Primitive Camping Along The Buffalo
Posted on August 19, 2007
Filed Under Camping On The Buffalo River |
There are numerous places to camp along the Buffalo River. The biggest question…are you opposed to camping in a “primitive” campground, or do you prefer something
a little more on the comfortable side?
“Primitive” camping is pretty much like it sounds. No electricity and no fresh running water, (none out of a spigot anyway) 
. “Some” are equipped with relatively nice toilets that are periodically cleaned and stocked with toilet paper. Basically you drive up or float up to these campgrounds, pick a spot and set up camp. Want to bring your 30 foot camper along to make the primitive camping a little less primitive? I’d think twice about that. Many of the primitive campgrounds are basically in-accessible to large campers. The main reason is because the roads into these campgrounds can be very narrow and if you meet another vehicle while pulling a large camper, it can make for a bad situation. A tent or small “pop-up” camper generally works much better in these areas.
Here is a list of primitive campgrounds along the river:
- Steel Creek
- Kyle’s Landing
- Ozark
- Hasty
- Carver
- Mt. Hersey
- Wollum
- Maumee South
- Dillards Ferry
- Rush
And thats pretty much it before you reach the White River. Now keep in mind that if you’re floating or if there is road access, you can camp pretty much anywhere along the river. Primitive campgrounds are normally kept up a bit better and normally have toilets.
Here is a satellite picture of the Wollum camping area, compliments of Google Earth. (I just love Google Earth )
You can see that I’ve added some notes about the area. We have camped in both areas and it’s generally more peaceful if you go to the area where the shuttles aren’t putting people in and picking up canoes. This is also a “river ford” so it’s not uncommon to have vehicles crossing the river here. Generally a lot more traffic in this area.
Got questions? Feel free to use the contact form to let me know what they are. If I can’t answer your question, I’ll find someone who can!
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40 Responses to “Primitive Camping Along The Buffalo”
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I think it is better to use a primitive campground. If I wanted to be comfortable I would pitch a tent in my backyard…great post
Omaha Poker Sites - I can’t disagree with that logic!
Thanks!
I’ve always hated those campgrounds that are “orgranized” and make you go to bed at a certain time, etc.
I’d much rather camp with no one around.
Great info throughout the blog. Do you think any of the sites are suitable for families with young kids?
so Based on the Google Earth, That is the Wollum comping area only? The area looks very big. If you’re middle on the campground, how much time you have taken to go toilet?
Tom - I agree with you! Thanks for dropping by!
Kristie - Thank you! You’ll find families with young children at pretty much all of the sites along the river. It’s going to be less “rowdy” at the established parks such as Tyler Bend or Buffalo Point.
Louiss - Depending on where you’re camping, you would definitely want to “plan” your trip to the toilet because it could be a few minutes of walking to get there.
oh i see.. I think i will setup my camp booth nearby the toilet
Primitive camp grounds have it’s own “untouched” attractions. I would rather camp the primitive way, kinda gives me more of a complete outdoor experience.
setting up near the toilet sounds like a pretty smelly proposition.
Are there portable seats you can use if you dig a ditch?
Donald T - You’re right about the “untouched” attactions. Give me the primitive site any day!
Clock guy - The toilets are pretty far away from the normal campsites.
Thanks for comments!
not so good if your camp located nearby the toilet as they might be many people go for toilet from day to night. Quite dangerous when u put some important stuff at your camping booth as they are many people passing by your booth
yea, “untouched” attractions are the best. If i were looking for facilities, then i would visit a city or a town instead.
Well, that “primitive” campsite looks good to me. I think I’d be in a very good shape as long as I would be staying there in not more than 3 days. I hope that campsite is not muddy! Or at least no dangerous animals are in site.
I think I will need three people with me, a guitar, my cellphone, some underwear, and provisions for 3 days for me to be okay in there.
Getting away from it all is what it’s about… just you, the woods, some friends, and some beer and you’re good to go
I love nature and being outside. Although I have never been there nor see it, it sounds wonderful.
Primitive life is normal for most in my country. I love your blog and thank you for the ‘dofollow’
Dee
Without water, a river or something, it isn’t a camping for me, i don’t know why … but yeah, it sound good primitive, without electricity and others modern stuff !
Man you have everything planned out I will have to find all my good information before I go back to Arkansas from you.
Sounds it is ideal for camping.
Looks now we get a natural place for camping.
Great post. I would love to hear some information on rv friendly campgrounds. My family and I hope to get down there next year to camp and float. We are close to St. Louis and spend most of our time in the Missouri Ozarks, but would like to get down there. It looks wonderful.
I love camping and this post has some great information for a successful trip. I just wish it had pictures of the area I hate getting up to a camping spot and finding out I’m in sagebrush and dead trees. Just a thought for your next post.
Hi Great post
I live in the UK and go camping a lot
I would love to camp “native”
but a young family doesn’t allow it yet.
Rich
Keep in mind, this is a pretty large area. You can camp anywhere that it’s not posted. This is one of the most beautiful places on earth and if take just a short hike off the beaten path you can camp in your own little piece of heaven. Please take out everything you bring in, don’t do your business too close to the water (100ft),glass is forbidden. If you happen to see anyone in the woods, it’ll probably be a park ranger. These guy’s make the rounds often on foot and they’ll sneak up on ya. don’t forget, take out everything. LITTER SUCKS.
P.S. The fishing is better a short drive north into Missouri Just not quite as pretty.
And one more thing! The ticks are unbelievable in the summer. Only late fall to early spring for me.
chris, when the children get older, bring them over. they’ll never forget it. and as an added bonus you will be proud to have raised kids who respect our planet. isn’t our world beautiful?
my wife and i talk about backpack in your part of the world all the time… never enough time though!
Primitive camping is what its all about, getting back to basics makes it all the more challenging and fun, never been to the buffolo river, sounds cool. I will be checking in from now on, thanks.
Very nice post thank you!
I absolutely love camping. When I was growing up, our family went every summer. Camping is a great way to get away from it all and spend good quality time with your family!
I thin there is room for both. Why can’t you do both? The primitive campgrounds are wonderful- and those are getting far and few between as the demand for electricity and water hookup increases. But sad.
It is also nice to have a “vacation” in your trailer but primitive camping is a wonderful experience.
camping is my preferd “sport”, i love it, but i prefer in the nature, not in specific camping sites.
this place you mencioned seems to be very cool.
thanks for the tip. bye
I love camping a ton! Thanks for this post!
I can’t say I’ve ever gone camping with next to nothing. It’s not my ‘ideal’ vacation haha
Primitive camping is the only way to camp. NOt a lot of beer-drinking college kids, and a great way to enjoy nature!
These are really valuable geographical info.
Camping has proven to be one of the greatest outdoor activities to get away from it all. It relieves the stress and the anxieties of urban living and work.
My heap of thanks for this post.
hey my husband daughter and I have been thinking about floating from buffalo point to buffalo city, or down to norfork. we have been told that this is the best float trip for those who want to get away from it all. you float and then just pull over at the end of the day and camp alongside the river, and get up and go some more! Just wondering if you have any thoughts or tips for this such as.. Can this be more dangerous as far as wild animals? Will we be nearly by ourselves? Is this a very lazy part of the river where we will be paddling and bumping rears the whole way? any info you can get would be greatly appreciated! thanks
I experienced both “primitive” camping and “comfortable” camping. I prefer the latter.
[...] such as fresh water hookups and electricity. Interested in “roughing it”? Try camping at a “primitive” campsite. The conveniences of water and electricity are great, but there is nothing quite like [...]
I love primitive camping! But the best way to do it in Ontario is to find a piece of Crown Land and hike in and stay in a clearing. Me and a friend do this until it gets too cold. We just hike 10 min. into the bush off of one of our favorite fishing holes. The best part is it is free.
Thanks for the list of primitive campgrounds along the river; I think a natural camping site is best suited as it is devoid of any facilities. Good to be back amongst the nature.
I have always love those campgrounds and Steel Creek is the best for me.