Visitors planning overnight trips to the Buffalo National River will soon see another major change to camping along Arkansas’s iconic river corridor. Beginning September 1, 2026, all individual campsites at Kyle’s Landing and Erbie Campgrounds will require reservations.
The update follows the National Park Service’s earlier rollout of reservation requirements at several other Buffalo National River campgrounds that began with the 2026 camping season on March 13. Those campgrounds included Steel Creek, Ozark, Carver, Tyler Bend, and Rush.
When the first round of changes was announced in January, the park stated that Kyle’s Landing and Erbie would remain first-come, first-served for the 2026 season. That will now change as visitation pressures continue to grow at some of the river’s most popular camping areas.
For more details on the Buffalo National River’s expanding reservation system, including which campgrounds began requiring reservations in 2026, read our guide to Buffalo National River campground reservations and reservation changes.
What Changes September 1
Beginning September 1, all individual campsites at both campgrounds must be reserved through Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.
The National Park Service says cash and check payments will no longer be accepted at the campgrounds.
Reservations for individual campsites can be made up to six months in advance, including same-day reservations when sites are available. Group campsites at Erbie will continue to be reservable up to one year in advance and will also allow same-day reservations.
Park officials are encouraging visitors to make reservations before arriving because cell service is extremely limited in the area. Campers are advised to save screenshots of their confirmation number, campsite number, and reservation dates before traveling to the campground.
Emergency phones located onsite can connect visitors directly to Recreation.gov if assistance is needed.
Campgrounds Already Requiring Reservations
The Buffalo National River reservation system now covers many of the park’s most heavily used developed campgrounds during the primary camping season.
Campgrounds currently requiring reservations beginning March 13, 2026, include:
- Steel Creek Campground
- Ozark Campground
- Carver Campground
- Tyler Bend Campground
- Rush Campground
Some portions of Buffalo Point Campground also continue to operate under a reservation system, while several backcountry camping areas such as Woolum and Spring Creek remain first come, first served.
Planning Ahead on the Buffalo
The move toward reservations reflects broader trends across the National Park System as agencies attempt to better manage crowding and improve visitor experiences during peak seasons.
Kyle’s Landing and Erbie are among the Buffalo’s most sought-after primitive campgrounds because of their access to floating, hiking, fishing, and scenic bluff-lined sections of the river. Both campgrounds regularly fill during spring float season and busy fall weekends.
Visitors wanting more information about camping options along the Buffalo National River can visit the National Park Service camping page or contact the Tyler Bend Visitor Center at 870-439-2502.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
