Buffalo National River offers multiple equestrian camping options near Witts Springs, Arkansas. Located in the rugged Ozark Mountains at elevations between 800-1,800 feet, this region experiences mild springs and falls with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F. During peak season, camping areas fill quickly on weekends, with midweek visits providing more availability.
What to do
River activities: Access Buffalo River at Woolum Dispersed Area where visitors find "a rock and sand beach currently" with "easy access to the Buffalo National River" for fishing, swimming and kayaking. The area accommodates "kayakers and canoers, as well as for overlanders and equestrian campers."
Hiking trails: Explore multiple trail systems connecting various campgrounds. At Erbie Campground, you can "hike from camp to an old homestead then to the river and back. It's probably a couple of miles but a relatively flat hike." The campground connects to "both Cecil Cove Trail and the main Buffalo River trail."
Rock climbing: Challenge yourself on sandstone formations at specialized areas with varying difficulty levels. One camper notes that Horseshoe Canyon Ranch is "one of the biggest climbing and bouldering locations in the southeast area" with "hundreds" visiting to climb the rocks surrounding the property.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Spot diverse animal species in their natural habitat throughout the area. At Mount Nebo State Park, "the deer will walk up to you and you can pet them" according to one reviewer, while Erbie visitors should "watch for Elk, you'll probably see an armadillo or two as well."
Waterfront camping: Set up directly along Buffalo River for immediate water access at several sites. At Woolum, campers note "right on the river with both a rock and sand beach" and options to camp "right on the riverbank" with "beautiful scenery year-round."
Elevated views: Camp at higher elevations for panoramic vistas across the Arkansas landscape. Mount Nebo features "great campsites right on the edge of the mountain" with "views of the city" and "long, unobstructed views and refreshing breezes" at 1,800 feet elevation.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Several access roads require high clearance vehicles. For Steel Creek Campground, "the road is steep, has sharp, blind curves and is very narrow. But SOOO worth it!" while at Erbie "it's quite the trip down the dirt road to get here. Probably will take you 20/30 minutes of gravel road."
Seasonal water levels affect activities: Buffalo River flow changes dramatically throughout year. During low water periods, "the river is low, nights are cool and days are filled with sunshine" but this affects swimming and paddling opportunities.
Varying amenity levels: Facilities range from primitive to developed. At Woolum, expect "vault toilets" with "no potable water and no trash service" while other campgrounds offer more services. Steel Creek provides "running water, and even a pretty nice public bathroom."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming spots: Look for areas with gradual entry points and calmer water. Woolly Hollow State Park offers "a nice swim beach open in season" and "a large playground for the children" making it "great for families."
Educational opportunities: Participate in ranger-led programs when available. One homeschool family at Woolly Hollow enjoyed a "guided hike with Master Naturalist group of AR. They put our daughter right up front and identified every plant and tree we passed as well as answered every question she had."
Campsite selection for families: Choose sites with adequate space and natural boundaries. At Steel Creek, campsites are "in a large open field with picnic tables denoting specific sites" which allows for group play but offers "not a ton of privacy."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions apply: Mountain roads often prohibit larger rigs. Mount Nebo posts warnings: "Crooked and Steep, no trailers over 24 ft" with "grades up to 18%" making access challenging for larger vehicles.
Limited hookup options: Many campgrounds offer only basic services. At Tyler Bend Campground, reviewers note "no hookups for our rv and most sites are first come, first serve" with "not great for big rigs, a lot of the sites are too small."
Consider generator noise: In less developed areas, generator use affects others. One camper at Tyler Bend reported issues with "some people who decided to crowd us and run a loud generator despite the campground being mostly empty."
Legend
