Best Tent Camping near Cozahome, AR

Tent campsites along the Buffalo National River form the core of primitive camping options near Cozahome, Arkansas. Rush Campground provides basic tent camping with 12 sites positioned along the river, while Spring Creek Campground offers more secluded primitive tent sites accessible via a steep gravel road. Both campgrounds are part of the Buffalo National River system, which features multiple tent-friendly locations for outdoor enthusiasts seeking riverside camping experiences within 20 miles of Cozahome.

Tent campers should note that most sites offer only basic amenities. Vault toilets are present at Rush and Spring Creek campgrounds, but drinking water is limited or unavailable at many locations. Fire rings are provided at some campsites, though restrictions may apply seasonally. Most tent sites feature natural terrain with minimal improvements beyond picnic tables at select locations. The Gilbert and Shine Eye Gravel Bars offer more primitive tent camping directly on riverside beaches, providing direct water access but fewer facilities. Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area requires a special $5 camping permit from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and limits camping to designated tent sites only.

The Buffalo River region provides tent campers with exceptional water access and natural settings. Areas around Rush Landing are particularly suited for canoe and kayak enthusiasts planning multi-day float trips with overnight camping. A review noted, "This is primitive camping at its best. They have one vault toilet, 12 tent sites, and a water spigot. Right on the beautiful buffalo river." Many tent sites remain relatively uncrowded outside peak seasons, though some locations like Spring Creek can have varied experiences. Another camper described their experience: "This primitive campground was perfect for me and my dog. The campsites are a good distance apart, they have plenty of room and have fire rings and picnic tables." Walk-in tent sites typically offer more seclusion than drive-in locations, particularly along the gravel bars.

Best Tent Sites Near Cozahome, Arkansas (27)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Cozahome, AR

609 Reviews of 27 Cozahome Campgrounds


  • Amy W.
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

    Small campground with CCC-built rock shelters

    This recreation area is as close to off-grid as you can get with so many great options right off the pavement. This campground has no water or electricity but has 4 drive-up campsites with picnic tables, fire circle, and rock shelters that overlook the beautiful Illinois Bayou. I only recall seeing trash receptacles on the lower loop.  An upper loop is accessible by hiking in. These are tent sites only with no rock shelters on the sites. The rock shelters have a large rock fire area.  There's also a vault toilet on the lower loop. A pavilion onsite is reservable and has electricity. There's also several small trails through the campground but it's most fun when the water is low enough, to go down to the water and walk along the creek. The area is close to many great hiking trails and dirt roads to explore around Hector and makes a great home base. Just up the road is a great area to explore with Jeeps or ATVs. Look up Lindsey Mtwy. This area is not on many people's radar so it's possible that you may only see a local or two while you're here. I still had cell service with my Verizon network while I was in the campground but I lost service when I went down by the Illinois Bayou.  Overall, this is a heck of a nice campground for the non-electric camper. If you visit the area, please leave no trace. :-)

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Barkshed Recreation Area

    Mostly walkin tent sites

    Visited here on Oct 7, 2025. Did not camp here. There are a handful of first-come, first-serve primitive sites. I only saw one drive-in site down near the creek. There are about 4 walk-in tent sites up a driveway into a parking area. The walk-in sites are close to the parking area. One site, which is not quite level, has a picnic table. The walk-in sites have metal fire rings. There are 2 clean vault toilets with tp at the campground. No potable water. The tent sites have a dirt and grass surface. There are a few shade trees. Starlink connectivity is possible. No AT&T and T-Mobile service. Nice swimming hole down by the creek. Access to the North Sylamore Creek Trail is at this recreation area. Note that the unpaved forest road approaching the recreation area from highway 14 is sketchy in spots due to Spring storm damage. Sections were being regraded during my visit. Low clearance, 2wd passenger vehicles can make it, but should tread carefully. Also note that, due to storm damage, Tie Ridge Road between Barkshed and Gunner Pool Road was only open to 4x4 vehicles at the time of my visit.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2022

    Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

    Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

    The Bayou Bluff Recreation Area is now called the Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI). In summary, there are only 4 campsites, including a group site. Also, these sites are free, first come, first serve. Here's is info directly from the Bayou Bluff  page on the National Forst Service Web site: "Effective October 2021, Bayou Bluff became a Point of Interest. The fees are suspended for camping and day use and is now open all year. Upper loop is closed to camping and will be eliminated completely. Use of the vault toilet, large pavilion, three shelters, and a small pavilion will remain. The pavilions are managed on a first-come, first-service basis. Trash services are managed by visitors as "pack-it-in, pack-it-out," and Leave No Trace ethics are posted on information kiosks. Active partner groups and volunteers are helping extend the life of the current amenities, excluding trash services." Also: "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." The NF page also indicates that there is no water available, but there may water in the group site. 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.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Beautiful National Forest Recreation Area

    Camped at site #3 for 3 nights in early October 2025. This site was really good for my camper van; just about level. The site backs up to a beautiful forest. The campground in this recreation area has  27 sites in 3 separate sections. There are some sites at the "pool" which are appropriate for car and tent camping. There is a section down a dirt road along the creek bottom that has a handful of sites; these sites are also good for car and tent camping. I camped in a wooded loop; the sites here can accomodate car, van and tent camping. A few towables may fit in this section. This is a beautiful wooded campground; clean and very well maintained. Most sites are level. Hammock camping is possible in some sites. Most sites have a table, tent pad, lantern pole, metal fire ring and a grill. Some sites are open, some shaded. No hookups. Potable water is located in a central area of the sections; the water was turned on during my visit. There are 4 vault toilets - clean and supplied with tp. Parts of the campground is prone to flash flooding. Very peaceful; the campground wasn't too busy midweek. The campground has access to the beautiful North Sylamore Creek trail. Access to campground on the gravel Gunner Pool Road from Highway 14 was very good during my visit. This forest road goes through the recreation area; it is busier than you would see on typical forest roads. Love this recreation area. One of the best that the Arkansas Ozarks has to offer for outdoor recreation.

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Drury-Mincy Conservation Area

    Gem in Missouri

    Lovely spot in Missouri. Passing through to Tennessee and found this gem of a spot with 2 vault toilets, trash and it’s free! Arrived at sunset in a Wednesday and only 2 other campers. There’s about 6 spots to pull in with a camper/ RV then at least 6 tent spots. Most spots have a fire ring and picnic table. 2-3 bars of LTE with AT&T. Little bit of road noise but no issues sleeping in my van. Everyone we came across was kind. No electric or water so come prepared. Closest town for supplies is around 25 minutes. Would definitely stay here again!

  • Renee H.
    Mar. 26, 2024

    Dam - Quarry

    Clean campground, nice location

    Average space between sites. Level paved sites with gravel picnic area including picnic table, fire ring, lantern hanger. Some sites had covered picnic area. Limited shade, most sites don’t have trees. Good access to sites. Clean and private bathrooms. Each room had its own lockable bathroom with toilet, sink and shower. Garbage cans were outside of bathrooms, as well as dumpsters near the registration building. Friendly staff upon check in. Campground was patrolled regularly. No laundry or recycling. Nearby road with little road noise. Verizon cell signal was excellent. There is a dump station and potable fill station. No store or food for purchase on site. No hiking in campground, but multiple trails nearby. Boat ramp at campground and lots of wading fly fishing in river. Fish hatchery across from campground.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 25, 2021

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Basic but very quiet and peaceful

    General: We were apprehensive about planning to stay at this campground as the nearby one in Blanchard Springs was closed, we could not make reservations, five of the 27 sites were closed due to potential flooding from Hurricane Laura, and access is via a three-mile winding dirt road (not recommended for large RVs but it was navigable for our campervan), so we made alternate backup plans. There was no need to worry, however, as there were plenty of open sites, including some overlooking North Sylamore Creek when we arrived on a Sunday afternoon in mid-October for a hike. 

    Sites/Facilities: Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, tent pad, and lantern pole. There is a central water source.

    Activities/Amenities: This is a no-frills campground – no electric or water hookups, dumpster, playground, or flush toilets – just vault toilets. What struck me most was how quiet it was. There is access to the Sylamore hiking trail; you can hike five miles to the Blanchard Springs picnic area.

  • Tom K.
    Jun. 24, 2018

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Wonderful overnight

    We hiked in to this campground from Blanchard and were pleasantly surprised. It is primitive in some aspects but not overtly so. They have vault toilets that were manageable and spickets for water. We grabbed a site that had a bi-level for the tent and picnic table. There was a fire ring as well. Overall, it has some stuff to do being by the river and a longish trail to explore. We may have been to tired to care about some of the finer details so we were pretty happy with this site!

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 5, 2021

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Remote Inexpensive Camping Along Water

    For Full Video Review. CLICK HERE

    While traveling through this portion of Arkansas I stumbled upon a small roadside for Gunner Pool Recreation Area just a short distance past Blanchard Springs.    3 miles down a gravel, but well maintained roadway, the campground sat nestled between to sections of the water way.     On one side, slow moving water is met by the dam forming the blue toned pool and on the other a gentle flowing stream flanks the massive mountain side.   

    Along the camping loop, spaces are well separated and have plenty of room to spread out.   Each site is equipped with standard camping amenities such as picnic tables, lantern hooks and fire rings.      Vault toilets are centrally located in several areas of camp both on the upper and lower loops.   In addition locking style garbage cans are placed near restrooms. 

    When I visited the Forest Service was on property trimming trees and clearing debris from recent rain.   Their office is located just a short distance from the entry of the roadway, so they are often here to work on the property.

    A little gem in the midst of the campground is located just across from the pay kiosk, the story of the property and the CCC camp which actually created not only this property but also worked on neighboring sites at Blanchard.   Definitely check out the story!!

    Tips:

    • Bring your own envelop for the pay kiosk, when I visited the paper envelops were soggy and unable to be used.    You can easily pull one but putting money in them they simply fell apart.
    • Bring everything.   There are no stores in the camp in addition to no fire wood available at the campsite so make sure you come prepared.    The closest store for major things is located over 15 miles away.

Guide to Cozahome

Primitive tent camping sites along the Buffalo National River near Cozahome, Arkansas offer direct access to waterways and hiking trails within the Ozark landscape. Most sites are situated between elevations of 600 and 1,200 feet, providing both riverside and bluff camping options. River levels fluctuate seasonally, with water running lower during late summer months and higher during spring flooding events.

What to do

Float trips with overnight stays: Buffalo Camping & Canoeing in Gilbert serves as an excellent starting point for multi-day paddling adventures. The outfitter provides camping sites for those preparing for river journeys.

Hiking access: Syllamo offers both mountain biking and hiking opportunities with well-maintained trail systems. "This is a series of trails with multiple trail heads. Each trail head has a course gravel parking area and a very nice pit toilet. Bring lots of drinking water. Good for both Mountain Biking and hiking, but hikers need to make way for bikers," notes a visitor.

Wildlife viewing: Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area requires a $5 camping permit from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission but provides designated tent sites in secluded settings. "Stayed the night in Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area. Spoke with Arkansas Game and Fishing Commission Ranger. No despersal camping but you can camp in the 2 designated campsites... The farther east site is high on a bluff top, the west site is more in a valley," explains one camper.

What campers like

River proximity: Rush Campground offers direct Buffalo River access for beginning paddlers. "This is the last stop before you enter the wilderness area of the Buffalo River. It was amazing. The only complaint is that at times the river can run somewhat low. This is a great place to go if you are a beginner level for canoeing," shares one visitor.

Wilderness experience: Campers particularly value the isolation at riverside locations. "You can find Gilbert Gravel Bar off 65 just south of the city of St Joe's. Go through the city of Gilbert and you will find parking at the end of the road leading to a fairly large beach/gravel area. You can tent hear in preparation for a canoe trip or as a stop over along the Buffalo River," writes one camper.

Simple accommodations: The best tent camping near Cozahome, Arkansas features basic but functional sites. "This is just a gravel bar along The Buffalo National River but it is beautiful! There are no designated campsites, just park in the parking lot, walk down to the river and find a spot," explains a visitor to Shine Eye Gravel Bar.

What you should know

Access challenges: Road conditions vary dramatically by season and weather. Kyles Landing Campground has particular access considerations. "This campground is awesome. It's a few miles down a dirt road but worth it. The camp sites have tables and fire pits and are all next to the river. This camp sees heavy traffic during the day due to being the take out for paddle trips down from the town of Ponca," notes one reviewer.

Facility limitations: Most tent sites near Cozahome have minimal facilities. "This campground is quite and beautiful. A real bob Ross of a campground, 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," warns a Kyles Landing camper.

Timing considerations: First-come, first-served sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "Great spot to camp, fills up fast on fridays!" advises a visitor to Kyles Landing.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection: Spring Creek Campground offers more private sites for families seeking quieter camping. "This primitive campground was perfect for me and my dog. We stayed three nights in October 2020. It's right on a put-in spot on the Buffalo River so there were a couple of buses and shuttles but for the most part it was very quiet. The campsites are a good distance apart," reports one visitor.

Water safety: River conditions vary greatly by season, affecting swimming and paddling options. "Beautiful spot! We were the only people there and it was very beautiful & peaceful. Water was clear & right beside the camp. It isn't my favorite camp site but it is my favorite swim spot," notes a camper at Dillards Ferry.

Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations can be significant, especially in fall. "We were here last fall and the colors were simply gorgeous. It was quite chilly in the morning and evening/night, so pack warm clothes!" advises a Kyles Landing camper.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most campgrounds near Cozahome accommodate smaller RVs or tent camping only. "This is a beautiful campground for the entire family. Fairly quiet at night after 11pm. Very busy during the day and evening time. Water gets crowded with canoers and people with kayaks. Plenty of shade options," mentions a visitor to Rush Campground.

Road accessibility: High clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing most sites. "The road has improved and was more than passable even after heavy rains. Campsite is remote with great access to trials and the River. Not for Car Camping or RVing," explains a Kyles Landing reviewer.

Campground selection: For tent camping near Cozahome, Arkansas, choose between established sites with basic amenities or more remote gravel bar camping. "100% of Wildlife Management Areas in the state of Arkansas require a Hunting license or WMA camping permit purchased through Arkansas Game and Fish. WMA Regulations are very easy to find on the AGFC website," advises a Gene Rush WMA visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cozahome, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cozahome, AR is Rush Campground — Buffalo National River with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Cozahome, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near Cozahome, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.