Best Tent Camping near Greers Ferry Lake in Arkansas
Looking for the best Greers Ferry Lake tent camping? Find the best tent camping sites near Greers Ferry Lake. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Arkansas tent camping excursion.
Looking for the best Greers Ferry Lake tent camping? Find the best tent camping sites near Greers Ferry Lake. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Arkansas tent camping excursion.
Eco Adventure Wonderland! From hiking to hang gliding. Canoe or kayak the beautiful Middle Fork of the Red River. Or paddle out on the Forty Thousand Acre gorgeous Island dotted Greers Ferry Lake to Sugarloaf Mountain Island where you can hike one of the first Scenic trails in the country!
Or just stay right here at the Hideaway and explore miles of trails with creeks and waterfalls and even an Indian cave!
All new Tree Fort for the kiddos even!
$15 / night
This recreation area is part of Greers Ferry Lake
Effective October 2021, Bayou Bluff became a Point of Interest. The fees are suspended for camping and day use and is now open all year. Upper loop is closed to camping and will be eliminated completely. Use of the vault toilet, large pavilion, three shelters, and a small pavilion will remain. The pavilions are managed on a first-come, first-service basis. Trash services are managed by visitors as "pack-it-in, pack-it-out," and Leave No Trace ethics are posted on information kiosks.
Active partner groups and volunteers are helping extend the life of the current amenities, excluding trash services.
The Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail is a series of interconnecting loops offering the mountain bike enthusiast 50 miles of trail, much of it single-track. The trail name dates back to an 1800s resident of the area. Eventually the name was anglicized to its current form - Sylamore (SIL-a-more). You'll notice all the tributes to Syllamo in the area - Sylamore Ranger District, Sylamore Creek, North Sylamore Hiking Trail. The various loops can be accessed from four different trailheads as well as Blanchard Springs Recreation Area and Campground. Three trailheads are on Green Mountain Road; the fourth is on AR Highway 5 North. Several parts of the trails have a variety of difficulty - stretches that are pleasant for a beginner, then stretches where a beginner would be wise to walk a bike. Trails are marked with various color blazes on brown fiberglass posts. Remember to wear your safety gear and enjoy the ride. Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail Map The Blanchard Campground may be accessed from the Syllamo Bike Trail at the Jack's Branch Loop. You can camp at Blanchard and ride up to the trails on a spur between the campground and the main trail.
Rush Campground is a first come, first serve campground in the lower district of the park. Rush has 12 tent only sites with no electrical amenities and no flush restrooms. Drinking water is available when fees are collected March 15 - November 14. It is free to camp at Rush in the winter. All sites are limited to 6 people per site and each site is $16 per night. This is a pack in/pack out facility, trash collection is not available.
This recreation area is part of Greers Ferry Lake
Spring Creek Campground is a first come, first serve campground near Harriet, AR. Spring Creek has 12 tent only sites with no electrical amenities, no flush restrooms, and no water.
This park is pretty much spotless. I tent camped in the fall and loved it. All the tent sites have a gravel pad, picnic table and fire ring. Lots of trees to set up your hammock. They have a swim beach and small boat rentals in the summer. There’s a nice paved walking trail too. I highly recommend.
Lake is nice. Didn’t catch many fish though. Swim area is very well kept. Adorable pedal boats. Tent camping sites are right at the entrance on the road. You have to park in the parking lot and carry all your stuff to the camp ground. Definitely don’t recommend using a tent site at all. The entire park is very well kept and very clean. Park staff were very nice and helpful. Mountain biking trail is in good condition. North loop was even good for my 8 year old while I did trail running. Cute little state park.
I often distinguish in my reviews the places I find preferable for families and those I think are better for people with no kids. I didn’t think about this until I started camping with my 3 boys, all currently under 4. Greers Ferry Lake is one of those places. However, as I said in a review of “Heber Springs,” if I’m reviewing campgrounds here, it isn’t accurate to review “Greers Ferry Lake.” Instead, you would probably be camping at Devil’s Fork Rec Area, Dam Site Rec Area & Campground, Sugar Loaf Campground (in Higden, AR), or Cove Creek Rec Area & Campground (in Quitman, AR). I’ll review those separately; reviewing “Greers Ferry Lake” for prospective campers isn’t all that helpful, in my view.
Despite that, I’ll just say that I love the town of Heber Springs which is located on the Lake. It may be because I have so many memories in Heber from my time in college so I should drop that disclaimer. I also love Sugar Loaf; there’s some great hiking and views. As for Greers Ferry generally, the lake is north of the dam on the Little Red River. There is a ton to do on the lake from fishing, boating/skiing, swimming, etc and it’s a very, very clean lake. The Dam Site Marina has boat rentals, tackle, etc and it’s really nice. For anyone who likes to or is planning on doing a lot of water activities on their trip, the [area around Greers Ferry Lake] is definitely a great spot for anyone wanting to camp with a family due to the lake’s proximity to civilization (ie WalMart) if you need it, activities, amenities, and cleanliness. Plan a trip.
Very nice little campground just off Arkansas Hwy 25 by Greers Ferry Lake, Heber Springs, Arkansas. Actually, many of the campsites are along the beginning of the Little Red River. A lot of people were fishing here, and there is a fish hatchery here also, so better know the fishing regulations if fishing.
Campsites are fine, at least partly shaded for many sites, not huge, but at a great location.
Nice short hiking trail along Collins Creek. Thumbs up for this place. Would be happy to hang out here again some day.
While in college, and subsequent thereto, I frequently visited Sugar Loaf Mountain for day hikes. The locations and names of “parks” are confusing on Dyrt so I would note that the camping area is called Sugar Loaf Park. I think this is a beautiful area of the state and the mountain is located W-NW Greers Ferry Lake and Dam. There is a $5 day entry fee if you drive in and $2 for walk in. The camp sites are $16 (no hookups) & $18 (30/20 amp) per night. Overnight camping is only allowed mid-May through mid-September but is otherwise available for day use year around. I personally think this is the preferred camping area around Greers Ferry Lake bc of the hiking and views, which I am more into. If that is your thing, Sugar Loaf is a solid spot for you to visit. Plenty to do and see within a 10-15 mile radius that can keep you busy for several days. Would recommend.
Don't confuse 'Cove Creek' campground with 'Cove Lake' at the bottom of Mount Magazine, a couple hours drive to the west. This campground on Greers Ferry Lake is shared by RVers and tent campers. It does not allow advance reservations, which can work for or against you, depending on the circumstances. My favorite sites are: C13, C18, C19, C30. If you're coming with friends, make a beeline for the best doubles: C29+C29A (or, backup: C28+C28A) so you can camp side-by-side and are just a few steps down to the water for fishing, nature viewing, and floating.
Mid May to Mid Sep
30 sites with electric
10 non electric
Reservations accepted
Beach/swimming
Boat ramp
Drinking Water
Dump station
Marina
Day use picnic area
Flush toilets
Showers
Directions: At Drasco, Arkansas follow SR 92 west for 12 miles, then SR 225 northwest for 3 miles, take Hill Creek Road south for 1 mile Address is 474 Hill Creek Road, Edgemont, Arkansas 72044
GPS 35.610830 -92.149170
If using GPS the address will take you to the campground. A lot of the sites are double sites which puts you in close proximity to your neighbor. The campground has a large number of trees giving most campsites a shaded area. Picnic table are large concrete tables and site pad are on the older side. There is also a fish cleaning station at the sites. Bathroom and shower facility is fairly new.
The boat launch is large with a lot of parking for trailers and boats. There is a nice, large group shelter that can be reserved. When we were there the park had very few visitors. The Greers Ferry area is, some would say, remote but in Arkansas we just consider it typical "out in the country". Edgemont proper is located on the north side of Greers Ferry Lake and has a population of less than 1000 people. The main draw for this area is water sports including fishing. There are several sights to see in the area and the drive in the rolling small country towns will be a delight. Check out the towns of Heber Springs, Mountain View, Batesville and so many more. Pack a lunch or stop at one of the many mom and pop diners.
Greers Ferry Lake has over 30,000 acres of crystal clear water so whether you fish, dive, water ski or boat it is a beautiful, natural spot to kick back in.
Dam Site is a nice campground on Greers Ferry Lake. The location is perfect for enjoying the lake, the Little Red River and all the other outdoor adventures that Heber Springs has to offer. We like winter camping, but it appears that they close off most sections of the park during the colder months. There is a newer private/suite style bathroom in the park. Much nicer than the old stall style.
Shiloh is one of many Corps of Engineers (COE) campgrounds around Greers Ferry Lake. It has lake access including swim beaches, a playground, and more. The sand tends to get dumped in ad-hoc piles, leaving the wide, concrete approach to the water slimy and slick. You'll likely place your chair directly on the concrete, for lack of a better place, so bring ample sun protection. Watch for poison ivy if you wander into the wooded areas. The group campsite area is nicely forested but is typically closed and some other sites near the water might be closed if there has been flooding.
Directions: From Greers Ferry, go south 3 miles on SR 110 to park entrance
The camp host was very nice and doing a good job. Super large marina. Sites are nicely wooded which is great as long as you don't need the sun for a solar charge. Some of the pads are rather short and uneven. Some sites are angled quite a bit so leveling will become an issue so be prepared. The sites are well marked so even if you arrive late you will be able to find your site. Many of the sites are double sites and most still have a bit of distance with trees in the middle. The double sites are nice if you are traveling as a group. The swim beach had actual sand which made for a real "beach" but it is not actually smoothed down so you need to look at it with one eye closed. I have to give them an A for effort but it could be nicer. The issue is when the rains come or they have to let the water level rise or lower it will tend to mess up the sand.
Fishing on Greers Ferry Lake is excellent. Whether you are a local or a visitor fishing is a sport year round. Every game fish natural to Arkansas is stocked and maintained by Arkansas Game and Fish. Depending on the time of the year you are able to look forward to trophy size striped bass, walleye and trout. You could even hook your share of channel catfish, bigmouth and white bass and crappie. Bring your boat or rent a boat from the multitude of marina's around the lake. Use a guide or take a chance and fish on your own. Greers Ferry Lake is waiting for all to explore. I didn't mention all the different types of boating, skiing, scuba diving, or SUP. Outdoor adventures await.
Have Fun, Stay Safe
LNT
Leave it better than when you found it
Dates: May 15 Sep 15 Booking
Sep 15 May 15 Out of season
Travelers will find a very steep entrance road and the fact that this campground is very rural. Carry your supplies with you. Many sites are not level but there is the bonus that the sites are not on top of each other and there are some water sites. We had good service with Verizon.
This is an excellent camp for enjoying the song of the birds and the bounty of the lake. This campground offers 31 non-electric sites. Additional amenities include vault toilets and boat ramp.
A dense mix of red cedar, black gum, red oak, elm, pecan and sweet gum trees forest the area, providing shade in the summer months and beautiful fall colors in autumn. Wildlife is plentiful around Greers Ferry Lake. Visitors commonly see white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, rabbits, squirrels and a wide variety of birds.
Greers Ferry Lake is an outdoor enthusiasts' dream, with boating, sailing, water skiing, swimming, scuba diving and fishing opportunities. Hikers enjoy the area's three National Nature Trails and one multi-purpose fitness trail. The William Carl Garner Visitor Center is just west of the dam, with exhibits, a children's touch table, and a replica of the world record 40 lb. 4 oz. brown trout caught in the Little Red River downstream of the center.•
Standard Nonelectric• Overnight• Boating• Camping• Hiking• Boat Ramp• Drinking Water• Picnic Table• Parking Area• Campfire Rings• Paved Sites• Pets Allowed
With over 30,000 acres of water surface, the lake serves as a playground for all kinds of water sports.
Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
LNT
Better than when you found it
Stay safe Happy travels
General: This is one of (I believe) four Corps of Engineers campgrounds on Greers Ferry Lake and the closest one to Highway 65. It is a large campground with 91 electric and 55 non-electric sites. We spent a very quiet Sunday night in mid-October in Loop D (Site D8) which was right on Greers Ferry Lake. I imagine that in summer and possibly on weekends, this place would fill up, but we prefer camping in the off or shoulder season whenever possible. As with all Corps of Engineers campgrounds (not sure if this is a new Covid related policy), reservations were necessary. We were able to make a same-day reservation on the website (had trouble with the app; sometimes one works better than the other).
Sites/Facilities: Each site has a metal picnic table, fire grate, and lantern pole. The sites in Loop D are a mixture of paved and gravel. All the sites we saw in Loop D appeared to be level. The next morning, I walked around the E Loop; many of the sites that faced the lake were sloped so be aware of this when reserving a site. Also, the E Loop did not have a bathhouse so depending on where your site is, you may have a bit of a walk to get to one.
Bathhouse: The restrooms were clean but did not have paper towels or soap (there was a notice on the door warning of this). There were also showers but I did not use them so I cannot comment on them.
Conclusion: This campground would be a huge draw for people who enjoy water recreation (boating, swimming, fishing, water skiing) but for us, it was a nice peaceful stay on a lake. And the price cannot be beat-$20 (or for us old folks with a Golden Age Pass, $10).
This a a great park with direct access to the Buffalo River and hiking trails including one with a cave to explore. This loop is perfect for walk-in tent camping.
The Rangers are very helpful and a great resource for new visitors.
Boat Ramp, drinking water, dump station, marina, day use picnic area, playground, fire ring/grill, fish cleaning station, picnic table, restrooms with flush toilets, and showers
Choctaw is located several miles outside the town of Clinton Arkansas. I would advise stocking up before leaving home or in Clinton. Located in the gently rolling hills of the Ozarks. The roads are in good shape but like most roads in Arkansas they could be considered, not narrow, but not exactly wide. The campground is located right off the road so watch for your turn. Choctaw is one of the few parks in the Greers Ferry complex that is right off the main road.
The site numbers are well marked on the entrance of each site. Some sites are more level than others and some are shorter than others. Longer rigs will have to pay close attention to the size of the sites. Area is well wooded giving a large amount of shade and a lot of needles and leaves. If you don't carry a good broom you might want one to sweep your pad. Trees are mainly pine so shade will continue through winter. While we were there it was time for mowing but generally COE parks are well maintained
Little Red River and the Greers Ferry Lake produce an amazing outdoor experience. Sitting all along the banks of Greers Ferry Lake you are able to have your pick of any number of COE campgrounds and private campgrounds. Choctaw is a good example.
Arkansas is called "The Natural State" and it does live up to its name. Greers Ferry is located in Cleburne County Arkansas with several small towns dotted around the lake. There are between 30,000 to 40,000 acres of crystal clear water depending on the season and the rains. You may fish, scuba dive, water ski, SUP, kayak, canoe, swim or just relax at your campsite. Your choice but is geared toward the outdoor life.
Fishing is the sport of the day here. You will find some of "The Best" fishing in the south with some bragging "In The World". The lake holds the record for bass at 27 lbs 50 oz. Tournaments begin in April and go through October. Whether you are a local or a visitor fishing is done year round. Every game fish native to Arkansas is stocked and maintained by the Arkansas Game and Fish. Depending on the time of the year you are able to look forward to trophy size striped bass, walleye, and trout. That is not to say you shouldn't hook your share of channel catfish, bigmouth and white bass and crappie.
Have fun. Stay safe.
LNT
Better than when you found it.
Happy Trails
Have stayed here twice so far and love it. Price is cheap and they work off the trust system. They have electric and water camper hookups and tent camping. They also have a little bath house there too. Not 5 star lodging but the view over white river is breathtaking.
For a small campground, this place has a lot to offer. Well stocked store, RV sites, tent sites, group sites, cabins, pavilion, and even a stage for events.
Quick access to the Syllamore Trail, the creek, and nearby mountain biking trails.
Relatively quiet during the week. Many great campsites with sun and shade, flat, grassy spots good for tent camping. The sites right on the tree line have several good spots for hanging hammocks as well. Right next to river. Flushing toilets, showers. Beautiful area! We will be coming back to this one.
This a a great park with direct access to the Buffalo River and hiking trails including one with a cave to explore. The Rangers are very helpful and a great resource for new visitors.
The park has RV sites, walk-in tent sites and group sites.
The Fairfield Bay/Greers Ferry lake area in general is my heaven on earth, and this marina/campground is smack dab in the middle of it. I’ve spent many, many wonderful days and nights here throughout my life. The marina has a very nice, well stocked shop with a little cafe around the corner. I remember one of my favorite things when I went there as a child was when they’d give me a bag of fish food to throw to the massive catfish off the dock. If you enjoy anything nature related this is the place to be! The lake is amazing and a wonderful place to fish or just boat around on. If you like hiking, you can go less than a quarter mile off almost any main road and see abundant wildlife, a meandering creek, sometimes even a waterfall! There are hiking trails literally everywhere, of all kinds of difficulty levels. I could think of no place I’d rather be right now than laid up in a hammock at this campground after a long day of fun! Highly recommend!!!
The tent site that we had was great. (Site 37) It was right by the water with tons of room and a nice, level ground. Some hammock trees were nearby as well.There was a shared water spigot near the site.
You park in a small lot behind the tent sites and carry your things a short distance.
The bathrooms were clean, but they were quite a distance from the tents. This was my one and only complaint about this SP.
In the warmer months, starting in May, they rent out kayaks, paddle boats, and canoes. There is also a small concession stand you can order from.
My husband caught one fish while we were there from our camp site. It’s very handy being that close to the water.
There is a great hiking trail around the lake. About 3.5 miles if you combine the cabin trail with the Huckleberry trail. It was an enjoyable hike. There were people of all ages enjoying it.
We would definitely camp in this spot again!
Beautiful river among bluffs and forests. This campsite does allow reservations so it’s the safest bet for your trip through the park in the summer. There are some walk-in tent sites too but you won’t be very far from your car. Nice and simple campground, clean, actual hot showers.
This is primitive camping at its best. They have one vault toilet, 12 tent sites, and a water spigot. Right on the beautiful buffalo river. The sites were patrolled by rangers on a regular basis. However, the rangers were great and knew a lot about area. I can’t wait to go back.
There are a handful of tent sites, a primitive bathroom, and direct access to the Buffalo River.
There is limited shelter during bad lightning storms. The road in is very dicey and a long way off the main road. Does provide a good place to take out or start a canoe trip and it is free.
This is one of several campgrounds to choose from around Greers Ferry Lake that are operated by the Corps of Engineers (COE), and there are a few good reasons to choose it. A good amount of sand is dumped near the swim beaches, improving on the natural and concrete poured banks. There is a good breakfast buffet up the road at Janssen's. A bit farther away, the Little Red at Indian Hill's is well reviewed by foodies, though I haven't tried it. This COE campground has a nicer feel than the one at the Fairfield Bay Marina, yet is still within a reasonable distance to visit the marina for a ferry ride to the island Sugarloaf Mountain (a must-do 1-2 hour hike with terrific views of the lake). Although, I have not tried Sugar Loaf campground, which also offers a dock and marina within sight of the mountain. On the downside at Devil's Fork, most sites are a long walk away from the bathhouse with showers. The toilets that do not have a shower smell strongly of human waste by evening hours, so avoid campsites directly by them.
We tent camped on a small point of the park-we were the only one in that area. it was a beautiful location, cool breezes off the lake all night, moon rising above. it was wonderful!! Slept with the rainfly off and never got hot! Perfect campsite. Drove to a marina to paddle board and kayak to Sugarloaf mountain the next day. The paddle was a little rough with the current, but making it to the island, hiking to the top and getting that view of the lake-priceless! Bucket list checkoff.
This was our second trip to Woolly Hollow. The first time was in April, and the trails and waterfalls were better maintained and more beautiful in April. We still enjoyed our trip though. They have great trails for hiking and mountain biking. There is a nice swimming area with a shop to order drinks/snacks. The park rangers and staff were super friendly and helpful. The bathroom facilities were clean. Although we stayed in the RV camp area, the tent camping area had some great sites, some right on the water.
The staff here goes above & beyond! The campsites are close together but the amenities are worth it. Very family friendly. Right on the White River with easy access to the Buffalo River by boat, canoe, or kayak. Pool, playground, small store with essentials, boat rentals, ping pong, & more. Tent sites are mixed with smaller travel trailers. We would definitely recommend reserving a River front site! We rented a boat and explored the Buffalo River - it was very relaxing & amazing views.
Tent camping near Greers Ferry Lake in Arkansas offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Greers Ferry Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Greers Ferry Lake is Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Greers Ferry Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Greers Ferry Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring