Best Tent Camping near Mountainburg, AR
Tent campsites around Mountainburg, Arkansas range from established campgrounds to primitive areas along waterways. Natural Dam offers tent camping with a scenic waterfall backdrop on Mountain Fork Creek, providing a gravel area suitable for tent setup. Kings River Falls Campground, about 35 miles north of Mountainburg, features five tent-only campsites with river access and is surrounded by sandstone formations similar to those at Hawksbill Crag.
Most tent campgrounds in the area have minimal amenities, requiring campers to be self-sufficient. Natural Dam provides no drinking water, restrooms, or designated sites, making it essential to bring all necessary supplies. According to one visitor, "It was chilly in the morning, so the fog off the waterfall was eerily gorgeous." Jack Creek Recreation Area offers primitive tent sites with basic toilets but no running water during its seasonal operation from mid-May through mid-November. Sites at Kings River Falls must be reserved through their website, and the campground requires campers to pack out all trash.
Walk-in tent sites provide more seclusion than drive-in options throughout the region. Areas near water features like Natural Dam and Kings River Falls are particularly popular during warmer months. A recent review noted, "We had campsite #5 and loved how much room we had! You are close enough to see your neighbor campers but we couldn't hear them at all." Tent campers should be aware that several areas that previously allowed overnight stays now restrict camping. Horseshoe Bend Primitive Area, once open for tent camping, now permits day use only despite signage indicating otherwise. The terrain at most tent campgrounds consists of natural surfaces with varying levels of shade, and many sites are positioned to provide access to swimming holes or fishing spots during appropriate seasons.
