Hiking Campgrounds in Arkansas

Hiking Campgrounds in Arkansas

Discover the best hiking campgrounds across Arkansas. Experience the best of both worlds with camping that puts you right at the heart of incredible hiking opportunities. Direct trail access and stunning mountain vistas.

20+ Campgrounds4.6★ AverageBest: Late Spring through Fall (May-October)
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Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

1
White Rock Mountain Recreation Area
Star
4.7
(519)
White Rock Mountain Recreation Area
Winslow
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

Trailheads fan out directly from camp, connecting you to everything from the gentle 2-mile Rim Trail with its sweeping Ozark vistas to the epic 170-mile Ozark Highlands Trail stretching across Arkansas's rugged highlands.

Tents
RVs
2
Buffalo Point
Star
4.5
(711)
Buffalo Point
Yellville
Buffalo National River

Trailheads begin steps from your site, leading to the stunning Indian Rockhouse Trail and scenic overlooks that showcase dramatic limestone bluffs above the Buffalo River.

Tents
RVs
3
Jack Creek Recreation Area
Photo coming soon
Star
4.6
(222)
Jack Creek Recreation Area
Booneville, AR
Ouachita National Forest

Two exceptional trails launch directly from camp: the 4-mile Hole-In-The-Ground Mountain route and the 3-mile Sugar Creek connector, both weaving through dense Ouachita forest with rewarding elevation gains.

Tents
RVs

About Hiking Campgrounds in Arkansas

Hiking camping Arkansas offers an extraordinary blend of rugged mountain trails, pristine river corridors, and ancient Ozark wilderness that rivals any destination in the American South. The Natural State lives up to its name with over 2,600 miles of hiking trails winding through the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, along the Buffalo National River's limestone bluffs, and past countless waterfalls hidden in dense hardwood forests.

Best Time

Spring and fall offer the best hiking camping conditions in Arkansas, with April through May and September through November providing comfortable temperatures, lower humidity, and spectacular scenery. Spring brings wildflower displays throughout the Ozarks, with dogwoods and redbuds painting the forests white and pink, though trails can be muddy and stream crossings challenging from March through early April.

Activity Highlights

  • Direct trail access
  • Mountain and forest settings
  • Backpacking base camps
  • Scenic wilderness views

Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Hiking Campgrounds in Arkansas

Map of campgrounds near Hiking Campgrounds in Arkansas
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Map Key
1
White Rock Mountain Recreation Area
2
Buffalo Point
3
Jack Creek Recreation Area
4
Blanchard Springs Campgrounds
5
Haw Creek Falls Point Of Interest
6
Ozark Campground
7
Bayou Bluff Point Of Interest
8
Tompkins Bend Day-Use
9
Denby Point
10
Bidwell Point Park
11
Kirby Landing
12
Shoal Bay
13
Lakeview Park
14
John F Kennedy
15
Gamaliel
16
Highway 125 Park Bull Shoals
17
Crystal Springs (Ar) Day-Use
18
Alpine Ridge
19
Dam Site(Greers Ferry)
20
Bellah Mine
View all 98 campgrounds on interactive map

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Hiking mountain trails with elevation gains and panoramic viewsBackpacking multi-day routes on the Ozark Highlands TrailWaterfall hiking to seasonal cascadesRiver trail hiking along Buffalo National River bluffsWildlife viewing including deer, turkey, and diverse bird speciesPhotography of fall foliage and spring wildflowers

Tips & Recommendations

  • 1Reserve campsites early for White Rock Mountain, Buffalo Point, and Blanchard Springs during peak fall foliage and spring weekends, as these premier hiking destinations fill quickly.
  • 2Invest in quality hiking boots with ankle support and aggressive tread for Arkansas's rocky, root-laden trails where limestone outcrops and loose gravel create challenging footing.
  • 3Bring trekking poles for steep descents and creek crossings, especially on trails with significant elevation change like those at Jack Creek Recreation Area.
  • 4Download offline maps using apps like AllTrails or Gaia GPS before arrival, as cell service is unreliable in most wilderness areas.
20 campgrounds ranked
Based on real camper reviews
Curated for Hiking Campgrounds in Arkansas

Hiking Campgrounds in Arkansas FAQ

We've ranked 20+ hiking campgrounds in Arkansas based on trail access, hiking variety, scenery, and user reviews. Top options are near national forests, state parks, and wilderness areas.
Permit requirements vary by location in Arkansas. Many wilderness areas and popular trails require day-use or backcountry permits. Check with the managing agency (National Forest, National Park, or State Park) before your trip.
Late Spring through Fall (May-October) is generally best for hiking camping in Arkansas. High-elevation trails may have shorter seasons due to snow. Always check current trail conditions before heading out.
Availability Alerts

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