Searching for a place to camp with your dog near Ponca? Finding a place to camp in Arkansas with your dog is easier than ever. Each pet-friendly campsite offers quick access to one or more of Ponca's most popular destinations.
Steel Creek Campground is situated along the Buffalo River under the towering and picturesque Roark Bluff. One section of the campground offers 26 walk-in tent sites and another section of the campground offers 14 sites for those camping with horses. Half of the sites in the campground are available for reservations. Steel Creek is located about 3 miles (5 km) east of Ponca, just off Highway 74.
Floating conditions in the upper (westernmost) district of Buffalo National River are extremely dependent upon rainfall. On an average year, the upper river is only navigable by boat in the spring and early summer when consistent rainfall feeds into the watershed. Some sections on the upper end of the river are technical and should not be attempted by novices. For current floating conditions, please check with an outfitter (visit our Guided Services web page ), call the Steel Creek Ranger Station at 870-861-2570, or check the USGS Buffalo River Floating Conditions web page.______
Floating conditions in the upper (westernmost) district of Buffalo National River are extremely dependent upon rainfall. On an average year, the upper river is only navigable by boat in the spring and early summer when consistent rainfall feeds into the watershed. Some sections on the upper end of the river are technical and should not be attempted by novices. For current floating conditions, please check with an outfitter (visit our Guided Services web page ), call the Steel Creek Ranger Station at 870-861-2570, or check the USGS Buffalo River Floating Conditions web page.______
The Buffalo National River flows free over swift running rapids and quiet pools for its 135-mile (217 km) length. One of the few remaining rivers in the lower 48 states without dams, the Buffalo cuts its way through massive limestone bluffs traveling eastward through the Arkansas Ozarks and into the White River.
The Buffalo River Trail runs through Steel Creek and offers great day hiking or overnight backcountry opportunities.__ Boxley Valley is nearby and is home to Lost Valley, an easy to moderate trail that leads hikers past geologic and water formations. Call the Steel Creek Ranger Station at 870-861-2570 or visit the park's Hiking Trails web page for more information..
$20 / night
$12 / night
Nestled cozily in Arkansas’ slice of the Ozark Mountains, Withrow Springs State Park is named after Richard Withrow who established the area’s first grist mill. The reason people flock to visit this park each year, however, is to hike the many trails that lead you to local natural attractions, such as the enormous limestone bluffs that surround the area, mystical bat caves, and the freshwater springs of course!
What makes Withrow Springs State Park a consistently popular destination? The variety of recreational activities that can be found within. Visitors can choose from options such as diving into the seasonal swimming pool, shopping in one of the multiple pavilions, the enticing snack bars, tennis, and basketball courts. Fishing and boating are among the most common activities, and if you and a group want to try floating down the water, the park even offers a shuttle and canoe renting service for you!
Camping at this park is relaxing and pleasant, as most of the campsites are located in more wooded, shaded areas. Primitive sites are first come, first serve, but the park does offer campsites you can reserve, which come fully equipped with hookups and a modern bathhouse.
The trails in this park are a notoriously great experience, and among those is the popular War Eagle Trail. Along this trail visitors will come across one of the only caves in Arkansas open for public viewing. However, this popular cave is temporarily closed. Reach out to park officials for more details.
As of Oct 2021 - Haw Creek Falls—Located on Hwy 123, this newly designated Point of Interest will be accessible year-round. Removal of the gate across the low-water bridge and suspension of fees will be immediately implemented, and camping will still be allowed in designated campsites. A slow transition of amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern posts will be removed over time as they become unusable or unsafe. Trash services will be managed by the user as “pack it in, pack it out.” Active partner groups and volunteers are helping extend the life of current amenities, excluding trash services. Several volunteer workdays have been hosted at this site in the last several months, which have proven to be immensely beneficial to keeping this primitive area operational. Please note, this area is subject to flash flooding and visitors are responsible for monitoring conditions and taking precautionary measures. Removal of the gate does not indicate the area is always safe during changing weather conditions. Surrounded by a beautiful mature hardwood forest, this campground is located on a small mountain stream with picturesque falls, rocks, and a bluff. Big Piney Wild and Scenic River are nearby. There is an accessible trail to the Haw Creek Falls. Camping - 9 family units. Camping trailers are allowed but no special facilities are available. Access to the Ozark Highlands Trail. The recreation area is closed following the 3rd week of December and reopens the 3rd week of March. Please note that the campground is closed when heavy rain is forecast. Campground and Day-Use Area Rules
Tucked away on 13 acres but close to town. One mile east on 206 from the scenic 7S. Our beautiful campground has tent sites, water/electric sites, full service 30 and 50 amp rv sites which can handle the biggest of rigs, and beautiful camping and full service cabins. In addition, we have multiple restrooms and showers located throughout the campground which are immaculate. We have added a propane fill station and just finishing a splash pad for all to enjoy during the warmer months. Please visit our website to find out more.
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
We are a quiet privately owned campground with great views of the valley below located at the edge of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. We have 88 full hook up sites, 4 water and electric sites, and 3 cabins. We are only 5 minutes from the Great Passion Play, historic downtown Eureka Springs.
There is so much to do here for the young and young at heart. Everything from zip lining, to mountain biking, mini golf, many golf courses, shows, national known Chapels, an so much more to do here.
All of which is located around our quiet park that can handle the biggest of rigs, all the way down to motor cycle camper trailers.
Come stay with us and enjoy all that the Ozark Mountains and the Eureka Springs area has to offer.
$39 - $136 / night
Roaring River State Park is unique on so many levels! With a deep, narrow valley surrounded by a striking and rugged landscape, Roaring River State Park is one of Missouri’s most popular state parks. Located in the southwest Ozark hills, Roaring River State Park is one of three state parks stocked with rainbow trout and is a great place for camping near Bentonville. Eager anglers flock to the park year round to try and catch their lunker trout. The scenic setting makes everything more fun. The park has seven hiking trails, a swimming pool for cooling off, picnic tables for a leisurely lunch and a nature center to learn about the park. For those wanting to spend the night, the park has many options. The campground has basic, electric and sewer/electric/water site. Rustic cabins are scattered throughout the park or guests may choose a modern room at the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center. The center also boasts a full-service restaurant.
Traveler
We stayed here over Thanksgiving. The campground was about 1/3 full . The people working here are very nice! I think the campground would get a 5 if there were more pull-thru sites and the bath houses were a little more updated. We will definitely stay here again when in Branson.
Traveler
Quiet in December. Good shower and laundry facilities.
Guide
Nice, quiet place. Great hiking! Not really a place for a quick overnight, the road in is steep and crooked.
Legend
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.
Legend
Camped in site #6 on Nov 20, 2024. The Mulberry River had some serious flooding a few weeks ago which caused this campground to close. The campground is now open, and work is being done to restore the campground and its campsites back to its previous clean state. During my stay, grading was being done on the campground loop road. Some of the campsites were flooded leaving behind some debris and eroded site driveways. The sites away from the river were in good condition. The tent pads look level. Water was available; toilets and showers were functional. The restoom/shower house can use some cleaning, but not too bad. Trash service was available. Despite the flood damage, this is a good campground in a pretty area. I look forward to returning.
Guide
Right in town but actually quite. Bathrooms very clean nice laundry area and cheap.
Scout
The good: Beautiful location. Limited access due to 11’ 6” bridge to enter location. Not near Passion Play as indicated on Apple Maps. Double check location before you book!
The Bad: $2 for 5 min shower?! Campsite price, $40, doesn’t include shower. No sewer hookups. Also serves as public boat ramp. Random people coming and going. Women’s toilet is a pit toilet, (outhouse)!
Guide
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.
Scout
This Was An Ok, basic Spot To Overnight; pretty expensive at $60/night, but they did give either Sr discount or veteran discount of 10%. This is certainly not a resort, and is at least a quarter mile from White River, feeding Beaver Lake. Pretty Large RV PK, With Many Permanent Residents. No sign at entrance, and we passed it by winding around a neighborhood of houses that was between the RV Park and the true water’s Edge.
Verizon signal was good at 3 jiggers; and stronger than their wifi. We were about 100 yds from nice new looking bathhouse which had wifi antenna with good reception at bathhouse but weak at our camper. Supposedly there are repeaters to amplify the WiFi signal, but they were not operational. We got by streaming YouTube TV through our Verizon Hotspot on our phones. We had to buy an extra sewer hose to connect to sewer, as it was placed so far toward entrance of the site, rather than toward rear of site where electric and water were appropriately placed. Nice courteous staff. We were on a level, narrow concrete pad; ~half of sites were gravel; no picnic table.
Guide
Crowded on family weekend, great service, clean, good views, convenient
Traveler
Be sure to catch the sunset here. This has a beautiful setting even though it has been basically abandoned by the COE. The people who stay here must really care about the place because my site was very clean. Do not. I repeat DO NOT think you can use the pit toilets here. Be self contained and you’ll be fine. There seemed to be some long-timers camped there together and their dogs barked quite often during the day, but they must have taken them in at night or my van did well with blocking out the noise. My site wasn’t 100% flat but I just slept with my feet going on the downhill slope. Also, be aware if you use a flashlight, you WILL see eyeballs looking back at you from the other side of the water
Guide
Stayed 3 nights. Weekend had a few family gatherings near us, but the weekdays we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Campground is well maintained with beautiful views of Table Rock Lake. We were in upper section (electric only) - the lower section next to the marina has full hookups. There are a few pull-through, but most sites are back-in and long enough for al most any rig.
Guide
Great trip. Beautiful campground. Beautiful scenery
Guide
Right on Highway good for campers
Scout
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. So unfortunately my partner and I had a group of probably 20 people camping next to us. They brought in a DJ car(open the trunk and it had huge speakers and running lights) to bump techno music during the day, and at night they set up a movie projector and large screen and watched horror movies late into the night. It's not serene when there are 8 tents, a crowd of people, and horror movie screaming right beside you all day and night. I even went and talked to the camp hosts but nothing was done. So, I don't recommend this place. Usually I camp to unwind and chill, but I left the weekend more frazzled and exhausted than I came.
Guide
Everything about this campground is fantastic. The lake surrounds the point, the sites are cleverly designed, the October crowd is quiet and friendly, it's near Branson, strong Verizon signal.
ScoutThis location has been a great place. It is clean and well maintained. The staff is friendly and the area is peaceful. We would recommend this place to anyone looking for a campground in Branson Mo. It is also a short and scenic drive to what ever suites you in Branson.
Guide
This RV Park is amazing! The view of Black Mountain at sunset is amazing! We love the well-kept grounds and spacious back in RV sites. They also have tent camping that you can book online. The location is convenient a quarter of mile off the Highway 23/The Pig Trail that motorcycle riders love. All the sites are generously space out with plenty of room for parking. The Turner Bend Camp Store is half mile down the road for gasoline, camping supplies, ice, fresh deli sandwiches and wraps, t-shirts, pins and patches.
We love the new bathroom and shower house. Don't miss this gem of a place. The owners are super nice
Guide
Settled right in between grape fields, beautiful manacured grounds with lots of picnic tables and plenty of area to walk dogs or kids. No additional amenities but not needed really with FHU. Owner came by and personally checked on us, booking was easy with a text! Great wines right up the road
Guide
We really enjoyed our stay here! It was the week after Labor Day and was mostly vacant, making for a quiet stay. Love the amenities for kids! The only reason I give 4 stars is the dog policy— it’s very strict, and there isn’t a dog park type area to let pets off leash to play & get energy out.
GuideAn update since all other reviews are a couple of years old. Nothing has changed. Except I imagine the price! Accurately depicted above. A bit of road noise, which comes with the convenience. Clean. Friendly. A bit packed in there as far as the sites go. Site 42 is empty and looks like a winner to me. Town has plenty to offer for stocking up on a trip. We would stay again if passing through.
Traveler
This was our second spot on our trip we just needed a quick place to sleep for the night before we left back to Oklahoma and we were very delighted with this one. Clean showers and restrooms on site. Very clean sites and nice flat ground for our tent. We were a little close to a busier road but it didn’t bother us that much and all of the other campers were quiet and respectful. Overall a nice little place but be mindful it’s not secluded or anything as several people were there at the lake with their RVs but it looked like a great spot for families to have fun.
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).
RangerVery nice campground, mostly flat land for RV and primitive campground. The bathroom/shower house is very clean to use. This area is great for getaways, off-roading, or overloading.
Scout
Clean and spacious RV sites. We love the view of the mountain and the fact that we can ride our ATV to the Turner Bend Store to get gasoline and sandwiches. Mill Creek trailhead just 2 miles north from our campsite. The staff are friendly and very helpful. We got a physical ATV map. The Paradise Pizza Pub just 3 miles from our campsite!
ScoutI have not really been able to use it just checking it out
Guide
Flat Sites, Clean, Nice Amenities, Nice Staff, Little Exposed in heat to Sun. Best shades sites rented in advance. (Site 24-27)
If you're looking for pet-friendly camping options near Ponca, Arkansas, you're in luck! There are several campgrounds that welcome your furry friends, ensuring a fun and memorable outdoor experience for both you and your pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ponca, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ponca, AR is Steel Creek Campground — Buffalo National River with a 4.5-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ponca, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 199 dog-friendly camping locations near Ponca, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
