Barkshed Recreation Area

We stayed for a couple of nights in the campsite beside the public restrooms. Great campsite, close to Sylamore Creek. The water is cold and crystal clear, great for swimming. We hiked about 2 miles down the trail toward Gunner Pool and the scenery was amazing. Not a difficult hike at all. Highly recommend you check it out if you like a secluded getaway.

Absolutely beautiful and peaceful place to enjoy the surroundings. Kids always have a blast, crystal clear water and cliffs to jump for all ages. Very cold water, you do need water shoes because there are rocks and stones of all sizes.
Definitely recommend for a fun family day, there is also hiking. Some watrerfalls during the rainy season.

I spent 10 days camping at Barkshed Recreation Area in May 2019. It was a really nice time, that was mostly quiet. I only had the campground 100% to myself for one night, but there were about 4-5 nights with only 1-2 others campers around. The weekends were somewhat busy, but I was there during peak season. I used Barkshed as a base camp to explore the area on my dual sport motorcycle. I found lots of rarely traveled gravel roads in the area, and that is always fun when your out on a dual sport. The camp was also very close to Push Mountain Road or HWY 341 whichever you prefer to call it. This road was excellent for any motorcycle. Lots of twists and turns plus great scenery to take in. There are plenty of beautiful sights to see within a short ride from the campground. I recommend checking out Blanchard Caverns and the several waterfalls they have. Also at Blanchard caverns they have mirror lake, which is stunningly beautiful. At the bottom of the Mirror Lake waterfall is what’s left of an old mill that was powered by running water. There are also many hiking trails in the nearby area including one trail that goes right through the campground. The Buffalo River is about a 35 minute ride away, so we had a chance to spend the day canoeing. All in all it’s a nice place to get away from the city, and it does feel remote, but it’s not too far away from necessities.

Great little camping spot, far away from population. Really quiet. So peaceful. River perfect temp, nice to swim in. Lots of hiking in the area. Really pretty. We had it to ourselves. No reception on Verizon, tho.

Absolutely beautiful! Amazing river acess and clean primitive camp sites. Great hiking trails too. Perfect for a day trip or an overnight excursion.

Best campsite ever. Cheap. Beautiful. Well kept. Just the best little two night hammocking in a while.

Had a blast at the trail head with my dog. Trail was nice and the waterfalls were flowing.

Beautiful views plenty of shade! Didn't take the longer trails, just a quick stop and look-see, not much t-mobile service, straight talk gets decent enough in some spots.

Amazing place, so Clean and the water feels so great my Family loves it 🤩🥰😍🤩

One of my favorite spots. Good hiking in 2 to 3 different trials thru hiking to the ozark highland trail and thru gunner pool Blanchard and to rose hole at Allison. No showers or playground. Still a great place for camping or just a day trip. Cold water even on the hottest days.

They have removed 80% of the trees in a once beautiful area. What a shame

REALLY long bumpy drive to get in BUT SO WORTH IT! We LOVED it and lucked out on being the only people there!

It is one of the jewels of the National Forest here in our area. If you like hiking and the outdoors this is a must on your things to do list! The crystal clear water old road Bridge that is out of service is an awesome back drop of the Bark Shed area. Love it🥰

Peaceful, and beautiful. All I wanted.

Have been going here since I was a child and it is still just as wonderful. It is a great place for children to Learn to swim because the water is not too deep (about 5 ft in the deepest if my memory is correct) and the current is not strong. The water is Crystal clear and super cold!!!

Absolutely beautiful !!! I was concerned it would be crowded and not worth the drive. I was absolutely wrong !!!! Beautiful clear water. None of us wanted to shower after, our hair and skin was so soft.

This really is my family's favorite place to visit..
Barkshed is a wonderful place to camp. I has clean out houses, but no showers. Some reception. Great place to get away and relax. Water is amazingly cold which is great in the hot months of Arkansas.

We love Barkshed! It has two great swimming holes. It was a bit green, but that always happens this time of year. Water is always nice and cool.

In the heart of flowing creeks, springs, and caverns this little recreation camp area is the jewel of Fifty-Six Arkansas. Only $3 a day to camp in nicely laid out camp spots, well shaded, and some by the waterside. Fire rings, pavilions, and toliets available onsite. Catch the place sparsely populated during summer week days, with a little more traffic on the weekends. The Sylamore Creek spot is a local favorite, and is kept clean. Hike the trail along the creekside for magnificent views and great photo opportunities and relax in the creek in the evenings. Bring good shoes for walking along the rocks, your feet will get sore in flip flops, and if you're a light sleeper, bring ear plugs because the birds and owls keep it loud and crazy during the night and it echoes off the canyon walls.

One of my favorite places. I've been down there several times when the snow was on. My tracks the only ones in and out.