How much does camping cost at Tyler Bend Campground?

Camping fees at Tyler Bend Campground range from $20-$50/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Tyler Bend Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Tyler Bend Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Tyler Bend Campground before I book?

Yes! Tyler Bend Campground has 11 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Tyler Bend Campground?

Tyler Bend Campground is open March 13 to November 15. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Tyler Bend Campground?

Yes, Tyler Bend Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Is there cell service at Tyler Bend Campground?

Cell phone service at Tyler Bend Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Tyler Bend Campground have?

Tyler Bend Campground has 42 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Tyler Bend Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Tyler Bend Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Tyler Bend Campground?

Tyler Bend Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Tyler Bend Campground?

Popular activities at Tyler Bend Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Tyler Bend Campground

4.37

326 reviews

TYLER BEND VISITOR CENTER, 170 RANGER ROAD, ST. JOE, AR 72675, USA

Top 6% in ARFall

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

600 ft

Price

$20 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

42 campsites

Season

Open season: March 1...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

600 ft

Price

$20 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

42 campsites

Season

Open season: March 1...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Tyler Bend Campground

$20.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC: $50.00; GROUP TENT ONLY AREA NONELECTRIC: $50.00; Standard Nonelectric: $20.00; Tent Only Nonelectric: $20.00. Plus...

Standard Site Fee$20.00

Group Site Fee$50.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

870-439-2502buff_information@nps.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

TYLER BEND VISITOR CENTER, 170 RANGER ROAD, ST. JOE, AR 72675, USA

Tyler Bend Campground

TYLER BEND VISITOR CENTER, 170 RANGER ROAD, ST. JOE, AR 72675, USA

Nearby places

Harrison (30 miles, approx. 40 min), Marshall (15 miles, approx. 20 min), Springfield, Missouri (109 miles, approx. 2 hours), Little Rock, Arkansas (approx. 2 hours).

Driving directionsFrom Springfield, Missouri take U.S. Highway 65 south for 109 miles (175 km); then turn right at Ranger Road (follow signs) and drive another 2 miles (3.2 km) to visitor center and campground. From Little Rock, Arkansas take Interstate 40 West for 34 miles (55 km), then exit 'U.S. 65/Skyline Drive.' From here continue on U.S. Highway 65 north for 74 miles (119 km) and turn left at Ranger Road (follow signs) to the visitor center and campground.

Weather at Tyler Bend Campground

Best Time to Camp at Tyler Bend Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable daytime temperatures, vibrant Ozark foliage, and lower summer humidity — ideal for hiking the bluff-top trails and photographing the river-carved limestone. Expect daytime highs in the 55–75°F range in September–October with crisp nights dipping into the 40s; water levels are often lower and clearer, making paddling and wading pleasant. Crowds are moderate (weekends busier, weekdays quiet) and the campground’s riverside setting is at its most phot‑ Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 6% in AR

Fall called best season: 55–75°F, clearer water and peak foliage; reviewers praise it.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: March 13 to November 15. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season: March 15 - November 14. Free camping available during off-season (November 15 - March 14), but limited amenities during this period.

About Tyler Bend Campground

Tyler Bend Campground sits along the Buffalo National River near St. Joe, Arkansas, operated by the National Park Service as a mid-sized base camp for exploring the Ozark river corridor. The campground offers tent and RV sites with flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station, plus direct access to hiking trails and river swimming. Open seasonally during peak months with a 14-day stay limit, it draws paddlers, anglers, and leaf-peepers who come for the limestone bluffs and clear-water fishing.

Tyler Bend Campground offers diverse camping accommodations, including walk-in, drive-in, and group tent sites. RV camping is permitted, but no electrical hookups are available. Primitive and tent-only sites are also available.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable daytime temperatures, vibrant Ozark foliage, and lower summer humidity — ideal for hiking the bluff-top trails and photographing the river-carved limestone. Expect daytime highs in the 55–75°F range in September–October with crisp nights dipping into the 40s; water levels are often lower and clearer, making paddling and wading pleasant. Crowds are moderate (weekends busier, weekdays quiet) and the campground’s riverside setting is at its most phot‑ Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation600 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryLimestone bluffs tower above the Buffalo River here, carved over millennia into smooth walls and hidden hollows. The river alternates between quick rapids and calm pools clear enough to see the stone bottom. Dense Ozark forest surrounds the campground, breaking into open pastures where deer graze at dawn. Elevation sits around 600 feet. Raccoons patrol the sites nightly. The scenery shifts with the seasons: spring wildflowers, summer greenery, fall foliage in amber and gold.

Lodging & AccommodationsLodging options are limited to campsites; no hotel-style accommodations are available.

Programs & ActivitiesEducational programs are hosted at the Tyler Bend Visitor Center, which features exhibits on the area's flora, fauna, and history. "Visitor center is a definite must see," remarked one user.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay: 14 nights. Maximum annual stay: 30 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 6 guests per individual site
10-25 guests at group sites.

Groups

Group sites accommodate 10-25 people and cost $50 per night. Nearby facilities include flush toilets and showers. "Plenty of space for tents, cooking, and playing games," said one user.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations available at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

AccessibilityRestrooms are accessible via paved walkways with some incline, and stalls are equipped with grab bars. Heavy restroom doors lack automatic openers, which may pose challenges for wheelchair users.

Site SizeSites are described as spacious and well-maintained. "The biggest camp sites ever," remarked one camper. "Comfortable, large sites," another noted.

PrivacyPrivacy varies by site. Walk-in sites are praised for their seclusion, such as site A, "just secluded enough that we couldn't really see other campers." Drive-in sites are noted as "mostly open with little vegetation.

Total Campsites42 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose walk-in sites for privacy and river views. Drive-in sites are more accessible for RVs and trailers but lack hookups.

Best CampsitesWalk-in Site A gets consistent praise for seclusion and river access. One camper noted it was "just secluded enough that we couldn't really see other campers." Group Site G3 is spacious and close to the bathhouse. Drive-in sites are more exposed with less vegetation between them.

Need help booking Tyler Bend Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Tyler Bend Campground is a developed campground that offers a variety of amenities for campers, including flush restrooms, showers, potable water, and a dump station. However, it does not provide electrical amenities or internet connectivity. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, and paved parking is available. Trash/recycling facilities are provided seasonally, and firewood sales are not available on-site. An amphitheater adds to the recreational opportunities.

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Tyler Bend offers a range of activities including hiking, fishing, canoeing, and wildlife viewing. The nearby Buffalo River provides opportunities for kayaking and tubing, while trails lead to historical sites such as the Collier Homestead. The amphitheater hosts educational programs.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.4

326 reviews

Recommended

Tyler Bend Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews frequently praise the scenic location, spacious campsites, and accessibility to the Buffalo River. Complaints often focus on noisy campers, poorly maintained restrooms, and the lack of electrical hookups.

Review Summaries

Based on 326 reviews

What Campers Love

Users frequently praise the campground's cleanliness, spacious sites, and proximity to activities like hiking and kayaking. "Absolutely gorgeous spot," said one reviewer. "Clean bathrooms and hot...

Based on 326 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints center around poorly maintained restrooms, lack of privacy in showers, noisy campers, and limited river access directly from campsites. "Very disappointed in the bathhouse--clogged drains...

Based on 326 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site A (walk-in): "Secluded enough that we couldn't see other campers." Site 6: "Very secluded and quiet." Group sites: "Plenty of space for tents and games."

Based on 326 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring firewood, as it is not sold on-site. Secure food to avoid raccoons. "Bring your own firewood in colder times," recommends one user.

Based on 326 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews note hot and humid conditions, but campers appreciate swimming and river activities. Fall reviews highlight peacefulness and scenic views during leaf turning. Winter reviews mention...

Based on 326 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This was a phenomenal camping experience." "Loved the Tyler Bend area—clean, spacious, and scenic." "Watch out for raccoons; they are not shy!"

Based on 326 reviews

Accessibility Features

Restrooms are accessible but lack automatic door openers. Paths have some incline, which may challenge wheelchair users.

Based on 326 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be leashed at all times. "Keep your dog on a leash," advises one user.

Based on 326 reviews

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Go if

You want National Park Service amenities on the Buffalo River with flush toilets, hot showers, and easy trail access.

Skip if

You need guaranteed quiet hours enforcement or prefer campgrounds without raccoon activity.

Nearby Campgrounds

4.5

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Spring Creek Campground

Searcy County Road 99, Harriet, AR, 72639, USA

Spring Creek Campground sits along the Buffalo National River near Harriet, Arkansas, operated by Buffalo National River Management as a free, primitive camping area with vault toilets and picnic tables. The small campground serves primarily as a river access point, drawing paddlers, anglers, and hikers exploring the Ozarks. Reviewers praise the quiet riverside setting and clean facilities, though some note maintenance challenges and occasional crowding from boaters.