Tyler Bend Campground
St Joe, Arkansas · Buffalo National River
Verified · 5 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $20/night
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Tyler Bend Campground
Tyler Bend is a National Park Service campground and visitor center area on the Buffalo National River near St. Joe, Arkansas, in the river's Middle District. It serves as the park's main public contact point, with river access that works as a natural swimming hole, plus paddling and fishing alongside camping and a short hiking trail network.
Tyler Bend sits along a bend of the free-flowing Buffalo National River in the Ozark Mountains, about 31 miles south of Harrison on US Highway 65. The site includes a full-service visitor center, campground, day-use pavilion, and a network of trails (Riverview, Spring Hollow, Buck Ridge, Rock Wall) totaling about 4.5 miles with 250-300 feet of elevation change; the Riverview Trail overlooks the confluence of Calf Creek and the Buffalo River, and the Sod Collier Homestead is a nearby historic site.
Swimming at Tyler Bend Campground
Recreation.gov's official campground description characterizes this stretch of the Buffalo River as having both swift rapids and quiet pools suitable for swimming, making it accessible to casual swimmers as well as paddlers; the same source cautions against swimming alone during high water and against climbing or diving from the bluffs.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Harrison, Arkansas, travel about 31 miles south on Highway 65 to reach the Middle District/Tyler Bend area. The NPS notes GPS is unreliable in this area and recommends using an Arkansas highway map or official park map instead.
Parking: A gravel access road and parking area serve the site; as of a 2025 report, a paving/restoration project intended to reduce sediment runoff and improve durability had stalled due to a funding hold, also cutting water service to the main public restrooms during that period.
The hike in
No hike is required to reach the swimming water. Tyler Bend is a drive-up campground and day-use area directly on the Buffalo River with river access near the visitor center and pavilion. A separate roughly 4.5-mile day-use trail network (Riverview, Spring Hollow, Buck Ridge, Rock Wall trails, 250-300 ft elevation change) exists at the same site for hiking, and the Riverview Trail overlooks the Calf Creek/Buffalo River confluence, but these trails are not required to reach the river's edge for swimming.
Short walk from the parking/visitor-center area to the riverbank; exact walk time not stated in sources found.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Recreation.gov's official description notes the river here has both quiet pools suitable for swimming and swift rapids, and the NPS explicitly warns not to swim alone during high water and discourages climbing or diving from the bluffs. There is no lifeguard. Families can find calmer pools along the bend, but current strength varies with water level and should be checked on arrival.
Parking
Free
A gravel access road and lot serve the visitor center/pavilion/campground area. A 2025 paving project meant to reduce sediment runoff and improve durability had stalled due to a funding hold as of that report, so the lot may still be unpaved gravel with possible construction-related disruption.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush restrooms with running water are normally available at the Tyler Bend day-use pavilion and visitor center (per NPS/Recreation.gov). However, a 2025 news report (arkansasoutside.com) found water service to the main public restrooms had been cut off due to a stalled parking-lot paving/restoration project; this may be a temporary condition, so status should be verified before a trip.
Hours
Visitor center operates year-round (specific daily hours not published in sources found); day-use trail network is day-use only (no overnight backcountry use); campground generator use restricted to 8am-8pm.
On the water
Recreation.gov and Wikipedia both describe canoeing, kayaking, and tubing as standard activities on this stretch; the Recreation.gov listing specifically notes the middle river location allows for 'extended seasons for kayaking and tubing.' Visitors may bring their own craft or rent from independent concessioners. No specific motorboat/no-wake regulation for this stretch was found in sources checked (nps.gov regulations/boating pages returned 404s in this session), so that detail is left null rather than guessed.
Rentals nearby
Canoe and kayak rental with shuttle service, authorized NPS concessioner on the Buffalo National River
Prices: Canoe $99.50; Kayak $85.50 (per-trip rates listed on their site)
9826 US-65, St Joe, AR 72675 - directly on Highway 65 at Silver Hill, immediately adjacent to Tyler Bend (about 1.2 mi per nearby-towns data)
Canoe, kayak, and raft floats on the Middle Buffalo River (established 1986)
9664 N Hwy 65, St Joe, AR 72675 - on the same short stretch of Highway 65 as Tyler Bend/Silver Hill · Mon-Thu 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; Fri-Sun 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
What regulars say
A 2025 regional news report confirms the parking and access-road paving project at Tyler Bend was stalled and had cut water to the main public restrooms, and it recommends visitors check official NPS channels for current conditions before a trip. No candid reports on crowd levels, water clarity, or trip tips could be sourced.
Backstory
The nearby Sod Collier Homestead is a preserved historic site along the flat, wheelchair/stroller-accessible portion of the Tyler Bend trail network.
Tyler Bend Campground: FAQ
Does Tyler Bend Campground charge a fee?
Individual campsites $20/night (reservation season roughly March 13-November 15); group sites $50/night for 10-25 people; camping is free and first-come, first-served in the off-season with no dump station service.
Is Tyler Bend Campground kid friendly?
Recreation.gov's official description notes the river here has both quiet pools suitable for swimming and swift rapids, and the NPS explicitly warns not to swim alone during high water and discourages climbing or diving from the bluffs. There is no lifeguard. Families can find calmer pools along the bend, but current strength varies with water level and should be checked on arrival.
Do I need to hike to reach Tyler Bend Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Tyler Bend Campground?
A gravel access road and lot serve the visitor center/pavilion/campground area. A 2025 paving project meant to reduce sediment runoff and improve durability had stalled due to a funding hold as of that report, so the lot may still be unpaved gravel with possible construction-related disruption.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Tyler Bend Campground?
Recreation.gov and Wikipedia both describe canoeing, kayaking, and tubing as standard activities on this stretch; the Recreation.gov listing specifically notes the middle river location allows for 'extended seasons for kayaking and tubing.' Visitors may bring their own craft or rent from independent concessioners. No specific motorboat/no-wake regulation for this stretch was found in sources checked (nps.gov regulations/boating pages returned 404s in this session), so that detail is left null rather than guessed.
What are the rules at Tyler Bend Campground?
Climbing and/or diving from the bluffs is discouraged as dangerous. Swimmers are advised not to swim alone during high water. Generators are restricted to 8am-8pm. Trails are day-use only with no backcountry camping permitted on the Tyler Bend trail network. Fishing requires an Arkansas license.
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