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Best Tent Camping near Marshall, AR

638 Reviews

Buffalo National River offers several tent-only campgrounds within a short drive of Marshall, Arkansas. Shine Eye Gravel Bar and Gilbert Gravel Bar provide primitive tent camping directly on the riverbanks, with both sites open year-round. Kyles Landing Campground, about 30 minutes from Marshall, features walk-in tent sites with stunning bluff views and direct river access. Spring Creek Campground offers more secluded tent campsites with fire rings and picnic tables, though the access road can be challenging during wet weather. Rush Campground provides 12 tent sites with basic amenities including vault toilets and a water spigot.

Most tent campgrounds in the area feature minimal facilities designed for self-sufficient campers. Sites typically include fire rings, and some offer picnic tables, though amenities vary by location. Vault toilets are standard at most locations, but showers are not available at any of the primitive tent camping areas. Cell service is virtually non-existent throughout the region, with one camper noting the lack of signal as a welcome feature rather than an inconvenience. Road access varies significantly, with several campgrounds requiring navigation down steep, rough gravel roads. Kyles Landing's access road is particularly challenging, with one visitor reporting that while a compact car can make it, drivers should "go slow in a lower gear."

Fall and winter months provide the most peaceful backcountry tent camping experiences. According to reviews, Steel Creek Campground becomes "unnerving because it's so quiet" during off-season visits, with "no road noise at all, just nature and the occasional chopping of firewood." Weekdays generally offer more solitude than weekends, with one camper reporting that Steel Creek was "practically empty" during a midweek visit. The Buffalo River Trail passes directly through several campgrounds, making them excellent basecamps for hikers. Wildlife sightings are common, with deer, elk, and occasionally black bears spotted near tent campsites. Most locations require visitors to pack out all trash, following Leave No Trace principles.

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Best Tent Sites Near Marshall, Arkansas (26)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Marshall, AR

41 Photos of 26 Marshall Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Marshall, AR

638 Reviews of 26 Marshall 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
    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.

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • Eric G.
    Apr. 24, 2019

    Kyles Landing Campground — Buffalo National River

    Beautiful with an amazing river and bluffs to home a stone throw away.

    Great escape! It runs parallel to the Buffalo National River. Beautiful campground with well maintained grounds. It includes hiking trails, river access and walk in camp grounds only. Tents only are highly recommended. Rough road getting there and no cell service which is fine with me. The only negative is there are no showers. Only restrooms and an outside water supply. That's why I gave it a 4 star. If you are ok with not showing or doing a sponge bath then 5 stars.

    https://youtu.be/2yF1A2QlTxw

Guide to Marshall

Tent camping near Marshall, Arkansas offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.

Tips for tent camping near Marshall

  • For a unique experience, consider staying at Haw Creek Falls Camping, where you can enjoy stunning waterfalls and a serene atmosphere, but remember to pack out what you pack in since there are no trash facilities.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $25

  • Enjoy free camping at Haw Creek Falls Camping, which is well-reviewed for its picturesque setting and access to swimming holes.

Tent campers should check out Lost Valley Canoe & Lodging

  • Experience a variety of accommodations at Lost Valley Canoe & Lodging, where you can find tent sites along with cabins and yurts, all nestled near the Buffalo National River.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Marshall, AR is Shine Eye Gravel Bar — Buffalo National River with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

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

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