At this Arkansas campground, you can park your RV, unload your ATV, and head out toward the mountain trails without putting your machine back on a trailer. Fourche Mountain Adventures sits on 40 acres near Boles, with ride-out access to the Fourche Mountain trail system in the Ouachita National Forest.
The campground offers pull-through RV sites, tent camping, a furnished glamping tent, and a five-bedroom cabin. There are hot showers, a dump station, and an ATV wash station for cleaning up after a day of riding.
Owners Ken and Sandy Kelm have built the place around off-road travelers, with trail maps and local guidance available to help guests plan their rides. And with 30 miles of marked Fourche Mountain trails nearby, there’s plenty to explore without spending the whole weekend driving between trailheads.
A Pine Forest Basecamp Right Off Highway 270
Fourche Mountain Adventures sits at 10701 US-270 in Boles, Arkansas, a quiet corner of Scott County in the western part of the state. It works as a campground and off-road basecamp for folks who want the Ouachita Mountains right outside their door.
The location is easy to find. You stay close to the highway, so pulling in with a big rig is simple, and you aren’t bouncing down a long gravel road after dark.
Still, the setting feels like the woods. Tall pines surround the grounds, and campers often mention how little traffic noise reaches the sites.
I find that balance pretty rare. Many roadside campgrounds feel like parking lots, while many remote ones are hard to reach.
The Ouachita National Forest spreads across this region, and the Fourche Mountain trail system runs through it. That makes the campground a handy starting point for riders, hikers, and anyone who simply wants a slow weekend under the trees.
The Google listing shows a 4.9-star rating from more than 140 reviews, which says a lot about how the place is run. And the biggest reason riders come here starts right at the edge of their campsite.
Ride Out From Your Campsite
Unloading, loading, and reloading an ATV gets old fast. Here, you can skip most of that routine because the campground offers ride-out access toward the Fourche Mountain trails.
Campers describe starting their engines at the site and heading for the trails without hitching up the trailer again. Some note that a short stretch along the highway may be part of the route, so follow local rules and stay alert.
Families with four-wheelers, dirt bikes, and side-by-sides have all made the trip work. Kids ride along too, which tells me the setup is friendly to mixed groups with different skill levels.
That convenience matters more than it sounds. When the ride back is short, you can head out for a quick loop before dinner or take a break at camp during a hot afternoon.
It also means less time wrestling with straps and ramps. More of your weekend goes to actual riding.
Before you roll out, though, you’ll want a plan. The trails in this forest stretch a long way, and knowing where to go makes a big difference, which is where the camp’s owner comes in.
Miles of Fourche Mountain Trails
Creek beds, rocky climbs, smoother forest roads, and the occasional mud hole all show up on the Fourche Mountain trail system. It runs through the Ouachita National Forest and gives riders plenty of variety.
Riders describe the trails as well marked. Some stretches feel like driving through dry creek beds, while others are easier on beginners.
Conditions change with the seasons. One camper noted the trails were quite dry during their visit, so dust can be part of the deal in warmer months.
The nearby Wolf Pen Gap trail area is also reachable from the campground, according to visitors. That gives you a second set of routes if you stay several days.
I’d start with an easier loop to learn the terrain before trying the rockier sections. Forest trails can surprise new riders, and nobody wants a long walk back.
Bring a helmet, water, and a basic repair kit. Cell service can be spotty in mountain country, so download maps ahead of time.
One camper suggested the onX Offroad app for navigation. Paper maps are another option, and you can usually get one without leaving camp.
Ken, the Host With the Trail Map
Ask almost anyone who has camped here, and one name comes up again and again. Ken, who owns the campground with Sandy, is known for meeting guests and pointing them toward good rides.
He keeps maps on hand for the local trails. Campers say he explains which routes are worth the time and which spots have the best scenery.
His help goes beyond directions. Guests recall him lighting a fire to mark a site for a late arrival and stretching out an extension cord for a family who forgot theirs.
Another group called during a full Memorial Day weekend, and he found room for their 24-foot camper. Small gestures like that add up.
I like the idea of a host who checks in without hovering. Several campers mention him stopping by to see if they needed anything, then chatting about his plans for the property.
Earlier visitors also mentioned a camp dog named Bo, though I can’t confirm Bo still greets guests today. Either way, a friendly face at the gate helps when you’re new to the area.
That personal touch carries over into how the grounds are kept.
Long, Level Sites Built for Big Rigs
Backing a long trailer into a tight site while your family watches is nobody’s favorite hobby. Pull-through spots at this campground take a lot of that stress away.
Campers describe the sites as long and fairly level. That leaves room for an RV plus a toy hauler or trailer carrying ATVs.
Hookups are available, and guests call them reliable. Each site has a fire ring, and pine trees offer some shade on warm days.
One visitor noted the spaces sit a little close together. Even so, the layout is organized so large trailers move through without trouble.
Groups seem to do well here. One party brought eight RVs plus the glamping tent, and the host made sure everyone stayed together.
That group liked it enough to vote, by the second day, to make it their new Thanksgiving tradition. Holiday camping with friends sounds like a fine way to skip the crowded dining room.
Tent campers are welcome too. One couple called ahead and got a spot with electricity for a small tent.
And if you don’t own a camper at all, other options wait nearby.
Glamping Tent and Cabin Stays
Not everyone wants to sleep in a sleeping bag after a long day on the trail. For those folks, the campground offers a glamping tent and cabin lodging.
Campers have called the glamping tent cute and comfortable. It gives you the outdoor feel without needing to haul your own gear.
The property also has a rental house and cabins. A few years back, visitors mentioned a cabin with five rooms under construction, and later guests say the cabins were finished and nice to tour.
Because details can change, I’d call ahead to ask about current lodging options and sizes. That’s especially smart for larger families or riding groups.
Mixed groups benefit most. Your RV friends can park at sites while others take a cabin or tent, and everyone still meets at the same fire ring.
I can understand the appeal for first-timers, too. Trying off-road riding is a big enough adventure without also learning how to set up a camper.
No matter where you sleep, the shared facilities matter. Campers talk about one building here more than you might expect.
A Bathhouse People Actually Brag About
Clean showers rank near the top of what campers mention about this place. That’s no small thing after a dusty ride through creek beds and rocky trails.
The bathhouse has showers and toilets, with good hot water according to guests. Earlier visitors described two toilets and two showers in each building.
Winter campers have a special reason to smile. A gas heater keeps the bathhouse warm during cold months, so a chilly morning shower feels a lot less painful.
Fall and winter can be pleasant riding seasons in the Ouachitas. Having a heated bathhouse makes those trips much more comfortable.
Honestly, a clean bathroom can make or break a camping trip. I’d choose a modest campground with spotless showers over a fancy one with neglected facilities.
Guests also say the rest of the grounds stay tidy. Trash, paths, and sites seem to get regular attention.
And the bathhouse isn’t the only place where cleaning happens. Your machines will need some care after a muddy day too.
Wash Station, Dump Station, and Camp Basics
Mud holes are fun until you have to load a mud-covered ATV back onto the trailer. A wash station at the campground solves that problem before you head home.
Guests mention an ATV wash station and an RV dump station on site. Both save time and an extra stop on the drive out.
Firewood and ice are sold at the campground as well. That’s handy since buying wood locally also helps avoid moving pests between forests.
I’d still pack your own groceries and supplies. Boles is a small community, and stores can be a drive away.
A short checklist goes a long way. Bring extension cords, sewer hoses, trash bags, and a flashlight for late walks to the bathhouse.
Riders should pack tire repair gear, tow straps, and spare fuel if allowed. Mountain trails can be far from help.
These simple features don’t get much attention in brochures. Yet they make a long weekend run smoothly.
Once the gear is sorted, there’s time to enjoy the slower side of camp, which may be the part people remember most.
Quiet Nights Under the Pines
After the engines shut off, things get calm fast. Campers regularly describe this campground as quiet and peaceful.
Pine trees cover the property, and the mountain views add to the relaxed feel. Many guests mention the scenery as much as the trails.
Evenings usually center on the fire ring at each site. With firewood sold on site, a campfire is an easy way to wrap up a day of riding.
Families seem right at home here. Guests describe the place as family oriented and family run, which suits parents bringing kids along.
I like a campground where quiet time comes naturally. Kids can roast marshmallows while adults swap trail stories.
Be a good neighbor, of course. Keep noise down at night, follow fire safety rules, and leave your site clean for the next group.
Arkansas mountain nights can turn cool, even after warm days. Pack layers, especially in spring and fall.
Clear nights here can also be good for looking up. In fact, one big sky event brought campers to this very spot.
Planning Your Trip to Boles
During the 2024 solar eclipse, some campers chose this spot to watch the sky. They reported a great view and said they avoided the heavy traffic that clogged other areas.
That story points to a useful planning tip. Popular weekends and special events can fill the campground, so reserving early is a smart move.
Holiday weekends like Memorial Day have booked up before. Calling ahead also lets you ask about site length, hookups, and lodging choices.
Season matters too. Summer brings dry, dusty trails, while cooler months offer comfortable riding and a warm bathhouse to come back to.
Late arrivals happen, especially with long drives. Guests say the host has worked with people arriving at night, but a quick call helps everyone.
I’d plan at least a couple of riding days if you’re bringing machines. The trail system is large, and rushing it seems like a waste.
Leave room in the schedule for downtime. Scenic drives through the Ouachita National Forest are worth adding even if you never touch an ATV.
In the end, the mix of trails, tidy grounds, and a helpful host gives this small Boles campground its lasting pull.
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