Looking to get away and reconnect with nature? Glamping near Ponca is the perfect choice. Glamping near Ponca is a great way to travel off the beaten path. Find the right glamping site for you with our user-submitted photos, reviews, and tips. These scenic and easy to access Arkansas glamping locations are perfect for any adventurer.
Table Rock State Park has two campgrounds and offers basic, electric and sewer/electric/water campsites. For a little extra space, try one of the park's family campsites or a platform tent site for a unique camping experience. Get everything you need for your stay at the park store.
$12 - $42 / night
$5 - $245 / night
We are located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains near The Buffalo National River, just outside of Jasper, Arkansas. We have a variety of cabins and cottages for your stay. We also have tent and RV camping. The surrounding area offers great hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, caverns, hunting, elk viewing, and many other outdoor activities and community events. We strive to provide you with an excellent camping experience. We are happy to share our Campground, RV Park, and Resort with you and look forward to your visit with us soon! We are Christian owners who first of all want to bring glory to God through our lives in all we do. We strive to maintain the highest integrity in how we do business and in how we treat you. Whether you call or stop by, our family is on site daily to serve you with joy, honesty & respect. Let us know how we can help! Business Office Hours: M-S 9am to 6pm Sunday 10am to 6pm
$50 / night
Experience nature and adventure at historic White Rock Mountain! This National Forest Recreation Area features three unique and rustic natural stone cabins and a large natural stone lodge built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Each features a stone fireplace new, antique, and original wood furniture handcrafted by the CCC. Wind, rain and natural elements had caused the deterioration of the buildings over the years. In 1987 a volunteer group, Friends of White Rock, began a project to renovate the historic structures. With a lot of commitment and hard work, the lodge and cabins were restored to their original state in 1991. White Rock Mountain also offers nine primitive family camping sites. These easily accessible shaded campsites include tents pads, fire rings, grills, picnic tables and access to restrooms and water. Small RVs or pop-up campers can be accommodated at a few sites.
White Rock Mountain is the hub of several national forest hiking trail systems including the easy 2 mile trail around the mountain top rim, the 17 mile Shores Lake/White Rock loop trail, and the renowned 170 mile Ozark Highlands Trail. Other recreational activities include swimming, boating (non-motorized) or fishing at Shores Lake Recreation Area; swimming, floating or fishing the National Scenic Mulberry River; Mill Creek and other National Forest ATV trails; mountain biking, hunting and more.
White Rock Mountain is 2,309 feet above sea level and received its name from the appearance of the lichen on the sheer bluffs that appear white from a distance. Guests at White Rock can enjoy incredible scenic views from the lodge, cabins, campground and bluffs. The forest is home to a large variety of wildlife including deer, bear, bald eagles, turkey and more. In the fall season White Rock Mountain offers unrivaled opportunities for taking in the bright red, orange and yellow autumn foliage that sweeps across the Ozark National Forest. The forest around White Rock is also a waterfall hunter's paradise featuring several great falls located in the surrounding area.
This location is staffed. Please call (479) 369-4128 to speak with local staff.
Ozark Highlands Trail, Shores Lake Recreation Area, National Scenic Mulberry River, Mill Creek and other ATV Trails, Waterfalls, Scenic Drives, Mountain Biking, Wineries (Altus, AR) and more.
Rules & Reservation Policies As you make travel plans that include reservations on Recreation.gov, there are standard policies that apply to most locations of which you should be aware. Do keep in mind, however, that there are many exceptions, so it is best to review reservation information listed on individual facility pages for those policies and procedures that pertain to your specific locations. Booking Window For most locations, you can reserve six months in advance of your stay for individual sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility. Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late Cancellations Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival. Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge. No-Shows Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date. If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees.
$15 - $215 / night
Experience the best tent and RV camping in Arkansas at Byrd’s Adventure Center. Right on the Mulberry River, Byrd’s offers a host of activities not found at any other Ozark campground.
Enjoy our comfortable RV and tent campsites as you relax in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Byrd’s Adventure Center offers spacious camping in a beautiful setting along the Mulberry River.
A variety of grassy and wooded campsites are available. Some sites have small shelters with picnic tables and campfire rings. In addition to our new Riverfront Restaurant (open weekly Friday-Sunday), we have more amenities than you’ll find in other Ozark campgrounds. These include a large heated shower house, a convenient on-site store with deli, stages, pavilions, an extensive trail network, two backcountry airstrips, rental cabins, plus floating and fishing on the pristine Mulberry River. All of this is located on our private 800-acre ORV park surrounded by the Ozark National Forest.
$10 - $22 / night
Horseshoe Bend Campground sits along the vast shores of Beaver Lake in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, offering spacious and sunny campsites and an abundance of recreational activities.
Fishing opportunities are plentiful near Horseshoe Bend Campground. Beaver Lake has more than 28,000 surface acres of water, and anglers can try their luck at catching large and small-mouth bass, crappie, bream, white bass, stripers, and channel or spoon-bill catfish. Just below the dam, the cold waters of the upper White River provide a perfect habitat for pole-bending rainbow and record-size German brown trout. Several trails snake throughout the Ozark Mountains, offering peaceful hiking, biking and wildlife viewing opportunities for visitors. Hunters will find game plentiful in northwest Arkansas. A mixture of hardwood and evergreen forest provides a good home to many different species of wildlife. While Beaver Lake is conveniently located near several population centers, within a short driving distance hunters can find remote areas filled with upland game animals such as deer, rabbits and squirrels. Many other sports and activities await campers, including boating, swimming, picnicking, scuba diving, water skiing, spelunking and sightseeing.
Towering limestone bluffs, natural caves and a variety of trees and flowering shrubs surround Horseshoe Bend Campground, making it an ideal retreat for outdoor enthusiasts. Beaver Lake and Dam, completed in 1966, was constructed in the White River Basin and boasts 449 miles of beautiful shoreline at the top of the conservation pool. Although the dam was originally built for flood control, hydroelectric power and public water supply, it has also created a popular recreational oasis.
Several marinas are located around the lake, offering groceries, fuel, boat rentals and storage, fishing guides and camping supplies. Click here for more information.
$16 - $75 / night
We have been outfitting the Upper Buffalo River for over 33 years. We are a small, family owned business proud of our commitment to environmental stewardship of the Beautiful Buffalo River. Lost Valley Canoe & Lodging offers canoes, kayaks, and rafting on the Buffalo National River. We provide vehicle shuttles for floaters and hikers. Come stay in one of our three unique cabins with hot tubs, the treehouse yurt, the bunkhouse, or primitive campsites. We recycle and use green cleaning supplies. We offer quarter-operated shower available for campground guests and the public. Our Historic General Store has gas & groceries, along with a whole line of organic & local foods, arts, crafts, and souvenirs. We also have gear and accessories for camping, river, and hiking. Free Wifi available at the store/office.
$15 - $150 / night
Elevate your camping experience by spending it in this platform tent complete with camping cots in surrounded by the Arkansas forest. JB Trading Co. offers glamping style tents that sleep 3 as well as a great place to pitch your tent during your adventure to the Ozarks. This campground is surrounded by great areas to hike, bike, rock climb, and backpack. You are a 15-minute drive to trailheads within the Ozarks as well as climbing in Horseshoe Canyon ranch and boating along the Buffalo River. JB Trading Co. has an onsite camp store that sells all the necessities and then some, as well as a heated bathhouse, fire pit, and hammock grove.
$20 - $40 / night
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! Roaring River has a spot for everyone, from tents & RVs to luxurious glamping tents, you have to check them out. Make sure to share some pics of your stay on the Dyrt!
Legend
This is a nice modern park on the shore of the man made Lake Fort Smith. To me, the most interesting parts of the park were destroyed in order to make the lake (and thus, the park); the Works Progress Administration (WPA) had several cabins and shelters on the property from building the dam and surrounding areas. However, they were flooded under when the lake filled. The ranger in the visitor’s center said the buildings were not able to be moved. There was a nice exhibit about the building of the park and the role of the WPA in the surrounding area. The campsites are all really RV only with water and electric, although most sites also have a tent pad. There were no other tent campers while I was there. The campground is really clean and well maintained; it seemed that the trash cans were emptied almost hourly by the nice fellow buzzing around in his golf cart. The bath house was super clean, too. There are some nice hiking trails, although none very long. However, this park marks the western end of the Ozark Highlands Trail that stretches across northern-ish Arkansas for 150+ miles. This might be a good starting or ending spot. The boat ramp seemed quiet, but that might have been the weather. If you are into group glamping, there are several lodges that are available that could house a small family to a small army.
Guide
Beautiful area near the Buffalo National River. Lost Valley Canoe & Lodging has a yurt, campsites, cabins with hot tubs on the deck, bunkhouse, showers, allows pets, and is family owned. Loyal customers return year after year. Canoeing, kayaking, or hiking. LVC store has groceries, even organic, supplies, and friendly folks.
Scout
The campground and the shower house/bathrooms were very nice and clean. The site we had was on a hill so I wouldn’t pick that one again.Most are flat. They have a yurt that you can rent and a deck with a heavy duty tent over it close to the water. If you want to walk nearby and get in the water it is rocky so bring your water shoes! There is a marina store nearby if you need something. We would camp here again.
Scout
No pets in yurts. Yes to Cats ❣️. My cats travel campgrounds and usually are outdoors but here I kept them in cabin because they would not like it outdoors. Cabins had AC but smelled like dust polish. Gorgeous forest views in the shower house. HOT water when shower is on Cold setting. Cold at hot. Cool affordable camp store. Nice people. Too much cinnamon spray in all indoor areas but not cabins. 24 hour rec room w AC and a wall of movies and games and books and cozy couch. Hurricane machine and fresh yummy donuts are not to be missed. My son is Big and found the camp cabin too crowded small and didn't like the leather beds even with our bedding on them. I found it cozy except the polish but couldn't open it up because we wanted the cats indoors here. Great porch swing, nice condition. Microwave and fridge. Friendly staff.
Traveler
This is a wonderful RV park. Easy to find, park and setup. Very large concrete pads to set up RV. Very clean bathhouse/restroom. We did not utilize their amenities because we were only there one night. It is great place if you have time to hike the trails sadly we did not for this trip. Ponca and the surrounding have many beautiful nature trails. Of course the wild Elk are a magnificent set to behold. We have a small motor home and there were areas along the road with plenty of room for us to pull-over and watch the Elk Bull and cows as they came off the mountain. If you park on the side of the road, which is a normal thing to do, please make sure to pull off the road away from the white line because you will get a ticket. There are a lot of people traveling on a small rural road so it’s important to be far enough off the road for everyone to stay safe. We make this trip every year and are so happy to have found the BOC RV park the manager and the store in town were great!
ScoutI am extremely disappointed with our recent stay at Buffalo Outdoor Center RV Park in Ponca, Arkansas. After a 7.5-hour drive, we arrived on June 29, 2024, eager to enjoy a week-long stay. Unfortunately, our visit turned into a nightmare within just one hour of our arrival. While setting up our 5th wheel trailer, there was a loud pop followed by smoke pouring out of our TV. Thankfully, my husband was able to unplug it before our trailer caught fire. To our dismay, none of the outlets on one side of our trailer were working, and our TV, microwave, and fan were all fried and non-functional. We immediately contacted an employee who came to our site, inspected the outside meter post by looking at it, not testing it, and nonchalantly stated that since there was no smoke coming from it, the problem must be on our end. When my husband asked for immediate assistance, the employee told us we would have to wait two days, until Monday, and go to a nearby town to find someone to help us. This response was unacceptable and showed a complete lack of concern for our safety. Moreover, the employee had the audacity to shame us by asking if we had a GFI power surge protector plugged into the meter. None of the other RV sites had this, and in our 23+ years of camping, we have never encountered such an issue. Feeling unsafe and unsupported, we decided to pack up and drive the 7.5 hours back home, after being at the site for just one hour. The lack of assistance and options provided by the Buffalo Outdoor Center was disheartening, especially considering we were in a completely different state with no information on what we could do. Upon arriving home, we hooked up our camper at our local campground, and everything worked fine. We also went on another camping trip to a local RV campground, and again, everything worked perfectly. This clearly indicated that the surge was on Buffalo Outdoor Center's end. When we requested a refund, they refunded all but one day. This is unacceptable considering the distress, inconvenience, and financial loss we endured, including having to purchase a new TV, microwave, and fan. Our experience at Buffalo Outdoor Center RV Park was nothing short of a disaster. The lack of customer service, concern for our safety, and willingness to provide immediate assistance was appalling. We will not be returning and cannot recommend this RV park to anyone.
Ranger
The campground is a hidden gem. The RV and primitive camping are clean and well-maintained. The bathroom/shower requires a passcode to enter and is always clean to use. It's a great escape for off-roading and overloading. Be sure to stop by the Oark Cafe in Oark, Arkansas, which is a 25-minute drive from the campground. They serve one of the best burgers in Arkansas (Wednesday-Sunday).
Traveler
This campground is located on Beaver Lake in NW Arkansas. It is a Corp of engineer lake. We stayed in site 30 which is quite small but our Winnebago 24’ Trend fit in fine. There was a slight slope but we were able to position our Anderson block on one side and were level. This site is at the end of a short road and very private. There were places for all sized of RVs and tents. We were there during the 3rd week June and it was probably 3 quarters full of campers. There is a very nice day use area with picnic tables and a lot of shelters. The lake is just outside of Rogers Arkansas
RangerNear the Mulberry River and White Rock recreation area, the facility is an off road enthusiasts playground! Trails directly into the outback from the facility. Plants of space to stretch out and enjoy the deep Forrest areas of Arkansas
Scout
Camping at Dogwood Springs Campground in Arkansas was amazing! The owner was so full of hospitality and worked around our schedule! They have showers and toilets for free which kind of made me feel like I was at a hotel. He also gave us a good price on the crash pads when we rented them to go climb at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch!
Traveler
I love this campground!! It has everything. There is great campsites, as well as a little corner store, water front, restaurant, hook-ups, really everything you need. The employees are ALWAYS friendly and helpful, campsites are well put together, a bathroom and showers are on site. This is one of the best campgrounds in Arkansas. Dog friendly
Ranger
Got a nice little spot on the lake to do some hammock camping for two nights. Was able to get this spot within the week which was a surprise as busy as it was. Campground is close to Rogers, Arkansas if you need any supplies. I used it as a gateway to head in to the Ozark National Forest which is about 1.5 hours away.
Guide
The views, as other reviewers have said, are impressive and the Rim Trail is worth doing any time of day and any season.
One warning on the cabins though - in summer be prepared for some bugs. Stayed in Cabin B in August one summer with my wife, who is tougher than anything but spiders. I would have been wise to get there a couple hours earlier and let her relax while I cleaned the place thoroughly. They were pretty thick throughout.
It's not that they're dirty, it's just that they're old buildings which aren't used every day surrounded by forest. Naturally, you get spiders, rodents, etc. It didn't bother me at all, but it did her. Water pressure and hot water were not what one would hope if you want a shower as well.
We both enjoyed the setting, loved the cabin otherwise, and loved the hikes. We've done day hikes there with the kids' since, and in a prior visit I saw a bear go lumbering in front of my truck on the road to White Rock. Only time in 40+ years I've seen a bear in the wild in Arkansas, and I grew up in the country!
Still recommend White Rock, but if you're considering the cabins it's worth bringing cleaning supplies. Even with that, they're a great bargain.
RangerStayed here on a motorcycle trip in May 2018 and had some beautiful weather. The campsite was large with an asphalt path and a nice spot for my tent. First weekend in May and the park was pretty much full. My campsite close to the facilities. It was a nice state park campground, similar to all of the others in Missouri as far as amenities. Cell phone service and lots of walking paths. Close to lakes, the Arkansas border, and Branson was just 15 minutes away.
Legend
May - Oct
41 sites w/electric (50 amp is available)
$20 - $21 (depending on pass cost could be $10 per night)
Reservations accepted (during high season on weekends recommended)
recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777
Swimming beach, dump station, dock, water, picnic table, fire ring, paved pads, fish cleaning station, toilets, showers, water sites, trash
The drive to Rocky Branch is set in rural Arkansas in the rolling Ozark Mountains. It is a narrow, winding, rolling with a dense covering of beautiful trees giving a sense of peace and serenity. Depending on your route I suggest filling your gas tank and get your groceries before getting to far out of civilization. It is several miles back to a grocery store.
As you get ready to enter the campground there is a large marina with a great deal of traffic especially during the summer and on weekends. If traveling during the summer I would recommend reservations and if you have a particular site you would prefer I would reserve as soon as possible. ASAP Check the site sizes as most sites are small and will not accommodate larger rigs. Smaller is king here.
Fishing, boating of all kinds, SUP, hiking, biking, take your pick. Beaver Lake has nearly 500 miles of beautiful shoreline.
Beaver Lake is known for small and large mouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish, stripers and white bass. If you have a boat take your chances or hire a guide.
Within a short drive you will find Hobbs State Park and the War Eagle Mill. Hobbs gives you more options for enjoying the beauty of the Arkansas Ozarks. There is a renovated shooting range and has one lane that is for wheelchair use. The range is free to the public. Check this out from 0800 hours to 1630 hours (8 am to 4:30 pm) Tuesday thru Sunday.
If you tire of water sports and kicking back to a slow pace you can always do a bit of sightseeing.,
NWA (North West Arkansas as it is know in Arkansas) is a gold mine of diverse sights and locations. Crystal Bridges is a world class American Art Museum with a setting in a natural Ozark woods with springs and a beautiful walking trail. Eureka Springs will give you the sense of being in a quaint European or Victorian town. The downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places. Pea Ridge steps you back into the Civil War. Pea Ridge was the location of an important pivotal battle west of the Mississippi. You will find a 4.300 acre site with a seven mile self guided auto tour. War Eagle Mill is a working gristmill that was built in 1832. At the mill there is a beautiful stream with an old one lane wooden plank bridge. You may walk across or drive. Buy some organic grain on your visit. Great stop for the kids with wonderful shade trees. A step back in time.
A visit to this area is not complete without a visit to Bentonville to the Walmart Museum. The museum is located inside the original 5 & 10 Walmart store opened in 1950. Enjoy an Ice cream cone while you are there.
Our visit was mosquito free and very few flies. We also did not encounter ticks or chiggers so this was a major bonus.
Scout
Arkansas' claim to fame! The first national river.
Great canoeing, fishing, swimming and tuning on one of the cleanest rivers around! If you come help keep it that way!! Several outfitting choices near by with reasonable rental and shuttle rates.
Ccampground is always a favorite! Running water and electricity at the sites. A bit disappointed with no flushing potties or showers this year due to maintenance.
Hinking trails are abundant... check out Panther Creek or the old mining town Rush!
No cell service...great time to disconnect from reality!
LegendThe one thing you notice as you pull into this park is the updated facilities. The state of Arkansas has put in a real effort to make the outdoor experience a nice as possible in their state parks. All sites were level for both campers and tents Each site had a good table, fire pit and lantern pole. The only drawback is the limited hiking options but the lake offers opportunities to fish and boat. This park was a surprise as we were scouting the area. We will be back
Ranger
Big M Marina and campground is absolutely awesome! Nestled snug on the Missouri Arkansas border is a gem of a campground. Large grassy sites some most with electricity and water, and some with sewer. Sites are paved and pretty level. Great play area for kids. Well kept bathrooms and showers. Marina has a great restaurant that you will not be leaving hungry. Nice marina store. Boat rentals as well as slips. The swim area was very clean and accessible even though it was flooded. Only inconvenience were the roads in. Be prewar warned. It is a nail biter. All in all definitely a 9 out of 10!
GuideFound this gem tucked away in Northwest Arkansas. Corps of Engineers Campground. Very well-maintained. Gorgeous lake with lots of lakefront sites. Several bathhouses. Some with vault toilets but some with flush toilets and showers. Sites have electric but not water so fill your tank before you come.
Swimming area was very spacious. Nice playground for kids. (Closed currently due to COVID.) Dump station has easy access.
Sites are in several smaller groups so it would be great for camping with friends and family. Paved, smooth roads in and out. Quiet and good spacing between sites. Deer roaming around throughout. Fantastic price for lakeside camping.
TravelerRanger Review Big M Campground Table Rock Lake
As with most campgrounds this summer Big M was flooded. It didn’t detract from the beauty and fun this place has to offer. This is a Core run campground that sits nestled in the beautiful Ozarks/Arkansas border. It’s a little tricky getting there. Lot of curves and turns. A real nail biter! This campground has large grassy full hookup sites. The bath houses are clean and easy to get to. Anything you would want to do. Hiking, kayaking, swim beach, boating. Some of the best fishing around! Nice marina with a restaurant that you won’t leave hungry! Swim beach was flooded, but we used it anyway. Truest the gem of the Ozarks!
ScoutLocated beyond a perfectly canopied gravel road and surrounded by miles of mostly uninhabited forests White Rock Mountain has been the most delightful treasure of 2016. When we arrived at 10:00 PM, the full moonlight guided us as we set up camp, later able able to watch the stars through our open tent (which was much needed during this hot Arkansas summer). When we awoke, shortly after dawn, we hiked the cliffs' edge where we saw miles of inviting green landscape. As our hike around the mountain progressed we saw much vegetation and wildlife! Once the hours grew hotter we decided to leave for a swim in the Mulberry, learning that a trail leads all the way down the mountain meeting the winding road in several locations. Despite having slight reservations with a toddler, I'm looking forward to our next experience at White Rock.
LegendWhite Rock Mountain Recreation Area, in the western Arkansas Ozarks, has a campground with 9 tent sites. One of these is a large group site. 8 sites are arranged along a gravel loop road. In addition to tents, these tent sites will accommodate a camper van; the best sites for vans are #1 thru 4. These are level. Sites 5 thru 8, on the west side of the loop, have great views, but are probably not level enough for van, truck and car camping. Each site has a level gravel tent pad, grill, table & fire pit. The sites are not large enough for RVs. The forest roads leading to the recreation area are rough in places, but passenger cars can make it. Amber, our host, is fantastic. She delivers firewood to your site after purchase. The vault toilet is clean. Pump water is available. No hookups. The campground appears well maintained. The OHT runs though the recreation area. There is a really good hiking trail that loops around the rim of the mountain, offering fantastic views of the Ozarks. T-mobile cell service is available with sporadic LTE data service.
RangerLake Ft. Smith State Park is a beautiful park in the Boston Mountains. We drove over from Memphis to meet my brother’s family (who lives in Tulsa). We stayed in campsite 9 which was a pull through site and had stunning views of the lake. My brother stayed in site 8. Sites 1-20 have full hook-ups with sewer. The bathhouse was clean and fully functioning.
Pros: Many activities at the Visitor Center for children. Ozark Highland Trail is directly behind the campsites on the lake side. Recreational area with a playground that is updated. Sites have gravel which limits how much dirt/mud you have to deal with.
Cons: Many of the campsites are on a grade. They all have multiple levels with stairs and have no railings. We had 5 children <6 years of age and the sites were somewhat perilous. If you are a parent with small kids, sites 17-20 and sites 2-3 are better. The other sites are excellent, but not necessarily best for small kids. Last, the playground requires that you drive to it which is inconvenient.
Overall: Great family park with updated amenities. We’d like to give it a try in the spring/summer when the pool and splash pad are open! If you’ve got small kids, Petit Jean State Park would be my suggestion in this area of Arkansas.
LegendI love Eureka Springs, let's just start there!! Finding a place which emphasizes the beauty of the community in a campground is very important and while I have tried several camps in the area, I finally decided to check out the KOA. There is something typically very consistent with KOA branding that it is a step above the other privately owned camps when it comes to very commercially attractive cities and this one is no different!!
Sure the KOA is a bit more expensive but this one provided a pad that was almost a 20x 20 which was really nice, and it was even, something that in the hilly area of Arkansas I hadn't found this close to the city itself.
During the season there is a pool available which I fully took advantage of because it was so muggy out. A perfect way to refresh after a long day of hiking through the community on yet another exciting adventure.
I would for sure pay again for this site when I return, the amenities were very clean and the water was HOT in the showers. As simple as that sounds a little HOT water goes a long way when it comes to aches and pains....lol
TIPS:
Book in advance if possible. This site being so nice during festivals and gatherings in Eureka it does book up quickly.
Take advantage of the game room which is really nice.
Purchase a trolly ticket and ride all day rather than trying to find parking.
Ranger
What it's like....
The campground has sites available for camper/RVs, tents, and also has six platform tents that you can rent to sleep at. The platform tents have electricity available in the tents, but thats about it. The platform tents are pretty big and they do have cots, chairs, tables, inflatable mattresses, etc.. available to rent if you want to up your platform tent experience. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table, and there is access to a dump station for the RVs and campers. They have an onsite general store that has about everything you could want from sandwiches to spark plugs you should be able to find what you need. There are also some disc golf holes set up, a basketball goal, and a "hammock city" area in the middle of the primitive campsites. The bathrooms are pretty magical with access to 25 cent/min showers and the campground even has WIFI, which isn't a reason to go camping, but when you don't have any cell service it comes in pretty handy.
What to do....
The campground is located about 10 miles north of the Boxley Valley in Arkansas which has some of the best hiking and canoeing you will find in the US. If you like to canoe or kayak and you haven't been on the Buffalo National River, you are truly missing out on one of the most scenic rivers out there. There are also ton's of hiking trails many taking you to the various waterfalls in the region. If you are stumped on which trails to go on my two go-to hikes in the area are the "Lost Valley Trail" and the "Whittaker Point (Hawks Bill Crag) Trail". Both are pretty accessible to all and will not disappoint.
What I thought....
I've been to the area before so I knew the hiking / waterfall chasing would be amazing, and it was, but I had never heard about the campground before. I was more than pleased with campground. Everyone we ran into who worked there was extremely helpful and I could not have been more impressed by the cleanliness of the park and its amenities. I was especially impressed by by the bathrooms at the grounds and that the campgrounds had WIFI. The only reason I gave this campground a 4/5 and not 5/5 was how close it was to the highway. Being in the middle of know-where helped keep the traffic down at night, but if there was anyone passing you were going to hear it. Regardless, I would 100% go back and probably do so pretty soon and take the whole family.
TravelerRecently reopened following flooding. This is a must see for hikers and campers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Ponca, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Ponca, AR is Table Rock State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 51 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Ponca, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 39 glamping camping locations near Ponca, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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