Blanchard Springs Recreation Area
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Mountain View, AR, AR
Price: From $3 per night
Price range: $3–$60 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (16 reviews)
Season: May through October
Blanchard Springs Recreation Area is located in the scenic Ozark National Forest. The Ozark Mountains are known for beautiful "rolling" hills, hidden caverns, waterfalls and clear flowing streams. Examples of early Ozark culture and music can be found throughout the region.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/blanchard-springs-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Blanchard Springs Recreation Area is located in the scenic Ozark National Forest, known for beautiful rolling hills, hidden caverns, waterfalls and clear flowing streams. The area offers trout fishing on nearby Mirror Lake and is a great starting point for outdoor adventures including mountain biking and hiking.
Wildlife alert: Big Brown Bat, Eurasian Wild Pig, Canada Goose, Common Musk Turtle, and Northern Map Turtle have been documented in the area.
Insider tips for Blanchard Springs Recreation Area: Book early - this is a federal campground with high demand. Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups available. From Mountain View, take Highway 5-9-14 north 5 miles to Allison, then Highway 14 west 8 miles toward Fifty Six, then turn right at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area sign.
Skip Blanchard Springs Recreation Area if: You need RV hookups - none are available at most sites.. You plan to camp outside May through October - seasonal operations only.. You're traveling with a large RV - verify site suitability for self-contained units only..
Best time to visit Blanchard Springs Recreation Area: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Gunner Pool Campground (Fifty Six, AR), Barkshed Campground (Fifty Six, AR), Dam - Quarry (MOUNTAIN HOME, AR), Buffalo Point (YELVILLE, AR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area
Cell signal at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area (Mountain View, AR): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Blanchard Springs Recreation Area is located in the scenic Ozark National Forest. The Ozark Mountains are known for beautiful "rolling" hills, hidden caverns, waterfalls and clear flowing streams. Examples of early Ozark culture and music can be found throughout the region.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early - this is a federal campground with high demand.
Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups available.
From Mountain View, take Highway 5-9-14 north 5 miles to Allison, then Highway 14 west 8 miles toward Fifty Six, then turn right at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area sign.
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Mountain View, take Highway 5-9-14 north for 5 miles to Allison. At Allison, take Highway 14 west for 8 miles toward the town of Fifty Six. Turn right at the Blanchard Springs Recreation Area sign. Be sure to bring a map, GPS directions have led many visitors off-course.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Ozark-St. Francis National Forests fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Ozark-St. Francis National Forests before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Blanchard Springs Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Blanchard Springs Recreation Area open?+
Does Blanchard Springs Recreation Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area?+
How do I make reservations at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area?+
What is the cell service like at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area?+
What season is Blanchard Springs Recreation Area open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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