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The Sorghum Hollow Horse Camp in Ozark National Forest offers primitive camping areas primarily designed for equestrians. Located in Delaware, Arkansas, approximately 25 miles from Clarksville, this campground provides basic facilities for campers with horses. While the campground lacks amenities such as drinking water, electric hookups, and showers, it accommodates tent camping, RVs, and glamping setups in a natural forest setting. The campground remains accessible year-round, though trail conditions can become rough and muddy after rainfall. Not uncommon for horseback riders to come through the area, making it a functional base for exploring the surrounding forest trails.
Moccasin Gap Horse Trail Campground in the Ozark National Forest provides another equestrian camping option near Clarksville. Located in Hector, Arkansas, this primitive campground features vault toilets and trash collection but no electric hookups or water connections at individual sites. The campground connects to extensive horse trail networks throughout the forest, allowing riders to explore varied terrain and scenic viewpoints. Trail difficulty ranges from moderate to challenging, with some routes offering creek crossings where horses can drink. Forest Service roads provide access for horse trailers, though larger rigs may find some areas challenging to navigate. Both campgrounds enforce standard National Forest regulations regarding feed storage and manure management.
"The picnic table had a few steps up to it. This site is at the entrance, we might have preferred something at the back. Everyone coming in or out drove by our spot."
"There is an unofficial overflow campground with a well kept pit toilet that offers the best view from the campgrounds over the Arkansas valley."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Reservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by."
"A great Arkansas destination for outdoorsy people.The steep road climbing to the top of Mount Nebo keeps the big RVs away. Stop your car at the lookout point before you reach the top."
"Camped near the river and had a wonderful time exploring the off-road trails near the area."
"This is one of the best campgrounds in Arkansas. Dog friendly"
from $10 - $22 / night
Check Availability"General: Located in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, you can enjoy time off the grid (we had limited cell service when we were at the summit of the Yellow Rock Trail but none in the campground"
"I stayed in Campground E, one of 5 campgrounds in the park, not including the equestrian campground or the walk in tent sites off of Campground A."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"There are some trails nearby, but the area and trails are really designed for ATVs."
"short drives from the campgrounds to beautiful scenery with a little bit of research, or ask greg. alot are even accessible by car. take the 30 min drive to hillbillys lims bbq as well."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"The sign said "campground full" but thanks to another review we disregarded this and found an open site, as did the person who drove in behind us."
"You wake up every morning to the sound of the Buffalo River coursing by just a few hundred yards away, and are greeted by the breathtaking view of the bluffs you are surrounded by!"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"They have horse back riding and tons of world class rock climbing. Very safe and clean. Facilities were just fine."
"Car camp, hammock, tent camp, or rent one the cabins to enjoy the roaming goats and horses around the property. Infamously known in AR as one of the best climbing spots."
from $5 - $245 / night
Check Availability"They continue to upgrade trails and add beautiful camping spots. This is a family room ranch and Donny and Lynn are wonderful hosts. I always come home feeling reconnected with myself and family"
from $15 - $90 / night
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LegendI had heard so many great things about this park but I was not that impressed. The sites are fairly close together. There’s no signs warning that if you are in a large RV you shouldn’t come in on a certain highway. They do have equestrian trails and a campground to accommodate campers with horses. They have a lot of hiking trails. There are cabins and a pool.
LegendCamped here mid-week in early November, 2025. Came here to camp while doing some smallmouth bass fishing on the Buffalo River. Quickly found a large, open, level site with a rock fire ring on a grassy field. This site was large enough to accomodate multiple vehicles and horse trailers. I did not try to find a spot on the river bank, although the river bank appeared easy to access. Only two other camping groups were here during my stay - far enough away that I couldn't hear them. Including the one at the day use parking lot, there are three clean and supplied vault toilets here. The campground appeared well maintained. No potable water and no trash service. Solar recharging and Starlink connectivity are possible. I received spotty T-Mobile 2G and 4G LTE service. This primitive campground is convenient for kayakers and canoers, as well as for overlanders and equestrian campers. I met a backpacker who just came off of the Ozark Highland Trail across the river and was camping on the rocky river bank. I recommend, especially for those driving 2WD passenger vehicles, accessing the campground using Searcy County Road 15 - not CR14. Although open during my time here, narrow CR14 still had some damage from recent landslides which resulted in rough driving conditions (although, high clearance, 4x4 vehicles should have no problems). Overall, I enjoyed camping here, and I'm looking forward to returning to this beautiful area in the Arkansas Ozarks.
GuideWe rolled in at 8pm on a Friday night. The sign said "campground full" but thanks to another review we disregarded this and found an open site, as did the person who drove in behind us. The 26 sites are in two layers, one closer to the parking lot, one closer to the woods, river and bluffs. Rangers patrol regularly and are very helpful. There is a ranger station beyond the horse campground which is a pleasant walk or a quick drive. We stopped there to get our National Park stamp! Easy access to a trail directly from the lot, or walk beyond the horse camp to the Old River trail head. Centerpoint Trail is a 15 minute drive away and offers access to the Big Bluff/Goat Trail. Caution drivers: the road in to the campground is windy and steep. A sign warns against bringing RVs. However there were an enormous bus and tons of horse trailers and campers at the bottom of the hill - braver people than I:) Bathrooms are clean, dimly lit at night presumably to keep bugs out. Each site has a lantern pole, fire ring and picnic table. Lost Valley Trail and shelter are a 10-15 minute drive away. Since it was raining we cooked our dinner in the shelter. Overall a beautiful place with great access to multiple trails as well as river access. Sites are a little close, but if you're fine with having neighbors 20 or so feet away, we highly recommend:)
ScoutLocated within a few miles of the horse camp , this site is Aimed more at group camping, there is not as much shade as I’d like to see. It is immediately next to Erbie put in, with walking distance to both the Erbie Ford and the old community of Erbie, which includes several old homes that have been preserved, the old Erbie Church and Cherry Hill cemetery.
Both cecil Cove Trail and the main Buffalo River trail are right there. With bathrooms and a nice swimming hole, this is a local favorite. The water is seasonal, so ne aware of flash flood risks.
ScoutThis place is a true hidden gem. It is so close to the Buffalo River, Jasper, and Erbie Horse camp. We had such a great weekend with our family! Loved being away from all of the crowds in this secluded area.
TravelerReservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by. We opted for the hike in site and it was perfect for us. Off-road and hiking were great! Views are breathtaking!!
LegendGeneral: Located in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, you can enjoy time off the grid (we had limited cell service when we were at the summit of the Yellow Rock Trail but none in the campground). Limited rainfall resulted in less dramatic (or non-existent) waterfalls that are otherwise boasted of during other times of the year but the scenery was still beautiful, especially in the fall.
Sites/Facilities: Many different camping options (some loops have full hookups while others do not have hookups and there is a dump station near Loop E), a hike-in campground, a group campground, and an equestrian campground. There are also 17 rustic cabins (1-3 bedrooms with kitchens and a/c and heating plus nearby bathrooms). We camped in Loop E and there was reasonable separation between the sites. The pads were paved. Each site had a metal picnic table, lantern hook, and fire grate. Many of the sites provided shade from the many trees.
Bathhouse: Like some other Arkansas state parks, there are two bathhouses in some loops, and they were open on alternating days so that the other one may be cleaned and sanitized (Covid related policy). While the open one in Loop E was clean, the several soap dispensers were empty which does not make sense to me when hand washing is recommended. You also need to bring your own towel, which I have been doing regardless. There are showers but I did not use them so I cannot comment on how good they are.
Activities/Amenities: Hiking! I highly recommend the Yellow Rock Trail and the Devils Den Trail plus there are several others. During the summer, you can rent paddle boats and canoes. There are several areas with picnic tables throughout the park. There is also a swimming pool, although I did not see it when we were there in October(it would only be open in the summer). Firewood is available for sale.
LegendThis is a gorgeous park, even on a rainy weekend. I stayed in Campground E, one of 5 campgrounds in the park, not including the equestrian campground or the walk in tent sites off of Campground A. E was a large campground, with mixed tent and RV camping, with some sites along Lee Creek. Each site was well equipped with paved parking pads, nice flat sites for tents (some gravel pads, some just grassy areas), and many of the spots had electic and water. All had campfire rings, picnic tables, and grills. There were two nice hiking trails leading out of this particular campground, and some of the other campgrounds (A in particular) also had good trails. The bathhouses were really nice and modern and very clean. What I liked about this park, besides the great hiking trails, were all of the historic CCC buildings. There is a really neat scenic overlook that was built by the CCC near the Yellow Rock trailhead, and if you step in the visitor's center, you are actually in the old CCC motor pool. There is a really nice statue and plaque commemorating the work of the CCC in building the park near the lake and cafe.
LegendCoordinates: 34.78571,-93.15988. Visited in early May 2025. Located along Forest Road 772, about 1 mile north of Forest Road 11 in the Ouachita National Forest. Some minor erosion on FR772 where small creeks cross the road. FR11 is in good condition at the time of this visit. The camp is on the western edge of the Deckard Mountain Walk-in Turkey Hunting Area. The camp serves as a small primitive camping area for equestrian riders on the network of interconnecting loop trails that comprise the Bear Creek Equestrain Trail system. These trails are also open to hikers. The trailhead is located at the rear of the camp. Free. Four sites (2 official national forest sites with metal fire rings plus 2 dispersed sites with rock fire rings), available on a first-come/first-based only. Hitching posts are available in the camp. A small creek runs along side the camp. The grounds of the camp do not appear to be maintained, but the sites were clean. There is a very clean vault toilet located at the rear of the camp; it was well supplied. Tent and hammock camping are possible. Sites are mnostly shaded making solar rechargiong and Starlink access a challenge. I received no T-Mobile cell service. The camp itself is not aesthetically pleasing, but it is located deep in a beautiful forest with easy access to a trail system. Note that, when I last checked, the Ouachita National Forest Web site no longer lists this site as a campground.
Horse trail networks span through Ozark National Forest, offering equestrian camping near Clarksville, Arkansas in multiple locations. The forest terrain rises from 1,000 to over 2,700 feet in elevation, creating diverse riding environments from creek valleys to mountain ridge trails. Campgrounds specifically designed for equestrians operate on a first-come, first-served basis during all seasons.
Hiking and photography: Mount Magazine State Park provides trails for various skill levels with views of the Arkansas River Valley. "The trails are mostly shaded and well defined. Remember you are on a mountain so there will be elevation changes as you walk," notes Gary F. about Mount Magazine State Park Campground.
Rock climbing: Horseshoe Canyon Ranch offers sandstone routes for beginners to advanced climbers. According to Alex M., "The sport climbing here in particular is really well maintained and the sandstone rock is grippy and clean," making it a destination for technical climbers.
Swimming and kayaking: Multiple campgrounds provide water access for summer recreation. "Kayaking, swimming, and fishing were awesome!" mentions Donna M. about Steel Creek Campground along the Buffalo National River.
Scenic views: From mountaintops to river valleys, the landscape offers varied perspectives. "But the views ARE the reason to experience this park! They are simply delicious!" writes Charles H. about Mount Nebo State Park Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Many campgrounds have resident and migratory animals. "Saw a lot of deer in the forest right next to our site and in the field next over," reports Samantha W. about Steel Creek Campground.
Seasonal temperature differences: Higher elevation camps offer cooler temperatures. Donny S. notes, "The temperature is literally about 10-15 degrees cooler on the mountain than below. One night we were there it got down to mid teens."
Road conditions: Mountain access roads can be challenging for certain vehicles. "The road is steep, has sharp, blind curves and is very narrow. But SOOO worth it!" warns Leah H. about Steel Creek access.
Limited services: Many forest campgrounds lack full facilities. "No ATT or Verizon service there or in the general area, had to download a map that was essentially a PDF to get around," shares Amy & Stu B. about Macks Pines.
Weather preparedness: Mountain campgrounds experience different weather patterns. "Due to the elevation and drastic temperature change from the base of the mountain and the campground, it frankly isn't safe at all to drive on the mountain in the early morning or evening," cautions Donny S.
Kid-friendly trails: Some parks offer easier hiking options. "The hike up to the highest point in Arkansas is easy and family friendly for kids," mentions Jeremy C. about Mount Magazine State Park.
Swimming opportunities: Natural water features provide recreation. "The creek/river kept my kids entertained and worn out!" shares Melissa M. about Devil's Den State Park Campground.
Park selection: Not all locations cater equally to children. "For anyone with kids, I would say at the outset that this isn't a very kid-friendly park. No playgrounds, very, very mountainous, and generally just not a park for kids," warns Donny S. about some mountain locations.
Size restrictions: Mountain roads limit RV access in some areas. "There are a very limited number of RV sites, but they were all very private feeling and nicely maintained," notes Jennifer H.
Hookup availability: Services vary widely between campgrounds. "Limited number of sites. Full hookup. A lot of trees," reports Rob W. about Mount Magazine, while primitive campgrounds often lack these amenities.
Site leveling: Terrain can make parking challenging. "Some sites require a bit of leveling, lots of full hookup and good amount of 50 amp," explains Roscoe's R. about Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch, noting the improvements made to accommodate various vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Clarksville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clarksville, AR is Mount Magazine State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Clarksville, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Clarksville, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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