Bonnie M.
Guide
GuideWoolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River
Beautiful spot on the river. Vault toilets available and very clean. Road is not terrible going in, didn't have to use 4wd. Spots on the river and spots in the meadow.
Equestrian Camping near St. Joe, AR
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Buffalo National River offers dispersed camping options for equestrians in the St. Joe area. Woolum Dispersed Area provides primitive camping with vault toilets and direct river access. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with spacious sites suitable for horse trailers. No hookups or running water are available, so campers should bring their own supplies. Spacious areas allow for setting up temporary corrals or highlines for horses. The peacefulness and isolation make this area popular among horse owners seeking solitude.
Erbie Campground, located along gravel roads approximately 20-30 minutes from main highways, connects directly to multiple trail systems including Cecil Cove Trail and Buffalo River Trail. These trails offer varied terrain through wooded areas and scenic river views. Horse riders appreciate the combination of hiking and riding opportunities within easy access of the camping area. The campground features multiple sites with room for both camping equipment and horse trailers. Water access for horses is available at the Buffalo River, though seasonality affects water levels. The campground maintains primitive facilities with vault toilets but no electricity or water hookups. Most sites include fire rings with grills, allowing overnight equestrians to establish a comfortable base camp for multi-day riding adventures.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near St. Joe (12)
1. Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River
"This site was large enough to accomodate multiple vehicles and horse trailers. I did not try to find a spot on the river bank, although the river bank appeared easy to access."
"Lots of trails, great place to trail ride on horses. 25 minute drive to dollar general so don’t forget your lighter lmao."
2. Tyler Bend Campground — Buffalo National River
"The pictures of the river are from a different buffalo river access point Easy access to bathroom, drinking water and river from this spot."
"Quiet and close to the river."
34 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $50 / night
3. Erbie Campground — Buffalo National River
"Located within a few miles of the horse camp , this site is Aimed more at group camping, there is not as much shade as I’d like to see."
"I explored each in detail and took a day to enjoy the trails around them. "
4. Steel Creek Campground — Buffalo National River
"The sign said "campground full" but thanks to another review we disregarded this and found an open site, as did the person who drove in behind us."
"You wake up every morning to the sound of the Buffalo River coursing by just a few hundred yards away, and are greeted by the breathtaking view of the bluffs you are surrounded by!"
12 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 / night
5. Horseshoe Canyon Ranch
"They have horse back riding and tons of world class rock climbing. Very safe and clean. Facilities were just fine."
"Car camp, hammock, tent camp, or rent one the cabins to enjoy the roaming goats and horses around the property. Infamously known in AR as one of the best climbing spots."
Check Availabilityfrom $5 - $245 / night
6. Down Home Campgrounds
"It is so close to the Buffalo River, Jasper, and Erbie Horse camp. We had such a great weekend with our family! Loved being away from all of the crowds in this secluded area."
"Location had a nice setup for the bath house and a great setup for the camp sites."
Check Availabilityfrom $30 / night
7. Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch and Adventure Park
"They continue to upgrade trails and add beautiful camping spots. This is a family room ranch and Donny and Lynn are wonderful hosts. I always come home feeling reconnected with myself and family"
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $90 / night
8. Bidwell Point Park
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $50 / night
9. Macks Pines
"There are some trails nearby, but the area and trails are really designed for ATVs."
"short drives from the campgrounds to beautiful scenery with a little bit of research, or ask greg. alot are even accessible by car. take the 30 min drive to hillbillys lims bbq as well."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
10. Moccasin Gap Horse Trail NF Campground
Drive Time
- 1 hr 40 min from Springfield, MO
- 1 hr 53 min from Little Rock, AR
- 1 hr 54 min from Fayetteville, AR
- 2 hrs 37 min from Fort Smith, AR
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near St. Joe, AR
2 Photos of 12 St. Joe Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near St. Joe, AR
90 Reviews of 12 St. Joe Campgrounds
- MMadison T.
TravelerWoolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River
Was always a few groups around but still plenty of space! Road was a little rough and some steeper hills for a bigger camper but still doable!
- WWilliam M.Guide
Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River
Great river camp
Clean pit toilets with camps right above the crystal clear river. The spots when you first pull in have the best solar due to shading further down. Watch for snakes. We have already seen a copperhead.
JJ
ScoutErbie Campground — Buffalo National River
Hidden gem at the Buffalo
Quiet and secluded. Just enough off the ‘beaten’ path of campgrounds to be rather private.
- Joy J.Guide
Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River
Clean and Quiet
So far, my favorite spot in Arkansas. There are vault toilets in the area around them is groomed as a matter fact, they were mowing when I was there. I looked at three different spots before choosing the one that I wanted, based on the fact that it was the most level. However, all the spots that I looked at were clean and had nice fire pits. I was pretty much right on the river show people that were coming to check it out for the purpose of kayaking or canoeing would drive-by but they weren’t disruptive at all. I would definitely do 10 days there and be very happy, maybe next time I’ll have the time to do that.
- WWilliam M.Scout
Moccasin Gap Horse Trail NF Campground
Ok one nighter when tired
Electric hook up and level spots with shade cover. Just off the highway so some traffic noise. We were tired and it was handy to get to. Not disappointed.
- ssavGuide
Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River
Beautiful
Lots of room, lots of fire rings. Several (maybe 5?) vault toilets that are well-maintained and stocked. When we got there, there were probably 50 people at 20 different spots scattered across the field. When we left, it was just us and one other group. Lots of trails, great place to trail ride on horses. 25 minute drive to dollar general so don’t forget your lighter lmao. One of the roads into the park is closed, but the detour is signed well and easy to figure out. If I had to guess, it’s closed because one of the edges is getting pretty close to crumbling into the river. I wish I had thought to bring paddle boards and kayaks. There were lots of people who brought big rigs down to the camp site, as well as pulled boats. The gravel roads are well maintained enough that I’d be comfortable doing that, but the hill is pretty steep at times, so be wary.
Daniel E.
RangerSteel Creek Campground — Buffalo National River
Worth Remembering
A very pretty campsite that I stayed on a youth camping trip and I decided to get up early in the morning before anyone else and to go on a run, the clouds we low enough to where you couldn’t see the top of the bluffs but there was no fog so it was very pretty and seemed magical and to make matters even better on my run an female elk ran out in front of me and I let it be and it ran off but that made it my first time ever seeing an elk
Fred S.
LegendWoolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River
Easy access to the Buffalo National River
Camped here mid-week in early November, 2025. Came here to camp while doing some smallmouth bass fishing on the Buffalo River. Quickly found a large, open, level site with a rock fire ring on a grassy field. This site was large enough to accomodate multiple vehicles and horse trailers. I did not try to find a spot on the river bank, although the river bank appeared easy to access. Only two other camping groups were here during my stay - far enough away that I couldn't hear them. Including the one at the day use parking lot, there are three clean and supplied vault toilets here. The campground appeared well maintained. No potable water and no trash service. Solar recharging and Starlink connectivity are possible. I received spotty T-Mobile 2G and 4G LTE service. This primitive campground is convenient for kayakers and canoers, as well as for overlanders and equestrian campers. I met a backpacker who just came off of the Ozark Highland Trail across the river and was camping on the rocky river bank. I recommend, especially for those driving 2WD passenger vehicles, accessing the campground using Searcy County Road 15 - not CR14. Although open during my time here, narrow CR14 still had some damage from recent landslides which resulted in rough driving conditions (although, high clearance, 4x4 vehicles should have no problems). Overall, I enjoyed camping here, and I'm looking forward to returning to this beautiful area in the Arkansas Ozarks.
Guide to St. Joe
Dispersed camping is available around St. Joe, Arkansas, primarily along the Buffalo National River. The elevation in this region ranges from 800-1,500 feet, creating diverse terrain for equestrian trails. During summer months, temperatures typically reach 85-95°F, with cooler nights dropping to 60-70°F, making evening camping comfortable even during peak season.
What to do
Riverside swimming access: Woolum Dispersed Area offers excellent swimming opportunities during summer months. "Right on the river with both a rock and sand beach currently. Fire rings. Only one other camper that's at the other end of the campground on memorial weekend," notes William M. about Woolum Dispersed Area.
Trail riding: Multiple trails suitable for horses connect across the Buffalo National River region. "This ranch is beautiful and great for hiking and climbing. The environment is awesome and the place is well-managed," says Alex M. about Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, which offers horse-friendly trails nearby.
Goat Trail hiking: For experienced hikers, trails near Steel Creek offer challenging terrain with unique views. "Right from the Steel Creek campground we took the Old River Trail (abbreviated as ORT on trail posts) up to the Centerpoint trailhead, which happens to have its own parking lot since it is a pretty popular hiking trail," explains a visitor at Steel Creek Campground.
What campers like
Secluded campsites: Down Home Campgrounds provides isolation from crowds. "This place is a true hidden gem. It is so close to the Buffalo River, Jasper, and Erbie Horse camp. We had such a great weekend with our family! Loved being away from all of the crowds in this secluded area," writes Brady about Down Home Campgrounds.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple camping areas offer opportunities to see native Arkansas wildlife. "Gorgeous, quiet, and heaven," shares Zachary J. about camping at Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch. Many equestrians report seeing deer, armadillos, and occasionally elk while camping in the region.
Off-grid experience: Many horse campgrounds near St. Joe maintain minimal facilities. "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," states Shelly J. regarding Woolum Dispersed Area.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to many horse camping areas requires navigating unpaved roads. "If you're coming from the west, Apple/Google Maps' shortest route will take you through Kingston and then down some rough dirt roads with a couple low water crossings. Easier route is to go to Hwy. 7 then come back east," advises Matt B. about Erbie Campground.
Water availability: Seasonal fluctuations affect river levels. "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," reports John W. about Woolum.
Limited amenities: Most horse camping areas provide only basic facilities. "Primitive camping along with vault toilets but no electricity or water hookups," describes a typical setup. Campers should bring all necessary supplies including water for horses during dry periods.
Tips for camping with families
Bug protection: Summer camping requires preparation for insects. "So many options to make your home away from home! Grassy meadows or river side oasis, you choose! 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 camping near Buffalo River.
Swimming spots: Family-friendly water access points offer natural recreation. "We loved camping at Steel Creek! You can see beautiful bluff from the campground. There are trails to the river nearby and a great swimming hole!" shares Lindsey P. about Steel Creek Campground.
Private sites: Some areas provide more separated camping for families with horses. "If you are looking for secluded camping spots this is your place, the river isn't close but the sites are within walking distance. Campsites are in wooded areas and very secluded," notes Ace R. about camping options near St. Joe.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: RV sites at many horse campgrounds require preparation. "Some sites require a bit of leveling, lots of full hookup and good amount of 50 amp. Some sites are close, some are not," explains a reviewer about Macks Pines, which accommodates RVs near equestrian trails.
Trailer parking: Horse trailer parking varies by location. "Spacious areas allow for setting up temporary corrals or highlines for horses," describes a common feature at horse-friendly campgrounds. Most developed campgrounds have designated areas for trailer parking separate from tents.
Access challenges: Large RVs and trailers face limitations at some sites. "Not great for big rigs, a lot of the sites are too small," warns Lucy P. about Tyler Bend Campground, reflecting a common challenge at horse campgrounds near St. Joe, Arkansas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near St. Joe, AR?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near St. Joe, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near St. Joe, AR is Woolum Dispersed Area — Buffalo National River with a 4.8-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
St. Joe, AR?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near St. Joe, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near St. Joe, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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