Winding Stair Campground
The numbers that decide it
Recreation.gov publishes no site-level detail for this campground, so we cannot say what length of rig it takes. Call the managing office before committing to it in a large vehicle.
Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero.
Winding Stair Campground
Visitors enjoy the peaceful setting of this campground located within three miles of several trail systems, including Horsethief and Billy Creek Trails. The Mountain-top Trail has a one-mile loop and a two-mile loop adjacent to the campground. The 192-mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail passes the campground as it extends from Talimena State Park in Oklahoma to Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Arkansas. This campground is one of many attractions along the Talimena Scenic Byway, a 54-mile highway winding along the crests of Winding Stair and Rich Mountains. Emerald Vista, north of this campground, boasts a birds-eye view of the Ouachita National Forest from atop the Scenic Byway. Picnic tables are available. A backpacker’s camp, located about 300 feet west of the main campground, is open year-round. Facilities include five tent pads, table, fire ring, lantern poles and pit toilet. Overview: Water services in the area are currently unavailable. Generators may be used, but must be turned off during quiet hours, 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. Winding Stair Campground has 23 campsites with paved spurs, grills, fire rings, lantern poles and tent pads. The campground is located along the Talimena Scenic Byway, sitting atop the crest of the Winding Stair Mountains. The Talimena Scenic Byway traverses the 54-mile stretch across the Rich and Winding Stair Mountains from Mena, Arkansas to near Talihina, Oklahoma. The campground amenities include three vault toilets and is located adjacent to Emerald Vista, which provides a panoramic view of the Ouachita Mountain Range.
Before you go
Reservations
First-come, first-served
Fees
Campground: • Backpacker’s camp- $3/night • Single sites- $8/night • Double sites- $14/night
Hours
No water/electric available.
Restrictions
Current fees and regulations are posted at the self-service pay station.
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.