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Best Tent Camping near Clinton, AR

618 Reviews

Tent camping options are scattered throughout the wooded areas surrounding Clinton, Arkansas, with several notable tent-only sites providing access to the region's natural attractions. Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway offers 14 tent campsites with amenities including picnic tables, drinking water, and showers. The nearby Bayou Bluff Point of Interest provides free primitive tent camping with stone shelters overlooking the Illinois Bayou. Mill Creek and Haw Creek Falls offer additional tent camping areas within a reasonable drive from Clinton, providing access to water recreation along the Buffalo National River system.

Most tent campsites near Clinton feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Sites at Bayou Bluff include unique stone shelters with built-in fireplaces that provide partial protection from the elements while maintaining an outdoor experience. Vault toilets are available at most established campgrounds, though drinking water is limited to certain locations like Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway. Several sites, including Bayou Bluff, operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. Many primitive tent camping areas follow "pack it in, pack it out" principles, with limited or no trash services available.

The tent camping experience near Clinton provides opportunities for solitude and connection with nature, particularly at less-developed sites. Areas along the Buffalo National River offer tent-friendly beaches and gravel bars for riverside camping. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers appreciate the privacy between sites at locations like Spring Creek Campground, noting "the campsites are a good distance apart, they have plenty of room and have fire rings and picnic tables." Seasonal considerations affect the camping experience, with some locations being more appealing in spring and fall when temperatures are moderate. During summer months, tent campers benefit from sites with good tree cover, particularly at Bayou Bluff where the stone shelters provide additional shade. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the area, adding to the authentic outdoor experience for tent campers.

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Best Tent Sites Near Clinton, Arkansas (21)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Clinton, AR

24 Photos of 21 Clinton Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Clinton, AR

618 Reviews of 21 Clinton 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.

  • Bailey W.
    May. 14, 2022

    Toad Suck

    A good little campground

    Toad Suck is a great campground- with some caveats. All of the sites are reservable and have concrete pads. This makes it impossible to stake down a tent but also provides a great level spot. There's no foragable wood at the sites, but there's a quick stop type gas station very nearby that sells it cheap and locally sourced. The bathrooms can be a trek from your site or right next door, depending on where you're staying, but theyre immaculately clean. They service them twice daily. It's right next to the lock and dam at Toad Suck on the Arkansas River so there's a constant roar of water and the sound of barges throughout the night and day. I don't mind it but keep that in mind if you don't like those sounds. The campsite is peaceful otherwise. Dogs are allowed! ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL.

  • 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.

  • Richard
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Woolly Hollow State Park — Wooly Hollow State Park

    Nice little park

    This park is pretty much spotless. I tent camped in the fall and loved it. All the tent sites have a gravel pad, picnic table and fire ring. Lots of trees to set up your hammock. They have a swim beach and small boat rentals in the summer. There’s a nice paved walking trail too. I highly recommend.

  • 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!

Guide to Clinton

Tent campsites near Clinton, Arkansas cluster within the Ozark plateau region. Elevations range from approximately 500 to 1500 feet, creating moderate hiking challenges and diverse microclimates. Most primitive sites experience seasonal closure during winter months from November through February, while established campgrounds maintain limited access year-round.

What to do

Water activities at Illinois Bayou: The stone pavilions at Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI) make excellent bases for exploring the water. Camper David S. notes, "There is trail access to some scenic areas right around you, and some interesting stone structures which I haven't encountered before at a campsite."

Canoeing for beginners: The Buffalo River near Rush Campground offers excellent entry-level paddling opportunities. According to camper Matt S., "This is a great place to go if you are a beginner level for canoeing. Very few fast running water. If you are very skilled or experienced canoer you might be disappointed."

Swimming after hiking: During summer months, tent campers can cool off at Haw Creek Falls, located 45 minutes from Clinton. Samantha W. comments, "Swimming area is fantastic, a much needed relief after a hot day of hiking!"

What campers like

Stone shelters with fireplaces: The CCC-built stone structures at Bayou Bluff provide partial weather protection not available at other tent camping areas. Amy W. describes, "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."

Riverside tent sites: Multiple gravel bar camping areas along the Buffalo River provide direct water access for tent camping. At Shine Eye Gravel Bar, camper Lindsey P. explains, "There are no designated campsites, just park in the parking lot, walk down to the river and find a spot."

Site spacing for privacy: Tent campers appreciate the layout at Spring Creek Campground, particularly during off-peak seasons. Lisa B. notes, "The campsites are a good distance apart, they have plenty of room and have fire rings and picnic tables."

What you should know

Limited water access: Most primitive tent sites near Clinton require bringing all drinking water. At Haw Creek Falls Camping, Samantha W. cautions, "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!!"

Limited cell service: Tent campsites in this region generally lack reliable connectivity. At Bayou Bluff, valerie reports, "There is no cell service on ATT - it showed only 'SOS' but the town of Hector is nearby if you need to check your phone in a pinch."

Trash management expectations: Many primitive tent sites require packing out all waste. According to Fred S., Bayou Bluff operates with "No trash services. Pack it in- pack it out" principles, with Leave No Trace ethics posted on information kiosks.

Tips for camping with families

Scout weekend crowding: Rush Campground experiences heavy weekend use during summer months. Jeyd A. observes, "Very busy during the day and evening time. Water gets crowded with canoers and people with kayaks. Plenty of shade options."

Shallow water play areas: The Illinois Bayou near Bayou Bluff offers accessible creek exploration for children. Stephanie M. explains, "Swimming is a small but slightly difficult walk down a steep Rocky path. It's rarely crowded which is why we like it."

Simple facilities: Prepare children for basic amenities at most tent sites. At Rush Campground, Paul P. notes, "They have one vault toilet, 12 tent sites, and a water spigot. Right on the beautiful buffalo river."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most tent campsites near Clinton accommodate small vehicles only. At Bayou Bluff, valerie advises, "It's not really well suited for big RV's but wouldn't be impossible."

Consider primitive tent camping: Many RV travelers opt for tent camping at scenic spots like Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway when exploring this region. Jake C. suggests, "Whether you're into hang gliding, kayaking or just relaxing at camp, the hillbilly hideaway is here to provide a great basecamp for your Arkansas adventures."

Steep access roads: Some tent camping areas have challenging approaches for larger vehicles. Nathan H. cautions about 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."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Clinton, AR is Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Clinton, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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