Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Bella Vista? Finding a place to camp in Arkansas with your tent has never been easier. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
After visiting Natural Falls State Park, break out the swimsuits and make a splash at Flint Creek Waterpark. This family-friendly swimming hole offers plenty of cold water to share with a variety of visitors. Guests are welcome to pitch a tent for a few nights or simply pack a picnic lunch at this summer hotspot. Whether swimming all day or dipping your toes in to cool off, please keep in mind that Flint Creek Waterpark has no lifeguards on duty.
ort Crowder Conservation Area, located in southern Newton County, was once part of the old, World War II Camp Crowder Army Base. The U.S. Army selected the Neosho site for the base because of its proximity to water, railroads, and highways. Visitors to the area can still see foundations, fruit trees, open fields and other remnants of many of the hundreds of small farms purchased by the federal government for the 60,000-acre base. Camp Crowder was named for Judge Advocate General and U.S. Ambassador to Cuba Enoch H. Crowder. Thousands of soldiers went through basic training here before the camp was decommissioned in the mid 1950s, including Mort Walker, who immortalized the Camp as Camp Swampy in his syndicated comic strip, Beetle Bailey. Fort Crowder Conservation Area, encompassing 2,362 acres, is approximately 60 percent forested. Primary species include white, black, post, blackjack and red oaks, hackberry, elm, black cherry, black walnut, and ash. The remainder of the area is open and includes 200 acres of native warm-season grasses, 100 acres of crop fields and 600 acres of fields maintained in an early successional stage. The area hosts various game species, including quail, rabbits and doves in the open areas and large numbers of deer and squirrels. Turkeys have been stocked here and are now present in good numbers. During your visit to Fort Crowder Conservation Area you may view various forest and wildlife improvement projects in progress from the 11 miles of multiuse trails that wind through the area. These trails are open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Area map: https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/mo_nature/downloads/conservation-areas/6510map.pdf
Quite wooded campsites.
Tent cabins and tent camping only.
Canoe trips available from several local outfitters.
Close to historic Eureka Springs.
$35 - $55 / night
These 5 sites, each with one to four tent pads, a fire ring/grill and a lantern hook, are accessed by hiking approximately 4 miles and are set in a heavily wooded area.
The sites closest to water access are sites 3, 4, and 5.
Campsite 1: One 8x8 tent pad, 4 campers max., the closest site to Beaver Lake, which is visible when leaves are off the trees
Campsite 2: Three 8x8 tent pads, 8 campers max., furthest site from the lake and other campsites
Campsite 3: One 8x8 pad and one 8x12 pad, 8 campers max., the second closest site to Beaver Lake, which is visible when leaves are off the trees
Campsite 4: One 8x8 pad and two 8x10 pads, 8 campers max., close to site 5
Campsite 5: Two 8x8 pads and two 8x10 pads, 8 campers max., close to site 4
Shower facilities are not available at the campsites or anywhere in the park.
$30 - $100 / night
Guide
We have stayed at this campground several times and Anna is there to answer all your questions and really take care of you. This is close to Roaring River and Table Rock Lake. You are also close to Cassville if you’ve forgotten anything or want to eat out!
Guide
Stayed 3 nights. Weekend had a few family gatherings near us, but the weekdays we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Campground is well maintained with beautiful views of Table Rock Lake. We were in upper section (electric only) - the lower section next to the marina has full hookups. There are a few pull-through, but most sites are back-in and long enough for al most any rig.
Guide
Everything about this campground is fantastic. The lake surrounds the point, the sites are cleverly designed, the October crowd is quiet and friendly, it's near Branson, strong Verizon signal.
Traveler
The river is pretty, seems like great fishing opportunity. We were just passing through so we didn't fish. The shower and bathrooms left a lot to be desired. Only one shower and indoor toilet on the side we stayed on and it was just kind of gross. We did find 2 outside stalls with toilets but not until the next morning so that helped. Overall it was a nice place to stop and sleep for the night. Friendly people. Cameras in the campground so it feels safe.
Scout
We love to camp here . Although it is usually pretty full so if it's peace and quiet you are looking for this might not be the place for you mainly on the holidays. And I don't like the fact that they raised the price to $15 night primitive sites. It was free just couple yrs ago. Kids love to swim and float when they aren't fishing.
Guide
Flat Sites, Clean, Nice Amenities, Nice Staff, Little Exposed in heat to Sun. Best shades sites rented in advance. (Site 24-27)
Legend
All spots are large. Most water sites are amazing. Wild life all around. Easy in and out boating.
ScoutThe host meet us show where to park. And later came and check on us. And I would stay there again
Scout
So first of all, we reserved spot 27. We have a 24’ Hideout. The loop that spot is on, if there was someone in spot 28, I would have had to back all the way out. That’s a hair pin turn. FWIW.
Spot 5: just down from the hosts spot, but you can’t really see it and you don’t hear a thing. Secluded and very quiet. 3 min walk to some nice shores and great fishing spots from shore. Though the sunfish are smart here. lol.
The bad. It’s a pull through spot on a hill. It’s hard(er) to keep your camper on the pavement. I had to use 3” on the outside to level the camper. I had to get the camper just right for the extension. Your steps from your camper go right into a rock slope that’s slick when wet.
All in all not a big deal! This is a great quiet campground. The day use area wasn’t even used while we were here.
The sites weren’t as clean as other campsites we’ve been too, Like Rocky Branch or Echo Bluff in Missouri.
Spot 9 is primo if you can get it.
Scout
Very nice and spacious sites with lots of trees and shade. Good hiking and views of the falls. Unless you’re a fan of oval dirt track racing, most Friday and Saturday nights in the summer and fall are pretty loud until after 11:00 at night.
Guide
We were just passing through and stayed for a night. We had sewer, water, and electric hookup. A nice dog park, and even found some 4 leaf clovers!
Scout
Campground was nice and maintained. Showers in campground 2 were dirty.
Traveler
This campground was a great spot for our first family camping trip. We went with a group of 6 adults (my kid still played with bugs). The view from our site was pretty and we had great trees for hanging hammocks. The bathrooms were close and clean. The fishing wasn’t amazing on this trip but we caught our limit on our last day trip. Our only complaint was the closeness of neighboring sites and foot traffic on the road.
Guide
Stayed here while we went to Strawberry Festival in Stilwell. Very convenient to highway 412 and Siloam Springs. Hosts very friendly and helpful. New park, nothing fancy but a work in progress reasonably priced. Met our needs. Great location next to Illinois River if you want to kayak. Lots of open area to tent camp. Very secluded. Loved watching fireflies over the hayfield.
Scout
I love everything about this campground from the open space, to the front manager to the friendly guests. Near enough to town to enjoy the museum and pop in for lunch, far enough away to feel detached. There's also an old Drive in movie next door! Makes you want to get an airstream and cruise down Route 66
LegendBeautiful park. Fantastic scenery with large spaces. Would give it 5 stars if it had full hookups. Wildlife is everywhere. Eagles, hawks, fishing and more.
ScoutThis was a really nice campground with easy walks to some beautiful scenery! Flat pads with nice tables/grills/fire pits. Sites 3/4/11-14 have a lot more room so we’d probably pick one of those next time. There is a racetrack near by that was so loud we couldn’t hear each other talking from 6-11pm on Friday night which made it difficult to put our baby to bed. We’d love to go back but will definitely pick a weekend without a race next time.
TravelerWe camped at The Pines loop because it was the only section with a functioning bath house in the off season. The river was down a very steep hill, so not accessible from camp, but there's a boat ramp nearby. The restrooms and showers were good and the volunteer caretakers were very helpful and friendly. Camp spots are easy to back into. Very close to the lake. Cell phone coverage was not great.
Scout
I've been here one day the campground is clean,quite,and it's beautiful,we love it
Guide
fun place to go take a swim on a hot summer day I camp here for a few weeks every year
GuideI go here with my friends every summer we hike almost all the trails , it’s gorgeous last time I went there (summer of 23) we saw a wild river otter swimming there is so much wildlife out there and it’s just gorgeous absolutely stunning and worth visiting, family friends and dog / pet friendly if you want to take your dogs on a hike this is the place , has stairs and is not very handicapped accessible if you want to go to the bottom of the falls but it is completely accessible for a wheelchair if you just want to view the falls from the top and there are multiple handicapped accessible paved paths !
GuideI stay at a camp right off of flint creek every summer , it is open to the public for the most part for fishing or swimming , there is a gorgeous little natural waterfall right under the highway so you can see when you drive by
Scout
We stayed for one night with a Model Y + SUV Tent in Cold December and it was great! Visiter Center was really nice and the lady was nice to answer any questions we had. Heated Shower house and bathrooms were amazing. Charged/Conditioned the car with 50amp plug. Quiet and Comfortable. Will go back!
Traveler
I don’t usually post reviews, but… I fell in love with this campground. I visited in late November, so I was the only tent camper on the grounds. The camp host was very accommodating to me, and made sure everything was good. It was pouring down rain when I first arrived, and she suggested I move to a different site that was less flooded, and I’m so glad I did! I chose a site in the Meadows section, and it had a stunning view of the water, and was a great bird-watching spot as well.
There was a shower house and a few pitt toilets, and all were very clean and sanitary. They were also all placed in a good location, so wherever you were at in the campground, you didn’t have to walk far. Each basic tent site came with a tent pad, a picnic table, and a fire pit. Some also had metal hooks, but the campsites in the meadows do not.
All in all, it was a b eautiful, quiet spot with a stunning view. Great for bird-watching and hiking. I’m definitely coming back here again!
ScoutWe had a nice stay here the campsite was secluded away from everything. The sites were nicely spaced out away from everyone. We stayed at site 23 in the pines which was directly across from the bathhouse but there were only two of the four bathrooms open so it was a little frustrating waiting for a bathroom. But the stay was great it would be a great stay for tent camping, RV or camper. Would definitely recommend and a great view of the dam right when you get to the campground, be sure to stop and take a look.
Traveler
My husband and I have yet to have a camping trip together. Both of us have always talked about and loved doing it as a kid but never found the time to do it until now. We had a blast.
We tent camped and stayed in Site 80 on the RV camping area as it was the only area that had electric and water. We weren’t quite ready to go without electricity just yet as we kind of scrambled to make this trip happen before the weather turned cold and gets jammed with holidays.
We stayed a Sunday & Monday night. Upon checking on Sunday the park was PACKED as expected. Rangers were advising people to avoid Yellowrock and find other trails to do. We weren’t even going to bother until the Monday afternoon. So we went down to check out our site and get set up. Site was clean and close to the bathrooms. Neighbors were a little noisy at night but calmed down around 9:45.
Slept great and had a great day exploring the park and walking along the creek and went to Yellowrock which was gorgeous. Just download your maps before you go. No service so be mindful of that. I loved that aspect though.
Monday night was great and previous neighbors had check out that day so a peaceful nights sleep was had.
Can’t wait to come back and visit again!
TravelerWe absolutely loved our stay in Site #11 in Campground A. The site was absolutely massive, and turned out to be even better than the one that we had initially picked out, but was already reserved. We were a little concerned about lack of shade in this site, as it only had one tree in it, but it shaded at least some of the site all day every day, and even provided a nice umbrella to hang out under during the brief bouts of rain. Hiking was fantastic, with each trail being dramatically different than the one before, and we did at least 7 of them in the 4 full days we were there.
Things I loved:
- no cell signal. They did offer ViaSat WIFI for a fee, but I love to unplug when I get the chance.
- the quiet natural beauty and dark sky
- very clean bathrooms, which were cleaned daily, even though there might have been a total of 4 sites occupied at any given time during our stay.
- frequent patrols by park rangers
- beautiful trails
Things I was not fond of:
- the park rangers that patrolled did nothing to enforce the rule that dogs must be on-leash, even when we know they saw this multiple times. Thanks to this, we had two dogs in the site next door that would randomly wander over to and through our site, much to the consternation of our two on-lead dogs. Thankfully, this couple left the day after we got there.
- the firewood was soaking wet when we purchased it, even though it was stored in a shed near the visitor's center. Decent price for the amount, but it was very difficult to start.
- a few more people than I would have expected during the week at this time of year. I would hate to see it on the weekends.
Camping near Bella Vista, Arkansas, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, this area has something to offer.
Camping near Bella Vista, Arkansas, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your next adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bella Vista, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bella Vista, AR is Holiday Island Camp Ground with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Bella Vista, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Bella Vista, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
