Looking for the ultimate pet-friendly camping experience near Norfork Lake? Camping is an adventurous and unique way to escape the city—and you can bring along your furry friend. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the woods or a place near local attractions, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect spot for you and your pup.
Blue Heron Campground provides the pleasure of a natural Ozark setting without leaving the beaten path. Forget about traveling miles of back roads to reach that special camping spot. Our RV park is just off the highway and right on the banks of the White River, a premier trout fishing destination. This is RV camping at its finest. You can fish, bird watch, or simply enjoy the Ozark Mountains scenery.
Buffalo Point is a convenient, fun-filled destination for families and adventurists of all types. It's perched along the Buffalo National River, providing exciting river sports and hiking opportunities. In peak season, a restaurant is open at the facility, serving up meals for those who want a break from preparing them.
The wild river is a gathering place for water activities. Many campers spend their days fishing, hiking, canoeing or kayaking. Evenings are ideal for gathering next to the fire to revamp for another great day out on the river.
The campground is set along Buffalo National River, one of the few free-flowing rivers remaining in the contiguous United States. The river runs 135 miles without dams and cuts through the Arkansas Ozarks and into the White River. The region is surrounded by droves of lush hardwood trees and grassy open meadows.
Two popular attractions within the Buffalo Point Area are the Indian Rockhouse Trail and the Rush Historic District. Rush was a zinc mining community until the zinc market collapsed and the settlement was deserted. Tours about the town's history are available. Buffalo Point is the former Buffalo River State Park developed in the 1930's as project of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Blanchard Springs Caverns, an extraordinary living cave, is a one-hour drive from Buffalo Point.
Please see the Recreation.gov Rules and Reservation Policies.
$50 / night
Gamaliel Campground is conveniently located on the Bennetts Bayou area of Norfork Lake. Most sites are shaded beneath tall trees, while others come equipped with canopies to shade the picnic tables. Norfork Lake boasts plenty of secluded coves for water sports and breezy, open stretches for sailing. There are 19 well-maintained Army Corps of Engineers parks along the lake for bountiful water sport opportunities.
Explore the mile-long nature trail that loops from the campground. Sailing the open waters makes for an exciting water activity. Scuba diving in the lake is common, attracting divers from neighboring U.S. states. For visitors interested in fishing, Norfork Lake is stocked annually, and it's not unheard of to catch striped bass over 40 pounds.
Norfork Lake stems from the North Fork River in northern Arkansas. It's about 25 miles east of Bull Shoals lake, and cuts through the Ozark Mountains. The Ozarks are made from a heavily eroded plateau, shaped and carved by hundreds of streams over thousands of years. The region attracts a wide array of plants and animals.
Head south to see the Ozark National Forest and head west to see Bull Shoals Lake, a similar man-made lake that's larger in size and equally entertaining as Norfork.
Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
$50 / night
Lakeview Park Campground is located on Bull Shoals Lake. Set in the scenic Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, the lake has hundreds of miles of lake arms and coves perfect for boating, water sports, swimming, fishing and scuba diving. The lake also appeals to birders, naturalists, hunters and visitors seeking a fun and peaceful place to relax along the water.
The lake is a water sports paradise. Marinas offer boat rentals, supplies and guides for hire. Year-round fishing tournaments keep fishermen active as they seek out 12-pound bass and other species ranging from pan fish to walleye. The lake holds several state fishing records and the nearby White River is a premier trout fishery in the central United States. There is also a 1.5-mile nature trail that begins in the campground.
Lakeview is a large park with wooded campsites on a bluff overlooking the water. The lake and surrounding mountains are popular year-round as each season unfolds a new panorama. Summer contrasts lush green hardwoods and cedar glades against towering rocky bluffs and unusual rock formations. Fall foliage presents the renowned "flaming fall revue." Watching and photographing wildlife can be enjoyed in developed and undeveloped areas alike. Each year more than 100 bald eagles winter in the Bull Shoals area.
Cruise around the lake to see nearly 20 other public parks and hundreds of miles of undeveloped land and coves around the lake, which include additional swim areas and 11 marinas.
Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
$22 - $40 / night
Dam Quarry Campground is an angler's paradise. Located in northern Arkansas, just downstream of the Norfork Dam, the campground is renowned for its world-class trout fishing. The Norfork Lake region was one of the state's first water recreation areas with opportunities like water skiing, canoeing, scuba diving, and of course, fishing.
While fishing is the top-rated activity in the lower river area, kayaking, birding and hiking are also very popular. The public land around Norfork keeps hunters busy with white-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit and quail.
The campground sits at the banks of the North Fork River and Dry Run Creek. The river feeds the popular 22,000-acre Norfork Lake, which is just upstream from Dam Quarry. The site has beautiful views of the forested hills and hollows of the Ozarks.
A short drive south takes visitors to the Ozark National Forest for sightseeing and wildlife spotting. The campground is also just three miles northeast of the small town of Norfork.
Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
$50 / night
Robinson Point is one of the most popular parks in the central portion of Norfork Lake. The 102 campsites are sprawled across two peninsulas, so waterfront campsites are plentiful. The hilly lake region is a playground for visitors young and old, with water and land activities galore.
Swimming, hiking and all types of boating are favorite pastimes for lake-goers. Coves are ideal for water skiers while the breezy, open areas provide excellent conditions for sailing. In-season hunting is also popular here.
Norfork Lake, a 22,000-acre recreation lake, stems from the North Fork River in northern Arkansas. The lake is about 25 miles east of Bull Shoals Lake, and cuts through the Ozark Mountains. The Ozarks Range, in geological terms, is a heavily eroded plateau. It was shaped and carved by hundreds of streams over several thousand years, creating beautiful rugged terrain.
Head south to the Ozark National Forest to explore 1.2 million acres of protected Ozark terrain. There, visitors can tour the Blanchard Springs Caverns, a living cave still in the process of formation.
Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
$26 / night
North Fork Recreation Area provides camping, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking and fishing access to the beautiful North Fork of the White River, which has a total of nine major springs flowing into it. Two of its largest springs are Big Springs and Blue Spring, which contribute some 18 million gallons of cold, clear water every day. North Fork Recreation Area serves as trailhead for the 35-mile long Ridge Runner National Recreation Trail and the Blue Spring Trail.
Blanchard Springs Recreation Area is located in the scenic Ozark National Forest. The Ozark Mountains are known for beautiful "rolling" hills, hidden caverns, waterfalls and clear flowing streams. Examples of early Ozark culture and music can be found throughout the region. Blanchard recreation area is a great starting point for an Ozark adventure.
Trout fishing is available on nearby Mirror Lake. Other popular activities in the Blanchard area include mountain biking, hiking and swimming.
Trout fishing is available on nearby Mirror Lake. Other popular activities in the Blanchard area include mountain biking, hiking and swimming.
The facilities are near picturesque rock bluffs and crystal clear streams. Sites are well shaded by stately yellow pine trees.
Blanchard Springs Caverns offers tours, exhibits and family activities. North Sylamore hiking trail follows the scenic Sylamore creek for 25 miles and connects to the Ozark Highland trail. Mountain biking is available on 50 miles of the Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail.
$15 / night
Bidwell Point is tucked below towering oak and pines on the shores of Norfork Lake. Lay on the beach or take the boat out for water skiing on the easily accessible waters of Norfork Lake.
Lake Norfork is home to one of the best striped bass fisheries in Arkansas. Black bass fishing is at its best from September through May, and an increasingly popular sport is night fishing with lights for crappie and White bass.
The forest-topped Ozarks are actually a heavily eroded plateau, shaped and carved by hundreds of streams over several thousand years. Norfork Lake is sourced by the North Fork River in northern Arkansas, which winds through the rugged Ozarks before filling up 22,000 acres of Norfork Lake.
Hike the Robinson Point National Recreation Trail for wonderful views of the Ozarks. Just south of the lake, The Ozark National Forest spans 1.2 million acres.
Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
$50 / night
Cranfield Park is surrounded by the clear waters of Norfork Lake. It's the closest campground to the city of Mountain Home and offers plenty of pleasing views of the lake from its well-shaded river island sites. Norfork Lake boasts plenty of secluded coves for water sports and breezy, open stretches for sailing. Including Cranfield, there are 19 developed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers parks lining the lake for plenty of water sport opportunities.
Hiking trails in the area lead nature observers and photographers to picturesque overlooks of the Ozarks. A .75-mile nature trail is accessible from the campground. A wide array of fresh water game fish are found in the lake, which is fed by the North Fork River and its tributaries. Bass, walleye, crappie, bream and catfish all make their home here.
Norfork Lake covers 22,000 acres with 550 miles of shoreline. Densely wooded hills and hollows surround the lake in the Ozark Mountains. The North Fork River feeds into the lake, and beyond the dam, extends on to connect with the White River.
The Robinson Point National Recreation Trail is a beautiful hike especially during the fall months, for views of the Ozark Mountains' changing colors through the seasons. Drive just over five miles to visit the town of Mountain Home, considered one of the best places to live for sportsmen.
Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
$50 / night
Scout
While it was pretty last year (the reason it was my first pick this year) the owner uses Marissa, Jamie and Serena as his own personal shield to avoid taking responsibility for his business, and all of them are rude as all get out. Marissa promised multiple times that the owner would call me, and kept changing when exactly that would be. Two days later, I have NEVER heard from him, despite him being fully aware he needed to contact me. I ended up having the credit card company cancel the charge.
And omg, the shower house. Bring a space heater. It's an open air shed with exposed pvc and no drain. I can't imagine how it operates in the winter.
If you come in October, expect loud screaming, gun shots and chainsaws for THREE HOURS at night from one of their events your probably won't be told about til you arrive. Greg deserves to have this place fail.
Traveler
The location is great. This park is in between Walmart and the river. Area Code The downtown is only a few minutes away and they are always having singing at the park in the beautiful outdoor areas.
Guide
Great trip. Beautiful campground. Beautiful scenery
Guide
Great trip. Beautiful campground. Beautiful scenery
Scout
This campground had the potential to be amazing- it's beautiful, is right next to the river with amazing views of the stars, and has several hikes close by. But the camp hosts and rangers don't enforce any sort of quiet time or people capacity rules. So unfortunately my partner and I had a group of probably 20 people camping next to us. They brought in a DJ car(open the trunk and it had huge speakers and running lights) to bump techno music during the day, and at night they set up a movie projector and large screen and watched horror movies late into the night. It's not serene when there are 8 tents, a crowd of people, and horror movie screaming right beside you all day and night. I even went and talked to the camp hosts but nothing was done. So, I don't recommend this place. Usually I camp to unwind and chill, but I left the weekend more frazzled and exhausted than I came.
ScoutYou will love this campground. It's a beautiful rv resort next to the water. Step out of your rv and you will see some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the United States. Michael is the director of the campground and he is so very helpful and congenial. We travel to many states but this campground is our very favorite and if you like or love to fish, this is your place! Go see for yourselves and we will probably see you there!!
Wanda and Pete Shurow
LegendWe loved our stay at Blue Heron. We had a riverfront spot and really just came to chill not fish but it’s a fishing location. White river is trout paradise so if you’re an angler this is where it’s at. Campground was SUPER clean. Best level pads and hookups we’ve ever seen. Firewood and ice for sale. Everything was absolutely perfect except the road noise….which in all fairness we knew about. LOTS of noise. It died down after 8pm and before 8am and we couldn’t hear it in our camper so it’s was ok.
Legend
Decent campground with excellent trout fishing! The campground layout was kinda weird and the dump station was in an odd spot. However, we had a nice river front site that we really enjoyed. Lots of nice people in the campground and on the river. Be sure to visit the hatchery across the street. . Limited AT&T service. Individual Private suite style bathrooms. Playground. No store, no firewood for sale. Level sites. Several sites have covers over the picnic tables. .
Traveler
No amenities other than composting toilets. There are a few tent sites along the road and there is plenty of grassy area near the creek for RVs/trailers. This is a horse camp with plenty of evidence, but it was only us and a couple of other tent campers.
The creek was obviously spring fed, crystal clear and had a gravelly bottom. There were plenty of places to get in the water...understanding that this is horse camp.
The place was well maintained and mowed and it was super peaceful and quiet. The main annoyance was some trash in fire pits along the creek.
If you consider this as a waypoint, two things:
1. There is about a mile of dusty, gravel road that is a little rough.
2. We had great T-Mobile 10 miles south, but it dropped to zero by the time we drove into camp.
ScoutThis is our 5-6 year to stay here. Over the years, we have seen so many b improvements to this area.. it’s always a great time. Michael, the host, is just an all around great guy. We are looking forward to our next stay
Legend
Very small park. Restaurant and store are Nextdoor. Spots are large. We were the only campers in the park.
Scout
Most peaceful place to stay. You are surrounded by mountains, wildlife, birds, eagles, deer, geese and the confluence of the White & Norfork River is at the end of driveway. Norfork Lake is just a few miles away. Love the Pavilion, fire pit and corn hole!
Traveler
Super friendly people, very accommodating. They offered to help us hookup when we arrived, so sweet, and specially since we are new to this. Gave us advice about where to eat around town. The site was nice and shady. The bath house was excellent - very nice showers and bathrooms, very clean, very private. Such a family feel. Very good value for the price! Thanks for an excellent stay. Would stay here again if we ever return to the area.
TravelerThis is our go to get away! If you like canoeing and kayaking… it’s here. Like hiking… plenty of trails. Want to just site by one of the cleanest rivers around and enjoy the Ozarks… this is it. We’ve tent camped and trailered here for more than 15 years.
The camp grounds are well maintained by the NPS. The showers and restrooms are a bit, um, rustic. 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. Some get full sun in the morning but most are shaded in the evening due to the mountain. Also, sites on the river side are frequented by raccoons at night and mosquitos depending on the weather.
I would still pick Buffalo Point as a definite place to stay.
Scout
Loved the solitude of being by the water. We had another RV next to us for a few days, but with the privacy fence in between you would never know it.
ScoutWe stay at Blue Heron 3-4 times a year and love it! Excellent concrete pads with easy back-in markings for RVs. Great cement patio so there is no mud in case of rain. Each site has its own fire pit and 2 chairs. All the sites are great, but the river sites provide a nice cool breeze off the water!
Scout
Even though their website says they have tent camping they DO NOT
Scout
We stay here every year during May! Will be back. Clean, family owned campground that is very loved and cared for.
The bathhouse is clean and new. Homey little campsite.
LegendLoved being able to camp so close to the creek! The campsites weren’t anything special, but it is perfect for a weekend getaway. The lower campground does not have a bathroom, have to walk to the hill. The bathrooms were clean, but the shower house is basically like taking an outdoor shower. They do sell wood, ice and have a small selection of items inside the office. The location is great and the river is gorgeous making this a place would would definitely return to.
TravelerWe have stayed here 2 times, once in a RV a couple years ago and had a nice experience. The second just this week. Since we stayed here last the prices have increased per night and it has come under new ownership. We stayed in the “wren” cabin. Which is over looking campsites below and sylamore creek. Not horrible, but honestly if I’m paying for water views I want to see the water not campers. Overall fairly clean, other than the debris pictured in the shower. No problem, sometimes mistakes happen. Could have even fell from the ceiling when the door closed or something after it was cleaned. My biggest issue, we were here for 3 nights. Typically I like to shower a couple times a day as does my wife when it is hot out. We had a total of 2 bath towels and 2 wash cloths upon arrival. Rather than new ones being brought daily, you are required to take the used ones to the camp store and exchange them yourself. I’m on vacation, I don’t personally feel it should be my responsibility to secure my own towels on MY time. I mean, I’m here for 3 days, give me 6 towels and wash cloths and count them when I leave if your that worried about towel theft. I’ve travelled half way around the world and never had this issue before. But if I’m paying $140 a night for a room worth about $90 (at best) I’d at least like enough towels to get me through my stay or maybe send someone by with new ones. One more thing, note the front door pic needs painted at a minimum, I mean, it’s not just one thing, it’s attention to detail and upkeep. The bathroom door also rubbed the floor and the floor was uneven overall. I get around pretty good, but I can see this being a trip hazard for someone elderly. Point being, I did not get a good value for the stay I purchased. I did confront the towel issue and the response was “we’ve always done it that way”. Doesn’t sound like it will change soon, which means I won’t be back and wouldn’t encourage anyone else to stay here either. On a positive, it’s not a bad location. I will also mention the bed, it wasn’t bad, but could have lived without the sandpaper sheets.
RangerAverage 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.
ScoutI got to fish
TravelerWe celebrated a birthday with family and friends at Blue Heron - we traveled from Texas. What a GREAT place. Beautiful views - so many amenities - they have everything you need to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Can’t wait to return and stay in one of the riverfront cabins. SO nice. Cheryl and Michael were so helpful and made sure our trip was one for the books.
ScoutWe stayed in a riverfront site. It was perfect access to bank fishing and the boat ramp. The entire property including our site was very clean, well kept and attractive.
Michael was great to work with and very attentive to any need we had.
I would gladly recommend this property to anyone wanting to camp by a great trout stream in a beautiful setting.
Traveler
Enjoyed the views. Great sites. Great walking path.
Traveler
We enjoy our time together camping. Not many sites have shade and the water hook-up was quite a distance from our campsite. I needed two hoses. The bathrooms could use an update.
Traveler
It's such a beautiful place, right on the White River and the Buffalo River, just yards away. The best of both rivers. The resort is well maintained and the staff is friendly. There's a pool in the summer and a ping pong table. The bathrooms do not have air conditioning, but are clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Norfork Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Norfork Lake is Blue Heron Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Norfork Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 105 dog-friendly camping locations near Norfork Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
