Introduction to Camping in the Ozarks
Camping in the Ozarks Arkansas offers a variety of options including cabin rentals, campgrounds, dispersed, group, and RV camping. Most campgrounds are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Some provide vault toilets but for the most part, you will be primitive camping without amenities often found at State Parks.
But one thing is for sure. Camping in the Ozark National Forest is a place to enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. The Ozark Mountains have rivers, lakes, hiking trails, caves, waterfalls and it is a magical place where you can escape and just focus on how just spectacular this area is.
Full list of Ozark National Forest camping opportunities: https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/osfnf/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=43421&actid=29
Best Ozark Campgrounds With Nearby Hiking and Waterfalls
Experience the Ozarks like never before when you combine the best Ozark Mountain campground campings spots with nearby hiking trails that lead to waterfalls.
I just returned from a 5-day Ozark Mountain camping trip. I stayed at three different campgrounds that were in close proximity to each other. Each camping spot was unique in its own way. I will share my favorite one with you and tell you what you need to know about each.
Each waterfall in the Ozark National Forest is uniquely special and the journey to getting to these falls is part of the excitement.
Randi Thornton
I selected these campgrounds because they all had nearby hiking trails that lead to waterfalls. I am using the word trails loosely. While a couple of the waterfalls were easily accessible by a trail there were waterfalls that required following rock-filled creeks that were in the thick of the forest.
And no, I am not an avid hiker so if I can tackle big rocks, climb up steep creeks beds, and navigate around trees you can too. When you watch the above video you will see what I mean!
The book I used to locate and navigate to the waterfalls is titled Arkansas Waterfalls written by Tim Ernst. It was instrumental in planning my Ozark camping trip.
You can purchase Arkansas Waterfalls on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3rTEAcm
The 3 Best Ozark Mountain Campgrounds with Nearby Waterfalls
- Haw Creek Recreation Area Campground
- Wolf Pen Recreaation Area Campground
- Redding Recreation Area Campground
Haw Creek Recreation Area Campground
Number of campsites: 9
Reservable: no
Campground amenities: 2 vault toilets
Cost: Free
Haw Creek Campground details: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/osfnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=43445
The Haw Creek Recreation Area Campground is a primitive forest campground. There are 9 non-reservable campsites that are generously sized and some have bluff views and some have views of Haw Creek and the Haw Creek Falls. There is a low paved bridge you need to pass to enter the campground. During high waters this bridge is unpassable.
It is the first campground I camped at and it was my favorite camping spot out of the three campgrounds.
I have camped here two different years both times in November and there have always been open campsites. So despite the fact that you can not make a reservation, you should have no problem getting a campsite.
The best thing about camping at the Haw Creek Campground is there are two waterfalls located right off the campground.
Haw Creek Falls
Height: 6’
Skill level: Easy
Distance: Drive to within 100 feet
The Haw Creek Falls are located right off the Haw Creek Campground. The falls are turquoise in color with a forest setting. While they are small in size they are simply beautiful.
I followed the falls both up and downstream. The water levels will determine how far you can go. Initially, I went upstream in an effort to locate Pack Rats Falls but this was not the creek I was supposed to follow to get to these falls.
However, following Haw Creek and seeing where it would take me was the best part of this trip.
The directions in the Arkansas Waterfall book confused me, but I am glad this happened. As I previously mentioned this allowed me to explore the Ozark National Forest and witness its gland splendor up close and personal.
Be careful because there isn’t a trail and the rocks were challenging but this was the best part of this trip for me.
I encountered several gigantic boulders along the way that made me realize just how magnificent mother nature really is. Spending time in the forest with no one else around was like a fairy tale enchanted experience.
Pack Rat Falls
Skill level: easy-medium bushwack
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
The Pack Rat Falls are located off the Haw Creek Campground. There is a trail from the campground that leads you to a creek bed that you follow upstream to a canyon where the waterfalls are located.
The first thing you need to know about this trail is that it is a strenuous hike.
If you watch the video I need to let you know is I did not reach the waterfalls. I thought I did. Once I returned home and did further research I realized I did not go far enough. I was so close and probably just steps away. Dang!
Nonetheless, at the point I thought I reached the Pack Rat Falls was so beautiful I do not have any regrets. I hope to return and finish the climb to the waterfalls.
Imagine being in the middle of a forest on a mountainside with bluffs everywhere and no one around. That is what it was like hiking to these falls. There were a lot of moss-covered rocks which were beautiful but can also be slippery so be careful.
Wolf Pen Recreational Area Campground
Number of campsites: 6
Reservable: no
Campground amenities: vault toilets
Cost: $10/night
Wolf Pen Campground details: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/osfnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=43505&actid=29
The Wolf Pen Campground has 6 campsites located on the Mulberry River. The sites are spacious with foliage between each campsite. You follow a road to each campsite and on one side of this road is the Mulberry River and on the other side is the Ozark National Forest.
To me, this was the best of both worlds. Waterfront camping with a forest surrounding makes this my second favorite campground I camped at on this trip.
The gorgeous surrounding couldn’t have been better. Seriously. But, the reason it comes in second for me was the condition of the vaulted bathrooms. If I can be frank, they were disgusting and there was no way I was going to use them. I have a bathroom in my Little Guy Max but it was winterized so having a campground bathroom facility is an added bonus.
However, I did bring a portable potty so that saved the day. The bathroom conditions may fluctuate from season to season but this was my experience.
The Wolf Pen Recreational Area Campground is just over an hour’s drive from the Haw Creek campground so it is a short distance away to explore more waterfalls!
Kings River Falls
Height: 10’
Skill level: easy
Distance: 1.2 miles round trip
King River Falls are easy to get to with a level trail that follows along the Kings River. There were many little falls along the trail. Because the trail is easy this is a popular waterfall.
There are spots where I could walk out on top of the rock bed and get up close and personal to the falls. After my more adventurous attempts to reach the previous waterfalls I really enjoyed hiking on a well-marked trail.
These falls are a one-hour drive from the Wolf Pen Campground.
Redding Recreation Area Campground
Number of campsites: 27
Reservable: no
Campground amenities: flush toilets, drinking water
Cost: $15/night
Redding Campground details: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/osfnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=43475
The Redding Campground is a family-oriented campground that is located in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. It is located on the Mulberry River with a forest setting. The campsites are spacious.
Redding Loop/Spy Rock Trail
The Redding Loop/Spy Rock Trail is an 8.3-mile hike through the Ozark National Forest. There are two waterfalls along this trail the Redding Loop Falls and the Spy Rock Falls. The trailhead is located off the Redding Campground. With a total elevation gain of 899 feet, it is more difficult at times.
Finding waterfall spots on a mountainside deep in the forest was really special. When I found them I could only imagine what they must be like when the water is flowing. Regardless, this took my breath away.
Get Up Close and Personal with Mother Nature When Camping in the Ozarks
Camping in the Ozarks is a great way to enjoy the Ozark National Forest and its waterfalls. In the Book, Arkansas Waterfall author Tim Ernst shares over 200 waterfalls for you to explore.
This book helped me discover amazing waterfalls and I can’t wait to get back to Arkansas to see more of Mother Nature’s incredible beauty.
Grab your copy of Arkansas Waterfalls on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rTEAcm
