201 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Buffalo National River region near Marshall, Arkansas contains multiple campgrounds with varying levels of development and amenities. Established options include Buffalo Point, which offers cabin accommodations alongside tent and RV sites with electric hookups, and Tyler Bend Campground, which provides more primitive camping with tent sites and limited RV facilities. Several dispersed camping areas exist along the river, including Woolum Dispersed Area and gravel bars such as Gilbert, Shine Eye, and Grinder's Ferry, where visitors can camp with minimal facilities.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with Buffalo Point open from March 15 to November 14, while other sites like South Maumee and Richland Creek Recreation Area remain accessible year-round. Roads to remote sites can become difficult in wet conditions, particularly at locations like Spring Creek Campground where steep, janky gravel roads may require high-clearance vehicles. Cell service varies significantly across the region, with stronger coverage at developed sites and limited or no service at more remote locations. According to one visitor at Spring Creek Campground, "There is no drinking water and I didn't get phone service, but for the most part it was very quiet."
Waterfront camping represents a major draw throughout the Buffalo River corridor, with numerous sites providing direct river access. Campers particularly value the clear waters and scenic bluffs visible from many riverside locations. Gilbert RV Park receives consistent praise for its proximity to the Buffalo River, with one reviewer noting it's "a stones throw from the Buffalo river" and that "the location to the river is unbeatable." Primitive sites at gravel bars like Shine Eye and Grinder's Ferry attract visitors seeking a more rustic experience, offering opportunities to camp directly beside the water with minimal facilities. Tyler Bend Campground reviews indicate mixed experiences regarding noise levels, with some visitors noting highway sounds from nearby US 65, particularly from trucks using Jake brakes during early morning hours.
"Some sites you may not be long enough for your entire rig and you would park your tow vehicle next to your camper. Shade was plentiful. There are five different loops."
"Paved roads to all the way to your camp site, showers, and a fantastic dinner 5 minutes away may not sound like luxury but Arkansas hllls usually make you work hard to enjoy their beauty."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Be prepared for limited or no cell service and miles of gravel roads - download or print your driving and hiking maps (including how to find the falls) ahead of time."
"I had found information online that Arkansas campgrounds were reopened, so it was a surprise to see it closed."
"So far, my favorite spot in Arkansas. There are vault toilets in the area around them is groomed as a matter fact, they were mowing when I was there."
"I met a backpacker who just came off of the Ozark Highland Trail across the river and was camping on the rocky river bank."
"The pictures of the river are from a different buffalo river access point Easy access to bathroom, drinking water and river from this spot."
"Quiet and close to the river."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"We got all setup and enjoyed our time around Gilbert. The quiet little town with some live music occasionally."
"The campground is small and a bit sparse, but the location to the river is unbeatable. The camp owner and store manager “Jim” is a delight…as is “homer” the camp dog."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"The campsites are a good distance apart, they have plenty of room and have fire rings and picnic tables. Be aware that there is no drinking water and I didn’t get phone service (yay!)."
"There are no designated campsites, just park in the parking lot, walk down to the river and find a spot."
"Nice campground sites mostly tucked up in the treeline. Hiking nearby"
"Near the entrance to the facility right off of the highway there is a large gravel parking lot. This facility has day-use for rock climbing. Motorcycle friendly but there is a sign stating no OHV's."
"Absolutely stunning spot to enjoy all Arkansas has to offer! Visited in the early fall, our days filled with basking in the warm sunshine and dips in the clear cool river."
TravelerWe stayed here for 14 days. I would recommend trying for a site right on the bank of the water. We could see most of the Dam of Norfolk Lake from our site. Bathhouse are air conditioned. Nice clean campground. Hosts were very nice. Park rangers and sheriff dept patrolled at least once a day. Sites are paved with water and electric and a dump station. Definitely will go back.
TravelerWe were there for 14 nights. We were in a very shady site. So shady, Starlink was sketchy service. We had no cell service at our site without going off Starlink. No sewer in area D. Im not sure about the other areas. We had water and electric. Campground was clean and quiet. Will definitely go again.
GuideWe spent one night here. It was a little bit of trouble to get to, as I'm not a fan of driving in the mountains. It had a nice fire ring and a picnic table. There are 2 vault toilets here, not the worst we've seen. They did have toilet paper. Super cute but very shallow swimming hole, maybe 3 ft deep? Very popular too. Seemed every site was full when we pulled through to check it out, so we picked the only open spot, #1. But when we left at 10 am, only one other campsite was occupied so I think they were just daytime guests. We walked downstream a lot looking at small fish in the little pools and we "swam" in the swimming hole, it was nice bc it was hot. Beautiful scenery. No service for my phone.
TravelerI am not a high maintenance kind of chick ….i used pit toilets and sun showers and that doesn’t bother me but this weekend was horrible. The staff was nice but the overflowing dumpster led to a plethora of flies and issues trying to keep them out of our foods The air quality was horrible due to the stench of the dumpster was a true health concern every time the breeze came from that direction The following are photos of the concerns overflowing dumpster 150 feet from our site
RangerSitting right on the Buffalo National River this is a quiet and clean little campground. There are 18 back-in RV/camper sites, a playground for the kids, dog park, community fire pit, pavilion, group tent sites, star gazing area, tent sites, bath house and small camp store.
ScoutQuiet and secluded. Just enough off the ‘beaten’ path of campgrounds to be rather private.
ScoutGreat new park with full hookups, perfect location for a trip to Greers Ferry Lake.
ScoutPeaceful and wooded. Paved parking. Enjoying our stay. Bathrooms and showers nice enough.
ScoutThis was our 2nd time to stay there. Place is kept up very well and Michael is always helpful the facilities are clean and it’s a great place for a relaxing get away
Camping near Marshall, Arkansas offers varied experiences across Buffalo National River sites, with terrain ranging from riverside gravel bars to mountain bluffs. Most roads in this area require careful driving during wet conditions, especially spring when seasonal creek crossings can become impassable. Water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year, affecting both accessibility and recreational opportunities.
Hiking with waterfall views: Richland Creek Recreation Area contains numerous trails leading to scenic waterfalls. One visitor noted, "Very nice/clean campground in Richland Creek Wilderness. Several trails and waterfalls close by. Drive-up spot, fire-ring, picnic bench, hook, pit toilet. Day use area for hiking."
Rock climbing access: Sam's Throne Recreation Area attracts climbers with numerous routes. A camper shared, "We started a five day camping trip on a Saturday and sure enough, as we had already heard about this place's weekend popularity, the sites were packed. Many groups out there taking advantage of the beautiful March weather to hit the rock and explore all the many jaw-dropping routes on and around Sam's rocky Throne."
Cave exploration: Buffalo Point has accessible caverns nearby. As one reviewer mentioned, "We found a cool cave at the far right end of the rock beach. The bathrooms are on the smaller side, but the showers were clean."
Wildlife observation: Early mornings offer opportunities to see deer, especially at Sam's Throne where "Bambi and her mom also seem to live here," according to one camper.
Stargazing opportunities: The lack of light pollution makes nighttime viewing exceptional. At Sam's Throne Recreation Area, campers report "On the right dark night you can see every star in the sky."
Water clarity: Buffalo River's transparency gets consistently high marks when water levels are normal. At Woolum Dispersed Area, visitors enjoy "Right on the river with both a rock and sand beach currently."
Quiet weekday visits: Many campgrounds empty out midweek. At Grinder's Ferry Gravel Bar, one visitor shared, "Weekday visit left us to enjoy all this by ourselves."
Local food options: Restaurants near Buffalo Point received positive reviews: "We ate an amazing dinner at the restaurant at Buffalo Point- and also had lunch at The Springhouse. Both were delicious meals!!"
Road conditions: Access to remote sites requires preparation. For 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."
Water level variability: River conditions can change rapidly after rain. At Buffalo Point, a visitor observed, "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."
Limited cell service: Coverage varies widely by location and carrier. At Richland Creek Recreation Area, "If you travel the north road from the campground for about 3.5 miles you will get decent service from AT&T but I don't know about the other carriers."
Bathroom facilities: Most dispersed sites have minimal facilities. Spring Creek Campground has "a vault toilet that wasn't too bad" with "no drinking water."
Swimming holes: Woolum Dispersed Area offers family-friendly water access. According to one camper, it's "Quiet, spacious, with the best swimming hole!" and "We love the peacefulness of this place and will continue coming back."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience weekend crowding and noise issues. At Tyler Bend Campground, visitors noted "Fine but not amazing" and "Pretty basic campground, kind of just a bunch of spots in a field."
Wildlife encounters: Buffalo Point provides opportunities to see animals safely. A camper reported, "Deer were everywhere and the Indian Rockhouse hike was really great."
Off-peak timing: For quieter family experiences, avoid weekends at popular sites. At Buffalo Point, "Some of the sites can get a little crowded on the weekend. During the week was super quiet and more my speed."
Site selection: Many campgrounds have limited RV-suitable spots. At Buffalo Point, campers advised, "Sites can be hit and miss depending on the time of the year. Be sure and view the campsite online and consider the direction of the site."
Small RV preference: Most access roads favor smaller rigs. At Tyler Bend, "Not great for big rigs, a lot of the sites are too small."
Weather planning: Seasonal considerations affect road accessibility. One camper at Richland Creek noted, "A short section of the south road in from highway 16 was quite narrow because of a landslide but had been partially repaired and was passable."
RV amenity limitations: Most sites have minimal hookups. At Gilbert RV Park, however, "The location to the river is unbeatable" and "When they advertise a stones throw from the Buffalo river, they mean it."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Marshall, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Marshall, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 201 campgrounds and RV parks near Marshall, AR and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Marshall, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Marshall, AR is Buffalo Point — Buffalo National River with a 4.5-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Marshall, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Marshall, AR.
What parks are near Marshall, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 parks near Marshall, AR that allow camping, notably Buffalo National River and Greers Ferry Lake.
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