The Magical Waterfall Campground At Richland Creek Wilderness In Arkansas Is Unforgettable
If you’d like to chase a waterfall or three during your next camping trip then head to the Richland Creek Wilderness for an enchanting getaway. This paradise in the Ozarks has a plethora of cascades to explore that will delight any Arkansas nature lover. Let’s pitch a tent and explore a few of the nearby waterfalls.
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Pleasantly located in the middle of nowhere, the Richland Creek Wilderness will take you the downright prettiest part of Arkansas.
If not the prettiest then at least one of our favorites anyway. The wilderness area is about halfway between Bass and Ben Hur in the northeast corner of the Ozark National Forest. Every time of year brings a reason to come for an overnight trip but we're particularly fond of the rainy fall for its full colors and flowing waterfalls.
The camping is simple in the area but we'll worth the trip.
The campground has 11 sites available for a quiet retreat. Water is available seasonally (it's currently shut off for winter) and vault toilets are on site. Sites are $10/day. This is one primitive campground that will instantly reconnect you to nature.
The biggest benefit of camping at Richland Creek Wilderness is the stunning scenic nature.
As long as you have your GPS you can forage a trail in just about any direction for a breathtaking view. Tons of waterfalls are within this wilderness such as Twin Falls. The rains need to be fairly recent but seeing both waterfalls here makes the bushwhack worth it. You can use AllTrailse to see a map of these twin cascades.
Twin Falls on Devils fork
Another waterfall to see during your trip is Richland Falls.
Similar to Twin Falls, this trek does require some moderate bushwhacking. Richland Falls has a design similar to Haw Creek Falls or the Natural Dam but the remoteness and stunning water makes it something special. You can use this page of AllTrails to navigate to the falls.
If you're willing to backpack then the number of nearby falls is nearly endless.
Avid explorers should be prepared to drive to these nearby trailheads or plan on backpacking in the wilderness (or both). This camping trip isn't for everyone but anybody willing to take on the wild will instantly be rewarded with jaw-dropping waterfalls and peaceful surroundings.
Have you camped and chased waterfalls at Richland Creek before? We’d love to hear about your adventures in the comments below! You can also add your trip photos to our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
If you’d love waterfall-accessible camping but need a few more comforts, try one of the cabins at this state park.
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
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