NPS · Buffalo National River · St. Joe, AR

Tyler Bend Campground

Campers will delight in the picturesque river views at Tyler Bend. Located 11 miles (18 km) northwest of Marshall, Arkansas, Tyler Bend is set on a quiet, peaceful section of the great Buffalo National River. Known as the middle river region, the campground offers tranquil views of the river beside pastures.

More like this: reservable in Arkansas · pets allowed in Arkansas · group sites in Arkansas · dark sky in Arkansas

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Tyler Bend Group SitesTyler Bend PavilionTyler Bend CampgroundTyler Bend Group Sites
Photos courtesy of NPS · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups27
Tent-only10
Group tent areas5
group shelter electric1
Host/management1
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 120 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

43 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFiresAccessible
G1Group SitesGroup tentPavedPartial25 / 10Yes
G2Group SitesGroup tentPavedPartial25 / 10Yes
G3Group SitesGroup tentPavedPartial25 / 10Yes
G4Group SitesGroup tentPaved25 / 10Yes
G5Group SitesGroup tentPavedPartial25 / 10Yes
Site# 02Main LoopStandard6 / 2Yes
Site# 03Main LoopStandard356 / 2Yes
Site# 04Main LoopStandard406 / 2Yes
Site# 05Main LoopStandard54Partial6 / 2Yes
Site# 06Main LoopStandard456 / 2Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesFees for the walk-in sites and drive-in sites (non-electric) are $20 a night for up to 6 people per site. Fees for the Group Tent Only Area (non-electric) are $50 a night for 10 to 25 people per group site.
Dark skyInside Buffalo National River, a certified International Dark Sky Park
AccessibilitySite Walk-in: F is listed accessible

The Tyler Bend Visitor Center is open year-round and has interesting exhibits on the history of flora and fauna in the Buffalo National River area. It's the primary visitor center for the region and provides several educational programs in the auditorium. The campground has 10 walk-in and 28 drive-in sites available, plus a day-use pavilion and five group sites.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Tyler Bend Campground30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 3.19 inches of precipitation, 1.6 inches of snowFebruary: 3.32 inches of precipitation, 0.6 inches of snowMarch: 4.70 inches of precipitation, 1.3 inches of snowApril: 5.10 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowMay: 5.31 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 4.15 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 3.44 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 3.04 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 3.93 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 3.76 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 4.53 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowDecember: 3.63 inches of precipitation, 0.9 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 36.3°F averageFebruary: 40.2°F averageMarch: 48.6°F averageApril: 57.7°F averageMay: 66.1°F averageJune: 74.3°F averageJuly: 78.3°F averageAugust: 77.5°F averageSeptember: 70.0°F averageOctober: 58.9°F averageNovember: 47.3°F averageDecember: 39.0°F average0 in2 in4 in6 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Gilbert, 3 miles from the campground at 606 feet, station USC00032794 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 48 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 4 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

From 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.

Nearest townSt. Joe, Arkansas
Coordinates35.9867° N, 92.7639° W · Directions ↗

Charges and cancellations

Rules and Reservation Policies

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗1.3 mi
Outdoor gearOzark Mountain Trading Company ↗23 mi
RV sales & serviceBlue Compass RV ↗27.5 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Tyler Bend Campground walkthrough

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

Ozark-St. Francis National Forest begins about 8.6 miles away, and it is the closest of these.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The Buffalo National River flows free over swift running rapids and quiet pools for its 135-mile (217 km) length. One of the few remaining rivers in the lower 48 states without dams, the Buffalo cuts its way through massive limestone bluffs traveling eastward through the Arkansas Ozarks and into the White River.

Recreation

Small-mouth bass, catfish and sunfish are the most popular fish to catch on the Buffalo River, but visitors should be aware that an Arkansas fishing license is required to fish anywhere on the river. The middle river location also allows for extended seasons for kayaking and tubing. If there's enough rain, the sports can go through mid- to late summer. Get a dose of history by hiking to the Collier Homestead, a restored Ozark dwelling from the 1930's. The homestead remembers one of the homes built by settlers in response to the Homestead Act of 1862.

Nearby

The Buffalo River Trail is accessible from the Collier trailhead parking area. This trail joins the Ozark Highlands Trail at Woolum, 14 miles (22.5 km) upstream from Tyler Bend.

Guidebooks for Arkansas

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • The Ozarks: 43 spectacular hikes in Arkansas and Missouri
    Jim Warnock, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Arkansas Nature Lover's Guidebook
    Tim Ernst and Pam Ernst, 2010
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Scenic Routes and Byways the Ozarks
    Don Kurz, 2013
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Tyler Bend Campground?

Sites at Tyler Bend Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Tyler Bend Campground?

Fees for the walk-in sites and drive-in sites (non-electric) are $20 a night for up to 6 people per site. Fees for the Group Tent Only Area (non-electric) are $50 a night for 10 to 25 people per group site.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Tyler Bend Campground?

Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Tyler Bend Campground have?

44 sites, including 27 standard sites without power, 10 tent-only sites, 5 group tent areas, and 1 group shelter electric.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to Tyler Bend Campground?

Tyler Bend Campground is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Tyler Bend Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Tyler Bend Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Tyler Bend Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Tyler Bend Campground?

Site Walk-in: F is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Tyler Bend Campground good for stargazing?

Yes. Tyler Bend Campground sits inside Buffalo National River, a certified International Dark Sky Park.

Source: DarkSky International

Is there cell service at Tyler Bend Campground?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is there to do at Tyler Bend Campground?

Small-mouth bass, catfish and sunfish are the most popular fish to catch on the Buffalo River, but visitors should be aware that an Arkansas fishing license is required to fish anywhere on the river. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Tyler Bend Campground?

St. Joe, Arkansas. The Buffalo River Trail is accessible from the Collier trailhead parking area.

Source: Getting there