Equestrian camping near Shirley, Arkansas offers riders direct access to the Ozark Highlands Trail system with elevations ranging from 700 to 2,300 feet. The area receives approximately 45-50 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forest conditions ideal for trail riding between April and November. Most horse campgrounds in this region maintain primitive facilities with the primary focus on trail access rather than modern amenities.
What to do
Trail riding through Ozark National Forest: The forest surrounding Woolum Dispersed Area provides miles of riding trails with diverse terrain. "This is a very primitive campground, but it's one of our favorites! We can almost always find a spot to camp and it's super easy to pull our trailer into every spot there. It's a horse camp and there are many spots with shade and some with none," notes camper Shelly J.
Swimming in natural waterways: After a day on horseback, cool off in the Buffalo River. "Buggy but Beautiful... Late September visit means the river is low, nights are cool and days are filled with sunshine. Bring the bug spray and sunscreen," advises Candace R. about Woolum.
Fishing for trout: Greers Ferry Lake - COE/Cherokee Rec Area offers excellent fishing opportunities near horse trails. "I pulled out so many rainbow trouts from this lake! The camp sites are close to the water, and the boat docks are easy to access," reports Jill R., making this a good option for equestrians who also enjoy fishing.
What campers like
Easy trailer access: Horse owners appreciate Macks Pines for its practical layout. "It doesn't offer a lot in terms of comfort—there are full hookups but no real fire rings, no trees or shade and it's HOT in early June. It's an all gravel path... It has stables for horses and seems to really be built for ATVers," explains Amy & Stu B.
Quiet, natural settings: Despite highway proximity, riders value the peaceful forest surroundings. "We have camped twice at Wooly Hollow and visited once as a day trip. We love Wooly Hollow. It is very clean and quiet. There is lots of shade and several sites on the water," shares Kathy E. about Woolly Hollow State Park.
Variety of terrain: The region offers diverse riding conditions from rocky hills to forest paths. "The best features of this State Park are: 1) it is close to Conway and an easy drive from Little Rock; 2) there is a separate loop for tent camping and it's closer to the water than the hookups loop; and 3) it has a nice swim beach open in season," notes 2SHOE S. about Woolly Hollow State Park.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Communication can be challenging in horse camping areas. At Macks Pines, "No ATT or Verizon service there or in the general area, had to download a map that was essentially a PDF to get around," reports Amy & Stu B.
Road conditions: Some horse camps have difficult access roads. At Adam's Lake Boat Ramp and Camp, "Dirt roads no electric nice little quiet excluded spot but it's be tough for an RV to get around there," warns Loren J.
Highway noise: Tyler Bend Campground experiences some traffic noise that may disturb horses. "The close proximity to US 65 Highway detracts from what is otherwise a beautiful campground. Truckers seem to favor Jake brakes when descending into the river Valley…especially at 4:00 am," cautions Marty.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with amenities: When bringing children along, consider campgrounds with facilities. "Amazing weekend right outside of the Ozark National Forest. The lake was closed for Maintenance but the state park ranger had a weekend full of planned events from a box turtle demo to a sand castle competition," shares Kelci C. about Woolly Hollow State Park.
Pack for temperature fluctuations: The Ozarks experience significant day-night temperature variations. "I tent camped at Site #3, right beside the lake. Put my hammock up and watched the sun set and the fireflies start dancing. A few ducks played on the edge of the water and walked on shore for a bit," recounts Amy W.
Plan educational activities: Horse camping offers learning opportunities for children. "As a homeschool family we are always looking for learning opportunities and we are thrilled we stumbled upon this campground. Bathhouses were clean, the snack bar was great, the camp spots were roomy," adds Kelci C.
Tips from RVers
Bring leveling equipment: Many horse campgrounds have uneven parking areas. "Some sites require a bit of leveling, lots of full hookup and good amount of 50 amp. Some sites are close, some are not," notes Roscoe's R. about Macks Pines.
Stock up on supplies: Remote horse camps have limited access to stores. "Dry county with very few places to buy any food or groceries outside of an hour drive," warns Amy & Stu B. about the Macks Pines area.
Consider hookup requirements: Limited electrical options affect larger rigs. "Not great for big rigs, a lot of the sites are too small. The river is gorgeous, I was sad it was too cold to swim! Only one bathhouse in the car camping area so it's gets pretty busy," explains Lucy P. about Tyler Bend Campground.
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