Dispersed camping near Fifty-Six, Arkansas provides primitive options throughout the Ozark National Forest and Buffalo National River regions. The area features rolling hillsides with elevations ranging from 700 to 2,100 feet, creating diverse camping environments from riverside flats to mountain plateaus. During spring, frequent rainfall can make unpaved access roads challenging, particularly in lower elevations where water crossings are common.
What to do
Hiking from camp: Sam's Throne Recreation Area offers excellent hiking directly from your dispersed campsite. A visitor notes, "There are a number of trails outside the main established trails. Our second day there we spent eight hours skirting along the bluffs and exploring what looked like beautiful fairy lands."
Rock climbing access: Sam's Throne Recreation Area is a regional climbing destination. One camper explains, "This facility has day-use for rock climbing. Motorcycle friendly but there is a sign stating no OHV's."
River activities: During summer months at Woolum Dispersed Area, swimming holes provide natural relief from the heat. A visitor reports, "Right on the river with both a rock and sand beach currently. Fire rings. Only one other camper that's at the other end of the campground on memorial weekend."
Scenic driving routes: Forest roads throughout the region offer scenic opportunities when weather permits. As one camper at Tackett Mountain Road Dispersed notes, "Tackett Mountain Rd is a wide, well maintained, gravel forest road," making it suitable for leisurely drives between camping locations.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the natural separation at many dispersed locations. At Sam's Throne Recreation Area, a reviewer mentions, "Private camping spots, with trees separating each site. There's fit pits, but no rv hook ups and only a couple bathrooms there."
Quiet weekday experiences: The region gets busy during weekends but empties during weekdays. One camper shares, "We started a five day camping trip on a Saturday and sure enough, as we had already heard about this place's weekend popularity, the sites were packed... Once the weekend ended though, there were an average of 2 or 3 other occupied sites in the area throughout the week."
Wildlife encounters: Many sites offer chances to observe local wildlife. A camper at Sam's Throne notes, "Bambi and her mom also seem to live here," while others frequently report deer sightings throughout the region.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear nights offer exceptional celestial views. A visitor explains, "On the right dark night you can see every star in the sky," making locations like Sam's Throne ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area and other WMAs have specific regulations. A camper clarifies, "100% of Wildlife Management Areas in the state of Arkansas require a Hunting license or WMA camping permit purchased though Arkansas Game and Fish."
Limited designated sites: Not all areas permit camping anywhere you choose. At Gene Rush WMA, "There is only a handful of sites spread throughout the WMA and you can only camp in those designated by the game and fish. This isn't the national forest, you can't just pull off and camp anywhere you please."
Seasonal road issues: Some access points close temporarily. At Woolum, a camper reported, "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."
Bathroom availability: Composting toilets are available at only a few locations. A camper at Sam's Throne notes, "There are more than one compositing toilet on site & they are cleaned regularly," but most dispersed camping areas have no facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Best swimming options: Woolum Dispersed Area offers family-friendly water access. A camper reports, "This is a very primitive campground, but it's one of our favorites! We can almost always find a spot to camp and it's super easy to pull our trailer into every spot there."
Bug protection: Insect activity increases in warmer months. One visitor warns, "Buggy but Beautiful... Late September visit means the river is low, nights are cool and days are filled with sunshine. Bring the bug spray and sunscreen."
Water planning: No potable water exists at dispersed sites. At Brock Creek Lake View Dispersed, a camper notes, "The lake was drained at the time of my visit," highlighting the unpredictable nature of natural water sources.
Weather considerations: Spring brings frequent precipitation. Campers should check forecasts as some roads become impassable when wet. One reviewer shared, "Access for 2WD low clearance vehicles may be rough due to some erosion."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate only smaller rigs. At Brock Creek, a visitor explains, "The dispersed site can accommodate 2 or 3 vehicles - campervan size and smaller... Access for a truck camper is tight due to the location of trees on the site."
Leveling requirements: Uneven terrain requires preparation. A camper notes, "The dispersed site is a dirt surface with some embedded rocks jutting out. Some leveling may be required depending where the rig is parked."
Solar considerations: Tree cover affects power generation. One camper at Brock Creek states, "The site is shaded, so solar charging is limited," while at another site they note, "Some solar charging may be possible depending on the time of day and if the solar panels can be set up along the track."
Access road assessment: Advance scouting helps prevent issues. Charleston Road dispersed sites are accessed via "a well maintained gravel road," but many forest roads require higher clearance vehicles, particularly after rain events.
