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Ozark National Forest Rv Camping

Bayou Bluff Recreation Area

RV Camping on TOP of a MOUNTAIN in the Ozark National Forest!

This site is near the Illinois Bayou and features picturesque bluffs and majestic scenery. It is one of the excellent sites based on others reviews and comments.

How to get there

From Hector, you take AR 27 north for approximately 6 miles.

Contact Details
  • Cabins

Activities

  • Camp trip and Cabins stay Theres one Civilian Conservation Corps or CCC shelter at Bayou Bluffs lower loop, where you could overlook the Illinois Bayou. At the same time, the upper loop ground has the traditional tent campsite setting. It would cost you $10 for a night camp.
  • Fishing Get your rods ready because you can fish in the River and Stream.
  • Hiking is allowed this place offers a Bayou bluff course that you could enjoy.
  • Nature Viewing Here, You could enjoy Natural views, including wildlife, plants, and landscapes.
  • Group or Individual meals There are picnic shelters with tables available.
  • Swimming The Bayou Bluff is located right on the Illinois Bayou you could Swim at your own risk.

Wildlife You May Encounter

Arkansas has abundant wildlife, and the National Forest is no exception.

I’ve been told by one of the locals that this is bear country, but we have yet to see a bear.

Other wildlife you may encounter, anywhere in the Ozark National Forest, include the following:

  • Snakes including venomous snakes.
  • Spiders including black widow, brown recluse and wolf spiders.
  • Insects Ticks, mosquitoes, wasps, bees, etc.
  • Possums
  • Nature Study
  • And so much more

You may even want to spend an afternoon at Blanchard Springs Caverns. Or go enjoy a burger at the Oark General Store.

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Brock Creek Lake Recreation Area

Within the 35-acre Brock, You could find Brock, a Primitive campground that you could visit if you want a peaceful camp trip. It is one of the excellent sites based on other campers reviews and comments.

How to get there

From Jerusalem: You could take Forest Road 1305 gravel north for approximately 5 . You could then turn right at the east of 1309 gravel, and you could go for about 0.1 mi, then you could turn left on National Forests Road 1331 gravel and go for about 1 mile.

Contact Details

Site availability and site rentals

This ground is Available year-round.

Amenities

  • RV Park

Activities

  • Ground Camp trip: Brock, situated near the 35-acre Brock, offers a Primitive type of ground, where trashes should pack in and out. This ground features six tables, fire rings, and lantern posts.

Fire: Campfires are allowed. However: Bringing firewood is not allowed there are available woods on the site. Remember that all firewoods should not be brought or taken from the other sites.

  • Fishing For stream and pond fishing, this site offers a 10-acre with up and low stream, stocked with bass, channel catfish, and bluegill that you could catch by either boat or bank fishing.
  • Nature Viewing This site sits within the heart of the . So you could expect natural views, including picturesque rock bluffs, crystal clear streams, and wooded hillsides.
  • Group or Individual meals shelters are available with tables and chairs.

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Echo Bluff State Park

While away the days among wild horses and historic sites.

Distance from Springfield:Camping Level:Cost:Sleep Here:Upgrade Your Stay:

The widely known secret about Eminences Echo Bluff State Park is out: This park is awesome. So awesome, in fact, that it has been tough to reserve a campsite since Echo Bluff opened in July 2016. The former youth summer camp now boasts 72 basic and premium sites at Timbuktu Campground, a lodge, cabins, duplexes and several activities.

Southeast Missouri has long been home to wild horses, which are typically hard to find. But at Echo Bluff State Park, spotting these creatures is easy as they frequent the campground regularly. Be sure to visit Sinking Creek, which winds throughout the park. The water is perfect for families with young children, and you can marvel at the parks namesake, Echo Bluff. More adventurous types can head to the Current River for a day of floating fun. Travel back in time on a 90-minute, lantern-lit tour of nearby Round Spring Cave or to the former corporate retreat of the Alton Box Board Co., built in the 30s and 40s, at Current River State Park. Both attractions are a quick drive away on state highway 19. Spend your evenings at Echo Bluffs Betty Lea Lodge, where you can play board games, enjoy a view of the bluff from the patios rocking chairs or cozy up by one of the fire pits.

Lake Wedington Recreation Area

Ozark National Forest Camping: Ozark Campgrounds Review for Campers ...

Lake Wedington encompasses a 102-acre stream situated 13 mi west of Fayetteville, AR, on State Hwy 16. It is a historical site that consists of 6 cabins, a pavilion, a volleyball facility, and horseshoes that are primarily available only in summer. The place also features a Lodge, Group Pavilion, Group Campsite, Bathhouse, Flush Toilets, Boat Launch Ramp, 18 sites, 19 Meal Sites, Swimming site, Fishing Pier, Lakeshore Hiking track, and the Twin 7 mi Hiking and Biking track. It is one of the excellent sites based on other campers reviews and comments.

Here, camping trailers are allowed. However: There are no special facilities available.

How to get there

From Fayetteville, AR, you could take AR 16 west for about 13 mi.

It is accessible by large vehicles or rigs.

Contact Details

There are available sites, cabins, lodges, and pavilions that you could reserve.

You could contact them through their website to rent any of these or call 1-877-444-6777.

Price:

sites $20/ night

Day visit $5/vehicle .

Boat Launch $5/vehicle

  • PETS are not allowed on the beach site.
  • ATVs and Off-Hwy Vehicles are not allowed in the Wedington unit.

Amenities

Restrooms with flush toilet and shower

Activities

  • Biking and Hiking The Wedington Trail System showoffs an 8-mi loop course with few cuts and a 7-mi out and back course that would lead you to the Twin Knobs. You could easily combine these two to enjoy an extreme 21-mi ride or hike.

Read Also: Battery Powered Air Conditioner For Camping

Where Is The Ozark National Forest

The Ozark National Forest is located mostly in Northwest Arkansas, but part of it extends along the Arkansas River Valley to meet the Ouachita Mountains in the south.

It covers more than one million acres and was established in March of 1908.

This forest is home to a handful of National Scenic Byways, as well as wilderness areas, lakes, streams, and trails for mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, etc.

Shorewood Landing Rv Park

Located less than five miles from the Bagnell Dam via boat or motor vehicle, Shorewood Landing is a waterfront RV park that provides secluded surroundings. Situated at the end of the no-wake Jobson Hollow Cove, Shorewood Landing caters towards RV users and overnight stays with more than 60 full-electric sites and deluxe lakeside cabins.

Laundry and shower facilities are available to overnight guests at Shorewood Landing RV Park. Several playground areas and an in-ground swimming pool are also available. Adjacent to the resort and lining the cove, boat rentals and sandy beaches are nearby, as well as amenities like restaurants, marinas, and year-round fishing supplies.

Address: 73 Unicorn Road, Eldon, Missouri

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Top 10 Campgrounds And Rv Parksozark Mountains

Bordering one of Americas most iconic natural landmarks the Mississippi River Arkansas is a vastly underrated state when it comes to outdoor exploration and camping. Nicknamed The Natural State, this hidden gem is a wonderland for outdoor adventurers, and nothing says outdoor adventure like the Ozark Mountains.

The Ozark Mountains offer some of the countrys best fishing, mountain biking, trekking, river rafting, and dirt biking, as well as a plethora of hot springs, waterfalls, and forest trails to explore. Youll even discover fall colors in many parts of the mountains that rival the famed autumnal shades of New England. Ozark Mountains campgrounds offer access to everything from the Ozark Highlands Trail to charming small rural and historic towns to easy access to Arkansas top destinations such as Little Rock and Fayetteville.

Dispersed Guide To Ozark National Forest Camping

Dispersed Camping Ozark National Forest

This post may contain affiliate links which means we receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

A dispersed camper’s guide to Ozark National Forest camping in Arkansas. Where to find free camping, things to do, places to see, and more!

It’s really no secret that my family and I love to get away to a quiet camping spot away from all civilization and people and noise. Sometimes we go farther away, and sometimes we stick closer to home here in the Natural State.

For the longest time we didn’t really know where to go camping in Arkansas. We were stuck in a rut when it came to finding good campsites that weren’t in a campground.

However, we put some of our free camping skills to the test as we started digging for more info. And let me tell you, there are plenty of places to choose from, including one of our favorites, the Ozark National Forest.

Now you may be looking for a campground. And if you are, The Dyrt has all the dirt on where to find good campgrounds in the Ozark National Forest.

But we’re going to focus more on dispersed camping, where to find campsites, getting the most out of your rugged camp experience, what National Forests offer, and what all you can do when visiting this magical, beautiful area of our home state.

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The Sunrise At Whitaker Point

Now, the part that Ive been waiting for. My sister and I have been somewhat insomniacs during quarantine. For some reason, were both usually awake at 8 AM while the rest of our family slowly starts to wake up. The prospect of falling asleep before sunrise seemed even more unlikely than waking up for sunrise. Thankfully, the long day of hiking and driving was just enough to wear us down.

Outside of a terrifying wake-up call at 1:24 AM from what sounded like a supernatural banshee, we slept through the night. I still have no idea what that screaming was. It was enough to leave me paralyzed in fear in my tent and enough for my sister to leap out of the hammock and into the tent for a minimal extra layer of security. Ozark National Forest is renowned as a hotspot for Bigfoot sightings, so that was my dads theory. The screaming lasted 15 minutes or so, regularly in 5 second intervals. To me, it sounded like someone jumping off a cliff every five seconds. My sister said it sounded like a pterodactyl, not that any of us really know what that sounds like. Im getting off topic here so moving along, but anyway, if anyone knows what that sound could have possibly been, let me know!

It was one hell of an adventure, and more beautiful than I imagined Arkansas could have been. Until international travel becomes possible, it looks like several trips down to Ozark National Forest will have to do. No complaints from here, though.

Why Youll Love Red Oak Resort & Rv Park

Red Oak Resort & RV Park is a full-service park with a long list of activities and outdoor recreation opportunities. It hosts the biggest and best fishing tournaments on Lake of the Ozarks. In addition, the RV park is located close to local attractions and shopping. Local destinations include Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Osage Beach Premium Outlet Mall, and Big Surf Water Park.

Recommended Reading: Tent Camping Road Trip Planner

County Road 122 Dispersed Camping

GPS: 34.836070, -91.548856

About the Campsite: This dispersed free camping area is along a county road in the Mike Freeze Wattensaw Wildlife Management Area near Hazen, Arkansas.

County Road 122 camping is primarily used as a hunting area. It has many well-marked campsites. However, there are no hookups or amenities here.

Reported Cell Service: Cell signal has been reported as decent on all major cell phone carriers.

Arkansas Free Camping Vibes: 7/10. This is a good site for an overnight stop, and nearby Little Rock provides excellent options for supplies.

Camping Near You Find A Free Campsite

Ozark National Forest Camping: Ozark Campgrounds Review for Campers ...

Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, weâve got you covered. You can simply use your smart phoneâs GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.

Our community provides the best free camping information available. Free campgrounds can be hard to find. Freecampsites.net makes it easy. We give you a simple, map based search engine to find free and cheap camping areas. Community reviews and ratings provide you with up to date information and help you select the best camp site for your next camping trip.

This is a platform for sharing campgrounds and camp sites you have discovered. We are community driven, and while we will be adding many free camping spots, we hope that you will add some of your favorite camping places as well. By sharing camping information freely, we can all spend less time researching campgrounds, spend less money, and more time camping. If everyone contributes a few campsites, weâll all have more places to go camping.

Please come back and let us know what you find!

We are not actively seeking Wal-Marts, truckstops or other parking lots and will not be adding very many of these. There are enough Wal-Mart and truck stop directories out there already. However, if a member of the community finds one of these locations to be useful for overnight RV parking and creates an entry, we may approve the listing.

Also Check: Dispersed Camping Near Grand Canyon

Camping & Cabins Overview

The Ozark-St. Francis National Forests offer a variety of camping opportunities. You can pitch a tent, park the RV, pop-up trailer or pick-up truck, or roll out the sleeping bag. Whatever your method of camping, it will be a truly natural experience in the Ozark Mountains or along Crowley’s Ridge. more

Finding A Campsite Near Whitaker Point

Camping is allowed in most places in Ozark National Forest, including dispersed camping at Hawksbill Crag. However, I couldnt find anything online about anyone who had done it. Deciding wed figure it out along the way, we brought all of our camping gear with us to Whitaker Point. The hike wasnt too bad. Even with all the stops to ooh and ahh at the scenery, it took us only an hour. We eyed some potential campsites along the way, but I was hoping to get one close to Whitaker Point so that I wouldnt be far away from a sunrise adventure.

To say that we lucked out is an understatement. Once we reached the main attraction, it only took about 30 seconds to find a campsite near Whitaker Point. About 20 meters behind Whitaker Point and just up a small hill, there was a stretch of flat ground for the tent and some trees for the hammock. There was already a fire pit there, so the campsite must have been pretty established before we got there. I couldnt have dreamed up a more perfect spot. We were literally seconds away from Arkansas most famous attraction and the only overnight campers in the entire area.

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Why Youll Love Lutheran Camp On Petit Jean

If youre looking for a unique experience or the chance to explore a different way of life, this is the place for you. Its a great place to host or attend a retreat or event, but its also just a great jumping off point to explore one of the best tural hidden gems in Arkansas: Jean Petit State Park. Youll find a 100-acre lake that offers fishing and boating in the summer and a number of hiking trails, including the picturesque Cedar Falls Trail which leads to a 90-foot waterfall.

Location

Bear Creek Lake Recreation Area

Hurricane Creek near Shores Lake – Dispersed Camping – Ozark National Forest Arkansas

It is a 625-acre site that features over 30 mi of shoreline and offers camping, swimming, canoeing, fishing, and hiking. Situated on top of Crowleys Ridge, this site offers three developed campgrounds, shelters, a natural course, a swim beach, and an accessible fishing pier with numerous opportunities to enjoy your get-away. It is one of the excellent sites based on other campers reviews and comments.

How to get there

You could take AR 44 southeast from Marianna for approximately seven .

Contact Details

Site availability and site rentals

Sites are available from April to May.

Day-use sites are Available year-round.

The Mississippi River State Park manages this site. For inquiries, please call the Mississippi River State Park Marianna Office at 870-295-4040.

Restrictions

The Maximum boat motor size is ten hp.

Amenities

Restroom

Activities

  • Fishing Within the streams, you would find Trophy Largemouth Bass, Red-eyed Bream, Channel Catfish, and other fish species.

Fish Your National Park: This place is accessible by Passenger Car There is plenty of fish available here, including Bass, Panfish, and they are of different types of fishing opportunities such as Shore fishing, Motorized boat, Float tube, Fly, Spin, and Bait.

  • Hiking: The Bear Nature Trail provides a square loop winding through a forested site if you are fond of courses. It offers scenic views of the stream shoreline, including Beech Point, and interpretive posts highlighting ecology in action.

Read Also: Red Rock State Park Camping

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