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Best Tent Camping near Heber Springs, AR

320 Reviews

Tent camping options near Heber Springs, Arkansas include several established campgrounds and dispersed sites within a short drive. Camp Robinson Dispersed Site offers free primitive tent camping with access to Lake Conway, while Mill Creek Recreation Area and Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway provide more established tent sites. The Buffalo National River area, approximately 45 miles north, features additional tent camping at Spring Creek Campground and Dillards Ferry.

Most tent sites in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Camp Robinson Dispersed Site provides no facilities but allows fires and permits pets, making it suitable for self-sufficient campers. Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway offers more amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, showers and toilets across its 14 sites. Primitive campgrounds like Spring Creek have vault toilets but no drinking water. Campers should note that cell service is limited or non-existent at many locations, particularly at Buffalo National River sites. Surface conditions vary from packed dirt to gravel, with some sites requiring careful navigation on unpaved roads.

The camping experience varies significantly between locations. Camp Robinson offers lakeside camping with good isolation, though recent reviews indicate occasional late-night traffic. A visitor commented, "Great spot to pitch a tent by Lake Conway. Isolated but not too far out." Spring Creek Campground provides a more secluded experience along the Buffalo River with widely spaced sites that include fire rings and picnic tables. Syllamo primarily serves as a trailhead for mountain biking and hiking with limited backcountry tent camping options. Weather conditions can change rapidly, particularly during summer when temperatures frequently exceed 90 degrees, making shade an important consideration when selecting a tent site. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "The sunset was beautiful. Peaceful and quiet. The birds and frogs sang all evening."

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Best Tent Sites Near Heber Springs, Arkansas (9)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Heber Springs, AR

5 Photos of 9 Heber Springs Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Heber Springs, AR

320 Reviews of 9 Heber Springs Campgrounds

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2021

    Cove Creek

    Fishing, fishing, fishing

    Open Mid May to Mid Sept

    Limit  14 days

    63 sites   31 electric  $18.00    32 Non electric $16.00

    Reservations 877-444-6777   or recreation.gov

    Dump station  picnic table fire ring  grill  showers  flush and pit toilets  swim beach  boat ramp drinking water

    Some campsites have been washed out and might not be replaced.  There are some great site on the water but if you want one of those reserve early.   campground is fully shaded with red cedar, black gum, red oak, elm, pecan and sweet gum.  Fishing is the main stay for folks but wildlife watching is another spor

    There is a corner market as you turn off SR 25 if you need something last minute.  The road in is like riding a roller coaster, steep and sharp curves so be careful.

    Directions from Heber Springs, AR, go 3 miles northwest on SR 16, then 1.25 northeast on the access road, follow signs. 

    Address:  734 Cove Creek Road, Quitman, AR  72131

  • 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.

  • Bailey W.
    May. 14, 2022

    Toad Suck

    A good little campground

    Toad Suck is a great campground- with some caveats. All of the sites are reservable and have concrete pads. This makes it impossible to stake down a tent but also provides a great level spot. There's no foragable wood at the sites, but there's a quick stop type gas station very nearby that sells it cheap and locally sourced. The bathrooms can be a trek from your site or right next door, depending on where you're staying, but theyre immaculately clean. They service them twice daily. It's right next to the lock and dam at Toad Suck on the Arkansas River so there's a constant roar of water and the sound of barges throughout the night and day. I don't mind it but keep that in mind if you don't like those sounds. The campsite is peaceful otherwise. Dogs are allowed! ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL.

  • Richard
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Woolly Hollow State Park — Wooly Hollow State Park

    Nice little park

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2021

    Heber Springs

    Uptown Downtown

    Heber Springs Campground is basically in down town Heber Springs.

    • Open mid March - October 31
    • 97 sites with electric
    • 50 amp service available 
    • 35 non electric
    • Reservations accepted
    • HUGE boat launch with massive parking
    • drinking water
    • dump station
    • general store
    • marina
    • picnic area
    • playground
    • flush toilets
    • showers
    • Address:  89 Park Road, Heber Springs, AR  72543

    Directions from Heber Springs go 2.5 miles west on SR 110, then north 1/2 mile north to park entrance.  If you put in the address, at least with our gps it did not take you to the park gate, just keep going.

    Wide well paved streets and well maintained.  Grass was manicured and general upkeep being done.  Very nice playground for children ages 5 - 12 with recommended adult supervision.  Large clean bath houses.  Sites are wooded with pads being maintained with most being level.  A lot of beautiful water sites and people were able to tether boats at site.  Not sure if they are able to leave them in the water overnight.  Most of the sites are sites that I would call "Double Sites.  There is a massive boat launch area.  One of the largest I have seen and an equally large parking area for vehicles and boat trailers.  The lake encompasses 30,000 acres of crystal clear water.  The state of Arkansas is known as "The Natural State" and what better example than here.

    The town of Heber Springs has so much to offer and this campground is just a part of the package.  While on the lake you have so many options on the lake, fishing, pontoon boats, kayaks, SUP, skiing, scuba diving and the list goes on.  If you plan to fish take your pick, walleye, bass, crappie, catfish, and trout.  Fly fish or cast, I'm sure you can even pole fish if you want.  Fishing tournaments are held through out the year.  Guide or private, kayak or boat.  Take your pick.  

    Not only are you able to enjoy the water but you will be able to find many other pursuits to keep you busy.

    • Golfing  You will find a championship 18 hole golf course which is reported to be the prettiest in Arkansas.  There is a country club with a course and there is even a 18 hole disc golf course.
    • Restaurants abound so you will be able to find just about anything to suit all taste buds.
    • Hiking  you will find the Buckeye National Nature Trail, downstream from the dam  The Collins Creek located at the Collins Creek Recreation Area.  The Josh Park Memorial Trail located at the Dam Site Park.  Mossy Bluff National Nature Trail which follows a beautiful wooded bluff over looking the Little Red River below the dam.  On this trail you will see two different types of trees that have grown together and Arkansas even has their version of a "balanced rock".  The Sugar Loaf Mountain Nature Trail is accessible by boat from Highway 337 at the Sugar Loaf Recreation Area
    • If you are lucky enough to be in the area during the colder months you must check out the Majestic Trumpter Swans.  They return back to the area every year with their numbers growing.  It is quite a sight to see and hear.  Ask a local about the trumpter swans and they will be able to tell you how to get out to Magness Lake which is east of Heber Springs.  They return to Magness Lake which is a 30 acre oxbow lake near the Little Red.  This truly is an amazing sight as this is the largest population of trumpter swans in the southeast United States.  Birding is alive and well in this area and keep a lookout for the truly majestic bald eagle.
    • Another little tidbit is that Heber Springs was know as the location of a health spa.  In a small city park you can still find the remains of "Seven Natural Springs.  Names given to the springs White Sulfphur, Arsenic Chaybeate, Iron Freestone, Red Sulphur, Saltpeter Magnesium Powder, Eye Spring and Black Sulphur.  The springs have been capped but some still produce and remain in use.

    So laid back or active you will find it in the Greers Ferry Heber Springs area.

    • LNT
    • Leave it Better Than You Found It
    • Stay safe and have fun.
  • 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.

Guide to Heber Springs

Tent camping near Heber Springs, Arkansas includes dispersed and established sites in the wooded Ozark foothills. The region sits at elevations between 350-700 feet with summer temperatures frequently reaching above 95°F during July and August. Winter camping remains viable with average lows rarely dipping below 30°F, though campers should note that many water systems at developed sites are winterized from November through March.

What to do

Kayaking access points: Spring Creek Campground at Buffalo National River offers direct river access for paddlers. A visitor noted, "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."

Swimming holes: The clear waters at Dillards Ferry provide excellent swimming opportunities during summer months. "Water was clear & right beside the camp. It isn't my favorite camp site but it is my favorite swim spot," reports one camper who visited during a less crowded period.

Mountain biking trails: Syllamo serves as a hub for mountain biking enthusiasts with multiple trailheads. According to Arkansas F., "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."

What campers like

Lakeside isolation: The partially drained areas of Lake Conway accessible from Camp Robinson Dispersed Site provide peaceful surroundings despite occasional traffic. Ken H. observed, "Nice place to sleep and get back on 40East in the morning. Doing a cross country from San Francisco to Pennsylvania."

Wildlife viewing: Many campers report excellent bird watching opportunities, particularly at lakeside sites. Julie A. shared about Camp Robinson, "The sunset was beautiful. Peaceful and quiet. The birds and frogs sang all evening."

Widely spaced campsites: At primitive campgrounds like Spring Creek, visitors appreciate the privacy. Lisa B. commented, "The campsites are a good distance apart, they have plenty of room and have fire rings and picnic tables."

What you should know

Water availability: Many primitive sites in the region lack drinking water sources. Lisa B. cautions about Spring Creek Campground, "Be aware that there is no drinking water and I didn't get phone service (yay!). There is a vault toilet that wasn't too bad."

Road conditions: Access to the best tent camping near Heber Springs, Arkansas often requires driving on unpaved roads. Nathan H. warns about Spring Creek, "Campsite had a rather janky gravel and dirt road leading to it. In the rain, the road would be extremely difficult. Very steep."

Cell coverage gaps: Most campgrounds have limited or no cell service, particularly at Buffalo National River locations. Plan communications accordingly and download offline maps before arriving.

Seasonal maintenance: Some campgrounds show evidence of irregular upkeep. At Mill Creek Recreation Area, one visitor reported, "This campground was not kept up while we visited. The sites were filled with leaves. The bathrooms were closed, but that could have been due to COVID 19."

Tips for camping with families

Bug preparation: Summer heat brings insects, particularly in low-lying areas. Ken H. advised after camping at Camp Robinson, "I definitely put on bug spray right away. Nice place to sleep and get back on 40East in the morning."

Eclipse viewing opportunities: For special astronomical events, Shirewood offers event camping with 100 sites. During the 2023 eclipse, this campground provided specialized viewing opportunities while maintaining basic amenities like toilets and trash service.

Noise considerations: Some dispersed camping areas experience variable noise levels from other visitors. Mason G. reported at Camp Robinson, "I woke up at 11pm to someone driving in then 12:30am then at 1:30 a loud truck came in slinging rocks and a guy was screaming out the window. So I was packed up and was out by 2am."

Tips from RVers

Alternative camping styles: For tent campers seeking more amenities, Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway offers 14 established sites with drinking water, picnic tables, showers, and toilets. This location permits both drive-in and walk-in access while maintaining tent-friendly accommodations.

Water levels fluctuate: Lake access points may change seasonally. Julie A. noted at Camp Robinson, "The lake has been partially drained to allow work to be done on stumps. The road back to it is well maintained and we had good cell reception with AT&T and Spectrum."

Location versatility: Most tent campgrounds near Heber Springs work as both destination camping and overnight stops for travelers. Several reviewers mentioned using the area's camping options as waypoints during longer cross-country journeys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Heber Springs, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Heber Springs, AR is Mill Creek with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Heber Springs, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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