Tent camping near Clarksville, Arkansas centers around the foothills of the Ozarks with elevations ranging from 400 to 2,500 feet. Campsites in this region often feature rocky terrain with sandy or gravel tent pads requiring sturdy tent stakes. Summer temperatures frequently reach 90°F with high humidity, making water-adjacent sites particularly valuable during peak camping months between May and September.
What to do
Swimming opportunities: Haw Creek Falls Camping provides a natural swimming hole that serves as a refreshing retreat in hot weather. "Fun campground, not exactly remote but private enough. $10/night, which is more than fair considering the size of most of the sites. Swimming area is fantastic, a much needed relief after a hot day of hiking!" notes Samantha W.
Hiking trails: Multiple hiking paths connect camping areas with local attractions. "Enjoy the nearby trails while you are here! Pam's Grotto was my favorite," writes Lacee G. about exploring from Haw Creek Falls. Trails range from easy 1-mile routes to challenging 8+ mile treks through rugged terrain.
Rock climbing access: The region attracts climbers of various skill levels. Horseshoe Canyon Ranch is particularly noted for climbing opportunities. "Horseshoe canyon is one of the biggest climbing and bouldering locations in the southeast area. Beautiful pastures and surrounded by rock that hundreds come to visit," explains Luke O.
What campers like
Geological features: The sandstone formations create distinctive landscapes. Kings River Falls Campground offers "caves, bluffs, swimming holes and river a plenty. This campground has a grand exhibition of the same sandstone formation that is responsible for the Whitaker Point(Hawksbill Crag) formation, as well," according to Rhonda L.
Budget-friendly options: Most camping areas charge minimal fees or none at all. "Haw Creek falls is a small campground that has only primitive campsites. But the scenery is worth it! The site is located near the haw creek water fall and the Ozark highlands trail runs thru it. there are 9 sites available at first come first served basis only," shares Tricia E.
Digital disconnection: Many campers appreciate the lack of connectivity. Dawn G. notes about her experience: "We only saw one other couple there the whole time we were there, it was clean, taken care of, had restrooms, tables, and firepits at several sites. It was beautiful! Secluded, need bug spray, worth the ride out but no cell service at all!"
What you should know
Road conditions: Several campgrounds require navigating challenging access roads. Kyles Landing Campground has a particularly notable approach. "Worth every bump in the horrible road to the camp grounds... however the drive down the Arkansas hill to this serene location is a tense frustrating and should not be attempted with a real wheel drive or low profile vehicle," advises Luke B.
Bathroom facilities: Vault toilets are standard at most sites, with few offering showers. "Bathrooms with flush toilets cleaned daily, but no showers. Weather and river reports posted at the bathroom daily," notes Leah H. about Steel Creek Campground.
Water availability: Potable water access varies significantly between locations. "Something really important to note though is that there is NO WATER!! Bring your own water in to avoid making a half an hour trip to the nearest gas station!!" warns Samantha W. about Haw Creek Falls.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation: Tent camping with kids often centers around water features. Steel Creek Campground provides accessible river activities. "We loved camping at Steel Creek! You can see beautiful bluff from the campground. The campsites are all in a big grassy field which I love. There are trails to the river nearby and a great swimming hole!" shares Lindsey P.
Wildlife viewing: Children often enjoy animal sightings around campsites. "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. Some areas near Ponca also offer elk viewing opportunities.
Weekday scheduling: For better site selection and quieter experiences with children, avoid peak weekend crowds. "It was quite chilly in the morning and evening/night, so pack warm clothes! It's isolated, beautiful, and has clean, easily accessible restrooms," advises Ashley & Derek V. about their fall visit to Kyles Landing.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Many campgrounds near Clarksville have restrictions on RV size. Bayou Bluff Point of Interest notes specific limitations. "The vault toilets are clean, and the campground grounds appear to be reasonably maintained. I recommend only tent camping here, as well as car/truck/van camping. Sites appear to be too small for RVs & trailers," warns Fred S.
Road clearance concerns: Access roads often require higher clearance vehicles. "Steep and rocky to get down but very doable. We took our ram Pro master," shares Kelsey R. about navigating to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch with their van.
Limited hookup options: Most tent camping areas near Clarksville don't offer RV hookups, requiring self-sufficiency. "Open all year. No fees. Upper loop closed. Pavilions available on a first-come, first-served basis only. No trash services. Pack it in- pack it out," reports Fred S. about current conditions at Bayou Bluff.
