The best waterside campgrounds near Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Camping waterside in Eureka Springs means picking from over 1,900 options—each close to rivers, creeks, or lakes that actually run clear most of the year. Expect average nightly prices around $40, but you can find primitive spots for as little as $10 if you're quick. Showers, toilets, and pet-friendly sites come standard at many camps, and you’ll spot regulars walking dogs at sunrise before hitting hiking trails or casting lines for bass. If you want to camp where locals actually go, check out Bentonville Bike Camp (663 reviews), Red Fern (518 reviews), or Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch (187 reviews). You’ll see wildlife—deer, foxes, sometimes otters—if you’re quiet in the mornings, and most evenings end with the sound of frogs and a sky full of stars. Bring extra bug spray and don’t expect cell service everywhere. That’s part of the point.

99% (3.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Camping waterside in Eureka Springs means picking from over 1,900 options—each close to rivers, creeks, or lakes that actually run clear most of the year. Expect average nightly prices around $40, but you can find primitive spots for as little as $10 if you're quick. Showers, toilets, and pet-friendly sites come standard at many camps, and you’ll spot regulars walking dogs at sunrise before hitting hiking trails or casting lines for bass. If you want to camp where locals actually go, check out Bentonville Bike Camp (663 reviews), Red Fern (518 reviews), or Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch (187 reviews). You’ll see wildlife—deer, foxes, sometimes otters—if you’re quiet in the mornings, and most evenings end with the sound of frogs and a sky full of stars. Bring extra bug spray and don’t expect cell service everywhere. That’s part of the point.

99% (3.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Creekside Camping at Rocky Acres

99%

(68)

5.8mi from Eureka Springs · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · Eureka Springs, AR

We are a small family ranch nestled in the beautiful hills of Eureka Springs, Arkansas! The Homestead at Rocky Acres, PMA has a variety of offerings, including "Creek-side Camping" in an open grass field with plenty of shade trees (including a few mulberries...yum!) along side our spring fed creek. The creek offers small swimming holes with fish, crawdads, tadpoles, and frogs, oh my! There is plenty of nature to hike around, including up to the pasture to visit the horses and pony or along the creek-bed to forage. Onsite, we also offer "The Homestead at Rocky Acres" with three cabins for nightly rentals for a comfortable and cozy stay in nature; cabins are available to be rented individually or for your next group event. Our resort area, "The Vue at Rocky Acres", boasts a luxury barn and pool/hot tub with amazing views and would be perfect for your next event be it a wedding, birthday party, family reunion or retreat! Daily passes to "The Vue" are available upon request for use of pool/hot tub/outdoor kitchen, at an additional charge. We also offer "Horse-play at Rocky Acres" which includes horseback riding lessons, custom experiences, camps and trail rides in partnership with Dawson’s Equine Connection! Visit us on Facebook at The Homestead at Rocky Acres for pictures and more details. Please Note: We are a working ranch/farm. With that said, we have free range cows, horses and chickens. We do our best to keep our field clear for campers, however, you may have visitors.

2. Riverdream Camps

95%

(62)

7.7mi from Eureka Springs · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Berryville, AR

RiverDream Camps is a small quiet Campground on the Kings River, near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Featuring Riverside Campsites & Accommodations RV's, Tents, Cabins & Campers Climate Controlled Bathrooms 🚻 Hots Showers 🚿 Pet Friendly 🐕‍🦺👍 And PRIVATE ACCESS to the Kings River! 👌🛶🏊‍♂️🎣🏕🌠

3. Beaver Lake and Dam

88%

(21)

618 sites · St Charles, Arkansas

Discover the serene beauty of Beaver Lake and its majestic dam.

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

Campfires

4. Mark Twain National Forest

88%

(21)

452 sites · Bunker, Missouri

Missouri’s only national forest has 1.5 million acres of wilderness to explore.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

5. Dierks Lake

100%

(3)

245 sites · Dierks, Arkansas

Discover Dierks Lake: A Haven for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Nature Lovers.

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

Campfires

6. Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

98%

(37)

312 sites · Farmington, Arkansas

Two distinct forests rolled into one package! That means twice the amount of outdoorsy goodness to explore. The Ozark National Forest covers most of the Ozark Mountains, including the highest peak in the state. It’s awesome here when the dogwood and redbuds bloom in the spring, and when the leaves change color in the fall. The St. Francis National Forest is more diverse, with the St. Francis and Mississippi Rivers running through it, as well as lakes, valleys, and tons of wildlife. It’s the only place in the national forest system where you can access the Mississippi River from the shore, so that right there is a must do! The whole expanse of land is filled with multi-use trails, hundreds of campsites, spots for swimming, fishing, and boating, and even some amazing caves to explore. Mother Nature crushing it as usual.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

7. Bull Shoals Lake

88%

(4)

234 sites · Bull Shoals, Arkansas

Discover the serene beauty of Bull Shoals Lake.

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

Campfires

Public campgrounds near Eureka Springs

Dam Site River Campground

5.7mi from Eureka Springs · 58 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beaver Lake and Dam

Dam Site Lake Campground

6.2mi from Eureka Springs · 47 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beaver Lake and Dam

Starkey Campground

7.5mi from Eureka Springs · 23 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beaver Lake and Dam

100%

(2)

Indian Creek Campground

8mi from Eureka Springs · 33 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beaver Lake and Dam

100%

(1)

Lost Bridge North Campground

8.3mi from Eureka Springs · 49 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beaver Lake and Dam

Lost Bridge South Campground

8.9mi from Eureka Springs · 36 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beaver Lake and Dam

Sugar Camp National Forest Scenic Byway

9.5mi from Eureka Springs · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Mark Twain National Forest

83%

(3)

Rocky Branch Campground

12mi from Eureka Springs · 41 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beaver Lake and Dam

95%

(10)

Prairie Creek Campground

17mi from Eureka Springs · 112 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beaver Lake and Dam

100%

(1)

Horseshoe Bend Campground

18mi from Eureka Springs · 138 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beaver Lake and Dam

Horseshoe Bend Campground

18mi from Eureka Springs · 138 sites · Tents, RVs · in Dierks Lake

Piney Creek Wilderness

20mi from Eureka Springs · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Mark Twain National Forest

Stories from the community

Creekside field where you can choose your campsite.

P

Pat

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Creekside Camping at Rocky Acres

Super cozy place to camp! Horses came to visit us and even a very sweet dog. We will absolutely come back again.

K

Kristen

September 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Riverdream Camps

The camp setup was perfect for our family of 3. The tent was really comfortable, and the “kitchen” was super convenient. River access was close but not incredibly easy due to the slope of the bank, but the little beach was a perfect spot to hang out, swim and fish. There were other sites nearby and some noise, but nothing too bothersome. I highly recommend this spot for a small family.

D

Darby

July 2025

10 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Creekside Camping at Rocky Acres

I’ve tent camped here before and it is just wonderful :) this go around I brought my teardrop camper and due to my own problems had difficulty and couldn’t stay the whole time BUT I will MOST DEFINITELY be back!! These hosts are 1000/10, 5 star, totally recommend. A great stay right outside of Eureka Springs, beautiful views, and a great camp site over all!

S

Stephanie

July 2025

Tent

2 nights at Creekside Camping at Rocky Acres

Amazing view, amazing host, ask host for good places to eat. We made the mistake and ate horrible food that made my husband and myself sick. She then gave a list of places to go. Also she can recommend things to do if you don’t already know.

K

Kristin

June 2025

With kids

1 night at Riverdream Camps

We only stayed one night. We went as a quick family trip for Father’s Day. It rained the entire time. This is, of course, completely out of the control of the owner/host. So we do not hold it against them haha. We did have about an hour break in the rain that evening and we took that opportunity to do a little fishing right on the bank of Kings River and grill some burgers and turkey dogs. The only thing that was “inconvenient”, if I had to pick something, is that the grill was actually a grate over the fire pit. Which really wasn’t an inconvenience so much as it was just unexpected. If I had known this beforehand, I would have brought along some cast iron, or at the very least, aluminum foil. The food still turned out great and we had plenty of firewood. We purchased an extra bundle and didn’t even need it since the host graciously supplied the first one. I can’t speak on the actual bathrooms because we didn’t use them. They were back up the hill from the yurt. However, there is a porta potty located at about the middle of the 3 surrounding spots. As well as a fully functioning sink in the kitchen areas. The bed was comfortable. The fan felt great. We stayed completely dry even though it rained the whole time. The yurt and the site were very clean. I also MUST mention, the water was so crystal clear. I could see my daughters feet and every rock she was standing on FROM THE BANK! It was beautiful! Just remember, Glamping is still camping!!! We will definitely ‘Glamp’ again!!!