Best Tent Camping near Yellville, AR
Tent campsites along the Buffalo National River near Yellville, Arkansas offer primitive camping experiences with scenic bluff views and river access. Rush Campground and Spring Creek Campground provide established tent sites within the Buffalo National River system, while Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area offers more remote dispersed camping options for tent campers seeking solitude.
Most tent camping areas feature basic amenities with fire rings and picnic tables at established sites, though facilities vary significantly between locations. Buffalo National River campgrounds typically provide vault toilets but no showers, with drinking water available at some locations like Kyles Landing and Steel Creek. According to one visitor, "This is primitive camping at its best. They have one vault toilet, 12 tent sites, and a water spigot. Right on the beautiful buffalo river." Many sites require a camping permit or fee, with Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area specifically requiring a $5 camping license purchased through the Arkansas Game and Fishing Commission website.
The tent camping experience near Yellville offers direct access to the Buffalo River and numerous hiking trails. Sites at Steel Creek Campground sit beneath towering bluffs with easy river access, making them popular during summer months. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "The campground is located 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." Fall and winter bring significantly fewer crowds to these tent sites. Road access varies by location, with some campgrounds like Kyles Landing requiring careful navigation down steep, gravel roads that may be challenging after rain. Walk-in tent sites are available at several locations, offering more seclusion than drive-in options. Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons, especially on weekends, with first-come, first-served policies at many locations.
