The Ozark National Forest surrounds Ozone, Arkansas, offering a mix of primitive and developed camping options within a rugged mountain landscape. Ozone Recreation Area provides year-round camping with basic facilities including toilets and trash service, accommodating both tent and RV campers. Nearby Haw Creek Falls Camping features free primitive sites with picnic tables and vault toilets, popular for its proximity to scenic waterfalls. Within a 30-minute drive, Wolf Pen Recreation Area and Byrd's Adventure Center provide additional options, with the latter offering more amenities including cabins, glamping, and full hookups for those seeking comfort. The region's campgrounds are primarily situated along creeks and rivers, creating opportunities for water-based recreation.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, with many campgrounds accessible only via gravel forest roads that can become challenging after rain. As one camper noted, "Be prepared for limited or no cell service and miles of gravel roads - download or print your driving and hiking maps ahead of time." Most primitive sites in the national forest lack drinking water, requiring visitors to bring their own supplies. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-95°F with high humidity, while spring brings frequent thunderstorms that can affect creek crossings. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with reception limited to higher elevations and towns. Winter camping remains possible but requires preparation for occasional freezing temperatures.
Waterfront sites at recreation areas receive consistently positive reviews, with campers particularly appreciating the cool water during hot summer months. The area attracts significant off-road vehicle traffic, with several campgrounds serving as staging areas for OHV trails. According to one visitor, "It's a great escape for off-roading and overloading. Be sure to stop by the Oark Cafe in Oark, Arkansas, which is a 25-minute drive from the campground." Weekends during summer months tend to fill quickly, especially at free sites. Campers seeking solitude often prefer weekday visits or winter camping. Wildlife sightings are common, with deer frequently spotted near campsites. The region's unique rock formations and waterfalls provide natural attractions, though some require short hikes from camping areas to access.
"campers in the area but during the day LOTS of people coming to swim ( and leaving trash 🤮 ) The water was beautiful, eating dinner by the falls has become one of my new favorite camping memories in arkansas"
"Lovely area but you can hear the vehicles that drive by on the highway plenty of hiking nearby"
$10 - $22 / night
"Camped near the river and had a wonderful time exploring the off-road trails near the area."
"This is one of the best campgrounds in Arkansas. Dog friendly"
"You can drive up to the less attractive and less conveniently located RV loop to use the showers, if you need them."
"Access to the creek is nice and plenty of space even on busy days. No cell service which was nice to get disconnected."
"I was looking for a quiet, small campground with minimal amenities and cool features that was driving distance to good hikes. This was perfect. Only six spots."
"Traffic drives right by the sites to explore the campground and must drive back past all the sites. Very good sized sites and probably very private (besides the road) once the leaves full in."
$16 - $75 / night
"General: Two things you can count on in a Corps of Engineers campground: very reasonable rates and near water. This is a fairly large Corps of Engineers campground on Piney Bay."
"A great little Corp park right off the Arkansas River. Sites are mostly level with water and electricity. Dump station in park. Nice clean bath houses."
"Access to Spy Rock trail, but the vast amount of cobwebs made it seem like it’s not used much."
"Drinking water is available at spigots near the swimming hole. There is a downside here, though, and it's a big one: horseflies."
"15/night with access to a restroom/shower building. The shower itself I'd consider "better than nothing"--it's a button-press style that runs for 10 seconds each press."
"Beautiful little lake for fishing, kayaking or taking a drip. Asphalt camping pads suitable for up to < 30' trailers. No services other than pit toilets. Nice clean, shady camp spot."
$16 - $75 / night
"Boat launch and lovely views of the Arkansas river. Close to restaurants and shopping ."
"We used it as a base camp to visit several Arkansas state parks such as Devil’s Den and Lake Fort Smith. The camp was clean, a little crowded, but very nice and relaxed."
"A downed tree blocks part of the view, but still has a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding mountains."
"There are walking trails, with Spy Rock a short distance away."
GuideConservation Corps constructed with beautiful log buildings, a pool, a restaurant with a beautiful view. Good size lake with boat rentals. The sites were well spaced and the bathrooms / clean and updated. Planned on staying 1 night but went for 2 as it was so nice.
TravelerNightly rate & monthly rate available. Have your own solar? Spot 50 is cheaper because it has no working electricity. Water and sewer hookup are available at this site. Dogs welcome.
GuideI got there with Google maps at no problem. I found a small camp site with a rock fire ring . Which was perfect for my compact suv and 6 person tent. The signal for Verizon was really good and I got 5g. There's alot of little trails that you can walk. And getting there was a lot of twists and turns so I'd say drive slow at that point. But, its not that bad.
GuideSo, I never been here so it took me a little bit to find a camp spot. I found a spot where my medium clearance compact suv could drive up to. ...it was a all wheel drive, but I think a 2- wheel drive could get to where I camped. It was very nice where I was at. Covered with trees and a rock fire ring there.
ScoutNot a bad spot. Lots of room and shade. Plenty of space to turn a truck and trailer around. Had full cell service. No water access and a fair amount of traffic during the week due to road repairs further down the road. Good views, you can actually see spy rock from the site.
TravelerThis is an abandoned former campsite in a beautiful location. It's free and quiet, which is nice, but the camper next to us gave us such bad vibes that we moved to another site to get a bit of space from them. Overall it's good with little to no litter, but take obvious safety precautions.
TravelerThis is an abandoned former campsite in a beautiful location. It's free and quiet, which is nice, but the camper next to us gave us such bad vibes that we moved to another site to get a bit of space from them. Overall it's good with little to no litter, but take obvious safety precautions.
TravelerFirst come first serve camping. This area is meant for daytime picnics, but the park rangers at the state Park office allows camping here for a cheaper rate, if you ask. It's great for a quiet camping, if you're okay with practically no amenities. They have a glorified outhouse there with no power. No running water. Individual camp sites each with a fire pit and picnic table. If you're lucky, there are two camp/picnic spots with an amazing view.
ScoutHog Valley RV Park is a solid place to stay, especially for families. The amenities are nice, particularly if you have children, with parks, basketball courts, and pickleball courts available. The two pools were closed for the season during our stay, so keep that in mind depending on when you visit.
The front staff was very welcoming and even escorted us to our spot, which was a nice touch. The park was quiet at night, and the sites were level with full hookups, which made setup easy. There are also plenty of spots available throughout the park.
A few downsides kept it from being a 5-star stay. The grass was extremely damp, and our dogs got soaked just from laying down. There is also only one trash area, located near the front entrance, which is pretty far from many of the sites. The dog parks were just average, possibly a little below average.
Overall, it was a good stay with great family-friendly amenities and friendly staff. I’d recommend it, especially for families, but there are a few areas that could be improved.
The Ozark National Forest camping sites near Ozone, Arkansas range in elevation from 1,200 to 2,300 feet, creating varied microclimates throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F during the day with nighttime lows in the 60s. Most primitive sites around Ozone lack basic amenities, requiring campers to pack in their own drinking water and toilet supplies.
Waterfall exploration: 5-10 minute hikes from Haw Creek Falls Camping lead to several lesser-known cascades. "Pam's Grotto was my favorite," notes one camper at Haw Creek Falls Camping. The area contains multiple small waterfalls that remain active year-round, even during drier months.
Creek swimming: 20-30 yards from campsites at most recreation areas. Long Pool Recreation Area features "a lovely put-in spot for canoes/kayaks that's right on the loop with the rest of the sites," according to one visitor. The shallow creek areas provide natural swimming holes with rock formations suitable for children.
Hiking nearby trails: 1-5 miles in length from most campgrounds. "There is a decent amount of space between the sites. Most have fire rings and a great view of Haw Creek Falls. There are toilets but no bathhouse. Enjoy the nearby trails while you are here!" shares a Haw Creek visitor.
Privacy between sites: 30-50 feet of spacing at most campgrounds. At Wolf Pen Recreation Area Campground, "the campsite is located on the Mulberry River. It has six campsites, most with elevated grills and fire rings. The campground does have 2 Vault restrooms and a place to dispose of trash. Very quite and campsites are relativly private."
Affordable camping: $3-15 per night at most recreation areas. "Former CCC site that has fire rings picnic tables and tent pads for only $3 per night. There is water at the main CCC Pavilion as you first enter the property. Pit toilets. Quiet and dark with moderate cell phone coverage," reports a visitor to Ozone Recreation Area Camping.
Scenic riverside sites: Direct water access from multiple campgrounds. "Wile this is a campsite in the realest sense of the word, it is a great intro to dispersed camping. There are camp spots but limited facilities. Very nice," notes a camper at Redding Campground.
Limited cell service: Spotty reception in most camping areas. A visitor to Haw Creek notes: "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!"
Weather fluctuations: 20-30 degree changes possible between day and night temperatures. Flash flooding occurs in spring and early summer, especially at lower elevation sites. "Beware of flooding during the rainy seasons. When it rains a lot, the creek floods and covers the road into the campground," warns one Haw Creek visitor.
Wildlife encounters: Snakes and ticks common in warmer months. "Note: there are snakes and ticks. A lot of ticks. Take a flashlight with you in the dark and be cautious. I encountered a copperhead on my night time bathroom run," reports a camper from Redding Campground.
Accessible swimming areas: Shallow water entry points ideal for children. At Long Pool Recreation Area, "the big draw is the charming swimming area with its imposing trio of rocks that swimmers love to jump off of." The natural swimming holes feature gradual entries and small beaches.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing at dawn and dusk. "Saw a lot of deer in the forest right next to our site and in the field next over," notes a visitor to Steel Creek Campground. Armadillos, deer, and over 30 species of birds can be spotted in camping areas.
Site selection for shade: 70-80% tree cover at forested sites. "Sites with no electric have the best views and trails directly to the river," reports a visitor to Long Pool. Most campsites offer partial shade, but summer temperatures make shade critical for family comfort.
Size limitations: 25-30 foot maximum at most forest campgrounds. At Byrd's Adventure Center, "the sites are very spacious on the RV area, the smaller camper and primitive sites are very generous as well." Most national forest campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs.
Hook-up availability: Electric and water at select sites. "Facility is what you would expect for an outdoor adventure facility. The sites are very spacious on the RV area, the smaller camper and primitive sites are very generous as well," notes another Byrd's visitor. Most RV-friendly sites require 30-50 foot clearance for proper parking.
Road access considerations: Unpaved forest roads to most recreation areas. "Roads are narrow as are spots," cautions an RVer. Many access roads feature steep grades with limited pull-offs, requiring careful navigation especially after rain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Ozone, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ozone, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 177 campgrounds and RV parks near Ozone, AR and 34 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Ozone, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ozone, AR is Haw Creek Falls Camping with a 4.5-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ozone, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 34 free dispersed camping spots near Ozone, AR.
What parks are near Ozone, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 parks near Ozone, AR that allow camping, notably Lake Dardanelle and Ozark Lake.
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