Best Tent Camping near Tumbling Shoals, AR

Tent camping options near Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas include both established campgrounds and dispersed sites within reasonable driving distance. Camp Robinson Dispersed Site offers free primitive tent camping with boat-in, drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access options. The Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway provides 14 established tent sites with amenities including drinking water, firewood, picnic tables and vault toilets.

Most tent sites in the area have minimal facilities, with several lacking drinking water or maintained restrooms. Camp Robinson Dispersed Site features no facilities but allows fires and pets, providing a true backcountry experience for self-sufficient campers. Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway offers more amenities with showers and toilets available. Mill Creek Recreation Area provides basic facilities with toilets but lacks drinking water. Seasonal considerations apply to several locations, with Brock Creek Campground open year-round but offering limited amenities beyond picnic tables and vault toilets.

Tent camping locations around Tumbling Shoals vary considerably in visitor experience and natural setting. Camp Robinson provides lakeside tent sites with good isolation, though recent reports mention late-night disturbances from other visitors. Areas along Buffalo National River, such as Spring Creek Campground and Dillards Ferry, offer tent-only camping with river access. The terrain ranges from wooded settings to waterfront locations. Many primitive sites require campers to pack in all supplies and pack out trash. "Great spot to pitch a tent by Lake Conway. Isolated but not too far out," noted one camper about Camp Robinson. Syllamo provides access to mountain biking trails but limited formal tent camping beyond backcountry options.

Best Tent Sites Near Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas (10)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Tumbling Shoals, AR

3 Photos of 10 Tumbling Shoals Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Tumbling Shoals, AR

297 Reviews of 10 Tumbling Shoals Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 25, 2021

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Basic but very quiet and peaceful

    General: We were apprehensive about planning to stay at this campground as the nearby one in Blanchard Springs was closed, we could not make reservations, five of the 27 sites were closed due to potential flooding from Hurricane Laura, and access is via a three-mile winding dirt road (not recommended for large RVs but it was navigable for our campervan), so we made alternate backup plans. There was no need to worry, however, as there were plenty of open sites, including some overlooking North Sylamore Creek when we arrived on a Sunday afternoon in mid-October for a hike. 

    Sites/Facilities: Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, tent pad, and lantern pole. There is a central water source.

    Activities/Amenities: This is a no-frills campground – no electric or water hookups, dumpster, playground, or flush toilets – just vault toilets. What struck me most was how quiet it was. There is access to the Sylamore hiking trail; you can hike five miles to the Blanchard Springs picnic area.

  • Tom K.
    Jun. 24, 2018

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Wonderful overnight

    We hiked in to this campground from Blanchard and were pleasantly surprised. It is primitive in some aspects but not overtly so. They have vault toilets that were manageable and spickets for water. We grabbed a site that had a bi-level for the tent and picnic table. There was a fire ring as well. Overall, it has some stuff to do being by the river and a longish trail to explore. We may have been to tired to care about some of the finer details so we were pretty happy with this site!

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 5, 2021

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Remote Inexpensive Camping Along Water

    For Full Video Review. CLICK HERE

    While traveling through this portion of Arkansas I stumbled upon a small roadside for Gunner Pool Recreation Area just a short distance past Blanchard Springs.    3 miles down a gravel, but well maintained roadway, the campground sat nestled between to sections of the water way.     On one side, slow moving water is met by the dam forming the blue toned pool and on the other a gentle flowing stream flanks the massive mountain side.   

    Along the camping loop, spaces are well separated and have plenty of room to spread out.   Each site is equipped with standard camping amenities such as picnic tables, lantern hooks and fire rings.      Vault toilets are centrally located in several areas of camp both on the upper and lower loops.   In addition locking style garbage cans are placed near restrooms. 

    When I visited the Forest Service was on property trimming trees and clearing debris from recent rain.   Their office is located just a short distance from the entry of the roadway, so they are often here to work on the property.

    A little gem in the midst of the campground is located just across from the pay kiosk, the story of the property and the CCC camp which actually created not only this property but also worked on neighboring sites at Blanchard.   Definitely check out the story!!

    Tips:

    • Bring your own envelop for the pay kiosk, when I visited the paper envelops were soggy and unable to be used.    You can easily pull one but putting money in them they simply fell apart.
    • Bring everything.   There are no stores in the camp in addition to no fire wood available at the campsite so make sure you come prepared.    The closest store for major things is located over 15 miles away.
  • Susan R.
    Jul. 14, 2020

    Buffalo Point — Buffalo National River

    Old School CCC Campground on a beautiful river

    Buffalo Point is a very nice, CCC built campground with some old school type campsites. A number of sites are multi-level, meaning the picnic table may be on an elevated platform with steps for access. Some sites you may not be long enough for your entire rig and you would park your tow vehicle next to your camper. Shade was plentiful. There are five different loops. The A&B loops are the closest to the large Buffalo Point sandbar and boat ramp and the sites are very close to one another. The D loop is slightly more spaced out. The E loop is nice but the pads are short. There is an access to the river between the C&D Loops.

    We did not use the restrooms because of COVID19. The ranger stations were closed and there were no programs at this time either.

    The Buffalo River is beautiful and with very few people on the river during the week when we visited. The river was very slow and smooth during our visit and perfect for those just learning to kayak.

    There are a number of hiking trails in the area. Be sure and check whether or not your dog is allowed on the NPS trails before heading out on your hike.

    Our site had a narrow pad and the electric post was located in a position that we could not use the entire length of the pad in order to extend our slide. The seating area of the campsite has great view of the neighboring campsite. But we had some foliar obstruction that provided some privacy from our neighbors on the other side. It appeared that most sites you are going to have a view of your neighbors’ campsites. We did not have enough space to put our patio mat out between our trailer and the picnic table. We spent little time at our campsite so this did not bother us.

    The NPS is starting to use motion detector lights at their parks to help with light pollution. Be sure and take advantage of the opportunity to view the stars from a gravel bar by the Buffalo River. Magical!

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2021

    Hill Creek - Greers Ferry Lake

    Country Time

    • Open All Year
    • 91 Sites Water/electric
    • 50 amp available
    • 55 Non Electric
    • Reservation accepted (877-444-6777)
    • 3850 Highway 330E, Clinton, AR  72031

    Boat Ramp, drinking water, dump station, marina, day use picnic area, playground, fire ring/grill, fish cleaning station, picnic table, restrooms with flush toilets, and showers

    Choctaw is located several miles outside the town of Clinton Arkansas.  I would advise stocking up before leaving home or in Clinton.  Located in the gently rolling hills of the Ozarks.  The roads are in good shape but like most roads in Arkansas they could be considered, not narrow, but not exactly wide.  The campground is located right off the road so watch for your turn.  Choctaw is one of the few parks in the Greers Ferry complex that is right off the main road.

    The site numbers are well marked on the entrance of each site.  Some sites are more level than others and some are shorter than others.  Longer rigs will have to pay close attention to the size of the sites.  Area is well wooded giving a large amount of shade and a lot of needles and leaves.  If you don't carry a good broom you might want one to sweep your pad.  Trees are mainly pine so shade will continue through winter.  While we were there it was time for mowing but generally COE parks are well maintained

    Little Red River and the Greers Ferry Lake produce an amazing outdoor experience.  Sitting all along the banks of Greers Ferry Lake you are able to have your pick of any number of COE campgrounds and private campgrounds.  Choctaw is a good example.  

    Arkansas is called "The Natural State" and it does live up to its name.  Greers Ferry is located in Cleburne County Arkansas with several small towns dotted around the lake.  There are between 30,000 to 40,000 acres of crystal clear water depending on the season and the rains.  You may fish, scuba dive, water ski, SUP, kayak, canoe, swim or just relax at your campsite.  Your choice but is geared toward the outdoor life.

    Fishing is the sport of the day here.  You will find some of "The Best" fishing in the south with some bragging "In The World".  The lake holds the record for bass at 27 lbs 50 oz.  Tournaments begin in April and go through October.  Whether you are a local or a visitor fishing is done year round.  Every game fish native to Arkansas is stocked and maintained by the Arkansas Game and Fish.  Depending on the time of the year you are able to look forward to trophy size striped bass, walleye, and trout.  That is not to say you shouldn't hook your share of channel catfish, bigmouth and white bass and crappie.

    Have fun.  Stay safe.

    LNT

    Better than when you found it.

    Happy Trails

  • L
    Jan. 16, 2021

    Spring Creek Campground — Buffalo National River

    Private and Peaceful

    This primitive campground was perfect for me and my dog. We stayed three nights in October 2020. 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 and have fire rings and picnic tables. Be aware that there is no drinking water and I didn’t get phone service (yay!). There is a vault toilet that wasn’t too bad. I loved this place, and will definitely be back.

  • Lacee G.
    Jun. 1, 2020

    Shiloh - Greers Ferry Lake

    Great views of Greer’s

    Most of the sites here are great. The G loop is right by the water. Some of the sites were underwater while we were there, but G2 was perfect.

    The site had everything we wanted. Trees for our hammock, large level site, near the water for our kayak, and great views of the lake. There is no electricity at these sites. You will need to bring water. The bathrooms are a short distance away.

    You can’t beat this location on Greer’s Ferry.


Guide to Tumbling Shoals

The Arkansas Ozark foothills surrounding Tumbling Shoals create diverse camping environments with elevations ranging from 400 to 700 feet. Tent campsites near Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas typically experience hot, humid summers and mild winters, with spring and fall offering the most moderate temperatures for outdoor recreation. Campers often contend with seasonal water level fluctuations at lakeside locations.

What to do

Hiking trails access: Syllamo provides excellent mountain biking and hiking opportunities with multiple trailheads. "This is a series of trails with multiple trail heads. Each trail head has a course gravel parking area and a very nice pit toilet. Bring lots of drinking water," notes Arkansas F., who recommends making way for bikers if hiking.

Water activities: Spring Creek Campground serves as a put-in spot on Buffalo River for canoeing and kayaking. Lisa B. 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."

Swimming spots: Dillards Ferry on Buffalo National River offers clear water swimming areas adjacent to campsites. One visitor noted, "Water was clear & right beside the camp. It isn't my favorite camp site but it is my favorite swim spot."

What campers like

Peaceful isolation: The primitive sites at Spring Creek Campground provide good separation between campers. "The campsites are a good distance apart, they have plenty of room and have fire rings and picnic tables," according to Lisa B., who stayed three nights with her dog in October 2020.

Night sky viewing: Camp Robinson Dispersed Site offers minimal light pollution for stargazing. Julie A. comments on the evening atmosphere: "The sunset was beautiful. Peaceful and quiet. The birds and frogs sang all evening."

Natural soundscape: Many Tumbling Shoals area tent sites feature natural ambient sounds rather than vehicle noise. At Camp Robinson, one camper appreciated that "the birds and frogs sang all evening," creating a natural soundtrack for camping.

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to some tent camping areas requires navigating unmaintained routes. At Spring Creek Campground, Nathan H. warns, "Campsite had a rather janky gravel and dirt road leading to it. In the rain, the road would be extremely difficult. Very steep."

Bathroom facilities: Mill Creek Recreation Area may have inconsistent bathroom access. "The bathrooms were closed, but that could have been due to COVID 19," reported Lacee G., noting facility maintenance issues.

Cell service availability: Many tent campsites near Tumbling Shoals have limited connectivity. Lisa B. reports from Spring Creek Campground: "Be aware that there is no drinking water and I didn't get phone service (yay!)."

Bug preparation: Summer camping requires insect protection, especially in lowland areas. Ken H. advises from his Camp Robinson experience: "Thank goodness there is a slight breeze. 90 degrees. Summer swampy area. I definitely put on bug spray right away."

Tips for camping with families

Cleanliness considerations: Some sites require visitor maintenance. At Camp Robinson, Ken H. took initiative: "Picked up a med bag of trash; cans, bottles, and paper. Looks better now."

Noise factors: Hillbilly Hippie Hideaway provides established tent sites with amenities for more comfortable family camping. Jake C. recommends it as a "great basecamp for your Arkansas adventures," particularly for families needing basic facilities.

Weather planning: Tent campers should prepare for Arkansas humidity and temperature fluctuations. At Camp Robinson, Julie A. noted, "The lake has been partially drained to allow work to be done on stumps," which affects both temperature and mosquito conditions in summer.

Weekend timing: Consider scheduling midweek visits to avoid potential disruptions from other visitors. Mason G. reported a negative weekend experience at Camp Robinson: "I woke up a 11pm to someone driving in then 12:30am then at 1:30 a loud truck came in slinging rocks and a guy was screaming out the window. So I was packed up and was out by 2am."

Tips from RVers

Tent-only access: Many prime tent campsites near Tumbling Shoals cannot accommodate RVs or trailers. Rylie R. describes Camp Robinson as a "great spot to pitch a tent by lake Conway. Isolated but not too far out," but notes the access is unsuitable for larger vehicles.

Water availability: Bring all necessary water when visiting primitive tent sites. At Syllamo, Arkansas F. advises: "Bring lots of drinking water," as most dispersed tent sites in the region lack potable water sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Tumbling Shoals, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Tumbling Shoals, AR is Mill Creek with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Tumbling Shoals, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.