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Best Tent Camping near Shirley, AR

562 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent campsites near Shirley, Arkansas primarily concentrate along the Buffalo National River corridor, with several primitive options available at locations like Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway and Bayou Bluff Point of Interest. The Buffalo National River provides multiple tent camping locations including Rush Campground, Spring Creek Campground, and gravel bar campsites that accommodate tent setups with minimal infrastructure.

Most tent campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient camping. Primitive sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, while vault toilets are available at some locations including Syllamo and Spring Creek. According to one visitor, "This primitive campground was perfect for me and my dog... the campsites are a good distance apart, they have plenty of room and have fire rings and picnic tables." Water access varies significantly between sites - Dillards Ferry and Rush Campground offer drinking water, but most primitive areas require campers to bring their own supply. Several campgrounds are first-come, first-served with no reservation system, particularly at the smaller gravel bar sites along the river.

The Buffalo National River corridor provides an ideal setting for backcountry tent camping with numerous walk-in tent locations offering direct river access. Many sites sit on gravel bars along the river, providing ideal locations for multi-day paddling trips or as single-night destinations. A camper noted that Shine Eye Gravel Bar offers beautiful riverside camping where visitors can "park in the parking lot, walk down to the river and find a spot." The tent-only nature of these sites creates a quieter experience than developed campgrounds. Bayou Bluff features unique stone shelters with functional fireplaces that provide partial weather protection for tent campers. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures for tent camping, though summer remains popular for water activities despite higher temperatures and humidity levels.

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Best Tent Sites Near Shirley, Arkansas (19)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Shirley, AR

12 Photos of 19 Shirley Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Shirley, AR

562 Reviews of 19 Shirley Campgrounds

  • 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. :-)

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Barkshed Recreation Area

    Mostly walkin tent sites

    Visited here on Oct 7, 2025. Did not camp here. There are a handful of first-come, first-serve primitive sites. I only saw one drive-in site down near the creek. There are about 4 walk-in tent sites up a driveway into a parking area. The walk-in sites are close to the parking area. One site, which is not quite level, has a picnic table. The walk-in sites have metal fire rings. There are 2 clean vault toilets with tp at the campground. No potable water. The tent sites have a dirt and grass surface. There are a few shade trees. Starlink connectivity is possible. No AT&T and T-Mobile service. Nice swimming hole down by the creek. Access to the North Sylamore Creek Trail is at this recreation area. Note that the unpaved forest road approaching the recreation area from highway 14 is sketchy in spots due to Spring storm damage. Sections were being regraded during my visit. Low clearance, 2wd passenger vehicles can make it, but should tread carefully. Also note that, due to storm damage, Tie Ridge Road between Barkshed and Gunner Pool Road was only open to 4x4 vehicles at the time of my visit.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Beautiful National Forest Recreation Area

    Camped at site #3 for 3 nights in early October 2025. This site was really good for my camper van; just about level. The site backs up to a beautiful forest. The campground in this recreation area has  27 sites in 3 separate sections. There are some sites at the "pool" which are appropriate for car and tent camping. There is a section down a dirt road along the creek bottom that has a handful of sites; these sites are also good for car and tent camping. I camped in a wooded loop; the sites here can accomodate car, van and tent camping. A few towables may fit in this section. This is a beautiful wooded campground; clean and very well maintained. Most sites are level. Hammock camping is possible in some sites. Most sites have a table, tent pad, lantern pole, metal fire ring and a grill. Some sites are open, some shaded. No hookups. Potable water is located in a central area of the sections; the water was turned on during my visit. There are 4 vault toilets - clean and supplied with tp. Parts of the campground is prone to flash flooding. Very peaceful; the campground wasn't too busy midweek. The campground has access to the beautiful North Sylamore Creek trail. Access to campground on the gravel Gunner Pool Road from Highway 14 was very good during my visit. This forest road goes through the recreation area; it is busier than you would see on typical forest roads. Love this recreation area. One of the best that the Arkansas Ozarks has to offer for outdoor recreation.

  • 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.

  • Renee H.
    Mar. 26, 2024

    Dam - Quarry

    Clean campground, nice location

    Average space between sites. Level paved sites with gravel picnic area including picnic table, fire ring, lantern hanger. Some sites had covered picnic area. Limited shade, most sites don’t have trees. Good access to sites. Clean and private bathrooms. Each room had its own lockable bathroom with toilet, sink and shower. Garbage cans were outside of bathrooms, as well as dumpsters near the registration building. Friendly staff upon check in. Campground was patrolled regularly. No laundry or recycling. Nearby road with little road noise. Verizon cell signal was excellent. There is a dump station and potable fill station. No store or food for purchase on site. No hiking in campground, but multiple trails nearby. Boat ramp at campground and lots of wading fly fishing in river. Fish hatchery across from campground.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 14, 2025

    Woolly Hollow State Park — Wooly Hollow State Park

    Great hiking and MTB trails

    Camped here in mid-December, 2025. This state park has Class D walk-in tent sites and Class AAA full hookup sites. Some sites are on the lake front. Although overkill for my Chevy Express campervan, I stayed at Site #26 - Class AAA site. Since I'm a senior citizen and an Arknsas resident, and since it was midweek, I received a 50% discount; otherwise, the campsite fee is $42. When I made the reservation online, I paid full price with a credit card, and received a credit on my credit card a few days later. Very clean site; large. Electric and water turned on during my stay. The paved site has a metal fire ring, grill, picnic table, and lantern poll. There was a tent pad behind the site - up the hill and in the trees. Almost no privacy between sites. The bathhouse is conveniently located across the campground road from my site. The bathhouse was very clean, heated and stocked. There were only a handful or so of other campers here during my stay; peaceful. Can hear some distant highway noise. Received sporadic AT&T and T-Mobile data service. Starlink connectivity possible from this site. This a beautiful state park. Pretty lake and fantastic trail system. The day use area is very nice.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Spring Creek Campground — Buffalo National River

    Primitive camping along the Buffalo River

    Van-camped in site #3 in mid-October, 2025. Free National Park Service primitive campground along the Buffalo Ntional River. The property serves as a drop-off and pickup location for kayakers and canoers. Outfitters may be coming and going. Not all sites are level; varies from site to site. Some sites are walk-ins. Clean vault toilet, supplied with tp and hand sanitizer. No potable water. Sites include table, metal fire ring, and lantern pole. Dirt surface. Good separation between sites but no privacy. A handful of armadillos were scrounging around during the evening. There is a partial view of the river through the trees. The road approaching the campground, CR99, is about 3 miles long and gravel, narrow in places. The last 1.5 miles has some minor erosion and rocky in places. There are no hiking trails at this location. No cell service. Starlink connectivity possible depending on the site. Tent and hammock camping possible. Fishing along the river bank. Overall, this is not a bad campground in a beautiful area.

Guide to Shirley

Tent campsites near Shirley, Arkansas offer primitive camping experiences along the Ozark Mountain waterways. The Buffalo National River area sits at elevations between 700-2,200 feet, creating diverse microclimates for campers throughout its 135-mile length. Most gravel bar campsites become accessible when river levels drop below 8 feet at the Ponca gauge, typically from late spring through fall.

What to do

Hiking near Gilbert: Access multiple trail options from Gilbert Gravel Bar — Buffalo National River where you can "find Gilbert Gravel Bar off 65 just south of the city of St Joe's. Go through the city of Gilbert and you will find parking at the end of the road leading to a fairly large beach/gravel area."

Mountain biking at Syllamo: The trail system has "multiple trail heads. Each trail head has a course gravel parking area and a very nice pit toilet. Bring lots of drinking water. Good for both Mountain Biking and hiking, but hikers need to make way for bikers," according to visitors at Syllamo.

Canoe preparation: Gilbert Gravel Bar serves as an excellent starting point for Buffalo River paddling trips. As one camper notes, "You can tent hear in preparation for a canoe trip or as a stop over along the Buffalo River. We usually drop part of our crew, camping gear, and canoes and then park most of our vehicles at South Maumelle or Buffalo Point."

What campers like

Stone shelter camping: At Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI), campers appreciate the unique structures available: "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."

Privacy between sites: Spring Creek Campground provides good separation between tent sites. A camper reports, "It's right on a put-in spot on the Buffalo River so there were a couple of buses and shuttles but for the most part it was very quiet. The campsites are a good distance apart, they have plenty of room."

Easy river access: Shine Eye Gravel Bar — Buffalo National River offers straightforward access to the water. "This is just a gravel bar along The Buffalo National River but it is beautiful! There are no designated campsites, just park in the parking lot, walk down to the river and find a spot."

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to Spring Creek Campground requires navigating challenging roads. One camper warns, "Campsite had a rather janky gravel and dirt road leading to it. In the rain, the road would be extremely difficult. Very steep."

Elevation changes: Tent campsites near Shirley are situated in rolling Ozark terrain with significant elevation differences requiring careful planning for foot access.

Limited connectivity: Cell service is typically unavailable at most Buffalo River campsites. At Spring Creek Campground — Buffalo National River, a visitor noted they "didn't get phone service (yay!)" and found this added to the peaceful experience.

Tips for camping with families

Armadillo watching: At Spring Creek Campground, children can observe local wildlife safely. One camper reported, "A handful of armadillos were scrounging around during the evening."

Swimming spots: Dillards Ferry offers excellent water access for children. A visitor describes it as "my favorite swim spot. Would definitely recommend a visit" with "water was clear & right beside the camp."

Pavilion availability: For weather protection with kids, Rush Campground — Buffalo National River provides "plenty of shade options" making it "a beautiful campground for the entire family."

Tips from RVers

Limited RV access: Most tent campsites near Shirley have significant access restrictions. At Bayou Bluff, a camper noted, "It's not really well suited for big RV's but wouldn't be impossible."

Vault toilet availability: Smaller vehicles can access facilities at multiple locations. Rush Campground offers "pit-style" restrooms, so "don't expect anything fancy" but they're maintained regularly.

Water supply planning: Bring sufficient water supplies to tent-focused campgrounds. At Bayou Bluff, "There are no hookups (water or electricity) so it is primitive camping" requiring complete self-sufficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Shirley, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Shirley, AR is Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Shirley, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Shirley, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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