Best Campgrounds near Fifty-Six, AR

The Ozark Mountains surrounding Fifty-Six, Arkansas feature diverse camping options within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. Gunner Pool Recreation Area, located directly in Fifty-Six, offers year-round camping with primitive sites along clear waterways. Just a short drive away, Blanchard Springs Recreation Area provides developed campsites with electric hookups, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails and cave systems. Mountain View, approximately 15 miles south, hosts several RV parks and resorts including Sylamore Creek Camp, which accommodates everything from tents to glamping setups. The Buffalo National River area, within 30 miles, adds additional camping opportunities with riverfront sites.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many campgrounds accessible via gravel roads that may become challenging after heavy rainfall. 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 Forest Service campgrounds have vault toilets rather than full facilities, while private RV parks offer more amenities. Summer temperatures can be hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Spring brings high water levels that occasionally affect low-water crossings near Blanchard Springs. Many campers recommend bringing all supplies, as the closest major stores are 15-20 miles away in Mountain View.

Water access represents a major draw for campers in the area. Swimming holes and clear streams near Blanchard Springs receive consistent praise in visitor reviews. According to one frequent visitor, "Blanchard Springs has great camp sites, great hiking, multiple access to swim/wade into water, plus great caving opportunities!" The heavily wooded terrain provides ample shade but may present challenges for families with small children. Fishing opportunities abound in nearby creeks and rivers, with trout being particularly popular. During weekends, especially in summer, first-come-first-served sites fill quickly by mid-afternoon. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) history is evident in several campgrounds, with historic structures and information displays adding cultural interest to the natural surroundings.

Best Camping Sites Near Fifty-Six, Arkansas (166)

    1. Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests

    24 Reviews
    Fifty-Six, AR
    3 miles
    +1 (870) 757-2211

    $3 - $60 / night

    "I completed my undergrad and graduate degrees in Arkansas about 30ish miles north of Little Rock."

    "Blanchard Springs has great camp sites, great hiking, multiple access to swim/wade into water, plus great caving opportunities! There is NO cell service in the park. "

    2. Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Fifty-Six, AR
    2 miles
    Website

    "v=jioeWYmI0so) 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"

    "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."

    3. Sylamore Creek Camp

    11 Reviews
    Mountain View, AR
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 475-4223

    $5 - $30 / night

    "Quick access to the Syllamore Trail, the creek, and nearby mountain biking trails."

    "Perfect location with lots to see and do very close by."

    4. Buffalo Point — Buffalo National River

    34 Reviews
    Cozahome, AR
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 449-4311

    $20 - $50 / night

    "Some sites you may not be long enough for your entire rig and you would park your tow vehicle next to your camper. Shade was plentiful. There are five different loops."

    "Paved roads to all the way to your camp site, showers, and a fantastic dinner 5 minutes away may not sound like luxury but Arkansas hllls usually make you work hard to enjoy their beauty."

    5. Whitewater RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Mountain View, AR
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 269-8047

    $20 - $32 / night

    "It was clean, not noisy at night, great wifi, city park near by to walk you dog. We love it and are staying 6 weeks. Highly recommend."

    "This is a nice RV park situated perfectly near the downtown Mountain View Area and the Ozark Folk Center State Park. It is a small, quiet park with lots of spots for gathering in groups."

    6. Blue Sky RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Mountain View, AR
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 269-8132

    "Close to visit Ozark Folk Life Center and Mountain View for the Folk Music. Easy access to the sites. Cable TV for $1.00 per day. Good hook ups. Reasonable price of $25 per night with free WiFi."

    "The location is great. This park is in between Walmart and the river. The downtown is only a few minutes away and they are always having singing at the park in the beautiful outdoor areas."

    7. Ozark RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Mountain View, AR
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 269-2542

    "We chose this campground because of its proximity to the Ozark Folk Center. We are here for the Bluegrass and Fried Chicken festival this weekend at the center."

    8. Holiday Mountain Resort

    2 Reviews
    Mountain View, AR
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 585-2231

    "Very kid friendly for swimming or walking or biking around in the campground. We will be back"

    9. Anglers White River Resort

    1 Review
    Mountain View, AR
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 585-2231

    10. Mountain View RV Park and Guest Motel

    2 Reviews
    Mountain View, AR
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 269-3758

    $28 - $32 / night

    "Both the campground and motel have access to two recreation rooms. Both have full kitchens, tv, stereo, dining tables and chairs. One recreation room has limited exercise equipment."

    "We ad a back in spot a long the ridge with a pretty field behind us in an amazing view. The staff was wonderful very helpful laundry rooms bathrooms were very clean they also have free Wi-Fi and cable"

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Recent Reviews near Fifty-Six, AR

518 Reviews of 166 Fifty-Six Campgrounds


  • Jennifer O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    White Buffalo Resort

    Can’t beat this view!

    Amazing little Campground that backs right up to the light river with a fantastic bluff behind that. Beautiful! Would definitely come again, friendly staff, quiet, easy. I will say I like site 11, but if you are not camping and pears, you will be camping directly next to site 10. They are pull through sites that are connected basically. We had another couple with us and it a great set up. But if it had just been us it would have been weird.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Robinson Point

    Clean, well maintained campground

    Camped at site #8 in Oct 10-11, 2025. Our site was on a wooded loop, the first camping section on the left after entering the campground. Good spacing between sites. Our campervan fit nicely on the site; level. Shared water faucet between sites 7 & 8. Our site had 20 and 30 amp power. There was a partial view through the trees of Norfork Lake from the backside of the site. Walked down to the bank of the lake to fish and caught a bass. Sites 5, 7 & 8 are really nice on this loop. Campground is clean and well maintained. AT&T and T-Mobile service. I normally do primitive and dispersed camping, but occasionally use established campgrounds, such as this, for replemishing water and power, and to take a shower. I was very pleased with our campsite and the campground. Did some hiking on the campground trails. The person working the entrance gate wad very nice and helpful. I would stay here again.

  • 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.

  • Benjamin S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Devils Fork

    ACOE Devils Fork Campground

    Nice spot, we stay next to the swimming area. Most of the sites have a big concrete pads. Campground host was very friendly. Great value for what you get. Be sure to double check and see what your hookups are as our site only has electric.

  • 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.

  • Brian L.
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Wild Oaks Campground

    Close corner

    It was quiet,peaceful and nice. The entrance wasn't well marked and I had a hard time navigating the entrance with my bumper pull 36'

  • R
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Robinson Point

    Fantastic and beautiful

    We stayed for 3 nights on sites 64 and 65. Absolutely beautiful views. Some damage from flooding but didn't really notice. Bathrooms and bath house were clean. Stay if you get a chance.

  • T
    Oct. 3, 2025

    cranfield park

    Everything you need plus beauty

    I don’t think there is a bad site in the large campground. Most sites have at least some lake view. Roads are paved and can accommodate large rigs. Most sites are pretty level. Usual tables and fire rings plus lamp poles and some sites have covers for the tables if there are no trees. The sites that don’t have a lake view and nestled in woods and are more private. Though we don’t find a hiking trail the road around the park offered plenty of mileage for us. There is also a marina and access to the shore line for fishing. We were here the first weekend in October and it was a third to half full.

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Lakeview - Bull Shoals Lake

    Lovely spot

    Clean, tree covered spots with larger gravel. I love that you don’t get that fine grit in your rig. People are kind and fun. I will return. Great for visiting Gettysburg


Guide to Fifty-Six

The Ozark Mountains around Fifty-Six, Arkansas sit at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,500 feet with deep valleys and limestone bluffs throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions between 50-75°F. Winter camping is possible at several year-round facilities, though nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing from December through February.

What to do

Creek exploration: Gunner Pool Recreation Area offers multiple swimming areas along North Sylamore Creek. "If you hike through the rec pool area it will lead you to the lake for some private skinny dipping," notes Hasan A., highlighting less-visited spots beyond the main swimming holes.

Cave tours: 10 miles from camping spots near Fifty-Six, Arkansas, visitors can explore underground formations at Blanchard Springs Caverns. "Way out there. Cavern Tours are very cool! Keep food stuffs put away. Bring Bug spray...Lots," advises Jarrod L., emphasizing the need for preparation when visiting the cave system.

Folk music: 15 miles south in Mountain View, campers can experience traditional Ozark music culture. "We chose this campground because of its proximity to the Ozark Folk Center. We are here for the Bluegrass and Fried Chicken festival this weekend at the center," shares Ashley B., describing the walkable access to music venues.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Blanchard Springs Recreation Area receives praise for its spacious layout. "I love the nice big, spread out campsites!" remarks Jess K., appreciating the room between neighboring campers.

Clear water quality: Many visitors highlight the exceptional water clarity in the region's streams. "It's the clearest spring I've ever seen. There's a bluff in the camping area that's amazing for swimming and small jumping," reports Carla T., describing the swimming opportunities.

No connectivity: Buffalo Point offers a true disconnect from daily life. "We enjoyed a nice walk along the water, views of the sunset from a small cliff, and a peaceful night with out cell service! Highly recommended for those who are looking to get away from reality!" shares Kaylee W., valuing the digital detox experience.

What you should know

Road accessibility: Many camping areas require navigating unpaved roads. "This camping area does not have electrical hook ups, it is kind of rustic. The toilets are kind of big outhouses but the Sylamore creek is makes up for the facilities," explains Greta H., setting expectations for access to Gunner Pool.

Limited supplies: Sylamore Creek Camp has a small store for basics. "They have a small store with firewood and many other convenient items for sale. We take our own kayaks, but they do rent," notes Sandy R., mentioning the limited availability of supplies despite the store.

Weather considerations: Flash flooding can affect accessibility. "Absolutely beautiful! You drive over the spring to camp so be sure the water is not up before you make the drive!" warns Carla T., highlighting the need to check water levels after rain.

Tips for camping with families

Swimming safety: Holiday Mountain Resort offers varied water depths. "Creek is full of smallmouth bass, great swimming holes for the kids, and some shallow wading areas to lounge in chairs or find crawfish," explains Ethan W., noting options for different swimming abilities.

Kid-friendly facilities: Several campgrounds cater specifically to families with children. "Great Park for family with kids. Nice swimming holes, cool bridges that you have to cross and beautiful views for the parents to relax too," reports Leslie D., describing features that appeal to different age groups.

Activity variety: Most campgrounds offer natural playgrounds rather than constructed facilities. "Peacful," notes Brittanie B. about Blanchard Springs, highlighting its reputation as a "Quiet and clean park. Perfect for the family."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Mountain View RV Park offers different surface types. "We had a back in spot along the ridge with a pretty field behind us and an amazing view. The staff was wonderful very helpful laundry rooms bathrooms were very clean they also have free Wi-Fi and cable," shares Bonita C., noting the benefits of ridge-side spots.

Size limitations: Many campgrounds near Fifty-Six have restrictions on larger vehicles. "It's certainly a family campground with more tents than RV's. Not really big rig friendly although there was a bus in site 16, probably the best site in the campground," advises steve M., identifying the rare exception for large vehicles.

Seasonal considerations: Most private RV parks in the area operate seasonally. "Nice RV park with 'country' setting. Lots of shade trees. Really nice folks!" describes Diane H., highlighting the tree coverage that provides relief from summer heat but may require careful navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Fifty-Six, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Fifty-Six, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 166 campgrounds and RV parks near Fifty-Six, AR and 12 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Fifty-Six, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fifty-Six, AR is Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests with a 4.8-star rating from 24 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fifty-Six, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Fifty-Six, AR.

What parks are near Fifty-Six, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Fifty-Six, AR that allow camping, notably Greers Ferry Lake and Buffalo National River.