Best Dispersed Camping near Ponca, AR

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Ponca

34 Reviews of 20 Ponca Campgrounds

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 23, 2024

  Morgan Mtn Rd/Spy Rock Dispersed

  Large dispersed with a view

  Coordinates: 35.69300,-93.76803. Large dispersed site with a view, especially in the winter, of the mountains to the west. Located along Morgan Mountain Road, Forest Road 1504, a little over a mile north of AR Hwy 215. The trailhead to Spy Rock is about a mile north of this site. Altough eroded in spots due to recent heavy rains, Morgan Mountain Road was in good condition - no obstacles. A 2wd passenger car can carefully make it over the eroded areas. Except for one small spot, the site is not level - slopes downhill a little toward the ridge. Camping rigs may need leveling depending on the parking spot. Access into the site from the forest road is easy. There is a clean rock fire ring. Tenting camping is possible. Hammock camping may be possible using nearby trees. The site is mostly shaded. The forest surrounding this campsite is beautiful. I received no T-Mobile service during my visit. I decided not to camp here during my visit due to a brisk, cold north-northwest wind blowing through the campsite.

• 

  ‘Chelle S.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 4, 2024

  Sugar Camp Lookout Tower Dispersed Area

  Beautiful and Peaceful

  Mark Twain National Forest is always a great getaway. This location is tucked away from the main road and is easy to get to. Could easily get 4 rigs + in the sight. Established fire ring (be mindful of burn bans). Close to Roaring River and Table Rock lake.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 9, 2024

  Brock Creek Lake View Dispersed, Ozark NF, AR

  Lake View Dispersed Camping

  Coordinates: 35.49123, -92.80548. Large open dispersed site set back from Charleston Road, just north of Bell Rd (Forest Road 1334). Located in a popular national forest OHV and multi-use trails area. Charleston Road is a wide, well-maintained gravel road. Access to the site from Charleston Road is on a 400 foot long narrow dirt track; pinstripping is possible. The dispersed site has a dirt surface with some embedded rocks. It's on a rise above the lake, offering a nice view. Solar recharging is possible in this open site. The site is on what appears to be a parking area along an old dirt track; this track appears as an older section of Charleston Rd on some maps. There is a dirt ramp into the lake. There is room for multiple rigs at the campsite. Some leveling may be required depending on the spot the vehicle is parked. There are two rock fire rings - one large and one small. Tent Camping is possible near the fire rings. The lake was drained at the time of my visit; otherwise, it's a really nice view.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 7, 2024

  Brock Creek - Charleston Rd Dispersed, Ozark NF, AR

  Nice Dispersed Site Above Brock Creek

  Not sure if the location pin is correct, so here are the coordinates: 35.49995, -92.80930. A large, wooded dispersed site situated above Brock Creek off of Charleston Road in a popular national forest OHV and multi-use trail area. Charleston Road is a wide, well maintained gravel road. The dispersed site can accommodate 2 or 3 vehicles - campervan size and smaller. There are 2 access driveways into the site. Access for a truck camper is tight due to the location of trees on the site. Access for 2WD low clearance vehicles may be rough due to some erosion. The dispersed site is a dirt surface with some embedded rocks jutting out. Some leveling may be required depending where the rig is parked. Tent camping is possible. There is a vehicle turnaround at the rear of the site. The site is shaded, so solar charging is limited. Except for a little bit of glass and some bullet shell casings scattered about, the site was clean at the time of my visit. The site has a large rock fire ring. There is a wide track that leads off the site toward the south along and above the creek. This track does not appears on any of the current forest service maps (including MVUM) that I have, so I'm assuming that it is not a legal motorized vehicle track. The track is hikeable. The site is convenient to OHV and multi-use trails. It was a pretty site during my summertime visit, but I bet it's beautiful during the Fall season. It is set back from Charleston Road. It is a really nice spot.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 6, 2024

  Group Dispersed, Charleston Road, Ozark NF, AR

  Large Group Dispersed Camping

  Coordinates: 35.50873, -92.81549. Group dispersed site located less than a 1/4-mile south of the Zing Trailhead on Charleston Road. Charleston Road is a wide, well maintained gravel road located in a popular national forest OHV area. This dispersed site is a level with a dirt and grass surface. The site can accomodate multiple vehicles; tent camping is possible. There is a large rock fire ring at the rear of the site. The site is open with little shade, making recharging with solar panels possible. Other than accommodating a group of OHV and offroad enthusiasts, and stargazing at night, there is nothing remarkable about this campsite.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 4, 2024

  Charleston Road Dispersed, Ozark NF, AR

  Convenient to National Forest OHV Area

  Pin location may not be correct, so here are the coordinates: 35.52534, -92.83158. Located on Charleston Road in a popular national forest OHV area - 1/2 mile southeast of the Mountain Man Trailhead. Charleston Road is a well maintained gravel road. The site is at the beginning of an old unnamed, closed, dirt track - close to Charleston Road. The site has a dirt surface; not quite level, but more level toward the rear. It is a pull-in site which can accommodate one campervan and smaller. Tent camping is possible. The site is mostly shaded. There is poison ivy around the perimeter of the site. The site includes a large rock fire ring. Except for a little bit of trash in the fire ring, the site was pretty much clean. The old track is gated just past the site,; the track is hikeable, leading up to the northern-most Stoebuck Mountain (there are two "Stoebuck Mountains" in this area). Except for being convenient to OHV trails, there is nothing remarkable about this dispersed site. It is good for an overnight stay.

• 

  Taylor M.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 4, 2024

  Sam's Throne Recreation Area

  Cute spot!

  Quiet and beautiful spot in AR! Patchy cell service and no water hookups, but there are bathrooms, lots of privacy, fire pits, and trails connected to the sites! Highly recommend a visit here

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 2, 2024

  Austin Trailhead Dispersed, Wilderness Trail Rd, Ozark NF, AR

  Dispersed camping convenient to OHV/multi-use national forest trails

  Not sure if the pin location is correct, so here are the exact coordinates: 35.53654, -92.80322.  Small dispersed campsite just off Wilderness Trail Road. Wilderness Trail Road is a wide gravel country road located in a popular national forest OHV area. More specifically, the site is located on multi-use/OHV trail Brock Creek #42, Forest Road 2321 - just a few hundred feet south of Wilderness Trail (not in the trailhead parking lot, where camping is not allowed). Its a small, level dirt site, mostly shaded in a small clearing in the trees, close to the track - not private. It has a small rock fire ring. Tent camping is possible. It's a pull-in site which can accommodate one vehicle - truck camper and smaller. Except for being convenient to OHV trails, there is nothing remarkable about this dispersed site.

• 

  Summer R.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 22, 2024

  Sam's Throne Recreation Area

  Title Required: Good. Quiet. Good and quiet.

  Only stayed one night but it was very quiet and peaceful. There are surrounding trails that lead to some nice spots for a stunning sunset. These seem to be free established campgrounds, not dispersed. No trash service but there are vault toilets and fire rings. Great sites either way. Happy to stay again.

• J

  Jon D.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 13, 2024

  Forest Service Rd 82 Dispersed

  Awesome Spot Deep In The Ozarks!

  Forest Rd. 82 has 3-4 spots, all about 1-2 miles in. There may be more the further you go, but I didn't go that far. Easy access to the Redding Recreation Area for fishing/swimming, and the Spy Rock Trail. Any car should be fine on the gravel road, just go steady on the way up!

• s

  sunshine R.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 7, 2023

  OHT Backcountry Primitive Site

  Yea

  Yea yea

• 

  Conceptual S.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 6, 2023

  Blair Ridge Rd Dispersed

  Secluded

  Tried to camp out before backpacking through Hercules Glade Wilderness but the trailheads were packed (weekend). There are two fire rings along this road. Both locations have full bars (Verizon). Little to no man made noise but be respectful, there is a private residence at the end of the road.

• K

  Kelly C.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 6, 2022

  Sam's Throne Recreation Area

  Quiet & Serene

  This is a great, and free, campground. Lots of sites, all are good.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  May. 26, 2022

  Middle Fork Dispersed Site AR Ozarks

  Creekside Dispersed Site, Middle Fork Illinois Bayou

  Large clearing along the Middle Fork of the Illinois Bayou. Located on Middle Fork Road, about a 1/4 mile in from AR Hwy 27, near Hector, AR. The site is on national forest land and appears to be popular. It's large enough for 3 car/truck/campervan rigs. Area is level for rigs & tents, although the ground is mostly hard buried gravel - maybe uncomfortable to sleep on without pads. Three large puddles on the site. Three ways to enter the site from  Middle Fork Road. Middle Fork Rd itself can easily accommodate 2wd passenger vehicles. Other dispersed sites further down the road along the creek. The site is not pristine, but it's nice to camp close to the bayou. Very peaceful, but there is occasional faint truck noise from Hwy 27. A half dozen or so vehicles passed by, some were residents who live further down the road. No facilities; need to bring your own water. No trash pickup; pack in, pack out.

• J

  John W.

  Scout

  

  May. 2, 2022

  Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River

  One of the best remote campgrounds in AR

  I have visited this spot multiple times and camped right on the riverbank. Beautiful scenery year-round.  I just tried to make a trip up there at the end of April (2022) and the final stretch of access road was blocked off due to erosion according to NPS. Not sure when main road will reopen. Ended up camping out at bakers ford just a few miles away.

• 

  Kloee S.

  Legend

  

  Mar. 26, 2022

  Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River

  Beautiful campground!

  This was a beautiful park with a campground that we really enjoyed riding around and exploring. We were there in April and the dogwoods were blooming. There were hiking trails, nice clean restrooms, lots of bike riding and nice large spaces. We had full hookups to boot!

• 

  Candace R.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 28, 2021

  Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River

  Buggy but Beautiful

  So many options to make your home away from home! Grassy meadows or river side oasis, you choose! This is definitely the place to go to enjoy magnificent scenery and not be distracted by technology. Late September visit means the river is low, nights are cool and days are filled with sunshine. Bring the bug spray and sunscreen.

• b

  bri

  Guide

  

  Aug. 14, 2021

  Ozark National Forest - Dispersed Camping

  Not a camp spot (private propery)

  This was not at all a campsite. Most of the forest is private property with house everywhere. This location in particular is no different. Go to Sam's throne to camp

• b

  bri

  Guide

  

  Aug. 14, 2021

  Sam's Throne Recreation Area

  Peace on Earth

  Amazing peaceful campsite. Can be eerie pulling up at night but is so beautiful and peaceful. On the right dark night you can see every star in the sky. Bathrooms are cleaned every other day.no running water or showers just two vault toliet. Some campsites have cell phone service. Att and had the best out of all of our phones. Place is completely free. Beautiful path to walk to see the open ozarks but not much else to do here. Bambi and her mom also seem to live here.

• 

  Bob W.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 28, 2021

  Sam's Throne Recreation Area

  Secluded and Scenic!

  Several first come-first serve sites for RV or tent. Fire rings at each site and vault toilets at each end of campground. Limited Verizon cell. Great hikes on bluffs overlooking valley.

• 

  Ivan M.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 29, 2021

  Sam's Throne Recreation Area

  Gem of a Site

  We camped right next to the trail head and apart from all the traffic during the day for the trail (cars coming and going) it’s great. The views off the trail are A1 and definitely a useful base amo if you’re rock climbing. Lots of bluffs set up for that. Compost bathroom s were super clean. Had a great experience there

• A

  Alexandra

  Traveler

  

  Jan. 12, 2021

  Sam's Throne Recreation Area

  Beautiful Area, Clean Campsites & Bathrooms

  Pros:

  -Campground was completely empty when I arrived on a Thursday evening in December.

  -Sites are separated by trees, so some privacy.

  -There are more than one compositing toilet on site& they are cleaned regularly.

  -Beautiful cliff views are a short walk away.

  Cons:

  -No water access, so bring your own

• K

  Kelsey R.

  Guide

  

  Dec. 10, 2020

  Sam's Throne Recreation Area

  The BEST view!

  Private camping spots, with trees separating each site. There’s fit pits, but no rv hook ups and only a couple bathrooms there.
  It is considered a national park spot so it’s not set up for rv, but if your van or rv is self standing is perfect!!

• 

  Clayton R.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 13, 2020

  Sam's Throne Recreation Area

  Gorgeous!

  Road is kinda sketchy on the way up but the bluffs are fantastic!

• Z

  Zahra N.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 26, 2020

  Sam's Throne Recreation Area

  Wrong Location

  Went to this location to camp anticipating water campsites, no such thing.

• 

  The V.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 18, 2020

  Sam's Throne Recreation Area

  Great Weekend Spot!

  Campsites were spaced out and had great privacy. The trail was super close and the views were amazing.

• 

  Jacob B.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 7, 2020

  Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River

  Extremly beautiful area, simple camp ground

  I took a canoe trip down the buffalo river a few springs ago and I believe this was one of my stops. It was still early in the season so restroom facilities weren’t open yet. Bare bones camp sites with only fire pit rings. Beautiful area!