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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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!"
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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."
