Best Tent Camping near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

Tent camping in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests of Arkansas provides a range of primitive and established options for outdoor enthusiasts. Haw Creek Falls Camping in Hagarville offers tent campsites with picnic tables and fire rings near a scenic waterfall, while Bayou Bluff Point of Interest near Hector features four drive-up tent sites with unique CCC-built rock shelters overlooking Illinois Bayou. Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite provides a more secluded backcountry tent camping experience along South Fork of Brown Creek. These tent-only areas are situated within the forested landscape of the Ozarks, offering access to hiking trails, water features, and natural scenery.

Most tent campgrounds in this region operate on a first-come, first-served basis with minimal amenities. Vault toilets are common at established sites like Haw Creek Falls and Bayou Bluff, but drinking water is rarely available. Campers should pack in all necessary water or bring filtration systems for creek water. Fire rings are provided at most sites, though firewood can be scarce at dispersed locations. Weather considerations are important for tent camping in this area, as creek flooding can affect access during rainy seasons. Cell service varies significantly throughout the forest, with better coverage at higher elevations and near highways.

The primitive tent camping experience in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests offers unique natural features not found at developed campgrounds. According to reviews, the stone shelters at Bayou Bluff provide distinctive protection from weather with functional fireplaces. One visitor noted, "The stone buildings are nice to set up somewhat out of the weather." At Brown Creek Cascade, campers report peaceful conditions with "the sound from the creek was soothing" and "very quiet with no vehicles passing by during the night." Walk-in tent sites at several locations provide greater solitude, though they require carrying gear short distances. Hammock camping is possible at many sites due to the abundance of suitable trees. For backcountry tent camping, dispersed sites along forest roads offer level tent pads but require self-sufficiency with no amenities.

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Best Tent Sites Near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests (27)

    1. Shirewood

    1 Review
    Morrilton, AR
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 920-7895

    $125 / night

    "Check them out and share your trip on the Dyrt!"

    2. Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

    10 Reviews
    Hector, AR
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 284-3150

    "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."

    "The stone buildings are so nice to set up somewhat out of the weather and have functional fireplaces.  The walk to the river is very easy.  "

    3. Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Paron, AR
    20 miles
    Website

    "Located on the gravel Brown Creek Road in Perry County, Arkansas. The South Fork of Brown Creek runs behind this campsite."

    "Didn’t have to drive too far down the road found a spot on the left. Nice stone camp fire circle, good flat spot for my tent, which is a four person."

    4. Camp Robinson Dispersed Site

    4 Reviews
    Mayflower, AR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (833) 345-0325

    "Great spot to pitch a tent by lake Conway. Isolated but not too far out."

    "Picked up a med bag of trash; cans, bottles, and paper. Looks better now. I definitely put on bug spray right away. Nice place to sleep and get back on 40East in the morning."

    5. Dispersed FR132 Ouachita National Forest, AR

    3 Reviews
    Jessieville, AR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 984-5313

    "First was a couple miles from the main road (highway 7). Plenty of room but close to the road and some trash, decent for pulling in after dark though."

    6. COE Nimrod Lake Carter Cove Campground

    2 Reviews
    Nimrod Lake, AR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 272-4835

    "Clean, kid friendly campground with RV and tent sites available, 30 amp electric and water, bathrooms are kept clean and have showers."

    7. Xtreme Paintball and Laser Tag

    1 Review
    Dover, AR
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 280-4009

    $350 / night

    8. Haw Creek Falls Camping

    23 Reviews
    Pelsor, AR
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 964-7200

    "This is a pretty nice and quite camp site there is definitely traffic through here more than we’re use to but it’s a really nice spot, it’s all primitive camping, there is vault toilets on site we keep"

    "The campground is located in the Ozark National Forest. Beware of flooding during the rainy seasons. When it rains a lot, the creek floods and covers the road into the campground."

    9. South Fourche

    2 Reviews
    Nimrod Lake, AR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 321-5202

    "It is located on a body of water (not the cleanest at least when I was there). It is a pretty small campground and I assume stays pretty quiet (so would be good for groups that want lots of privacy)."

    10. Delaware Park

    3 Reviews
    Dardanelle, AR
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 968-5008

    "We pulled in after a long drive through Arkansas, tired and chilly. We picked a random site as there were plenty to choose from since no one was in the entire park."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

935 Reviews of 27 Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Campgrounds


  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2024

    Fourche Mountain Campground

    Free Overnight Stay in the Ouachita National Forest

    Stayed here on June 11, 2024. Small 5-site primitive campground. No water. No electric. Clean vault toilets with tp, and a trash barrel. Clean campground & campsites. Sites are small with reasonable separation, but no privacy. Sites have clean picnic tables, fire ring/grill. Some have lantern plies. Gravel drive. Sites nearly level. No tent pads, but tents can be set up. Sites may be able to accommodate a truck camper & smaller. Lots of highway noise from nearby Hwy 27, but not too bad overnight. There was logging activity elsewhere in the national forest, so log haulers were driving by during the day. Campground is located at eastbound turnoff onto Forest Road 83W - a well maintained gravel road. Pine & oak trees in the campground. Probably a beautiful view of distant mountains during the winter. This campground is good for an overnight stay when exploring the national forest or passing by on Highway 27. There is no recreation in this recreation area; no water access, no hiking trails. Good T-Mobile cell service. Despite some of the road noise from nearby Highway 27, I really liked this campground.

  • 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. :-)

  • Gary F.
    Aug. 26, 2018

    Mount Magazine State Park Campground

    Very nice park

    Magazine Mountain is the highest peak in Arkansas at 2,753 feet. Mount Magazine SP sits at the top of Magazine Mountain. It has 18 RV campsites of varying length, all with water and most have sewer. Two have 50 amp service with the rest having 30. All of the campsites have a large level tent pad, table, fire ring, and plenty of shade. The restrooms/showers are a 4.5 out of 5 for state park facilities. 

    Mount Magazine SP also has a lodge with a restaurant and and 13 cabins if camping is not your thing.

    The park has about 15 miles of hiking trails. The trails are mostly shaded and well defined. Remember you are on a mountain so there will be elevation changes as you walk. We hiked about half of them.  

    Mount Magazine boasts as one of the top spots for fall foliage. Our visit was in late August so something we will have to come back for, but with the many species of trees I have no doubt it would be beautiful.  

    Other amenities of the park are multiple picnic areas and a hang glider launch area. Picnic areas are nice. We did not partake of the hand glider launch. No I am not afraid to die, just see no need to rush into it.

    Just outside the SP is the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest with 170 miles of OHV trails. Rubi (our Jeep) had fun. Ok we did too.

    Mount Magazine SP is a very nice place to visit and one we look forward to coming back to.

  • T
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    Small free for all tent sites

    Small open Campground with no specific sites (Tent Only Area). There is a small lot nearby to park then you must walk everything in. This can be anything from right next to your car to a few hundred feet away depending on where you want to set up. Picnic tables, fire rings and campground grills located throughout but again nothing is marketed as far as site numbers. The area allows for up to six camp permits per night. Could be good for smaller groups. It’s up away from the lake unlike the rest of the campgrounds in the park. There are restrooms nearby with flushing toilets and sinks. Also a playground is located close to the campsite. Overall it was clean but felt cramped among other campers and parking away from the tent made for multiple trips back and forth.

  • 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.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2024

    Spring Lake Recreation Area

    Beautiful Family Campground

    Camped here mid-week on May 28, 2024, just after Memorial Day weedend. The Spring Lake Receation Area is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The recreation area is gated between 10pm and 6am. It has a day use area, and a campground which is a long walk or short drive away from the day use area. The day use area has picnic tables, grills, beach and a central restroom/shower facility. Day use fee is $4. The small campgound is situated in the woods along Spring Lake across from the day use area. Camping fee is $15 ($7.50 for federal pass holders). Sounds from folks enjoying the day use area can be heard in the campground during the day, but it's very quiet during the night when the day use is closed. The campground has 13 sites. All of the sites can accomodate tent camping. Each site is unpaved and has a level tent pad, table, metal fire ring and lantern pole. Most of the sites are small with little privacy between sites. The sites are in the woods and have a view of the lake, with some actually on the lake shore. Our site, #8, has a short walking path to the shoreline - good for bank fishing. The campground has two single unit vault toilets which were reasonably clean. For showers and flush toilets, campers will have to use the central restroom/shower facilites in the day use area. The campgound has two water spigots, and trash reeceptacles. There is also a playground with swings and a group pavilion in the campground. There are no hookups at the campsites. I don't recommend this campground for RV camping; Cove Lake Recreation Area is a better choice. Because of the campsite sizes, levelness and ability to access, I believe sites 1, 5, 7 and 8 can accomodate van, RTT or SUV camping, and possibly small towables such as a pop-up or tear drop campers. In my opinion, all of the other sites are too small with tight access and not level enough for anything other than tent camping. Our site, #8, had a level pad which accomodated our camper van, plus a smaller seperate tent pad. The camp host was very friendly and provided good information. There is an iron ranger with payment envelopes at the campground entrance; cash and checks are accepted. There was no AT&T and T-Mobile reception, although cell reception may be possible at other locations around the lake. I came across three possible disperse camping spots around the lake (see separate listings). Overall, this is a beautiful campground. It was quiet and peaceful during the night. I would stay here again, especially in the Fall.

  • Bailey W.
    May. 14, 2022

    Toad Suck

    A good little campground

    Toad Suck is a great campground- with some caveats. All of the sites are reservable and have concrete pads. This makes it impossible to stake down a tent but also provides a great level spot. There's no foragable wood at the sites, but there's a quick stop type gas station very nearby that sells it cheap and locally sourced. The bathrooms can be a trek from your site or right next door, depending on where you're staying, but theyre immaculately clean. They service them twice daily. It's right next to the lock and dam at Toad Suck on the Arkansas River so there's a constant roar of water and the sound of barges throughout the night and day. I don't mind it but keep that in mind if you don't like those sounds. The campsite is peaceful otherwise. Dogs are allowed! ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL.

  • 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.

  • Richard
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Lake Ouachita State Park Campground

    One of the best in Arkansas

    Definitely my favorite park in Arkansas so far. It’s a really big park at the lake with lots to do. I was there in the fall so I didn’t do any lake stuff but still had a great time tent camping. There’s a nice hiking trail to explore. Also, the bathrooms were the cleanest I’ve ever seen at a state park. All the tent sites have a gravel pad, grill, picnic table and fire ring. There are also walk in tent sites on the peninsula which are nice and quiet. If you get one at the end I’d say it’s probably 200 meters to the parking lot and bathrooms. I peeked into one of the cabins and they look really nice. They also have camper cabins that have heat/air but no bathroom. In all there are 93 RV/tent sites, 8 cabins and 4 camper cabins. The park is also near Hot Springs so there is lots to do.


Guide to Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

Tent camping near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests in Arkansas offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $20

Local activities to enjoy while tent camping

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests is Shirewood with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, with real photos and reviews from campers.