202 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Harriet, Arkansas cluster along the Buffalo National River, offering access to both primitive and developed camping experiences. Spring Creek Campground, situated on the Buffalo River, provides primitive tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings but no drinking water. Several other campgrounds in the area, including Buffalo Point and White Buffalo Resort, offer more developed options with amenities like electric hookups, water access, and cabin accommodations. The Buffalo National River, established as America's first National River, serves as the centerpiece for outdoor recreation in the region, with multiple access points for camping, hiking, and water activities.
The Buffalo River area campgrounds operate with varying seasonal schedules, with many open from mid-March through November. Spring Creek Campground features a gravel and dirt access road that becomes difficult to navigate during rainy conditions due to steep terrain. Most primitive sites offer basic amenities such as vault toilets and fire rings, while more developed campgrounds provide shower facilities, electric hookups, and sanitary dump stations. Cell service is typically unavailable at remote sites, which appeals to those seeking a digital detox. One camper noted, "This primitive campground was perfect for me and my dog. It's right on a put-in spot on the Buffalo River so there were a couple of buses and shuttles but for the most part it was very quiet."
Waterfront access represents a primary attraction for most campgrounds in the area, with Buffalo Point offering direct access to the river for swimming and boating. Campsites at developed campgrounds like Buffalo Point tend to be relatively close together, particularly in loops nearest to water access points. The surrounding forested hills create scenic views and provide opportunities for wildlife viewing, including deer, raccoons, and occasionally bald eagles. A review from Buffalo Point mentioned, "We saw deer in the campground several times. Raccoons stole from our cooler the first night. Hawks, herons, pilated woodpecker, kingfishers, and lots of buzzards." Mixed-use campgrounds throughout the area accommodate various camping styles, from tent-only primitive sites to full-hookup RV campgrounds with cabin options, creating diverse opportunities for experiencing the natural beauty of the Buffalo River region.
"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."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $3 - $60 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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."
"The location is great in the sense that it’s easy to get to and it’s laid out well. Unfortunately, it’s directly under an overpass and it is loud- loud enough that I used ear plugs at night."
"It's a beautiful rv resort next to the water. Step out of your rv and you will see some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the United States. "
"The campsites are a good distance apart, they have plenty of room and have fire rings and picnic tables. Be aware that there is no drinking water and I didn’t get phone service (yay!)."
"Like all Arkansas State parks this is a well kept park"
"It's one of the best I've been to in Arkansas. "
"The pictures of the river are from a different buffalo river access point Easy access to bathroom, drinking water and river from this spot."
"Quiet and close to the river."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability
TravelerNice little spot. Very easy to get in with plenty of room, level ground, and multiple fire rings. No spectacular view or anything, you're just in the woods with a couple ATV trails. Quiet.
TravelerBeautiful spot on the river. Vault toilets available and very clean. Road is not terrible going in, didn't have to use 4wd. Spots on the river and spots in the meadow.
TravelerWas always a few groups around but still plenty of space! Road was a little rough and some steeper hills for a bigger camper but still doable!
ScoutCampground was clean, shaded and right on the White River! The amenities were nice including fire pits, pavilion, shower house and laundry. Easy access and parking. Cabins looked nice! Only reason for not giving a 5 is highway noise. Nice location to other attractions.
GuideClean pit toilets with camps right above the crystal clear river. The spots when you first pull in have the best solar due to shading further down. Watch for snakes. We have already seen a copperhead.
RangerSites are very spacious mostly level
LegendSuch a beautiful place, friendly staff and clean bathrooms.
TravelerI spent two days here very early in the season during intermittent rain, so only two other sites were occupied. The twisty road leading to the campground was no problem for my SUV, but long vehicles might not find it so easy and low limbs might be an issue for tall campers. Facilities were clean and the entire area was incredibly scenic.
TravelerI came here because the state park looked like a 5th wheel camper auction and my little homemade rig is out of place in that scenario. $58 for 3 nights with 30A and water is the reason I stayed. There's at least 30 rv spots on September 24th and a total of 3 campers plus the beautiful host. It's as close to everything as the the State Park which is twice the price. Facilities are neat and clean and well kept.
Camping near Harriet, Arkansas centers around the Buffalo National River and adjoining forest areas with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet. The region receives average rainfall of 45 inches annually, creating lush forest conditions and variable water levels on the Buffalo River. During summer months, temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity levels that affect camping comfort.
Hiking forest trails: At Gunner Pool Recreation Area, visitors access the North Sylamore Creek trail network. "This campground makes for a great stop on a long hike or starting point for a round trip hike. Very primitive, nicely shaded, but no cell service. Swimming/wading in water next to several sites and main trail connects to 50+ mile trail network."
Cave exploration: The Blanchard Springs Recreation Area offers guided cavern tours. "Cavern Tours are very cool! Keep food stuffs put away. Bring Bug spray...Lots." Another camper mentioned, "There is a more extreme tour where you can crawl and squeeze through trails in the caves! Also lots of folk music festivals so check the calendar."
River activities: Floating and fishing remain the most popular activities. One camper at South Maumee noted, "A LOT of people use this access including outfitters. Great gravel bar, plenty of room to launch, picnic, camp. Very clean, people did a great job of picking up after themselves."
Wildlife viewing: Buffalo Point offers opportunities to observe diverse wildlife. "Deer were everywhere and the Indian Rockhouse hike was really great. I will def be back in warmer weather to float the river which it was low for the winter. Falls colors everywhere and great weather."
Digital detox: The lack of cell service at many sites appeals to those seeking isolation. A camper at Spring Creek Campground noted, "This primitive campground was perfect for me and my dog. We stayed three nights in October 2020. It's right on a put-in spot on the Buffalo River so there were a couple of buses and shuttles but for the most part it was very quiet."
Stargazing: Clear night skies provide excellent star viewing opportunities. As one White Buffalo Resort visitor mentioned, "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!"
Road conditions: Access roads to several campgrounds become challenging during wet weather. At Spring Creek Campground, "Campsite had a rather janky gravel and dirt road leading to it. In the rain, the road would be extremely difficult. Very steep."
River fluctuations: Water levels change rapidly after rainfall. One camper at Buffalo Point reported, "The water was absolutely beautiful Thursday-Saturday, but the area got a lot of rain Saturday starting around 2 am... By 8 pm Saturday, the water at the beach area was completely brown and we could tell the water was up a LOT."
Varying noise levels: Some campgrounds experience unexpected noise. A camper at Tyler Bend noted, "The close proximity to US 65 Highway detracts from what is otherwise a beautiful campground. Truckers seem to favor Jake brakes when descending into the river Valley…especially at 4:00 am."
Swimming access: Rush Campground provides family-friendly water recreation. "This is a beautiful campground for the entire family. Fairly quiet at night after 11pm. Very busy during the day and evening time. Water gets crowded with canoers and people with kayaks."
Shaded sites: Look for campsites with natural shade to escape summer heat. At Blanchard Springs, a camper noted 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."
Educational opportunities: Seek out ranger programs when available. At Bull Shoals-White River State Park, one visitor shared, "The visitor center is awesome and the park had several activities available. We went to an owl talk and a bear talk that was very informative."
Site selection: At Blue Heron Campground, concrete pads make setup easier. "Excellent concrete pads with easy back-in markings for RVs. Great cement patio so there is no mud in case of rain. Each site has its own fire pit and 2 chairs. All the sites are great, but the river sites provide a nice cool breeze off the water!"
Weather preparedness: Rainfall creates muddy conditions at primitive sites. At Buffalo Point, a camper advised, "Be sure and view the campsite online and consider the direction of the site. Some get full sun in the morning but most are shaded in the evening due to the mountain."
Water level monitoring: Dam releases affect river conditions significantly. One visitor noted, "When the dam is not releasing generators, you can wade out into the river from your campsite and fish; however, when they release the generators this is going to be very difficult."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Harriet, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Harriet, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 202 campgrounds and RV parks near Harriet, AR and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Harriet, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Harriet, AR is Buffalo Point — Buffalo National River with a 4.5-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Harriet, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Harriet, AR.
What parks are near Harriet, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Harriet, AR that allow camping, notably Buffalo National River and Greers Ferry Lake.
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