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Best Tent Camping near Harriet, AR

616 Reviews

Tent camping options near Harriet, Arkansas center around Buffalo National River, with established campgrounds like Spring Creek offering riverside tent sites on primitive grounds. Most locations provide basic accommodations with picnic tables and fire rings, though some sites like Rush Campground feature only vault toilets with no drinking water. The terrain ranges from sandy riverside spots to forest settings with limited privacy between sites.

Road access to many tent campgrounds requires careful navigation on steep gravel roads, particularly at Kyle's Landing where the descent is challenging for passenger vehicles. Several campgrounds provide vault toilets but lack shower facilities, requiring campers to pack sufficient water and supplies. Spring Creek Campground offers primitive tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables directly on a Buffalo River put-in spot, though no drinking water is available. During peak floating season from late spring through summer, first-come, first-served sites fill quickly, especially at popular locations like Steel Creek and Kyle's Landing.

Buffalo National River tent sites offer varying experiences depending on location and season. The riverside campgrounds provide immediate water access for swimming and paddling, while wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, armadillo, and occasionally elk in nearby fields. Fall and winter camping delivers a uniquely quiet experience with significantly fewer visitors. Areas farther from town provide deeper seclusion with limited or no cell service, creating a true disconnect from daily life. A visitor commented that Steel Creek campground has "no road noise at all. Just nature and the occasional chopping of firewood." Walk-in tent sites at locations like Gilbert Gravel Bar offer more secluded experiences than the drive-in camping areas, though they require carrying gear short distances from parking areas.

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Best Tent Sites Near Harriet, Arkansas (26)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Harriet, AR

40 Photos of 26 Harriet Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Harriet, AR

616 Reviews of 26 Harriet Campgrounds

  • Amy W.
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

    Small campground with CCC-built rock shelters

    This recreation area is as close to off-grid as you can get with so many great options right off the pavement. This campground has no water or electricity but has 4 drive-up campsites with picnic tables, fire circle, and rock shelters that overlook the beautiful Illinois Bayou. I only recall seeing trash receptacles on the lower loop.  An upper loop is accessible by hiking in. These are tent sites only with no rock shelters on the sites. The rock shelters have a large rock fire area.  There's also a vault toilet on the lower loop. A pavilion onsite is reservable and has electricity. There's also several small trails through the campground but it's most fun when the water is low enough, to go down to the water and walk along the creek. The area is close to many great hiking trails and dirt roads to explore around Hector and makes a great home base. Just up the road is a great area to explore with Jeeps or ATVs. Look up Lindsey Mtwy. This area is not on many people's radar so it's possible that you may only see a local or two while you're here. I still had cell service with my Verizon network while I was in the campground but I lost service when I went down by the Illinois Bayou.  Overall, this is a heck of a nice campground for the non-electric camper. If you visit the area, please leave no trace. :-)

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Barkshed Recreation Area

    Mostly walkin tent sites

    Visited here on Oct 7, 2025. Did not camp here. There are a handful of first-come, first-serve primitive sites. I only saw one drive-in site down near the creek. There are about 4 walk-in tent sites up a driveway into a parking area. The walk-in sites are close to the parking area. One site, which is not quite level, has a picnic table. The walk-in sites have metal fire rings. There are 2 clean vault toilets with tp at the campground. No potable water. The tent sites have a dirt and grass surface. There are a few shade trees. Starlink connectivity is possible. No AT&T and T-Mobile service. Nice swimming hole down by the creek. Access to the North Sylamore Creek Trail is at this recreation area. Note that the unpaved forest road approaching the recreation area from highway 14 is sketchy in spots due to Spring storm damage. Sections were being regraded during my visit. Low clearance, 2wd passenger vehicles can make it, but should tread carefully. Also note that, due to storm damage, Tie Ridge Road between Barkshed and Gunner Pool Road was only open to 4x4 vehicles at the time of my visit.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2022

    Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

    Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

    The Bayou Bluff Recreation Area is now called the Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI). In summary, there are only 4 campsites, including a group site. Also, these sites are free, first come, first serve. Here's is info directly from the Bayou Bluff  page on the National Forst Service Web site: "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." Also: "Open all year. No fees. Upper loop closed. Pavilions available on a first-come, first-served basis only. No trash services. Pack it in- pack it out." The NF page also indicates that there is no water available, but there may water in the group site. The vault toilets are clean, and the campground grounds appear to be reasonably maintained. I recommend only tent camping here, as well as car/truck/van camping. Sites appear to be too small for RVs & trailers.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Beautiful National Forest Recreation Area

    Camped at site #3 for 3 nights in early October 2025. This site was really good for my camper van; just about level. The site backs up to a beautiful forest. The campground in this recreation area has  27 sites in 3 separate sections. There are some sites at the "pool" which are appropriate for car and tent camping. There is a section down a dirt road along the creek bottom that has a handful of sites; these sites are also good for car and tent camping. I camped in a wooded loop; the sites here can accomodate car, van and tent camping. A few towables may fit in this section. This is a beautiful wooded campground; clean and very well maintained. Most sites are level. Hammock camping is possible in some sites. Most sites have a table, tent pad, lantern pole, metal fire ring and a grill. Some sites are open, some shaded. No hookups. 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. Parts of the campground is prone to flash flooding. Very peaceful; the campground wasn't too busy midweek. The campground has access to the beautiful North Sylamore Creek trail. Access to campground on the gravel Gunner Pool Road from Highway 14 was very good during my visit. This forest road goes through the recreation area; it is busier than you would see on typical forest roads. Love this recreation area. One of the best that the Arkansas Ozarks has to offer for outdoor recreation.

  • Renee H.
    Mar. 26, 2024

    Dam - Quarry

    Clean campground, nice location

    Average space between sites. Level paved sites with gravel picnic area including picnic table, fire ring, lantern hanger. Some sites had covered picnic area. Limited shade, most sites don’t have trees. Good access to sites. Clean and private bathrooms. Each room had its own lockable bathroom with toilet, sink and shower. Garbage cans were outside of bathrooms, as well as dumpsters near the registration building. Friendly staff upon check in. Campground was patrolled regularly. No laundry or recycling. Nearby road with little road noise. Verizon cell signal was excellent. There is a dump station and potable fill station. No store or food for purchase on site. No hiking in campground, but multiple trails nearby. Boat ramp at campground and lots of wading fly fishing in river. Fish hatchery across from campground.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 25, 2021

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Basic but very quiet and peaceful

    General: We were apprehensive about planning to stay at this campground as the nearby one in Blanchard Springs was closed, we could not make reservations, five of the 27 sites were closed due to potential flooding from Hurricane Laura, and access is via a three-mile winding dirt road (not recommended for large RVs but it was navigable for our campervan), so we made alternate backup plans. There was no need to worry, however, as there were plenty of open sites, including some overlooking North Sylamore Creek when we arrived on a Sunday afternoon in mid-October for a hike. 

    Sites/Facilities: Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, tent pad, and lantern pole. There is a central water source.

    Activities/Amenities: This is a no-frills campground – no electric or water hookups, dumpster, playground, or flush toilets – just vault toilets. What struck me most was how quiet it was. There is access to the Sylamore hiking trail; you can hike five miles to the Blanchard Springs picnic area.

  • Tom K.
    Jun. 24, 2018

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Wonderful overnight

    We hiked in to this campground from Blanchard and were pleasantly surprised. It is primitive in some aspects but not overtly so. They have vault toilets that were manageable and spickets for water. We grabbed a site that had a bi-level for the tent and picnic table. There was a fire ring as well. Overall, it has some stuff to do being by the river and a longish trail to explore. We may have been to tired to care about some of the finer details so we were pretty happy with this site!

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 5, 2021

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Remote Inexpensive Camping Along Water

    For Full Video Review. CLICK HERE

    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, but well maintained roadway, the campground sat nestled between to sections of the water way.     On one side, slow moving water is met by the dam forming the blue toned pool and on the other a gentle flowing stream flanks the massive mountain side.   

    Along the camping loop, spaces are well separated and have plenty of room to spread out.   Each site is equipped with standard camping amenities such as picnic tables, lantern hooks and fire rings.      Vault toilets are centrally located in several areas of camp both on the upper and lower loops.   In addition locking style garbage cans are placed near restrooms. 

    When I visited the Forest Service was on property trimming trees and clearing debris from recent rain.   Their office is located just a short distance from the entry of the roadway, so they are often here to work on the property.

    A little gem in the midst of the campground is located just across from the pay kiosk, the story of the property and the CCC camp which actually created not only this property but also worked on neighboring sites at Blanchard.   Definitely check out the story!!

    Tips:

    • Bring your own envelop for the pay kiosk, when I visited the paper envelops were soggy and unable to be used.    You can easily pull one but putting money in them they simply fell apart.
    • Bring everything.   There are no stores in the camp in addition to no fire wood available at the campsite so make sure you come prepared.    The closest store for major things is located over 15 miles away.
  • S
    May. 28, 2019

    Ozark Campground — Buffalo National River

    Nice Campground!

    We enjoyed camping here. We came for Memorial Day weekend and the campground was very busy, but quiet hours seemed to be honored. Some of the campsites are walk-in while some are drive-in. Picnic tables and lantern hooks at every site, nice clean working bathrooms, dumpster, and even a volleyball net. The campsite encircles a large field in the center which some people used to play ball, frisbee etc. many of the sites are not very secluded; you could easily be sleeping right next to another tent. RVs are allowed. There is a quick trail leading to the river - if you camp near this, be aware that people will be going up and down it all day and loading/unloading canoes and kayaks. Fees are $20/night and the campground is patrolled frequently by a park ranger (he was very nice). Lots of dogs!

Guide to Harriet

Tent camping in Harriet, Arkansas concentrates around the Buffalo National River area, where elevation varies between 800-1,800 feet across multiple camping zones. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F while winter nights frequently drop below freezing. Primitive camping sites along gravel bars require visitors to pack extra water during dry summer months when natural water sources can become unreliable.

What to do

Canoe the Buffalo River: Rush Campground serves as the final stop before entering the wilderness area of the Buffalo. "This is the last stop before you enter the wilderness area of the Buffalo River. It was amazing. The only complaint is that at times the river can run somewhat low. This is a great place to go if you are a beginner level for canoeing," notes Matt S. from Rush Campground.

Fishing opportunities: During spring and early summer, fishing is particularly productive at multiple riverside camping locations. Gilbert Gravel Bar provides excellent access points. "You can find Gilbert Gravel Bar off 65 just south of the city of St Joe's. Go through the city of Gilbert and you will find parking at the end of the road leading to a fairly large beach/gravel area. You can tent hear in preparation for a canoe trip or as a stop over along the Buffalo River," explains Arkansas F.

Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer optimal viewing times for local wildlife. At Shine Eye Gravel Bar, campers report regular sightings of deer and occasional armadillos. "This is just a gravel bar along The Buffalo National River but it is beautiful! There are no designated campsites, just park in the parking lot, walk down to the river and find a spot," shares Lindsey P.

Mountain biking: The Syllamo trail system offers multiple technical routes about 30 miles from Harriet. "This is a series of trails with multiple trail heads. Each trail head has a course gravel parking area and a very nice pit toilet. Bring lots of drinking water. Good for both Mountain Biking and hiking, but hikers need to make way for bikers," recommends Arkansas F.

What campers like

Natural isolation: Many tent camping sites near Harriet provide substantial seclusion. At Spring Creek Campground, Lisa B. found "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. The campsites are a good distance apart."

Clear swimming holes: The Buffalo River offers numerous spots for swimming near camping areas. "Beautiful spot! We were the only people there and it was very beautiful & peaceful. Water was clear & right beside the camp. It isn't my favorite camp site but it is my favorite swim spot," shares Kristen G. about Dillards Ferry.

Off-grid experience: Most Buffalo River camping locations have limited or no cell service. At Spring Creek, campers note there is "no drinking water and I didn't get phone service (yay!). There is a vault toilet that wasn't too bad."

Night sky viewing: Several open-field campsites provide excellent star-gazing opportunities without light pollution. Steel Creek Campground offers "Really beautiful views of the bluffs and easy access to the river for swimming. Only drawback was the fact that all the sites are in a large open field with picnic tables denoting specific sites, so just not a ton of privacy," explains Samantha W.

What you should know

Road conditions: Many campgrounds require navigating difficult roads. For Kyles Landing Campground, Luke B. warns "This campground is quite and beautiful. A real bob Ross of a campground, however the drive down the Arkansas hill to this serene location is a tense frustrating and should not be attempted with a real wheel drive or low profile vehicle."

Permit requirements: Wildlife Management Areas have specific regulations. "100% of Wildlife Management Areas in the state of Arkansas require a Hunting license or WMA camping permit purchased though Arkansas Game and Fish. WMA Regulations are very easy to find on the AGFC website," notes Poopy B. regarding Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area.

Crowding patterns: Weekends and holidays see significant visitor increases. Steel Creek Campground is "Pretty much empty during the week but was over flowing with people on Memorial Day weekend, as were all of the nearby outdoor activity spots."

Water availability: Many camping areas lack drinking water. At Spring Creek Campground, visitors should note there is "no drinking water" available on site, requiring campers to bring all needed water supplies.

Tips for camping with families

Best family-friendly spots: Some campgrounds specifically cater to families with easier access and facilities. Paul P. recommends Rush Landing: "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."

Noise considerations: Campgrounds vary in noise levels depending on location and season. Jeyd A. observed Rush Campground is a "beautiful campground for the entire family. Fairly quiet at night after 11pm. Very busy during the day and evening time."

Safety precautions: River access points require supervision for younger children. At Steel Creek Campground, Joey C. notes "Campground sits next to the Buffalo River and Roark Bluff background. Lots of wildlife such as deer, elk and if you are lucky black bears. Very quiet and every site has a picnic table."

Best beginner locations: Some sites offer more amenities for first-time tent camping near Harriet. Miranda D. suggests Steel Creek as "a great campsite if you're wanting to get outdoors, but aren't quite adventurous to go full-out. You wake up every morning to the sound of the Buffalo River coursing by just a few hundred yards away."

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: Most Buffalo River camping areas accommodate tents rather than RVs. Robert B. explains at Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area: "Stayed the night in Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area. Spoke with Arkansas Game and Fishing Commission Ranger. No despersal camping but you can camp in the 2 designated campsites."

Access challenges: RV owners should research road conditions carefully before attempting visits. Joshua H. notes about Kyles Landing: "It is recommended that you use a high clerance vehicle and 4x4 but I saw during sunny weather all types make it to the sights to include minivans. However with a good down pour the road out can be a little slick as it is a very steep dirt road."

Better alternatives: When tent camping near Harriet isn't suitable for RVs, nearby options exist. Arkansas F. recommends: "If your coming from Mountain View you actually pass a nice Campground in Allison; Syllamore Creek Campground."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Harriet, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Harriet, AR is Rush Campground — Buffalo National River with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Harriet, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Harriet, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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