Camping opportunities in the Ozark region surrounding Leslie, Arkansas center on Buffalo National River and nearby national forest lands. The area contains developed facilities like Buffalo Point Campground and Tyler Bend Campground, along with more primitive options at South Maumee and Woolum Dispersed Area. Multiple campgrounds provide designated tent and RV sites, while several locations near the Buffalo River offer cabin accommodations for those seeking more shelter and amenities.
Road access varies considerably across camping areas, with some remote sites requiring high-clearance vehicles on rough gravel roads. Most developed campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from mid-March through mid-November, though specific opening dates vary by location. "The road in is very dicey and a long way off the main road," noted one camper regarding South Maumee. Weather patterns influence camping conditions, with summer heat making riverside sites particularly desirable. Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region, with coverage generally better at developed campgrounds closer to highways. Vault toilets are common at primitive sites, while larger campgrounds typically provide shower facilities.
Waterfront access represents the primary draw for most campers visiting the Leslie area. Buffalo National River flows through the region, providing numerous camping opportunities along gravel bars and designated sites. Several visitors highlighted the peaceful atmosphere and clear water quality as standout features. Campgrounds in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, like Blanchard Springs Recreation Area, complement the river-focused options with forest settings. Wildlife viewing opportunities include possible elk sightings at Tyler Bend, where one camper reported, "Beautiful park, very well maintained. Great for swimming in the cold Buffalo River. Lots of wildlife including elk." Weekend crowding occurs at popular river access points during summer months, while more remote primitive sites generally remain less congested even during peak season.
$20 - $50 / night
"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."
"Paved roads to all the way to your camp site, showers, and a fantastic dinner 5 minutes away may not sound like luxury but Arkansas hllls usually make you work hard to enjoy their beauty."
"Be prepared for limited or no cell service and miles of gravel roads - download or print your driving and hiking maps (including how to find the falls) ahead of time."
"I had found information online that Arkansas campgrounds were reopened, so it was a surprise to see it closed."
$3 - $60 / night
"I completed my undergrad and graduate degrees in Arkansas about 30ish miles north of Little Rock."
"Blanchard Springs has great camp sites, great hiking, multiple access to swim/wade into water, plus great caving opportunities! There is NO cell service in the park. "
$20 - $50 / night
"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."
"v=jioeWYmI0so) 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"
"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."
"I met a backpacker who just came off of the Ozark Highland Trail across the river and was camping on the rocky river bank."
"Lots of trails, great place to trail ride on horses. 25 minute drive to dollar general so don’t forget your lighter lmao."
$38 / night
"We got all setup and enjoyed our time around Gilbert. The quiet little town with some live music occasionally."
"The campground is small and a bit sparse, but the location to the river is unbeatable. The camp owner and store manager “Jim” is a delight…as is “homer” the camp dog."
"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!)."
"General: This is one of (I believe) four Corps of Engineers campgrounds on Greers Ferry Lake and the closest one to Highway 65."
TravelerThis location was our maiden voyage with our new fifth wheel RV. White buffalo resort is a beautiful place to stay with very friendly and helpful staff. Met some friendly, long-term RV’ers. The only drawback is they don’t have a bike trail except for around the campground (4stars). They offer free Wi-Fi, has a nice clean pool, adequate playground and pavilion. Scenery is fantastic.
ScoutExcellent little campground! Peaceful, clean but no showers or toilets! There is electrical hook up and water with a fire ring and picnic table. Friendly fast, service
ScoutElectric 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.
TravelerNightly rate & monthly rate available. Have your own solar? Spot 50 is cheaper because it has no working electricity. Water and sewer hookup are available at this site. Dogs welcome.
GuideSo, I never been here so it took me a little bit to find a camp spot. I found a spot where my medium clearance compact suv could drive up to. ...it was a all wheel drive, but I think a 2- wheel drive could get to where I camped. It was very nice where I was at. Covered with trees and a rock fire ring there.
ScoutThis was our second time coming back, and it was just as amazing as the first! I’d recommend this place to anyone of all ages. He does a great job making everything fun and fair while still letting you have control over how you want to play. He even gave us a trial of Splatterball to try, which was a really cool bonus. Great guy with tons of experience, and it definitely shows. We’ll absolutely be back again!
ScoutThis would be a great campsite but too many people have trashed it. Cans, tp, and broken glass everywhere. Some local charity should clean it up.
GuideLots 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.
Scout8th trip here in 2 years! Our fav place.
Camping sites near Leslie, Arkansas center primarily on Buffalo National River and Ozark National Forest areas. The landscape features limestone bluffs, dense hardwood forests, and elevations ranging from 800 to 2,200 feet. Water levels in the Buffalo River fluctuate seasonally, with spring bringing higher, faster currents while late summer sees calmer, lower water conditions suitable for novice paddlers.
Canoeing trips: Float outfitters operate near Buffalo Point for various trip lengths. "We stayed 4 nights (Thu-Mon) in June and went on a canoe trip on Saturday. Our float trip was amazing and we were on our way back to our vehicle on the 3 pm bus (trip was Dillard's Ferry to Rush)," reports Susan R. from Buffalo Point.
Cave exploration: Tour Blanchard Springs Caverns for $10 admission. "Cavern Tours are very cool! Keep food stuffs put away. Bring Bug spray...Lots," advises Jarrod L. from Blanchard Springs Recreation Area. The caverns offer both standard tours and more adventurous options.
Waterfall hunting: Multiple falls within 30-minute drives. "Many waterfalls nearby usually very peaceful," notes Nikki M. about the Richland Creek Recreation Area. Six Finger Falls and Falling Water Falls are accessible by vehicle with short walks from parking areas.
Clear swimming holes: Natural pools throughout the region provide relief from summer heat. "There is a paved walk down to the river from B Loop. We found a cool cave at the far right end of the rock beach. The water was absolutely beautiful Thursday-Saturday," describes Susan R. about Buffalo Point.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer best opportunities. "Deer were everywhere and the Indian Rockhouse hike was really great. I will def be back in warmer weather to float the river which it was low for the winter. Falls colors everywhere and great weather," shares Heath L. about his stay at Buffalo Point.
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution at remote sites. "We enjoyed a nice walk along the water, views of the sunset from a small cliff, and a peaceful night with out cell service! Highly recommended for those who are looking to get away from reality!" explains Kaylee W. about her experience at Tyler Bend Campground.
Road conditions: Access varies significantly between campgrounds. "The dirt road leading in is well maintained," notes Josh B. about Richland Creek Recreation Area, while another camper warns: "If you travel the north road from the campground for about 3.5 miles you will get decent service from AT&T but I don't know about the other carriers."
Seasonal operations: Most facilities close during winter months. Buffalo Point operates from March 15 to November 14, while primitive sites like Richland Creek Recreation Area remain accessible year-round though without maintenance during off-season.
Water levels impact activities: Spring rains can cause rapid changes. "We got on the river about 10:45 am. By 8 pm Saturday, the water at the beach area was completely brown and we could tell the water was up a LOT. We saw a park ranger on Sunday and asked about the water level and she said it had gone up 12 feet by Saturday night," recounts Susan R. about Buffalo Point.
Noise levels vary: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours better than others. "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," reports Amanda W. about Buffalo Point.
Easy access swimming: Designated areas suitable for children. "Good place to camp and very nice employees! Very clean campground and very clean bathrooms," notes Corbin I. about Maumee. The campground offers direct river access with shallow areas.
Short hiking options: Several trails under 1 mile. "We did the Over Look trail and it was pretty well maintained. We also went to the Rush Ghost Town and did the short loop to check it out," shares Susan R., describing family-friendly activities near Buffalo Point.
Spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with room between neighbors. "The camp sites were very roomy! Clean bathrooms. Hikers' paradise! Love it here!" exclaims Leah H. about Blanchard Springs Recreation Area.
Limited hookup options: Plan for self-sufficiency. "We stayed at a no hook ups site overlooking the water in the E loop site 17. Many of the waterfront sites were closed because they were underwater. Well spaced sites. $16 night, hence four stars w no hookups," explains Jess C. about Choctaw Recreation Area.
Size restrictions: Many camping areas unsuitable for larger rigs. "Not great for big rigs, a lot of the sites are too small," warns Lucy P. about Tyler Bend Campground. Sites at Buffalo Point may accommodate larger vehicles in specific loops only.
Loop selection matters: Research site angles and sun exposure. "Be sure and view the campsite online and consider the direction of the site. Some get full sun in the morning but most are shaded in the evening due to the mountain," advises Wayne J. from Buffalo Point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there good camping at Leslie Gulf?
While Leslie Gulf isn't a specific camping destination, the Leslie area in Arkansas offers excellent camping options nearby. Cove Creek on Greers Ferry Lake provides beautiful waterfront camping with sites for both RVs and tent campers. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis, which can be advantageous during less busy periods. Another great option is Richland Creek Recreation Area, known for peaceful primitive camping and excellent hiking opportunities. Be prepared for limited cell service and gravel roads when visiting Richland Creek.
What amenities are available at Leslie State Park campground?
Leslie State Park isn't a designated campground, but nearby camping options offer various amenities. Hill Creek - Greers Ferry Lake provides water and electric hookups (including 50 amp), a dump station, drinking water, showers, flush toilets, a boat ramp, marina, playground, and fish cleaning station. The campground is reservation-friendly. Another option is Blanchard Springs Recreation Area, which offers beautiful natural surroundings with caverns and recreation opportunities, though with more basic facilities typical of forest service campgrounds.
When is the best time to camp in Leslie area?
The best time to camp in the Leslie area is late spring through early fall, with May through September offering ideal conditions. Gamaliel campground is particularly popular during this period, with excellent sites though they can be close together. For those seeking swimming opportunities, Buffalo Point is ideal during summer months when you can enjoy the Buffalo National River. The CCC-built Buffalo Point campground features unique multi-level sites with elevated platforms in some cases. Fall brings spectacular foliage, while spring offers wildflowers and moderate temperatures, making both seasons excellent for camping.
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