The Basics
Richland Creek Campground
Ben Hur, AR
Phone: (479) 284-3150 (Big Piney District Office)
Closest Towns: Ben Hur, Jasper, Marshall, Pelsor
Directions: North Approach: Take AR Hwy 123 East from Lurton, which is about 26 miles south of Jasper on Scenic Hwy 7, between Pelsor/Sand Gap and Cowell. Go 1.5 miles, then Turn Right onto FR# 1200/CR# 36. Travel 6.8 miles, then Continue Straight/Turn Right onto FR# 1205/CR# 37. Go another 1.6 miles to a four way junction of sorts. This is Iceledo Gap. Turn Right onto what appears a driveway, drive down the hill and past the house, then across a small stream. The road will end after 0.8 miles at Hill Cemetery. The first part of this road passes through private property, so be sure to not tresspass. Also, the road is starting to get rough in places, and a high clearance vehicle may be needed.
South Approach: From the intersection of AR Hwy 7/16/123 at Pelsor/Sand Gap, head East on Hwy 16 approx. 9.8 miles, just past the small community of Ben Hur, to FR# 1205/CR# 68/Upper Falling Water Rd. Turn Left and go about 10 miles to the campground entrance on your left.
About Richland Creek Campground
Located deep in the Ozark National Forest, miles from any paved road, and even further from civilization, the Richland Creek campground offers access to some of the most beautiful country in the Ozarks or Ouachitas, possibly even in the entire midwest. The campground sits next to Richland Creek, and is surrounded by the Richland Creek Wilderness Area, home to hiking trails, swimming holes, cascades and waterfalls, wildflowers, fall color, bluffs, rock formations and so much more.
Richland Creek campground offers 11 designated primitive campsites, with no amenities avaialble, for a truly rugged and remote experience. Most sites offer picnic tables and/or fire pits. A few of the campsites are very close to the creek, while the rest are located up on a shady bench overlooking the creek. There is also a vault toilet available. Due to the rough forest roads required to reach Richland Creek campground, campers/trailers are discouraged.
Right next to the campground, Richland Creek offers a nice swimming hole, with some huge boulders just upstream from there. There are also numerous other swimming holes available up and down Richland Creek as well.
Just beyond and surrounding the campground is the border to the Richland Creek Wilderness, offering over 11,800 acres of the rugged Boston Mountains, deep ravines, abundant wildlife, and clear streams. Although there are no officially developed trails in the wilderness, old logging roads and a few "user created" trails are popular for accessing the interior of the vast wilderness. Some of the highlights of the Richland Creek Wilderness, besides Richland Creek itself, include three major waterfalls. The most popular would be the Twin Falls of Richland, which is actually two waterfalls that are located side by side. The next most visited waterfall would be Richland Falls, which isn't very tall, but does span the entire width of Richland Creek. The third major waterfall is much less visited, but it is definitely worth the trip to see Hamilton Falls. Countless other smaller waterfalls can be found in many of the small side drainages during periods of wet weather.
Another neaby feature, which you woud have passed by if you came in from the south approach, is Falling Water Creek, and, more specifically, Falling Water Falls.
What's Nearby
Parks & Nature
Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area
Richland Creek Wilderness Area
Trails
Pedestal Rocks/Kings Bluff Trails
Camping
Fairview Campground
Lodging
Local Eateries
Gear & Supplies
Other Attractions
Falling Water Falls
Ft. Douglas/Hwy 123 Access
Hamilton Falls
Kings Bluff Falls
Richland Falls
Six Finger Falls
Twin Falls of Richland
Towns & Cities