Richland Creek Campground

About

Richland Creek Campground sits at the edge of the Richland Creek Wilderness in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, offering direct access to one of Arkansas's most scenic wild rivers. The 11-site campground serves as a basecamp for exploring the 11,801-acre wilderness area, which was established by the 1984 Arkansas Wilderness Act and contains dramatic waterfalls, rock formations, and forested bluffs characteristic of the Boston Mountains. The campground is primitive with vault toilets but no potable water. Campers must bring their own drinking water and pack out all trash. Sites cost $10 per night and are available strictly first-come, first-served; there are no reservations. Once on-site, payment may be possible via QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app if cellular service permits. Access requires traveling 9 miles on Forest Service Road 1205, a rough gravel road that makes the campground unsuitable for camping trailers or large RVs. The remote setting rewards tent campers and those with high-clearance vehicles who seek solitude and direct wilderness access.

Directions

From Russellville, take Arkansas Highway 7 north for 37 miles to Pelsor. Turn right (east) on Arkansas Highway 16 and go 10 miles. Turn left (north) on Forest Service Road 1205 (gravel), located about 1.5 miles south of Ben Hur. Take FS Road 1205 north 9 miles to Richland Creek Campground.