The best waterfall campgrounds near Fort Smith, Arkansas

Looking to experience the beauty of waterfalls near Fort Smith, Arkansas? Hipcamp offers over 300 camping options in the area that cater to your waterfall preference. With options starting as low as $5 per night and an average price of $20 per night, there's something for every budget. Check out top campsites like Red Fern (334 reviews), Heavener Runestone Park (210 reviews), and Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch (94 reviews) for tried and true camping experiences. Popular amenities like cooking equipment, campfires, and potable water, as well as activities such as climbing, wildlife watching, and wind sports, ensure that your camping trip is both comfortable and adventurous.

93% (416)

Top-rated campgrounds

Looking to experience the beauty of waterfalls near Fort Smith, Arkansas? Hipcamp offers over 300 camping options in the area that cater to your waterfall preference. With options starting as low as $5 per night and an average price of $20 per night, there's something for every budget. Check out top campsites like Red Fern (334 reviews), Heavener Runestone Park (210 reviews), and Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch (94 reviews) for tried and true camping experiences. Popular amenities like cooking equipment, campfires, and potable water, as well as activities such as climbing, wildlife watching, and wind sports, ensure that your camping trip is both comfortable and adventurous.

93% (416)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Heavener Runestone Park

97%

(515)

33mi from Fort Smith · 17 sites · Tents, RVs · Heavener, OK

This 55 acre park is home of a large sandstone that contains 8 markings believed to have been made by Vikings many years ago. The park features a seasonal waterfall, covered picnic areas, playground, amphitheater with seating, community building, scenic views, gift shop and approximately 2 miles of nature trails. Be advised that most tent sites have a tent pad but a few are primitive mountain terrain (rocky). The one RV site is for 16 ft. or less vehicles and smaller teardrop trailers with limited hook-up and no dump station. Restroom and shower facilities are located within the park. Individual campsites DO NOT have onsite toilets. Forest setting while still close to stores in case of forgotten items. Variety of small wildlife in the area. All sites allow campfires UNLESS we are under a county wide burn ban. *Note moderate cancellation policy for most dates - full refund 3 days before check-in time. * ** Special event camping is a strict no refund policy.

2. Boston Mountain Arkansas Adventures

100%

(13)

22mi from Fort Smith · 3 sites · Tents, Lodging · Mountainburg, AR

Welcome to our serene retreat situated on 20 acres! We offer: 1 cozy tiny home 1 primitive campsite Explore our established walking trails and check out our fish pond. Our charming tiny home spans 400 sq ft and includes 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, full-sized appliances, and a 100 sq ft deck overlooking the pond. Campsite 1 is now open and features a tent platform, picnic table, and a fire pit for your enjoyment. Want to try camping and don't have the gear - we have you covered with a four-person tent, queen size air mattress, cooking stove/pots and sleeping bags/blankets. - You don't have to set it up or take it down, we take care of all of it for you! Just ask to add the Glamp It Up Package (a $25-set up/take down fee, plus an additional 20.00 per night fee will be charged for use of all camping equipment. This also helps to cover the cost of waste management, washing gear, dishes, etc. Nearby attractions include: Lake Fort Smith Ozark Highland Trail (OHT) Ozark-St. Francis National Forest Devils Den State Park Devils Canyon Shores Lake Recreation Area Fern Recreation Area Mulberry River Natural Dam Illinois River Mt. Magazine State Park Fayetteville to Bentonville Bike Trail University of Arkansas Please remember, this is mountainous country; black bears, foxes, deer, coyotes, and even feral pigs may be in the area, at any given time.

3. Indian Creek Hideaway

98%

(33)

44mi from Fort Smith · 1 site · Tent, RV · Pettigrew, AR

Learn more about this land:This area is brimming with outdoor activity! The Mulberry River is just a short walk away with all the fishing and paddling you want. There is a public launch with parking just across the road for floating access. Be on the OHT via the Indian Creek spur trail in no time. Byrds Adventure Center is 2 miles down the road for off-road fun, a general store, canoe rentals, and more. *Heads up especially if you are in a small car, it’s usually ok to go down the small hill but in wet weather it may become slick. If you’re not sure about making it back up, there is an area to park by the driveway :)

Public campgrounds near Fort Smith

100%

(4)

Lake Fort Smith Campground

28mi from Fort Smith · 40 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lake Fort Smith State Park

White Rock Mountain Recreation Area and Campground

100%

(14)

White Rock Mountain Recreation Area and Campground

33mi from Fort Smith · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

100%

(2)

Little Pines Recreation Area

35mi from Fort Smith · 9 sites · Tents, RVs · in Ouachita National Forest

100%

(1)

Knoppers Ford Campground

37mi from Fort Smith · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Ouachita National Forest

100%

(2)

Jack Creek Recreation Area

37mi from Fort Smith · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Ouachita National Forest

100%

(3)

Richland Creek Recreation Area

40mi from Fort Smith · 11 sites · Tents, RVs · in Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

Cove Lake Recreation Area and Campground

43mi from Fort Smith · 18 sites · Tents, RVs · in Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

100%

(1)

Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp

43mi from Fort Smith · 10 sites · in Ouachita National Forest

Spacious campsites surrounded by cedars.

100%

(6)

Cedar Lake Campground

43mi from Fort Smith · 90 sites · Tents, RVs · in Ouachita National Forest

100%

(1)

Winding Stair Campground

47mi from Fort Smith · 28 sites · Tents, RVs · in Ouachita National Forest

100%

(3)

Wolf Pen Recreation Area

47mi from Fort Smith · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

Billy Creek Recreation Area

50mi from Fort Smith · 12 sites · in Ouachita National Forest

Stories from the community

site features 2 tent pads with space for a couple other tents. Also has 2 tables and a grill

A

Allison

2 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Heavener Runestone Park

My family and I loved tent camping here! The views were beautiful! We were at site #8, it was very pretty and peaceful. Lots of trees for nice shade and great spot for a hammock. There even happened to be a big event at the overlook one of the days we were there, but there was still enough separation that it wasn’t too loud and we still felt like we had our privacy. The Runestone didn’t disappoint! We thought it was cool. We really enjoyed hiking the trails too.

Campsite is pictured on the right side of the photo.

E

Erick

2 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Heavener Runestone Park

Beautiful spot and park! Will definitely visit again.

G

Greg

3 weeks ago

Tent

Group trip

3 nights at Heavener Runestone Park

Incredible location, great views, and check-in couldn’t have been easier. Highly recommend a stay here at the park!

Lori

3 weeks ago

Tent

With kids

1 night at Heavener Runestone Park

Watching the sunset at this location was breathtaking! The campsite, restroom, grounds, and gift shop were clean and well maintained. Everyone there was friendly and very informative. We came for an educational event that was fun and well organized. My family loved every moment of our stay from hiking, seeing the runestone, and tent camping!

R

Roger

3 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Heavener Runestone Park

The campsite was absolutely lovely! The forest felt more like the Black Hills, SD. I had no idea Oklahoma could look like this. It was SO peaceful I could've been 100 miles from civilization, yet Hevener was nestled beautifully in the valley below. Hearing those spooky train horns every hour or so was neat-my boy couldn't get enough! The short hike to the runestone was fun, and that sweet young lady in the gift shop went outta her way for our yard game. What a cozy Oklahoma spot! Terrain was a bit rough and steep and rocky so be advised.

Loreena

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Heavener Runestone Park

Excellent campsite for our first time visiting the park! The trails were great and easy to navigate, amenities offered worked well, and the host was communicative too. If you plan to stay at this campsite (or probably anywhere in the park), just be mindful there’s a very active train station below the park so you’ll hear it both day & night—earplugs were an essential for me. However, that doesn’t deter my recommendation. The fall leaves were gorgeous, so we picked the perfect weekend to stay.

R

Russ

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Heavener Runestone Park

Cool views. #10 spot is a lot more of a upward hike than it lets on. It's too far from the site to your vehicle.

Joshua

3 weeks ago

13 ft travel trailer

3 nights at Indian Creek Hideaway

This was my second time staying here and everything I said in my first review still stands. A great location to explore Ozark National Forest from.

k

kellimeyer723

November 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Heavener Runestone Park

A quaint little park with unique history and the perfect hikes for beginners or those needing an hour to waltz with nature. You're outside of town but not so far away that running back for something you forgot to be a real problem. Campsites are as you would expect, a platform that is just big enough for our large sundome tent (8 person), a firepit and metal grill for each site and a concrete and wood picnic table. They even have shepherd hooks for campers to hang a lantern or lights. The camping area is lit up at night by a string of bulb lights, giving just enough glow to get down to the bathrooms without being a nuisance when trying to sleep. A wonderful setup for a relaxing weekend. My son and I were the only people in the park at one point and it was very peaceful. Crows, woodpeckers, and squirrels abound but not much else in the way of wildlife. A definite for families or someone looking for a quiet place to pitch a tent or hang a hammock.

Kathy

November 2025

Tent

With pets

3 nights at Heavener Runestone Park

Wonderful rustic park! First is the runestone, whose conjecture seems entirely plausible and fascinating! Second, the park was developed around 1970 and looks like it’s basically been unchanged. Third, it’s just plain beautiful. The staff are awesome and very responsive. We loved it.

S

Saul

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Heavener Runestone Park

Amazing spot! We stayed through the weekend! Great views! Amazing amenities, ZJ helped us get power to our camping spot (Overlook Pavilion). Kiddos loved the scavenger hunt and the different hikes. Over all we will be coming back soon! Thank you to all the staff!

Mysty

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Heavener Runestone Park

The customer service was outstanding. The view from our spot was amazing camp site #9. Sites and facilities were very clean. Highly recommend!! Thank You for an awesome stay.

K

Kenleigh

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Heavener Runestone Park

We had a great time here! Tent site 2 had beautiful views of the valley below. The facilities were clean and staff were very friendly. The trails inside the park were a pleasant surprise and more scenic than we expected. The only slight drawback is that there is a train that runs in the valley next to the park and it is active at all hours of the night, so we were woken by train horns a few times. Next time I would bring earplugs.

C

Charlotte

September 2025

16 ft pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Heavener Runestone Park

Heavener Runestone is breathtaking! This is our third time, and not our last! We even golfed at nearby Wolf Mountain, on a very well maintained golf course. Clean bathroom and shower house. We found this campground 4 years ago, and have built it into our travels. Highly recommend!!

Kel

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Indian Creek Hideaway

Lewis was a very accommodating host and his property is beautiful. We will definitely be back!

N

Nick

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Indian Creek Hideaway

Enjoyed the short walk to the creek and the Mulberry river! Great little spot not to far off the beaten path. Lewis was nice enough to check in and bring us some extra firewood. Thanks again!

J

Jeffrey

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Heavener Runestone Park

Great views. Nice Gift Shop. Knowledgeable and friendly staff! Thoroughly enjoyed the stay.

A

Abbie

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Indian Creek Hideaway

Wow! What a quiet and peaceful space. Exactly as advertised. We saw some really cool wildlife and liked the proximity to the water. Would highly recommend if you are looking for a quiet and private Ozark campsite.

K

Kelly

June 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Heavener Runestone Park

Great park! Highly recommend the cliffside spots. The Runes are so cool to see. Only bad thing was we got eaten up by chiggers and mosquitoes. Bring necessary repellent!