The Railroad Bridge Campground is part of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area and lives up to its name with sites right next to an old railroad bridge and easy access to the Arkansas River.
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Rating: 3 of 5
Location: North of Buena Vista (map)
Reservations: Available at CPWShop.com
Amenities: Pit Toilet, River Access
Railroad Bridge Campground: River Camping Near Buena Vista
The Railroad Bridge Campground is a small campground (8 sites) about 15 minutes north of Buena Vista on Highway 371, a gravel road east of Highway 24. In early May the Arkansas Valley is usually quite dry and cool with rogue rainstorms popping up. The campground itself was open with only a few trees nearly the river — be prepared for heat on hot days.
There is river access right at the Railroad Bridge Campground and multiple trails from the campsites themselves. There are also hiking/biking trails that you can easily access from Highway 371.
We would recommend the Railroad Bridge Campground for a “hub-and-spoke” basecamp as you explore the Arkansas Valley. There is quick access to the river and single track with multiple 14er trailheads within driving distance. Buena Vista and Salida are also nearby with a whole slew of things to do while you’re in the area.
Would We Return? Yes, we’d come back, especially if we had plans to explore in the Arkansas Valley. The campground itself didn’t offer that much to do but it was very easy to get into Buena Vista.
Our Experience: This camping trip was a bit of an impulse. I had an extra week day off work, the forecast couldn’t make up its mind, and Pip was already asking for another camping trip. I scrolled through available campsites within about two hours of driving, found Railroad Bridge (part of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area) and committed.
Pip and I arrived at about 4pm. We had gone through rain and snow on our 90 minute drive so I was emotionally preparing us for anything. Luckily we were able to get the tent set up without any fuss and Pip was ducking inside the tent as a short bout of rain hit. I grilled up some quesadillas while Pip used the sleeping pads as a bounce house and we had our dinner on our low camp chairs in the vestibule.
The rain moved on quickly and we had energy to burn. We had the Strider Bike with us so we set off to explore. Pip is on an impressively energetic kick when it comes to biking and hiking. We covered at least a mile of dirt road and single track. I even needed to run to keep up a few times. So impressed and *so* glad we have the excuse of exploring new campgrounds and trails as motivation to get Pip on the bike!
Our night was noisy! From inside the tent I would have confidently bet on a very windy, stormy night but alas, when I ventured outside to secure the guy-lines it was just a mild breeze. This is how I learned the hard way that the TNF Wawona is *not* meant for any sort of wind! Neither Pip or myself slept much with the constant flapping of the tent. And it wasn’t all rainfly flapping — some of the noise was coming from the base of the tent flapping. Needless to say, my very tired self was less than impressed with the TNF Wawona 4…and yes, I returned it.
The next morning, dreary with lost sleep, we both tried to rally for camp breakfast but one cup of oatmeal into the morning both of our moods demanded more. The Railroad Bridge Campground is only 15 minutes from Buena Vista and we happily made the trek. Our destination was the Buena Vista Roastery for fuel (and running water!) followed by some fun at the BV/Riverpark Pump Track (links to the dog park, which is the best parking for the pump track). When your preschooler decides biking is finally fun you embrace it!
By late morning we got our mojo back courtesy of caffeine and dirt trails. We didn’t get to do much more in Buena Vista this time but check out the list below for some of our favorite stops when we are in Buena Vista and have more time.
Meals We Cooked: Cheesy Carnitas Quesadillas, Oatmeal Bowls, Muddy Buddy (gas station snack!)
Gear We Used: TNF Wawona 4, Nemo Roamer Sleeping Pads, Butane Stove, Flannel Sleeping Blanket, Huskfirm Double Camp Chair, Folding Camp Seat, Collapsible Camp Chair
Places We Visited: Buena Vista Roastery, Riverpark Pump Track
More Places We Love: Chocolatte Coffee and Ice Cream, Simple Eatery, BV Library (under renovation in 2025), Charlotte Hot Springs & Botanical Gardens, Comanche Drive-In
