Tent campsites near Garfield, Arkansas offer varied natural terrain with elevation changes between 800-1,500 feet throughout the Ozark region. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 85-90°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Fall camping is particularly popular due to colorful foliage displays, with most primitive sites closing during winter months due to limited maintenance.
What to do
Swimming access: 15-minute hike from several tent sites at Kyles Landing Campground provides river recreation opportunities. As one camper noted, "Great spot to camp, fills up fast on fridays!" Another visitor mentioned the "river access" advantage, making it a popular summer destination.
Rock climbing: Over 400 routes available at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, catering to all skill levels. One climber shared, "Horseshoe canyon is one of the biggest climbing and bouldering locations in the southeast area." Another visitor added, "Very satisified with my visit!" The ranch maintains climbing routes year-round with sandstone formations providing varied difficulty levels.
Trail exploration: 11 miles of multi-use paths at Gibson Spring Back Country Site. A camper explained, "The conservation has 11 miles of multi-use trails to explore (foot, bike, horse)." This site allows for quick access from the trailhead - "took me only seven minutes" to reach the camping area.
What campers like
Natural water sources: Steel Creek Campground offers direct access to Buffalo River. A visitor reported, "We loved camping at Steel Creek! You can see beautiful bluff from the campground...There are trails to the river nearby and a great swimming hole!" Another camper appreciated that "you can walk to the river from the campground which is very convenient!"
Scenic camping fields: Open spaces at several campgrounds create community atmosphere while maintaining views. One camper at Steel Creek noted, "The campsites are all in a big grassy field which I love." Another mentioned, "Most sites have good trees for hammocking! The sites along the treeline were just a minute's walk down to the river."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Common sightings include deer, armadillos, and sometimes elk. A camper at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch enjoyed the "roaming goats and horses around the property." At another location, a visitor spotted "a lot of deer in the forest right next to our site and in the field next over."
What you should know
Road conditions can be challenging: Several campgrounds require navigating steep, gravel roads. At Drury-Mincy Conservation Area, a camper warned, "The short 'road' from the street to the campground is pretty steep and graveled and several cars have struggled to make it up though I haven't seen any fail yet."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies widely between sites. At Drury-Mincy, a camper reported, "I have Google Fi and Verizon and both had pretty decent signal and fully supported streaming a movie." However, at Kyles Landing, a visitor noted there was "Absolutely no cell service. No one in our group with varying cell service providers had service."
Site availability concerns: Most campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis with limited spots. "Arrive early" is common advice for weekend camping, with Friday afternoons seeing rapid filling at popular sites. During peak seasons (May-September), arriving by Thursday afternoon improves chances at premium sites.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with bathroom facilities: Some sites offer maintained facilities while others have none. One family at Kyles Landing appreciated that "There are toilet facilities that are well kept. Water access available but no hookups."
Consider site spacing for safety: Open field camping allows better supervision. A family camper noted at Steel Creek, "Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. The bathrooms were well maintained and there is drinking water available."
Select campgrounds with shallow water access: Kids enjoy safer water play at certain locations. A parent at Big Bay mentioned it's "very wooded and private. Most sites back directly up to the lake," allowing for supervised water play.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions apply at most sites: Standard RVs under 25 feet manage most roads, larger units face challenges. At Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, visitors confirmed, "We took our ram Pro master. Steep and rocky to get down but very doable."
Limited hookups throughout region: Most sites offer no utilities. A visitor noted, "No electric or water so come prepared. Closest town for supplies is around 25 minutes."
Advance planning required for supply runs: Nearest stores often 20+ minutes away. An RVer suggested, "Because this is a bit more off the beaten path bring everything, there are no stores nearby."
