Last Updated on July 28, 2022 by Cristina
The Ozark National Forest may be your answer to your question about where to camp. It’s a place that is mainly of a plateau and contains several rivers and mountains. Many visitors see Ozark mountain camping and river exploration as wonderful as it leaves them with remarkable experiences.
The Ozark National Forest is about a 1.2 million-acre span. It houses Lake Wedington, Blanchard Springs Caverns, six National Scenic Byways, Mount Magazine, and White Rock Mountain.
In addition, it features a thousand miles of OH trails, about 400 miles of hiking trails, almost 200-mile long Ozark Highlands Trail from the Buffalo National River to the Oklahoma border.
In this piece, I’ll pick and clearly describe some best places to choose when considering camping in Arkansas Ozarks.
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Places To Camp In Ozark National Forest
In Ozark National Forest, every enthusiastic camper enjoys several options characterized by a memorable experience. These include fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and biking. Below are the best places you can run to for unlimited entertainment.
1. Bear Creek
Bear Creek is a peaceful, quiet, beautiful national forest of Arkansas with the 625-acre Bear Creek Lake Recreation Area. It’s an ideal location for water sports.
There are several things campers can do here. It has about 30 miles of shoreline, a beach, a nature trail running a full mile, and a handicapped-accessible fishing pier. You can decide to explore the trails or local favorite Crowley’s Ridge or concentrate on bass and bream fishing.
2. Barkshed Campground – Best Place To Camp In Ozark National Forest
Barkshed campground is in the middle of the Ozark National Forest, the confluence of Cap Fork and North Sylamore Creek. It provides primitive camping to visitors with a panic pavilion and vault restrooms.
In addition, it is the border of the North Sylamore Hiking Trail, winding for 23 incredible miles through the sandstone bluffs. At Barkshed Campground, you have access to rivers and stunning scenery.
3. White Rock Mountain Recreation Area
From the White Rock Mountain Recreation Area, you can easily have the best view of the Ozark from up top. Finding a better vantage point than 2,2,260 miles above sea level can be difficult.
Along the Shore Lake loop trials, Mulberry River National Scenic Scenic Area, Milk Creek, and hundreds of miles of ATV trails, there are cabins for the cozy, rustic campgrounds and a lot of hiking.
With some vehicles, you may find it challenging to drive to different locations. Therefore, you may want to think twice before going on your journey with a lowrider
4. Blanchard Springs Campgrounds
Blanchard Springs Campground is at one end of the North Sylamore Trail. It has seventeen campsites and t two group locations with water and sewage.
It’s a clean and simple site great for Ozarks camping, particularly for families. Blanchard Springs Campground has caves nearby which makes it a little busier than other campgrounds around. Besides, ensure you make a reservation as soon as possible.
5. Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area
Haw reek Falls Recreation Area offers visitors several opportunities. One of these is camping among some relatively primitive Ozark hardwoods, close to Ozark Highlands Trail and the Big Piney Creek.
It’s a first-come-first-serve campsite with a lot of privacy. However, you may want to be careful sometimes of the expected rain. If there is a chance of flooding, the gullywasher could get in. So, the park rangers would tend to shut the campsite in such a situation.
Nonetheless, in clear weather, campers are open to a lot of fun.
6. Gunner Pool Recreation Area
Gunner Pool Recreation Area is a camping destination around the corner right from Blanchard Springs Caverns. It offers about 27 shady campgrounds for visitors and provides them with access to the White and Buffalo Rivers and a great swimming hole.
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It is an ideal location for you and your family to cool off. At Gunner Pool Recreation Area, you can explore a good number of primitive sites which are open year-round. The campsites feature tables, grills, tent pads, and lantern poles.
7. Kyle’s Landing Primitive Campground
Kyle’s Landing Primitive Campground is halfway between Jasper and Ponca. It is a tent-only campground that has about 33 campsites and the Buffalo River. Each campsite features picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern hooks.
You can quickly locate the campsites by car to enjoy the fantastic views of the towering bluffs.
At Kyle’s Landing, you will have a wonderful experience while you hike through the former “Slacker Gang” hideaway at Hideout Hollow Trail. You will also enjoy the exploration of the old fur-trapping village along Beaver Jim Villines Homestead Trail.
Coming out to see the river during the warmer months is a great thing to do. The river is perfect for campers who wish to swim, fish ( goggle-eye and smallmouth bass), or canoe. Notwithstanding, Ozark camping in this location is great during winter when the campsites are free.
8. Echo Bluff State Park
There are different camping options at Echo Bluff State Park. These options include primitive and equestrian campsites, premium electric tent sites. The premium electric tent sites feature complimentary Wi-Fi.
Echo Bluff State Park has about 60 full-service and 12 walk-in campsites. In the park, campers can enjoy the days, grabbing a pint from local Piney River Brewing Co., very close to Creekside Grill, or paddle-boarding along Sinking Creek.
9. Lake of the Ozarks State Park
The Lake of the Ozarks State Park is well-known for a good reason in the entire Ozark Mountains. It’s a park that provides yurts, outpost cabins, and four campsites, including a direct to beaches and the Lake of the Ozarks marinas.
Here at the park, you can fish, swim, canoe, or take a view of the region’s beauty. Besides, it makes available various recreational activities on the lake, onshore, or underground.
Conclusion – Best Place To Camp In Ozark National Forest
With these nine best places to camp in Ozark national forest, you shouldn’t have any challenges finding the ideal place for your adventure. Theseplaces are blessed with nature, and they are capable of providing you with the best experience. Remember to make your reservation as soon as possible.
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