Dam-Quarry Campground, Mountain Home, AR

Introduction / Overview: Dam-Quarry Campground – Angler’s Paradise in the Ozarks

For outdoor enthusiasts and dedicated anglers across Arkansas, the Dam-Quarry Campground, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), represents one of the most desirable camping locations in the state. Situated in the beautiful setting of the Ozark Mountains, just outside of Mountain Home, this campground is celebrated for its unique position directly below the majestic Norfork Lake Dam. This critical location provides immediate, unparalleled access to the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the North Fork River (often simply called the White River Tailwater), which is globally recognized for its world-class trout fishing.

Dam-Quarry offers 68 spacious, well-maintained campsites, catering primarily to RVs and trailers, with some sites available for tent campers. The park is a full-service COE facility, ensuring clean, essential amenities for a comfortable stay. Crucially for those who love year-round recreation, Dam-Quarry is one of the campgrounds in the region that remains open year-round, allowing Arkansans to enjoy the quieter, yet equally fruitful, fishing seasons of late fall and winter. It serves as the perfect base camp for fishing excursions, as well as exploring the broader recreational opportunities of the Norfork Lake area.

Location and Accessibility: Directly Below Norfork Dam

The location of Dam-Quarry Campground is its definitive selling point. The address is 170 Picnic Dr, Mountain Home, AR 72653, but its true geographical marker is its spot on the North Fork River, directly downstream from the Norfork Lake Dam and across the road from the Norfork National Fish Hatchery. This area is the heart of the "Twin Lakes" region, famous for Norfork Lake and the nearby Bull Shoals Lake.

Access is convenient via State Route 5 and then a turn onto State Highway 177 from the Mountain Home/Salesville area. The proximity to the dam means campers often have the soothing sound of the flowing river as a backdrop to their stay. The campground offers multiple boat launch ramps dedicated to river access, making it incredibly easy for campers to put in fishing boats, canoes, or kayaks. Furthermore, the short drive back to Mountain Home provides campers with ready access to all essential services, including supermarkets, specialized bait and tackle shops, and dining options, balancing a secluded nature experience with convenient city amenities.

Services Offered: Comfortable Stays for Campers and Anglers

As a well-established COE park, Dam-Quarry Campground is known for its reliable and comprehensive facilities, ensuring that both long-term and short-term visitors have what they need for an enjoyable stay.

Electric and Water Hookups: Approximately 68 campsites are available, with most offering electric (both 30-amp and 50-amp) and water hookups, essential for comfortable RV or trailer camping. Note: All sites have water and electric, though some water hookups may be shared, suggesting a water splitter is a useful addition to your gear.
Sanitary Facilities: The park provides modern, well-maintained restroom and bathhouse facilities with flush toilets and hot-water showers, which are frequently praised by guests for their cleanliness.
Sanitary Dump Stations: Two sanitary dump stations are located on-site, providing a necessary convenience for all RV and trailer campers, as the individual sites do not typically offer sewer hookups.
Campsite Amenities: Each campsite generally includes a paved parking spur, a picnic table (some with shade ramadas/shelters), a fire ring, and a grill, making outdoor cooking and gathering simple.
Pet-Friendly Policy: Pets are welcome, provided they are kept on a leash (six feet or shorter) and are not left unattended, allowing Arkansans to bring their entire family on their camping trip.

Features / Highlights: Riverfront Views and Fishing Access

The standout features of Dam-Quarry are almost entirely defined by its superb riverfront location and the excellent recreational infrastructure provided by the COE.

Premier Riverfront Sites: Many of the campsites are positioned directly along the North Fork River, offering stunning, peaceful river views and direct walk-down access for fly fishing or wade fishing.
Year-Round Operation: This is a major highlight, as the campground is open twelve months a year, catering to trout anglers who prefer the tranquility and excellent fishing conditions available during the off-peak seasons.
World-Class Trout Fishing: The main feature is the immediate, easy access to the North Fork River, home to rainbow, brown, cutthroat, and brook trout. Campers can literally walk from their site to some of the best fishing holes. Dry Run Creek, a popular fishing spot, also runs nearby.
Boat Launch Ramps: The park provides multiple launch ramps specifically designed for river access, perfect for those bringing drift boats, jon boats, or kayaks to fish the tailwaters.
Family Amenities: For families, the park includes two separate playgrounds and a large, reservable group picnic pavilion, offering activities for children and spaces for group gatherings.

Contact Information

As a federally managed park, the best way to secure a reservation or obtain detailed, up-to-the-minute information about Dam-Quarry Campground is through the main office or the official booking platform.

Address: 170 Picnic Dr, Mountain Home, AR 72653, USA

Phone: (870) 499-7216 (Park Office/Information)

Reservations: Can typically be made online through the Recreation.gov website or by calling the toll-free reservation line (Note: Calling the local office is best for general park information).

Conclusion: Why this Place is Suitable for Locals

For residents of Arkansas, the Dam-Quarry Campground is a highly suitable destination, primarily because it offers accessible, high-quality, and year-round access to a truly unique state resource: the trout waters below Norfork Dam. It allows local anglers to maximize their time on the water without the expense of resort lodging. The COE’s management ensures the cleanliness and upkeep of essential services like the bathhouses and dump stations, providing a clean, safe, and professional camping environment.

Furthermore, the campground’s location acts as a crucial link between the premier fishing of the North Fork River and the wide-open boating and swimming available just a short distance away on Norfork Lake. Whether you are a dedicated local fisherman who requires a base camp for the winter season or an Arkansas family looking for a clean, affordable weekend getaway with both river and lake activities within reach, Dam-Quarry Campground provides an exceptional value proposition. Its reliable, year-round availability ensures that a local favorite outdoor retreat is always ready when the spirit of the Ozarks calls.