Best Dispersed Camping near Everton, AR

Dispersed camping near Everton, Arkansas centers primarily around the Ozark National Forest and Buffalo National River areas. Multiple primitive sites exist along forest service roads and near waterways, with several designated dispersed areas such as Woolum Dispersed Area, Sam's Throne Recreation Area, and Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area. These public lands permit camping without formal facilities or reservations, though specific regulations vary by land manager. Buffalo National River offers riverside camping at Woolum, while the surrounding Ozark National Forest contains numerous backcountry sites accessible via forest roads.

Access to many dispersed sites requires careful navigation on gravel and dirt roads. Charleston Road and Wilderness Trail Road in the Ozark National Forest are generally well-maintained gravel routes, though some connecting access tracks may require higher clearance vehicles. Several camping areas feature dirt surfaces with varying degrees of levelness. During wet seasons, some roads may become difficult to navigate. Most sites have no drinking water, hookups, or trash service. One review noted, "Bring your own water" as facilities are minimal to nonexistent at these primitive locations.

The dispersed camping experience around Everton combines scenic beauty with rustic conditions. Campsites like those at Buffalo Creek Trail and Sam's Throne offer striking views of the surrounding Ozark landscape. Wildlife Management Areas like Gene Rush require specific camping permits from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and limit camping to designated areas only. Sam's Throne Recreation Area features vault toilets but no running water, making it slightly more developed than other dispersed options. Many sites include established fire rings, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. A visitor to Sam's Throne commented that "Sites are separated by trees, so some privacy" and that "Beautiful cliff views are a short walk away."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Everton, Arkansas (20)

    1. Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River

    7 Reviews
    St. Joe, AR
    13 miles
    Website

    "So many options to make your home away from home! Grassy meadows or river side oasis, you choose! This is definitely the place to go to enjoy magnificent scenery and not be distracted by technology."

    "I just tried to make a trip up there at the end of April (2022) and the final stretch of access road was blocked off due to erosion according to NPS. Not sure when main road will reopen."

    2. Sam's Throne Recreation Area

    16 Reviews
    Mount Judea, AR
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 446-5122

    "There are surrounding trails that lead to some nice spots for a stunning sunset. These seem to be free established campgrounds, not dispersed."

    "There are a few bears in the region so I would hang my food just to be safe. There aren't any specific spots for RV's but there are a few cleared areas with room to park an RV or trailer."

    3. Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area

    4 Reviews
    Vendor, AR
    13 miles

    "100% of Wildlife Management Areas in the state of Arkansas require a Hunting license or WMA camping permit purchased though Arkansas Game and Fish."

    "Spoke with Arkansas Game and Fishing Commission Ranger. No despersal camping but you can camp in the 2 designated campsites. Well designated, my post is on the further east site from Carver."

    4. Falling Water Creek

    1 Review
    Witts Springs, AR
    29 miles

    5. Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area

    4 Reviews
    Bradleyville, MO
    36 miles
    Website

    "This area is a wilderness area so camping is plentiful.  However in this particular are there is no organized campsite specifically.  "

    "Hercules Glades Wilderness Area is part of mark Twain National Forest. It's a bit off the beaten path, but worth it for a day hike or a bit of backpacking."

    6. Hercules Glades (Watch Tower)

    3 Reviews
    Bradleyville, MO
    37 miles

    "We got here on a pretty hilly/twisty road late at night, found a spot close to the trailhead and had a quiet, peaceful night sleep. We saw just one other camper with a trailer close to the inlet."

    "Nice camping spots at the trailhead for Hercules glades. It was a beautiful, quiet area."

    7. Blair Ridge Rd Dispersed

    1 Review
    Greeson Lake, MO
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 364-4621

    "Tried to camp out before backpacking through Hercules Glade Wilderness but the trailheads were packed (weekend). There are two fire rings along this road. Both locations have full bars (Verizon)."

    9. Buffalo Creek Trail

    1 Review
    Pettigrew, AR
    39 miles

    "The final half mile of Madison/404 was too steep and rough to proceed. Cavern Mountain Rd 5 was good. Additionally, Google routed us a bunch of dirt roads to get here."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Everton, AR

40 Reviews of 20 Everton Campgrounds


  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2024

    Brock Creek - Charleston Rd Dispersed, Ozark NF, AR

    Nice Dispersed Site Above Brock Creek

    Not sure if the location pin is correct, so here are the coordinates: 35.49995, -92.80930. A large, wooded dispersed site situated above Brock Creek off of Charleston Road in a popular national forest OHV and multi-use trail area. Charleston Road is a wide, well maintained gravel road. The dispersed site can accommodate 2 or 3 vehicles - campervan size and smaller. There are 2 access driveways into the site. Access for a truck camper is tight due to the location of trees on the site. Access for 2WD low clearance vehicles may be rough due to some erosion. The dispersed site is a dirt surface with some embedded rocks jutting out. Some leveling may be required depending where the rig is parked. Tent camping is possible. There is a vehicle turnaround at the rear of the site. The site is shaded, so solar charging is limited. Except for a little bit of glass and some bullet shell casings scattered about, the site was clean at the time of my visit. The site has a large rock fire ring. There is a wide track that leads off the site toward the south along and above the creek. This track does not appears on any of the current forest service maps (including MVUM) that I have, so I'm assuming that it is not a legal motorized vehicle track. The track is hikeable. The site is convenient to OHV and multi-use trails. It was a pretty site during my summertime visit, but I bet it's beautiful during the Fall season. It is set back from Charleston Road. It is a really nice spot.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 6, 2025

    FR1802A, Meadows Knob Rd Dispersed

    Secluded, Light Usage, Dispersed Camping in the Ozarks

    Coordinates: 35.58695,-93.20723. Camped here Dec 29, 2024. Set well off of Meadows Knob Rd. Expect pinstriping along the access track to this secluded dispersed campsite. FR1802A toward the site has some erosion; low clearance vehicles may high center in one or two spots. The main forest road into this part of the Ozark National Forest is okay. The campsite is in open area, located in an old clear cut area. There is a partial view of the distant mountains. The site is a level, dirt surface. Not a large site; okay for one rig. Tent camping possible. No nearby mature trees for hammock camping. The site is overgrown with grass and weeds; a weed whacker is needed to clear the rock fire ring. There is a spot on the ground where a previous campfire was made. Good AT&T and T-Mobile 5G service. No shade; access to Starlink is possible. No hiking trails, although there is a 2-track for hiking that leads down into Graves Creek Canyon and some unnamed waterfalls. The hike along this trck is nice. This is not a pretty dispersed site, but it is well off of the main forest road; very private. Access to the site may be difficult for some vehicles. High clearance 4x4 vehicles should have no problems.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2022

    Middle Fork Dispersed Site AR Ozarks

    Creekside Dispersed Site, Middle Fork Illinois Bayou

    Large clearing along the Middle Fork of the Illinois Bayou. Located on Middle Fork Road, about a 1/4 mile in from AR Hwy 27, near Hector, AR. The site is on national forest land and appears to be popular. It's large enough for 3 car/truck/campervan rigs. Area is level for rigs & tents, although the ground is mostly hard buried gravel - maybe uncomfortable to sleep on without pads. Three large puddles on the site. Three ways to enter the site from  Middle Fork Road. Middle Fork Rd itself can easily accommodate 2wd passenger vehicles. Other dispersed sites further down the road along the creek. The site is not pristine, but it's nice to camp close to the bayou. Very peaceful, but there is occasional faint truck noise from Hwy 27. A half dozen or so vehicles passed by, some were residents who live further down the road. No facilities; need to bring your own water. No trash pickup; pack in, pack out.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2024

    Group Dispersed, Charleston Road, Ozark NF, AR

    Large Group Dispersed Camping

    Coordinates: 35.50873, -92.81549. Group dispersed site located less than a 1/4-mile south of the Zing Trailhead on Charleston Road. Charleston Road is a wide, well maintained gravel road located in a popular national forest OHV area. This dispersed site is a level with a dirt and grass surface. The site can accomodate multiple vehicles; tent camping is possible. There is a large rock fire ring at the rear of the site. The site is open with little shade, making recharging with solar panels possible. Other than accommodating a group of OHV and offroad enthusiasts, and stargazing at night, there is nothing remarkable about this campsite.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2020

    Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area

    Hike in and camp, or just hike for day use!!

    This area is a wilderness area so camping is plentiful.  However in this particular are there is no organized campsite specifically.  Instead there are several areas where you can with permissions hike in and stay.  

    My suggestion for camping along this area are to check with local restrictions, there are some that you will want to make sure you know first hand.   Sometimes fire restrictions do change and these can be found at the beginning of the trails on the kiosks.   Some areas also are not permitted for overnight parking so you want to check those out before venturing into the wilderness for a lengthy time.

    Check with rangers of the area to make sure you are not in a register only or permit only area for camping!!  Very important in this region.

    Bring everything and then plot your course.

    The 4 mile hike is amazing and has many beautiful view points however it is also quite treacherous in some areas.    This area is also one which you will find many snakes lurking during warmer months so beware!!!!   

    I always suggest on wilderness hikes to not hike alone or camp alone but this one I found to be more problematic with limited to no cell service for assistance should you encounter danger.   

    Be careful but have fun!!!

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2024

    Charleston Road Dispersed, Ozark NF, AR

    Convenient to National Forest OHV Area

    Pin location may not be correct, so here are the coordinates: 35.52534, -92.83158. Located on Charleston Road in a popular national forest OHV area - 1/2 mile southeast of the Mountain Man Trailhead. Charleston Road is a well maintained gravel road. The site is at the beginning of an old unnamed, closed, dirt track - close to Charleston Road. The site has a dirt surface; not quite level, but more level toward the rear. It is a pull-in site which can accommodate one campervan and smaller. Tent camping is possible. The site is mostly shaded. There is poison ivy around the perimeter of the site. The site includes a large rock fire ring. Except for a little bit of trash in the fire ring, the site was pretty much clean. The old track is gated just past the site,; the track is hikeable, leading up to the northern-most Stoebuck Mountain (there are two "Stoebuck Mountains" in this area). Except for being convenient to OHV trails, there is nothing remarkable about this dispersed site. It is good for an overnight stay.

  • T
    Nov. 29, 2017

    Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area

    Nicely private, but not a lot of scenery

    Hercules Glades Wilderness Area is part of mark Twain National Forest. It's a bit off the beaten path, but worth it for a day hike or a bit of backpacking.

    Since it's wilderness area, you can camp just about anywhere with few restrictions. There are a few primitive sites at the trailhead, no water or toilets.

    A few hundred yards from the Coy Bald Trailhead there is a fork in the trail. Going left gets you to the falls and the majority of the camp sites with the shortest route, about three miles.

    The trail is pretty rough and rocky with moderate elevation changes. I'd rate it on the low side of moderate difficulty.

    About a mile in you'll cross the river for the first time. There are camp sites with fire rings on both sides of the river. This is a scenic area with bluffs on one side of the river, but forested, so no views to speak of.

    About three miles in, you'll cross the river the second time. There are a number of camping areas with fire rings along the river.

    Downstream a few hundred feet are the falls that most people go to see. Unfortunately for us, there wasn't enough water for them to be running. There was enough water to wade around in and soak the feet. It was quite nice!

    The area is pretty and quiet, we saw only a handful of people in the two days we were there. The only issue was the ticks, they were the worst I'd dealt with in some time.

    All in all, a nice hike and a nice bit if camping. I'd go back to see the falls again.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 2, 2024

    Austin Trailhead Dispersed, Wilderness Trail Rd, Ozark NF, AR

    Dispersed camping convenient to OHV/multi-use national forest trails

    Not sure if the pin location is correct, so here are the exact coordinates: 35.53654, -92.80322.  Small dispersed campsite just off Wilderness Trail Road. Wilderness Trail Road is a wide gravel country road located in a popular national forest OHV area. More specifically, the site is located on multi-use/OHV trail Brock Creek #42, Forest Road 2321 - just a few hundred feet south of Wilderness Trail (not in the trailhead parking lot, where camping is not allowed). Its a small, level dirt site, mostly shaded in a small clearing in the trees, close to the track - not private. It has a small rock fire ring. Tent camping is possible. It's a pull-in site which can accommodate one vehicle - truck camper and smaller. Except for being convenient to OHV trails, there is nothing remarkable about this dispersed site.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2024

    Brock Creek Lake View Dispersed, Ozark NF, AR

    Lake View Dispersed Camping

    Coordinates: 35.49123, -92.80548. Large open dispersed site set back from Charleston Road, just north of Bell Rd (Forest Road 1334). Located in a popular national forest OHV and multi-use trails area. Charleston Road is a wide, well-maintained gravel road. Access to the site from Charleston Road is on a 400 foot long narrow dirt track; pinstripping is possible. The dispersed site has a dirt surface with some embedded rocks. It's on a rise above the lake, offering a nice view. Solar recharging is possible in this open site. The site is on what appears to be a parking area along an old dirt track; this track appears as an older section of Charleston Rd on some maps. There is a dirt ramp into the lake. There is room for multiple rigs at the campsite. Some leveling may be required depending on the spot the vehicle is parked. There are two rock fire rings - one large and one small. Tent Camping is possible near the fire rings. The lake was drained at the time of my visit; otherwise, it's a really nice view.


Guide to Everton

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Everton, Arkansas, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots to unwind and connect with the outdoors. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, you're sure to find the perfect place to set up camp.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Everton, Arkansas

Scenic views and hiking trails for dispersed campers

  • The Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area offers stunning hiking trails with breathtaking views, perfect for those looking to explore the natural beauty of the Ozarks.
  • Campers at Hercules Glades (Watch Tower) can enjoy easy access to trails that lead to scenic overlooks and unique rock formations.
  • For a more rugged experience, the Blair Ridge Rd Dispersed area provides access to trails that wind through the forest, ideal for hiking and wildlife spotting.

Dispersed campers should check out the serene spots

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Everton, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Everton, AR is Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River with a 4.7-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Everton, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 dispersed camping locations near Everton, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.