Redding Recreation Area

For Arkansans seeking an authentic outdoor getaway that truly connects them with the natural splendor of the Ozarks, Redding Recreation Area near Ozark stands as an exceptional choice. Nestled alongside the Wild and Scenic Mulberry River and enveloped by the lush Ozark National Forest, this campground offers a serene and picturesque setting that has long been cherished by local outdoor enthusiasts. It's a place where the sounds of the river replace city noise, and the vastness of the forest inspires exploration. Redding Recreation Area provides a refreshing balance of rustic charm with thoughtful amenities, making it a desirable destination for both adventurous spirits and families looking for a peaceful escape.

Redding is more than just a place to pitch a tent; it’s a gateway to some of Arkansas’s most beloved natural attractions. With direct access to the famous Ozark Highlands Trail and the challenging yet rewarding Spy Rock trail, it’s a hiker's paradise. But the allure extends beyond the trails. The campground itself boasts spacious sites with ample buffers, ensuring privacy and a genuine sense of being immersed in nature. What sets it apart for many is the presence of facilities like a bathhouse with flush toilets and warm showers, and a well water system, offering a modernized touch that enhances the wilderness experience without compromising its natural integrity. Even with some mixed reviews on bathroom upkeep, the fundamental offerings contribute significantly to a comfortable and fulfilling stay.

The commitment to providing handicap accessible river access further underscores Redding Recreation Area's dedication to inclusivity, ensuring that more Arkansans can enjoy the beauty of the Mulberry River for activities like canoeing, kayaking, or simply relaxing by the water. Whether you're planning a week-long immersion in nature, a weekend of strenuous hiking, or a tranquil day by the river, Redding Recreation Area offers a beautiful backdrop and the necessary amenities to make your Ozark adventure a memorable one. Its natural beauty, coupled with its recreational opportunities, makes it a favored spot that many local visitors return to time and again.

Redding Recreation Area is strategically located at 21424 AR-23, Ozark, AR 72949, USA, placing it directly within the heart of the Ozark National Forest. This prime location along Arkansas Highway 23, a route well-known for its scenic beauty, ensures relatively straightforward access for vehicles of all types, including cars, RVs, and those towing trailers. The convenience of being located directly off a state highway makes the journey to the campground less challenging than some more remote primitive sites, allowing for easier travel for Arkansans coming from various parts of the state.

The campground sits directly next to the Wild and Scenic Mulberry River, a significant feature that defines much of the recreational appeal of the area. Access to the river is a key highlight, with a rock canoe launch available, which is notably handicap accessible. This thoughtful provision makes river activities, such as kayaking, canoeing, and swimming, more readily available to a wider range of visitors.

Furthermore, Redding Recreation Area serves as a crucial trailhead for several significant hiking routes. It provides direct access to a segment of the renowned Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT), a 170-mile long-distance trail offering diverse and challenging terrain. Additionally, it is the starting point for the popular Redding-Spy Rock loop trail, an approximately 8.8-mile round trip that leads to a scenic viewpoint. The combination of highway accessibility, direct river access, and immediate trailheads makes Redding a highly convenient and attractive base camp for outdoor adventures in the Ozarks. While generally accessible, conditions of unpaved interior roads within the campground may vary seasonally, so checking with the Forest Service for current conditions is always a good practice.

• Campsites: Redding Recreation Area offers 27 family camping units. These sites are designed to be spacious, providing "enough buffer between each site" to ensure privacy for campers. They are suitable for both tent camping and smaller RVs or camper trailers, with maximum lengths up to 35 feet at some sites. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, as no reservations are taken for these individual sites.

• Bathhouse with Flush Toilets and Warm Showers: A significant amenity at Redding is a bathhouse equipped with flush toilets and warm showers. While some reviews have noted occasional issues with cleanliness, the availability of these facilities is a major convenience for campers, especially after a day of hiking or river activities.

• Potable Water System: The campground provides a well water system with spouts dispersed throughout the area, offering accessible drinking water for campers. This is a crucial service that enhances the comfort and safety of visitors.

• River Access and Canoe Launch: Redding sits directly on the Wild and Scenic Mulberry River, offering excellent access for water-based recreation. A rock canoe launch is available, notably designed to be handicap accessible, facilitating easy entry for non-motorized boats like canoes and kayaks.

• Direct Trailheads: The campground serves as a direct access point to prominent hiking trails, including a section of the Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT) and the popular Redding-Spy Rock loop trail. This immediate trail access is a key service for hikers and backpackers.

• Picnic Areas: Designated picnic areas are available for day use, allowing visitors to enjoy meals outdoors with access to the campground's facilities and natural surroundings.

• Trash Service: The presence of trash receptacles at the campground is implied, allowing campers to dispose of their waste properly, which is essential for maintaining the cleanliness of the area.

• Proximity to Wild and Scenic Mulberry River: Redding Recreation Area's most prominent feature is its location right next to the Mulberry River. This provides campers with immediate access to a popular and scenic float stream, ideal for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming, especially during suitable water levels.

• Handicap Accessible River Launch: The availability of a new rock canoe launch that is handicap accessible is a significant highlight, ensuring that more individuals can enjoy the unique experience of launching into the Mulberry River.

• Access to Major Hiking Trails: Serving as a direct trailhead for both the challenging Redding-Spy Rock loop trail (approximately 8.8 miles round trip) and a segment of the extensive Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT), Redding is a prime location for both day hikers and long-distance backpackers seeking adventure and scenic overlooks.

• Comfort of Flush Toilets and Warm Showers: Despite occasional maintenance concerns mentioned in reviews, the presence of a bathhouse with flush toilets and warm showers is a major comfort for a national forest campground, significantly enhancing the overall camping experience for many visitors.

• Spacious and Private Campsites: The campground's design offers "good size" camping areas with "enough buffer between each site," providing campers with a valued sense of privacy and space in a natural setting.

• Forested and Scenic Setting: Surrounded by the dense Ozark National Forest, the campground boasts a beautiful natural environment, offering opportunities for wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and enjoying the serene sounds of the wilderness.

• Year-Round Operation: Redding Recreation Area is open year-round, allowing Arkansans to enjoy its natural beauty and recreational opportunities across all seasons, from spring floats to fall foliage and winter hiking.

As a recreation area managed by the USDA Forest Service within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, Redding Recreation Area operates under a standard fee structure rather than offering commercial "promotions" or "special offers" in the private business sense. However, its affordability and the valuable amenities it provides can be seen as continuous "offers" for the public.

• Affordable Camping Fees: Camping at Redding Recreation Area is generally very economical, with a fee of $15 per site per day (which includes two vehicles). This makes it a highly accessible and budget-friendly option for Arkansans seeking an outdoor getaway.

• Day-Use Fee Option: For those not staying overnight but wanting to enjoy the facilities, river access, or trails, a modest day-use fee of $3.00 per day is available. This provides flexible access for various recreational activities.

• Federal Pass Acceptance (Likely): Holders of America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes (such as Senior Passes, Access Passes, etc.) may be eligible for discounts on camping fees, providing additional savings for qualifying individuals.

• First-Come, First-Served Availability: While not a "promotion," the first-come, first-served policy for campsites means that no advance booking is required. This offers flexibility for spontaneous trips, especially during non-peak times, allowing locals to enjoy the area without prior reservations.

• Value of Included Amenities: The presence of flush toilets, warm showers, and potable water, all included in the site fee, offers significant value for a national forest campground. These are amenities often lacking at more primitive sites, enhancing comfort without additional charges.

For the most current information on fees, any potential seasonal changes, or operational alerts (such as fire bans or temporary closures), it is highly recommended to contact the Pleasant Hill Ranger District of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests directly.

For direct inquiries or additional information regarding Redding Recreation Area, as it is located within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, the primary point of contact is the managing USDA Forest Service office.

Address:
21424 AR-23, Ozark, AR 72949, USA

Ozark-St. Francis National Forests - Supervisor's Office (General Information):
Phone: (479) 964-7200
Mobile Phone: +1 479-964-7200 (This number is consistent for general inquiries about the forest.)

Specific Ranger District (Managing Redding Recreation Area):
Pleasant Hill Ranger District
Phone: (479) 754-2864 (This is the specific number for the district office directly managing Redding.)
Office Address: 12053 N. State Hwy 23, Ozark, AR 72949 (This is the district office, not the campground itself.)

It is highly recommended that you contact the Pleasant Hill Ranger District before your visit. They can provide the most up-to-date information on current conditions, such as river levels on the Mulberry, trail status (including the Spy Rock trail), any fire bans in effect, water availability, and the current operational status of the bathhouse facilities. This ensures you have the latest details for a safe and enjoyable trip to Redding Recreation Area.

For Arkansans, Redding Recreation Area offers an exceptionally suitable and highly appealing outdoor experience that truly captures the essence of the Ozarks. It’s a place designed for those who appreciate the beauty of nature without excessive frills, providing a comfortable yet authentic camping environment. Its location alongside the Wild and Scenic Mulberry River, a cherished local waterway, makes it an ideal spot for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or simply enjoying the tranquil sounds of the water. This direct and accessible river frontage, notably including a handicap accessible launch, means more Arkansans can easily partake in these beloved river activities.

The spacious campsites with ample buffers provide a sense of privacy that is highly valued by campers, allowing families and individuals to relax and connect with nature without feeling overcrowded. This "rough it and chill" atmosphere is perfect for locals seeking a genuine escape from the hustle and bustle, a chance to truly unwind in a forested setting. Furthermore, the inclusion of flush toilets and warm showers, while occasionally subject to upkeep variations, is a significant comfort that elevates the experience above many other primitive campgrounds, making it more accessible and enjoyable for a broader range of campers.

Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons for locals to visit Redding Recreation Area is its unparalleled access to the Ozark Highlands Trail and the popular Spy Rock trail. For Arkansas hikers, this is a prime opportunity to explore some of the state's most scenic and challenging footpaths directly from their campsite. This immediate trailhead access maximizes time spent on the trails and allows for both leisurely strolls and strenuous adventures. The consistent positive feedback from families about having a "great time" and the ability to leave tents for hiking underscores the welcoming and secure environment.

In conclusion, Redding Recreation Area offers Arkansans an affordable, convenient, and truly immersive outdoor experience. Its blend of river access, extensive hiking trails, comfortable amenities (for a national forest campground), and a peaceful, private atmosphere makes it an ideal destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone looking to reconnect with the stunning natural beauty of the Ozark National Forest. It's a beloved local treasure that promises memorable adventures and serene moments for all who visit.