Where to stay
NPS campgrounds
Fees apply roughly mid-March to mid-November; several require reservations via Recreation.gov. Gravel-bar camping along the river needs no permit. NPS camping.
Steel Creek · Upper · $20/site/night
Tent-only walk-in + horse sites; ~3 mi east of Ponca. Reservations required in season.
Kyles Landing · Upper · $20/site/night
Tent-only; steep rough gravel road — high-clearance 4WD recommended.
Erbie · Upper · $20/site; group $50
Drive-in, walk-in and group sites.
Ozark · Upper · $20/site/night
Near Pruitt off Hwy 7.
Carver · Upper · $16/site/night
Tent-only, vault toilet; Hwy 123 bridge.
Tyler Bend · Middle · $20/site; group $50
Showers & flush restrooms year-round.
Mt. Hersey, Woolum, Grinders Ferry, Shine Eye, Gilbert, South Maumee · Middle · No fee
Primitive, first-come first-served, pack in/pack out.
Spring Creek · Lower · No fee
Tent-only primitive, first-come first-served.
Buffalo Point · Lower · $30 hookup loops; $20 walk-in; group $50
Largest campground; 30/50 amp + water hookups.
Rush · Lower · $16/site/night
Tent-only; access crosses Rush Creek, may be cut off at high water.
Lodging in the park
- Buffalo Point Concession (cabins & lodge at Buffalo Point — the only lodging inside the park) — (870) 449-6206 (NPS)
Some outfitters also offer lodging — ask them directly.
Nearby towns
Ponca
Near the Upper District
Tiny village at the Hwy 74 low-water bridge; closest base for the upper river and Lost Valley.
MapJasper
Near the Upper District
Newton County seat; a small town between the upper and middle river.
MapHarrison
Near the Upper District
Largest nearby town and home of the park headquarters; full services.
MapWe don’t list restaurants or private lodging we haven’t verified. For more, see arkansas.com.