Best Tent Camping near Witts Springs, AR
Tent camping options surrounding Witts Springs, Arkansas feature several established campgrounds within Buffalo National River and nearby wildlife management areas. The Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area offers designated tent sites on bluff tops and in valleys, while Bayou Bluff Point of Interest provides primitive tent camping with unique stone shelters overlooking the Illinois Bayou. Several tent-friendly campgrounds along Buffalo National River, including Carver Campground, Hasty Takeout, and Shine Eye Gravel Bar, offer river access points for paddlers.
Most tent sites in the region require campers to be self-sufficient, as amenities are limited. Vault toilets are available at select locations like Bayou Bluff and Haw Creek Falls, but potable water is scarce across most campgrounds. The Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area requires campers to purchase a $5 camping permit from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website before arrival. Sites typically feature fire rings and picnic tables where established, while dispersed camping is restricted to designated areas only. A recent review noted, "No dispersal camping but you can camp in the 2 designated campsites. Well designated, my post is on the further east site from Carver."
Tent campers at Bayou Bluff benefit from distinctive stone shelters with functional fireplaces that provide protection from weather elements. The Illinois Bayou is accessible via a short but steep path, offering swimming and fishing opportunities. Haw Creek Falls provides secluded tent camping with waterfall access nearby, while gravel bars along Buffalo National River like Shine Eye and Gilbert offer riverside tent camping perfect for canoe trip stopovers. Sites at Gene Rush WMA are particularly secluded outside of hunting seasons, providing a true wilderness experience. A camper wrote, "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."
