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Camping near Leslie, AR

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Camping opportunities in the Ozark region surrounding Leslie, Arkansas center on Buffalo National River and nearby national forest lands. The area contains developed facilities like Buffalo Point Campground and Tyler Bend Campground, along with more primitive options at South Maumee and Woolum Dispersed Area. Multiple campgrounds provide designated tent and RV sites, while several locations near the Buffalo River offer cabin accommodations for those seeking more shelter and amenities.

    Road access varies considerably across camping areas, with some remote sites requiring high-clearance vehicles on rough gravel roads. Most developed campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from mid-March through mid-November, though specific opening dates vary by location. "The road in is very dicey and a long way off the main road," noted one camper regarding South Maumee. Weather patterns influence camping conditions, with summer heat making riverside sites particularly desirable. Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region, with coverage generally better at developed campgrounds closer to highways. Vault toilets are common at primitive sites, while larger campgrounds typically provide shower facilities.

    Waterfront access represents the primary draw for most campers visiting the Leslie area. Buffalo National River flows through the region, providing numerous camping opportunities along gravel bars and designated sites. Several visitors highlighted the peaceful atmosphere and clear water quality as standout features. Campgrounds in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, like Blanchard Springs Recreation Area, complement the river-focused options with forest settings. Wildlife viewing opportunities include possible elk sightings at Tyler Bend, where one camper reported, "Beautiful park, very well maintained. Great for swimming in the cold Buffalo River. Lots of wildlife including elk." Weekend crowding occurs at popular river access points during summer months, while more remote primitive sites generally remain less congested even during peak season.

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    Best Campgrounds near Leslie (198)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Buffalo Point — Buffalo National River

      4.5(33)18mi from Leslie109 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      2. Richland Creek Recreation Area

      4.8(18)21mi from Leslie4 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

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      3. Blanchard Springs Recreation Area — Ozark St. Francis National Forests

      4.8(24)23mi from Leslie21 sitesRVs, Tents

      "I completed my undergrad and graduate degrees in Arkansas about 30ish miles north of Little Rock."

      "Blanchard Springs has great camp sites, great hiking, multiple access to swim/wade into water, plus great caving opportunities! There is NO cell service in the park. "

      from $3 - $60 / night

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      4. South Maumee Camping Area — Buffalo National River

      4.2(5)15mi from LeslieRVs, Tents
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      5. Tyler Bend Campground — Buffalo National River

      3.8(6)16mi from Leslie43 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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      6. Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River

      4.8(10)20mi from LeslieRVs, Tents

      "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."

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      7. Gunner Pool Recreation Area

      4.3(14)22mi from Leslie4 sitesRVs, Tents

      "v=jioeWYmI0so) 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"

      "Potable water is located in a central area of the sections; the water was turned on during my visit. There are 4 vault toilets - clean and supplied with tp."

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      8. Gilbert RV Park

      5.0(2)14mi from LeslieRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      9. Spring Creek Campground — Buffalo National River

      3.3(3)14mi from LeslieTents

      "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!)."

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      10. COE Greers Ferry Lake Choctaw Recreation Area

      4.0(2)15mi from LeslieRVs, Tents

      "General: This is one of (I believe) four Corps of Engineers campgrounds on Greers Ferry Lake and the closest one to Highway 65."

      Check Availability
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    Recent Camping Photos near Leslie, AR

    201 Photos of 198 Leslie Campgrounds

    Recent Reviews near Leslie, AR

    725 Reviews of 198 Leslie Campgrounds

    • Kimberly P.
      Jul. 26, 2026

      Haw Creek Falls Camping

      Really popular spot

      We 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.

    • Jackie S.
      Jul. 26, 2026

      Sylamore Creek Camp

      Skehan

      I 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

    • Jason W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 14, 2026

      Buffalo Camping & Canoeing

      Camp Buffalo in Gilbert, Arkansas

      Sitting 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.

    • Patrick
      Jul. 3, 2026

      Katy’s RV Park and Fish Camp

      Great Location

      Great new park with full hookups, perfect location for a trip to Greers Ferry Lake.

    • Wayne & Donna H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jun. 30, 2026

      Choctaw

      Wooded, nice sites

      Peaceful and wooded. Paved parking. Enjoying our stay. Bathrooms and showers nice enough.

    • L
      Jun. 29, 2026

      Blue Heron Campground

      Great place

      This 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

    • Joy J.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jun. 25, 2026

      Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River

      Clean and Quiet

      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 looked at three different spots before choosing the one that I wanted, based on the fact that it was the most level. However, all the spots that I looked at were clean and had nice fire pits. I was pretty much right on the river show people that were coming to check it out for the purpose of kayaking or canoeing would drive-by but they weren’t disruptive at all. I would definitely do 10 days there and be very happy, maybe next time I’ll have the time to do that.

    • MThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jun. 19, 2026

      cranfield park

      On the Lake

      We made a last minute decision to go camping for a couple nights. Our first choice was full so we came here because a friend just told us about it. Luckily, I was able to book a spot backed up to the lake. It’s the perfect for us this weekend. We are loving it! And the the bathrooms are super clean!

    Guide to Leslie

    Camping sites near Leslie, Arkansas center primarily on Buffalo National River and Ozark National Forest areas. The landscape features limestone bluffs, dense hardwood forests, and elevations ranging from 800 to 2,200 feet. Water levels in the Buffalo River fluctuate seasonally, with spring bringing higher, faster currents while late summer sees calmer, lower water conditions suitable for novice paddlers.

    What to Do

    Canoeing trips: Float outfitters operate near Buffalo Point for various trip lengths. "We stayed 4 nights (Thu-Mon) in June and went on a canoe trip on Saturday. Our float trip was amazing and we were on our way back to our vehicle on the 3 pm bus (trip was Dillard's Ferry to Rush)," reports Susan R. from Buffalo Point.

    Cave exploration: Tour Blanchard Springs Caverns for $10 admission. "Cavern Tours are very cool! Keep food stuffs put away. Bring Bug spray...Lots," advises Jarrod L. from Blanchard Springs Recreation Area. The caverns offer both standard tours and more adventurous options.

    Waterfall hunting: Multiple falls within 30-minute drives. "Many waterfalls nearby usually very peaceful," notes Nikki M. about the Richland Creek Recreation Area. Six Finger Falls and Falling Water Falls are accessible by vehicle with short walks from parking areas.

    What Campers Like

    Clear swimming holes: Natural pools throughout the region provide relief from summer heat. "There is a paved walk down to the river from B Loop. We found a cool cave at the far right end of the rock beach. The water was absolutely beautiful Thursday-Saturday," describes Susan R. about Buffalo Point.

    Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer best opportunities. "Deer were everywhere and the Indian Rockhouse hike was really great. I will def be back in warmer weather to float the river which it was low for the winter. Falls colors everywhere and great weather," shares Heath L. about his stay at Buffalo Point.

    Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution at remote sites. "We enjoyed a nice walk along the water, views of the sunset from a small cliff, and a peaceful night with out cell service! Highly recommended for those who are looking to get away from reality!" explains Kaylee W. about her experience at Tyler Bend Campground.

    What You Should Know

    Road conditions: Access varies significantly between campgrounds. "The dirt road leading in is well maintained," notes Josh B. about Richland Creek Recreation Area, while another camper warns: "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."

    Seasonal operations: Most facilities close during winter months. Buffalo Point operates from March 15 to November 14, while primitive sites like Richland Creek Recreation Area remain accessible year-round though without maintenance during off-season.

    Water levels impact activities: Spring rains can cause rapid changes. "We got on the river about 10:45 am. By 8 pm Saturday, the water at the beach area was completely brown and we could tell the water was up a LOT. We saw a park ranger on Sunday and asked about the water level and she said it had gone up 12 feet by Saturday night," recounts Susan R. about Buffalo Point.

    Noise levels vary: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours better than others. "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," reports Amanda W. about Buffalo Point.

    Tips for Camping with Families

    Easy access swimming: Designated areas suitable for children. "Good place to camp and very nice employees! Very clean campground and very clean bathrooms," notes Corbin I. about Maumee. The campground offers direct river access with shallow areas.

    Short hiking options: Several trails under 1 mile. "We did the Over Look trail and it was pretty well maintained. We also went to the Rush Ghost Town and did the short loop to check it out," shares Susan R., describing family-friendly activities near Buffalo Point.

    Spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with room between neighbors. "The camp sites were very roomy! Clean bathrooms. Hikers' paradise! Love it here!" exclaims Leah H. about Blanchard Springs Recreation Area.

    Tips from RVers

    Limited hookup options: Plan for self-sufficiency. "We stayed at a no hook ups site overlooking the water in the E loop site 17. Many of the waterfront sites were closed because they were underwater. Well spaced sites. $16 night, hence four stars w no hookups," explains Jess C. about Choctaw Recreation Area.

    Size restrictions: Many camping areas unsuitable for larger rigs. "Not great for big rigs, a lot of the sites are too small," warns Lucy P. about Tyler Bend Campground. Sites at Buffalo Point may accommodate larger vehicles in specific loops only.

    Loop selection matters: Research site angles and sun exposure. "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," advises Wayne J. from Buffalo Point.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is there good camping at Leslie Gulf?

    While Leslie Gulf isn't a specific camping destination, the Leslie area in Arkansas offers excellent camping options nearby. Cove Creek on Greers Ferry Lake provides beautiful waterfront camping with sites for both RVs and tent campers. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis, which can be advantageous during less busy periods. Another great option is Richland Creek Recreation Area, known for peaceful primitive camping and excellent hiking opportunities. Be prepared for limited cell service and gravel roads when visiting Richland Creek.

    What amenities are available at Leslie State Park campground?

    Leslie State Park isn't a designated campground, but nearby camping options offer various amenities. Hill Creek - Greers Ferry Lake provides water and electric hookups (including 50 amp), a dump station, drinking water, showers, flush toilets, a boat ramp, marina, playground, and fish cleaning station. The campground is reservation-friendly. Another option is Blanchard Springs Recreation Area, which offers beautiful natural surroundings with caverns and recreation opportunities, though with more basic facilities typical of forest service campgrounds.

    When is the best time to camp in Leslie area?

    The best time to camp in the Leslie area is late spring through early fall, with May through September offering ideal conditions. Gamaliel campground is particularly popular during this period, with excellent sites though they can be close together. For those seeking swimming opportunities, Buffalo Point is ideal during summer months when you can enjoy the Buffalo National River. The CCC-built Buffalo Point campground features unique multi-level sites with elevated platforms in some cases. Fall brings spectacular foliage, while spring offers wildflowers and moderate temperatures, making both seasons excellent for camping.

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