NPS · Buffalo National River · Jasper, AR

Ozark Campground

Nestled near the towering bluffs of the scenic Buffalo River, Ozark Campground is the perfect destination for a relaxing day outdoors. Whether you're planning a laid-back picnic or looking for a spot to enjoy the dark night sky, you'll enjoy fresh air, beautiful views, and easy access to one of Arkansas’s most beloved rivers. At Ozark Campground visitors that bring their own gear can enjoy: Canoeing Kayaking Tubing Swimming Fishing Located in the center of the campground, the Ozark Pavilion provides a convenient gathering space for groups. The day-use pavilion is available for $25/day.

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

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Ozark CampgroundA blue tent sits on a campsite with a thick row of green trees behind the tent.A white RV sits on a green lawn at a campsite in Ozark Campground.Ozark Campground
Photos courtesy of NPS · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Tent-only19
Standard, no hookups12
group shelter electric1
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

32 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteTypeShadePeople / vehiclesFires
PavilionGroup Shelter ElectricPartial100 / 20
1StandardPartial6 / 2Yes
2StandardPartial6 / 2Yes
3StandardPartial6 / 2Yes
4StandardPartial6 / 2Yes
5StandardPartial6 / 2Yes
6Tent onlyPartial6 / 2
7Tent onlyPartial6 / 2Yes
8Tent onlyPartial6 / 2Yes
9Tent onlyPartial6 / 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 6:00 AM, checkout 10:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesFees for all sites (non-electric) are $20 a night for up to 6 people per site.
Dark skyInside Buffalo National River, a certified International Dark Sky Park

Ozark has 31 drive-up tent sites. There are no electrical amenities or water hookups at the tent sites, but flush restrooms and water spigots are available from approximately March 15 through November 14 each year. Available by reservation, the covered pavilion seats up to 100 people and electricity is available.

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

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Ozark Campground30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 2.96 inches of precipitation, 2.2 inches of snowFebruary: 2.80 inches of precipitation, 3.4 inches of snowMarch: 4.20 inches of precipitation, 2.2 inches of snowApril: 5.17 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowMay: 5.54 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 4.17 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 3.74 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 3.36 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 4.40 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 4.02 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 3.88 inches of precipitation, 0.2 inches of snowDecember: 3.22 inches of precipitation, 1.5 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 37.5°F averageFebruary: 40.8°F averageMarch: 49.4°F averageApril: 58.3°F averageMay: 66.9°F averageJune: 74.9°F averageJuly: 78.9°F averageAugust: 78.3°F averageSeptember: 70.7°F averageOctober: 59.9°F averageNovember: 48.5°F averageDecember: 39.9°F average0 in2 in4 in6 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Harrison, 10 miles from the campground at 1,132 feet, station USC00033164 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 47 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 10 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

From Harrison, head south on Highway 7 for approximately 13 miles (21 km). After driving across a bridge over the Buffalo River, look for a brown sign for the Ozark Campground. Turn right onto the gravel road and follow it for about one mile (1.6 km) to the campground and pavilion.

Nearest townJasper, Arkansas
Coordinates36.0621° N, 93.1597° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearBuffalo River Canoe ↗5.6 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗23.8 mi
RV sales & serviceBlue Compass RV ↗42.6 mi

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

Explore

Video

Camping in the Ozark National Forest — We Couldn’t Believe This Place

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Ozark-St. Francis National Forest.

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 campground and pavilion are located along the Buffalo National River with views of lush forests and high, riverside limestone bluffs. It is one of the few free-flowing rivers remaining in the contiguous U.S. with 135 miles (217 km) of undammed waters. It cuts through the Arkansas Ozarks to reach its final destination at the White River.

Recreation

The Buffalo River Trail can be accessed behind Site 31 and next to the camp host site. The scenic trail spans a massive 36.5 miles (59 km) of the Buffalo River from Boxely to Pruitt and is ideal for hiking or backpacking. Peak season for canoeing, kayaking and tubing is spring to early summer. Paddling conditions in the upper (westernmost) district of Buffalo National River are extremely dependent upon rainfall. On an average year, the upper river is only navigable by boat in the spring and early summer when consistent rainfall feeds into the watershed. Some sections on the upper end of the river are technical and should not be attempted by novices.

Nearby

The campground and pavilion are located along the Buffalo National River with views of lush forests and high, riverside limestone bluffs. It is one of the few free-flowing rivers remaining in the contiguous U.S. with 135 miles (217 km) of undammed waters. It cuts through the Arkansas Ozarks to reach its final destination at the White River.

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 Ozark Campground?

Sites at Ozark 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 Ozark Campground?

Fees for all sites (non-electric) are $20 a night for up to 6 people per site.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Ozark Campground?

Check-in 6:00 AM, checkout 10:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Ozark Campground have?

32 sites, including 19 tent-only sites, 12 standard sites without power, and 1 group shelter electric.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to Ozark Campground?

Ozark Campground is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Ozark Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Ozark Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Ozark Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Ozark Campground good for stargazing?

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

Source: DarkSky International

What is there to do at Ozark Campground?

The Buffalo River Trail can be accessed behind Site 31 and next to the camp host site. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Ozark Campground?

Jasper, Arkansas. The campground and pavilion are located along the Buffalo National River with views of lush forests and high, riverside limestone bluffs.

Source: Getting there

What if Ozark Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Kyles Landing Campground (6.8 mi), Steel Creek Campground (10.4 mi), and Richland Creek Campground (22.2 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby

Which national park is Ozark Campground in?

Ozark Campground is a Buffalo National River campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.

Source: Buffalo National River