Best Tent Camping near Buffalo National River
Tent campsites along Buffalo National River in Arkansas provide primitive settings with river access and natural surroundings. Established campgrounds like Rush Campground and Kyles Landing offer tent-specific sites along the riverbanks with picnic tables and fire rings, while gravel bars such as Shine Eye and Gilbert provide more rustic tent camping experiences. These National Park Service managed areas maintain basic facilities for tent campers within the scenic Buffalo River corridor.
The primitive tent sites feature varied terrain from riverbank sand and gravel to forest clearings. Many locations require drive-in access on gravel roads that can become difficult after rain, particularly at Spring Creek Campground where steep, janky roads may challenge vehicles. Most tent campgrounds offer vault toilets, though drinking water is limited to certain established sites like Kyles Landing. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at designated tent areas, but dispersed camping is restricted to specific locations. Buffalo River tent sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with the exception of Steel Creek Campground which accepts reservations.
Buffalo National River tent camping provides direct water access for fishing, swimming and paddling opportunities. The campgrounds serve as convenient staging areas for canoe and kayak trips, with many campers using sites as put-in or take-out points. Tent sites at Carver and Rush offer flat terrain near swimming holes with clear water. Sites typically provide adequate space between neighbors but limited privacy due to open settings. Campers seeking more seclusion should consider the tent sites in Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area, though these require a special camping permit from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. According to one visitor, "Tent sites were patrolled by rangers on a regular basis. However, the rangers were great and knew a lot about the area."
