Best Campgrounds near Kingston, AR

The Ozark Mountains surrounding Kingston, Arkansas feature a mix of established campgrounds and primitive sites across Buffalo National River and nearby public lands. Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch and Adventure Park provides tent and RV camping directly in Kingston, while Steel Creek Campground and Kyles Landing offer riverside camping options within 20 miles. The Buffalo National River corridor contains several campgrounds with varying levels of development, from primitive sites with vault toilets to more developed areas with drinking water. Horseshoe Canyon Ranch and Buffalo Outdoor Center provide additional options including cabin rentals and glamping accommodations for those seeking more comfort.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many campgrounds accessed via winding mountain roads that may include gravel sections and low water crossings. The Buffalo National River area features numerous primitive campgrounds with limited amenities, while state parks like Withrow Springs offer full hookups for RVs. Most campgrounds in the area are open year-round, though spring flooding can affect river access and campsite availability. Summer brings higher temperatures and increased visitation, particularly at water-accessible sites. "If you're coming from the west, Apple/Google Maps' shortest route will take you through Kingston and then down some rough dirt roads with a couple low water crossings. Easier route is to go to Hwy. 7 then come back east," noted one visitor to Erbie Campground.

Campers consistently praise the natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities in the Kingston area. The Buffalo National River provides excellent paddling, swimming, and fishing opportunities directly accessible from several campgrounds. Hiking trails connect many camping areas to scenic overlooks and waterfalls throughout the Ozarks. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most campgrounds, creating a true disconnect from urban life. Several visitors mentioned the excellent stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Campgrounds near water features tend to fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays. A camper at Withrow Springs State Park commented, "This is one of our favorite 'close to home' campsites. It's about an hour out of Northwest Arkansas. All of the trails are very nice to hike, even for our little ones."

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Best Camping Sites Near Kingston, Arkansas (249)

    1. Steel Creek Campground — Buffalo National River

    24 Reviews
    Ponca, AR
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 861-2570

    $20 / night

    "The sign said "campground full" but thanks to another review we disregarded this and found an open site, as did the person who drove in behind us."

    "Pros: Great location on the river and close to plenty of hiking trails! Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. The bathrooms were well maintained and there is drinking water available."

    2. Withrow Springs State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Huntsville, AR
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 559-2593

    "This small State Park just outside Huntsville Arkansas has many amenities. Family friendly handicap accesible. I has 30 tent Rv and walk in tent camping."

    "This is one of our favorite ‘close to home’ campsites. It’s about an hour out of Northwest Arkansas.

    All of the trails are very nice to hike, even for our little ones."

    3. Kyles Landing Campground — Buffalo National River

    22 Reviews
    Compton, AR
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 439-2502

    $20 / night

    "During that time try and get a site away from the launch/takeout spots. "

    "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."

    4. Ozark Campground — Buffalo National River

    30 Reviews
    Marble Falls, AR
    20 miles
    +1 (870) 439-2502

    $20 / night

    "There’s lots of campground near by but across a bridge is hidden off road that will take you to Carwash Falls. It has a great scenic off road trail and backroad highway."

    "The Buffalo River is a must see Arkansas attraction."

    5. Horseshoe Canyon Ranch

    9 Reviews
    Ponca, AR
    13 miles
    Website

    $5 - $245 / night

    "Horseshoe canyon is one of the biggest climbing and bouldering locations in the southeast area."

    "Car camp, hammock, tent camp, or rent one the cabins to enjoy the roaming goats and horses around the property. Infamously known in AR as one of the best climbing spots."

    6. Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch and Adventure Park

    5 Reviews
    Ponca, AR
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 220-2944

    $15 - $90 / night

    "They continue to upgrade trails and add beautiful camping spots. This is a family room ranch and Donny and Lynn are wonderful hosts. I always come home feeling reconnected with myself and family"

    7. Buffalo outdoor center

    6 Reviews
    Ponca, AR
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 861-5514

    $50 / night

    "It is great place if you have time to hike the trails sadly we did not for this trip.  Ponca and the surrounding have many beautiful nature trails.  "

    "Convenient location to nearby activities and very economical."

    8. Erbie Campground — Buffalo National River

    14 Reviews
    Marble Falls, AR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 439-2502

    "Also, the group sites were between us and the river, so fair amount of traffic as one of the paths to the group sites is between #2 & #4. "

    "Located within a few miles of the horse camp , this site is Aimed more at group camping, there is not as much shade as I’d like to see."

    9. Lost Valley Canoe & Lodging

    3 Reviews
    Ponca, AR
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 861-5522

    $15 - $150 / night

    "Beautiful area near the Buffalo National River. Lost Valley Canoe & Lodging has a yurt, campsites, cabins with hot tubs on the deck, bunkhouse, showers, allows pets, and is family owned."

    10. Kings River Falls Campground

    4 Reviews
    Pettigrew, AR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 789-0415

    $27 - $30 / night

    "Less than a minute from the Kings River Falls Trail-head, and nestled alongside the headwaters of the Kings River in Venus Arkansas."

    "It is one of the most beautiful spots in Arkansas. Highly recommend."

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Recent Reviews near Kingston, AR

1332 Reviews of 249 Kingston Campgrounds


  • Robert N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Aux Arc

    Beautiful Arkansas

    Nice campground, although they are set up to cater to RVers. The RVs are quiet because they are using commercial power and not a generator. Me and my little tent are in the "Land of the Giants". Many fishermen out on Lake Dardanelle. Quiet after Labor Day camping.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Hickory Creek - Beaver Lake

    Avoid spaces 33-43

    Spaces 33 through 43 I would recommend only if you have a small bumper pull that is maybe less than 21 feet long or a class A or class C that’s probably less than 25 feet long. Most of these spaces would be very difficult to get into. We stayed in space 33 without looking first and we had to back our 30 foot fifth wheel down about 100 foot hill around the corner to get into the space. Campsite did have electric and a picnic table. There was a shower building in the next campground over that was on a scale of one to five maybe a three. There were several vault toilets in the area. Nice hiking around to the marina. Was half price with our America, the beautiful senior pass. Also instructions on the Dyrt say to turn down Cow Face Road. I would stay on highway 264 to come into the campground as that road is quite a bit wider and not quite so curvy and hilly. That is the way Google maps was going to send us in the first place, but we followed the instructions on the Dyrt.

  • M
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Rocky Branch Campground

    Rocky Branch upper campground

    Was here on a weekend in August, and there was only one other group in the loop. Not much to do here unless your boating. Showers were miles away and looked pretty rough. Staff was very friendly.

  • Kurt G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Lee Creek Off Road Site

    Good pit stop

    Right off the main road (you can still hear the traffic, but it's not a lot of traffic)

    There's a fire pit, some paths to a hiking spot. I don't think a bus would fit but my 21ft. van was mostly a tight fit.

    A good public land spot with just enough space for two car campers

  • Taylor D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Bar M Resort & Campground

    Amazing

    Nice, easy and quiet with a great pool and lake access! We will definitely be coming back. Site 47 has a bit of sun

  • Teresa S.
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Edgewater Beach Resort- Lakefront RV Sites 16 Miles from Branson!

    Beautiful view of lake

    We had camping site A, which is right on Lake Taneycomo.  Sites are very large with full hookups.  The resort has a nice pool and laundry facilities you can use.  We stayed for 21 nights in July of this year.  You are about a 20 minute drive to Branson and 5 minutes to Forsyth.   We were in a 33 foot motorhome with a boat trailer and a truck also on the site and there was plenty of room.   Laura was very good to deal with.  She gets back to you promptly.

  • K
    Jul. 23, 2025

    Prairie Creek (AR)

    Not a free campsite 22.00 a night

    No primitive camping sites.

  • Patricia
    Jul. 19, 2025

    Into the Woods RV Park

    Tiny home enclave in the making

    We have recently moved our tiny home to this lovely quiet family-owned park. They are open to more fulltime residents and are tiny home friendly. There are no resort-type features. But, there is bath house with laundry and gorgeous tree shaded lots on gravel drives with full utilities. Outside of Yellville, AR there no restrictions against tiny home living. A fourth generation country grocery store is about two miles away and includes a real butcher shop and fresh produce. A Walmart, full service hardware store and the fishing paradise of Bull Shoals Lake(with the only remaining operational ferry in Arkansas) make this a great location to retire. No highway noise but close to Branson with the Ozark mountains all around you make it the spot for us.


Guide to Kingston

Camping near Kingston, Arkansas, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to relax by the river or explore hiking trails, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Kayaking and Canoeing: The Buffalo National River is perfect for paddling. One camper mentioned, "Kayaked from Steel Creek and stayed here," highlighting the great access to water activities at Kyles Landing Campground — Buffalo National River.
  • Hiking: Trails abound in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. A visitor at Richland Creek Recreation Area said, "We really enjoyed the hiking trail," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Withrow Springs State Park Campground, offer good fishing spots. One reviewer noted, "The fishing is good," which is a plus for anglers.

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Steel Creek Campground — Buffalo National River, have basic facilities. A camper noted, "There is a bathroom and water spigots," but be prepared for a more rustic experience.
  • Road Conditions: Access roads can be rough. A visitor to Richland Creek Recreation Area warned, "The road down from Falling Water had been washed out," so check conditions before heading out.
  • No Cell Service: Many areas lack cell reception. One camper at Haw Creek Falls Camping mentioned, "You will not have any cell service," so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby swimming holes. A family at Haw Creek Falls Camping enjoyed, "Eating dinner by the falls," which can be a fun family experience.
  • Playgrounds: Some campgrounds, like Horseshoe Bend Rec Area & Campground, have playgrounds for kids. A reviewer mentioned, "Cute little playground for kids," making it easier to keep the little ones entertained.
  • Safety: Always keep an eye on kids near water. A camper at Withrow Springs State Park Campground advised, "If your dogs bark, neighbors will complain," which is a good reminder to keep noise levels down.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Conditions: RVers should ensure their site is level. One camper at Prairie Creek (AR) noted, "The site we stayed at was not taken care of and NOT level," so choose wisely.
  • Water Hookups: Make sure to check for water availability. A visitor at Wanderlust RV Park mentioned, "The worst water pressure ever," which can be a hassle for RVers.
  • Plan for Arrival: Arrive early to secure a good spot. A camper at Kyles Landing Campground — Buffalo National River said, "Strictly a FCFS use area so come early," emphasizing the importance of timing.

Camping near Kingston, AR, has its quirks, but with the right preparation, it can be a fantastic outdoor adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Kingston, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Kingston, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 249 campgrounds and RV parks near Kingston, AR and 17 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Kingston, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kingston, AR is Steel Creek Campground — Buffalo National River with a 4.5-star rating from 24 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kingston, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Kingston, AR.

What parks are near Kingston, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Kingston, AR that allow camping, notably Beaver Lake and Table Rock Lake.