19 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Horseshoe Canyon Ranch offers camping accommodations for equestrians visiting the Oark region, with sites suitable for tents, RVs, and those seeking cabin options. The campground provides amenities including drinking water, showers, and toilet facilities that support extended stays with horses. Roaming horses and goats frequent the property, creating an authentic ranch atmosphere appreciated by visitors. The terrain features well-maintained trails and rock formations ideal for both riding and climbing activities, making it popular with both equestrians and rock climbing enthusiasts.
Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch and Adventure Park accommodates horse owners with primitive camping areas across its expansive property. The ranch connects to miles of ATV and single-track trails suitable for horseback riding through diverse Ozark terrain featuring creeks and waterfalls. Trail quality remains consistent through regular maintenance and upgrades, with new camping spots added periodically to enhance the experience. The peaceful, unplugged environment attracts riders seeking to disconnect, with many guests returning multiple times annually. Four-wheel drive vehicles provide advantages during wet conditions, particularly when accessing the more remote camping areas that offer greater privacy and direct trail access.
"Camped near the river and had a wonderful time exploring the off-road trails near the area."
"This is one of the best campgrounds in Arkansas. Dog friendly"
from $10 - $22 / night
Check Availability"General: Located in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, you can enjoy time off the grid (we had limited cell service when we were at the summit of the Yellow Rock Trail but none in the campground"
"I stayed in Campground E, one of 5 campgrounds in the park, not including the equestrian campground or the walk in tent sites off of Campground A."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"You wake up every morning to the sound of the Buffalo River coursing by just a few hundred yards away, and are greeted by the breathtaking view of the bluffs you are surrounded by!"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $15 - $90 / night
Check Availability"The picnic table had a few steps up to it. This site is at the entrance, we might have preferred something at the back. Everyone coming in or out drove by our spot."
"There is an unofficial overflow campground with a well kept pit toilet that offers the best view from the campgrounds over the Arkansas valley."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"They have horse back riding and tons of world class rock climbing. Very safe and clean. Facilities were just fine."
"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."
from $5 - $245 / night
Check Availability"Reservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by."
"A great Arkansas destination for outdoorsy people.The steep road climbing to the top of Mount Nebo keeps the big RVs away. Stop your car at the lookout point before you reach the top."
"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."
"I explored each in detail and took a day to enjoy the trails around them. "
"There are some trails nearby, but the area and trails are really designed for ATVs."
"short drives from the campgrounds to beautiful scenery with a little bit of research, or ask greg. alot are even accessible by car. take the 30 min drive to hillbillys lims bbq as well."
from $20 / night
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LegendI had heard so many great things about this park but I was not that impressed. The sites are fairly close together. There’s no signs warning that if you are in a large RV you shouldn’t come in on a certain highway. They do have equestrian trails and a campground to accommodate campers with horses. They have a lot of hiking trails. There are cabins and a pool.
LegendCamped here mid-week in early November, 2025. Came here to camp while doing some smallmouth bass fishing on the Buffalo River. Quickly found a large, open, level site with a rock fire ring on a grassy field. This site was large enough to accomodate multiple vehicles and horse trailers. I did not try to find a spot on the river bank, although the river bank appeared easy to access. Only two other camping groups were here during my stay - far enough away that I couldn't hear them. Including the one at the day use parking lot, there are three clean and supplied vault toilets here. The campground appeared well maintained. No potable water and no trash service. Solar recharging and Starlink connectivity are possible. I received spotty T-Mobile 2G and 4G LTE service. This primitive campground is convenient for kayakers and canoers, as well as for overlanders and equestrian campers. I met a backpacker who just came off of the Ozark Highland Trail across the river and was camping on the rocky river bank. I recommend, especially for those driving 2WD passenger vehicles, accessing the campground using Searcy County Road 15 - not CR14. Although open during my time here, narrow CR14 still had some damage from recent landslides which resulted in rough driving conditions (although, high clearance, 4x4 vehicles should have no problems). Overall, I enjoyed camping here, and I'm looking forward to returning to this beautiful area in the Arkansas Ozarks.
GuideWe rolled in at 8pm on a Friday 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. The 26 sites are in two layers, one closer to the parking lot, one closer to the woods, river and bluffs. Rangers patrol regularly and are very helpful. There is a ranger station beyond the horse campground which is a pleasant walk or a quick drive. We stopped there to get our National Park stamp! Easy access to a trail directly from the lot, or walk beyond the horse camp to the Old River trail head. Centerpoint Trail is a 15 minute drive away and offers access to the Big Bluff/Goat Trail. Caution drivers: the road in to the campground is windy and steep. A sign warns against bringing RVs. However there were an enormous bus and tons of horse trailers and campers at the bottom of the hill - braver people than I:) Bathrooms are clean, dimly lit at night presumably to keep bugs out. Each site has a lantern pole, fire ring and picnic table. Lost Valley Trail and shelter are a 10-15 minute drive away. Since it was raining we cooked our dinner in the shelter. Overall a beautiful place with great access to multiple trails as well as river access. Sites are a little close, but if you're fine with having neighbors 20 or so feet away, we highly recommend:)
ScoutLocated 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. It is immediately next to Erbie put in, with walking distance to both the Erbie Ford and the old community of Erbie, which includes several old homes that have been preserved, the old Erbie Church and Cherry Hill cemetery.
Both cecil Cove Trail and the main Buffalo River trail are right there. With bathrooms and a nice swimming hole, this is a local favorite. The water is seasonal, so ne aware of flash flood risks.
ScoutThis place is a true hidden gem. It is so close to the Buffalo River, Jasper, and Erbie Horse camp. We had such a great weekend with our family! Loved being away from all of the crowds in this secluded area.
TravelerReservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by. We opted for the hike in site and it was perfect for us. Off-road and hiking were great! Views are breathtaking!!
LegendGeneral: Located in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, you can enjoy time off the grid (we had limited cell service when we were at the summit of the Yellow Rock Trail but none in the campground). Limited rainfall resulted in less dramatic (or non-existent) waterfalls that are otherwise boasted of during other times of the year but the scenery was still beautiful, especially in the fall.
Sites/Facilities: Many different camping options (some loops have full hookups while others do not have hookups and there is a dump station near Loop E), a hike-in campground, a group campground, and an equestrian campground. There are also 17 rustic cabins (1-3 bedrooms with kitchens and a/c and heating plus nearby bathrooms). We camped in Loop E and there was reasonable separation between the sites. The pads were paved. Each site had a metal picnic table, lantern hook, and fire grate. Many of the sites provided shade from the many trees.
Bathhouse: Like some other Arkansas state parks, there are two bathhouses in some loops, and they were open on alternating days so that the other one may be cleaned and sanitized (Covid related policy). While the open one in Loop E was clean, the several soap dispensers were empty which does not make sense to me when hand washing is recommended. You also need to bring your own towel, which I have been doing regardless. There are showers but I did not use them so I cannot comment on how good they are.
Activities/Amenities: Hiking! I highly recommend the Yellow Rock Trail and the Devils Den Trail plus there are several others. During the summer, you can rent paddle boats and canoes. There are several areas with picnic tables throughout the park. There is also a swimming pool, although I did not see it when we were there in October(it would only be open in the summer). Firewood is available for sale.
LegendThis is a gorgeous park, even on a rainy weekend. I stayed in Campground E, one of 5 campgrounds in the park, not including the equestrian campground or the walk in tent sites off of Campground A. E was a large campground, with mixed tent and RV camping, with some sites along Lee Creek. Each site was well equipped with paved parking pads, nice flat sites for tents (some gravel pads, some just grassy areas), and many of the spots had electic and water. All had campfire rings, picnic tables, and grills. There were two nice hiking trails leading out of this particular campground, and some of the other campgrounds (A in particular) also had good trails. The bathhouses were really nice and modern and very clean. What I liked about this park, besides the great hiking trails, were all of the historic CCC buildings. There is a really neat scenic overlook that was built by the CCC near the Yellow Rock trailhead, and if you step in the visitor's center, you are actually in the old CCC motor pool. There is a really nice statue and plaque commemorating the work of the CCC in building the park near the lake and cafe.
TravelerDevil's Den is a gorgeous parked tucked in the mountains of Arkansas. The primary campground for RVs is one of the better campgrounds I have seen. The facilities and amenities have been great. The sites are generally spacious. If you want the best experience - grab one of the sites along the ridge (83, 85, 87) - these have a great view off the back and offer incredible space. There are several hiking trails within the park and other activities during warmer months (i.e. pool). If you have a large rig - make sure to take the West Fork exit off I-49 vs. the south exit (Winslow). There's no cell service whatsoever but Wifi (paid) is offered by the park. Make sure to stock up on supplies beforehand - there are not many options within that area as far as food and services.
Cabin options near Oark, Arkansas accommodate diverse camping needs with varying levels of amenities and accessibility. Primitive cabins at Byrd's Adventure Center provide basic shelter while offering immediate access to outdoor recreation. More developed cabin facilities feature drinking water, showers, and electricity for extended stays, particularly for equestrian campers needing multi-day accommodations for both riders and horses.
River activities: Float the Mulberry River at Byrd's Adventure Center, which offers direct riverside camping. "The river runs right through the property. There are a ton of trails to explore. They have a store and restaurant on site," notes Desiree Y., highlighting the convenience of having multiple recreation options at one location.
Rock climbing: Access sandstone formations at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch for both novice and expert climbers. "Horseshoe canyon is one of the biggest climbing and bouldering locations in the southeast area," explains Luke O. The ranch maintains numerous routes suitable for all skill levels.
Hiking opportunities: Explore the Buffalo National River area at Steel Creek Campground with trails suitable for day hikes. "You can hike from camp to an old homestead then to the river and back. It's probably a couple of miles but a relatively flat hike," says Wendy M., describing accessible hiking options from the campsite.
Elevation advantages: Mount Nebo State Park offers temperature benefits during hot summer months. "Being on an 1800 ft elevation summit, surrounded by valley, it's quiet and enjoys a constant breeze," shares Dave V., pointing out the natural climate control that higher elevations provide.
Wildlife encounters: Campers regularly spot deer, armadillos, and occasionally elk in the area. At Erbie Campground, "Watch for Elk, you'll probably see an armadillo or two as well," advises Wendy M., highlighting the wildlife viewing opportunities that enhance the camping experience.
Unplugged environment: Many sites have limited or no cell service, creating a true disconnect from technology. "The peaceful, unplugged environment attracts riders seeking to disconnect," with many repeat visitors valuing this aspect of Ozark camping.
Road conditions: Many access roads to horse campgrounds require careful driving. For Mount Magazine State Park, "Grades are up to 18%. I have driven up a lot of steep and twisty mountain roads, and these warnings are to be heeded," cautions Dave V., emphasizing the importance of appropriate vehicles.
Seasonal considerations: Water levels impact activities significantly throughout the year. "Kayaking, swimming, and fishing were awesome!" shares Donna M. about Steel Creek, but visitors should check seasonal river levels before planning water activities.
Limited services: Many areas have restricted amenities and supply options. "Dry county with very few places to buy any food or groceries outside of an hour drive," notes Amy & Stu B., suggesting campers bring necessary supplies when visiting more remote equestrian camping areas.
Swimming access: Look for campgrounds with natural swimming areas for children. "Pool, great trails, and the creek/river kept my kids entertained and worn out!" shares Melissa M. about Devil's Den State Park, highlighting features that occupy children during summer stays.
Wildlife education: Create opportunities to observe local wildlife safely. "We chose this area for a perfect weekend getaway and for an exquisite Autumn camping trip," mentions Ashley F., who spotted armadillos at night using headlamps at Steel Creek.
Age-appropriate trails: Select hiking routes based on children's abilities. "We hiked the Goat Bluff Trail from the campground with a 6 year old who had no problems," reports Matt B. at Erbie, confirming the accessibility of certain trails for younger hikers.
Size restrictions: Many horse campgrounds have narrow, winding access roads limiting RV size. "If you have a large rig - make sure to take the West Fork exit off I-49 vs. the south exit (Winslow)," advises Gonzo A. regarding access to Devil's Den State Park.
Leveling requirements: Be prepared for uneven camping surfaces at primitive sites. "Some sites require a bit of leveling, lots of full hookup and good amount of 50 amp," reports Roscoe's R. about Mack's Pines, indicating the need for leveling blocks at many equestrian campgrounds.
Weather preparedness: Mountain elevations create temperature variations requiring additional preparation. "The temperature is literally about 10-15 degrees cooler on the mountain than below," notes Donny S. about Mount Magazine, suggesting packing appropriate clothing for overnight temperature drops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Oark, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Oark, AR is Byrd's Adventure Center with a 4.1-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Oark, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Oark, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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