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."

Best Camping Sites Near Kingston, Arkansas (255)

    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

1352 Reviews of 255 Kingston Campgrounds


  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed

    Perfect spot

    Perfect spot with a great view. We were the only ones and it was super peaceful. Good amount of shade for when it’s hot and good amount of trees to hang tarp when it’s raining. Big area so multiple tents and cars can pull in

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Bentonville Bike Camp

    Great place to explore Bentonville and amazing biking trails

    Great private small business! Owners Julie & Jason very easy to communicate with. Campspot registration went smoothly. While we enjoyed Dry Camping meadow, they have a few basic cabins, and several electric sites. If you enjoy supporting a small family business and basic accommodations this place is for you!

  • Jon M.
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Port Of Kimberling Resort & Campground

    Beautiful campground

    Lake views, a spacious site, wildlife, and trees. The price wasn't too bad, but a bit more than we typically like to spend.

  • Daniel K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Beaver Dam Dive Shop and Resort

    Great optiion

    Great campground with good staff. Some of the parking spots can be hard to pull into is you are in a mega sized rig amd dont know how to drive your set up. Its home for lots of scuba divers. Get to know them! Everyone is super friendly. Chickens ranging free on the property. Fresh eggs for sale. If you are the person who wants perfectly flat pads and want the Koa campground mega camper vibe this is not your spot. If you want to have a great campground with incredible sunset views stop on by. I recommend the concrete slab across from the dive shop. Grab your favorite drink from the dive shop. And make great memories! And get to know your fellow travelers.

  • Jeff P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Table Rock State Park Campground

    Back to our fav campground

    We love this state park. We have been regularly going there for a long weekend annually

  • Michael G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Indian Point

    Good place

    Clean, quiet, and friendly

  • Brian L.
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Wild Oaks Campground

    Close corner

    It was quiet,peaceful and nice. The entrance wasn't well marked and I had a hard time navigating the entrance with my bumper pull 36'

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Table Rock State Park Campground

    Great spot!

    We had the perfect little spot for our tent camping weekend. It is a campground so you do have neighbors but the sites were spread out and didn’t feel cramped. There was ample room for our tent, the fire ring, our hammock set up and the picnic table. Restrooms were the cleanest i’ve ever seen. I will definitely be back!

  • Candace P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Horseshoe Bend Rec Area & Campground

    Great for kids

    I was in site 61, which was awful. Right in the middle of screaming kids in the lake on 1 side, screaming kids on the playground on the other side. The site was so tight my mini Van barely fit. No place to sit at the fire pit at all. The bath house toilet wouldn't flush and was full of shit. I left and parked at the local cracker barrel! So dissapointing!


Guide to Kingston

Camping spots near Kingston, Arkansas offer a mix of primitive and developed options across the steep terrain of the Ozarks. Elevations range from 1,100 to 2,200 feet with temperature variations of 10-15 degrees between valleys and ridgetops. Winter camping requires preparation for freezing nights while summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity in the river valleys.

What to do

**Visit Kings River Falls: Located in nearby Venus, this natural area provides swimming and hiking opportunities. "This is a remote and rugged campground with caves, bluffs, swimming holes and river a plenty," notes a camper at Kings River Falls Campground.

Ride trails and see buffalo: Kingston offers ATV and dirt biking opportunities on private land. A visitor at Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch and Adventure Park shared, "There are miles and miles of ATV and single track trails for dirt biking. Creeks, waterfalls and buffalo everywhere."

Rock climbing: The sandstone formations around Kingston provide excellent climbing opportunities. "Horseshoe canyon ranch is one of the biggest climbing and bouldering locations in the southeast area. Beautiful pastures and surrounded by rock that hundreds come to visit," explains a visitor familiar with the area's recreation options.

What campers like

Natural swimming holes: The waterways around Kingston provide cooling relief during hot summer months. "Kayaking, swimming, and fishing were awesome!" reports a visitor at Steel Creek Campground.

Dark skies for stargazing: The limited development in the Kingston area creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. A visitor at Erbie Campground notes it's a "Star gazing park, meaning park does not light up during night, if they do they are yellow lights not bright but there."

Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife populations. "Saw a lot of deer in the forest right next to our site and in the field next over," says a camper at Ozark Campground, while another mentions, "Lots of wildlife such as deer, elk and if you are lucky black bears."

What you should know

Road conditions can be challenging: Many campgrounds are accessed via rough roads requiring careful driving. An Erbie camper advises, "It's quite the trip down the dirt road to get here. Probably will take you 20/30 minutes of gravel road. Don't recommend bringing any type of trailer down here."

Cell service limitations: Most camping areas have limited or no connectivity. "No cell phone reception in the campground, but its camping! Get unplugged!" notes a visitor at Withrow Springs State Park.

Seasonal water levels: The Buffalo River and tributaries fluctuate dramatically with rainfall. "We wanted to kayak but water was up too high after the rain. Site did hold some water after the rain," reports an Erbie visitor, highlighting how conditions change quickly.

Flash flood risk: Low-lying campsites can flood during heavy rain. As one camper observed, "The sandy sites drain away rain water faster than the grassy sites that had standing water for a couple days after a big storm."

Tips for camping with families

Trail accessibility: Some trails are suitable for children. A visitor at Withrow Springs State Park shares, "All of the trails are very nice to hike, even for our little ones."

Safer campsites for kids: Select sites away from water hazards and traffic areas. "Watch for crazy drivers especially if you have kids! Far off of the road but was a nice scenic drive in and out," warns an Erbie camper.

Central play areas: Some campgrounds offer open spaces for activities. "There is a huge grassy field in the middle of the campground which is great for families to play sports and other games," notes an Ozark Campground visitor.

Beginner-friendly options: For new campers, certain areas provide more amenities. A Steel Creek camper explains, "This is a great campsite if you're wanting to get outdoors, but aren't quite adventurous to go full-out."

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup availability: Full-service RV sites are scarce near Kingston. One visitor at Withrow Springs notes, "All hook ups. Level sites. Trees between sites give lots of shade."

Road gradient concerns: Access roads to some campgrounds have steep sections. A Steel Creek camper advises, "Be warned: four wheel drive is highly recommended. The road is steep, has sharp, blind curves and is very narrow."

Site drainage varies: Consider site selection based on weather forecasts. "The sand may be a pain, but the sandy sites drain away rain water faster than the grassy sites that had standing water for a couple days after a big storm," reports a Steel Creek camper.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Kingston, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Kingston, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 255 campgrounds and RV parks near Kingston, AR and 18 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 18 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.