Camping near Marshall, Arkansas offers varied experiences across Buffalo National River sites, with terrain ranging from riverside gravel bars to mountain bluffs. Most roads in this area require careful driving during wet conditions, especially spring when seasonal creek crossings can become impassable. Water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year, affecting both accessibility and recreational opportunities.
What to do
Hiking with waterfall views: Richland Creek Recreation Area contains numerous trails leading to scenic waterfalls. One visitor noted, "Very nice/clean campground in Richland Creek Wilderness. Several trails and waterfalls close by. Drive-up spot, fire-ring, picnic bench, hook, pit toilet. Day use area for hiking."
Rock climbing access: Sam's Throne Recreation Area attracts climbers with numerous routes. A camper shared, "We started a five day camping trip on a Saturday and sure enough, as we had already heard about this place's weekend popularity, the sites were packed. Many groups out there taking advantage of the beautiful March weather to hit the rock and explore all the many jaw-dropping routes on and around Sam's rocky Throne."
Cave exploration: Buffalo Point has accessible caverns nearby. As one reviewer mentioned, "We found a cool cave at the far right end of the rock beach. The bathrooms are on the smaller side, but the showers were clean."
Wildlife observation: Early mornings offer opportunities to see deer, especially at Sam's Throne where "Bambi and her mom also seem to live here," according to one camper.
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The lack of light pollution makes nighttime viewing exceptional. At Sam's Throne Recreation Area, campers report "On the right dark night you can see every star in the sky."
Water clarity: Buffalo River's transparency gets consistently high marks when water levels are normal. At Woolum Dispersed Area, visitors enjoy "Right on the river with both a rock and sand beach currently."
Quiet weekday visits: Many campgrounds empty out midweek. At Grinder's Ferry Gravel Bar, one visitor shared, "Weekday visit left us to enjoy all this by ourselves."
Local food options: Restaurants near Buffalo Point received positive reviews: "We ate an amazing dinner at the restaurant at Buffalo Point- and also had lunch at The Springhouse. Both were delicious meals!!"
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to remote sites requires preparation. For Spring Creek Campground, "Campsite had a rather janky gravel and dirt road leading to it. In the rain, the road would be extremely difficult. Very steep."
Water level variability: River conditions can change rapidly after rain. At Buffalo Point, a visitor observed, "The water was absolutely beautiful Thursday-Saturday, but the area got a lot of rain Saturday starting around 2 am... By 8 pm Saturday, the water at the beach area was completely brown and we could tell the water was up a LOT."
Limited cell service: Coverage varies widely by location and carrier. At Richland Creek Recreation Area, "If you travel the north road from the campground for about 3.5 miles you will get decent service from AT&T but I don't know about the other carriers."
Bathroom facilities: Most dispersed sites have minimal facilities. Spring Creek Campground has "a vault toilet that wasn't too bad" with "no drinking water."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming holes: Woolum Dispersed Area offers family-friendly water access. According to one camper, it's "Quiet, spacious, with the best swimming hole!" and "We love the peacefulness of this place and will continue coming back."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience weekend crowding and noise issues. At Tyler Bend Campground, visitors noted "Fine but not amazing" and "Pretty basic campground, kind of just a bunch of spots in a field."
Wildlife encounters: Buffalo Point provides opportunities to see animals safely. A camper reported, "Deer were everywhere and the Indian Rockhouse hike was really great."
Off-peak timing: For quieter family experiences, avoid weekends at popular sites. At Buffalo Point, "Some of the sites can get a little crowded on the weekend. During the week was super quiet and more my speed."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many campgrounds have limited RV-suitable spots. At Buffalo Point, campers advised, "Sites can be hit and miss depending on the time of the year. Be sure and view the campsite online and consider the direction of the site."
Small RV preference: Most access roads favor smaller rigs. At Tyler Bend, "Not great for big rigs, a lot of the sites are too small."
Weather planning: Seasonal considerations affect road accessibility. One camper at Richland Creek noted, "A short section of the south road in from highway 16 was quite narrow because of a landslide but had been partially repaired and was passable."
RV amenity limitations: Most sites have minimal hookups. At Gilbert RV Park, however, "The location to the river is unbeatable" and "When they advertise a stones throw from the Buffalo river, they mean it."
