Compton, Arkansas sits in the heart of the Ozark Mountains at an elevation of approximately 2,400 feet. The region features limestone bluffs, crystal-clear streams, and dense hardwood forests that create diverse camping environments. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing.
What to do
Outdoor climbing: 800+ routes available at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, where you'll find options for all skill levels. "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," notes Luke O.
Off-road adventures: 150+ acres of trails at Eureka Springs Adventure Park for 4x4 vehicles. "There's a lot of offroad opportunities in this park. I didn't hear offroad vehicles until around 10 am each morning and not past 10 pm any day," shares Levi H.
Paddling: Class I-III rapids on the Buffalo River with rentals available nearby. "The Mulberry River runs right through the property. There are a ton of trails to explore. They have a store and restaurant on site," says Desiree Y. about camping options that provide river access.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn/dusk elk spotting in Boxley Valley, just 10 miles south of Compton. "Of course the wild Elk are a magnificent set to behold. We have a small motor home and there were areas along the road with plenty of room for us to pull-over and watch the Elk Bull and cows," explains Shiela R.
What campers like
Platform tents and huts: $50-80/night at JB Trading Co. for glamping close to Compton, Arkansas. "We stayed in one of the platform huts and it was extremely clean. We stayed in the middle of July and the AC was turned off when we arrived but within a few hours the hut was completely cooled down," reports Grant J.
Clean facilities: Daily maintenance at most area campgrounds. "Bathrooms were spotless. I also had very slow draining sewer hookup. I think they're working on that, they had a plumber on site snaking the drains," notes Tyler D.
Mountain views: 360-degree vistas from many campsites near Compton. "This park is so unique. The view is amazing and it is quite literally on top of a mountain. Very clean restrooms and surprisingly good service for how remote it was," shares Lizabeth T.
Convenience: On-site stores at several campgrounds. "The Outfitter store has everything you could need and more. The staff was very friendly. The canoe rates and shuttle rates were very fair and the food in the kitchen was delicious. Try the Sasquatch BLT!" recommends Stephen R.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have spotty connectivity. "Very low bandwidth on park internet, and AT&T signal here isn't great. Had 1-2 bars on AT&T 4G LTE with around 20 mbps down and around 1-2 mbps up," reports one camper at Eureka Springs Adventure Park.
Flooding potential: Sites near water may be unavailable during high water periods. "I suspect that a lot of these sites next to the lake will flood as they are almost flush with the lake level," warns Annie C. about Lake Leatherwood City Park.