 2022
  • Review photo of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests by Alex M., June 28, 2022
  • Review photo of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests by Alex M., June 28, 2022
  • Review photo of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests by Alex M., June 28, 2022
  • Review photo of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests by Alex M., June 28, 2022
  • Review photo of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests by Alex M., June 28, 2022
  • Review photo of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests by Alex M., June 28, 2022
  • Review photo of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests by Alex M., June 28, 2022
  • Review photo of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests by Alex M., June 28, 2022
  • Review photo of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests by Alex M., June 28, 2022
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  • Review photo of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests by Alex M., June 28, 2022
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  • Review photo of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests by Alex M., June 28, 2022