Ozark National Forest
National forest
4.8 (6202)
Russellville, AR 72801
Area with 1.2 million acres in the Ozark mountains with multi-use trails & places to camp & fish.
Barbecue grillCycling lanesPicnic tablesPublic restroom
RiverAR
Mulberry River Swimming Spots, Ozark National Forest
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Compare Redding and Wolf Pen on the Mulberry River with corrected destination coordinates, day-use fees, camping facilities and river-condition cautions.
Water type
River
Access
Informal
Fee
Redding day use $3 and camping $15; Wolf Pen day use $3 and camping $10 in Forest Service sources reviewed October 2026. Confirm current charges and pass eligibility.
Best season
For a swim, choose warm weather and stable water levels
Nearby towns
Fort Smith, Ozark
Water body
Mulberry River
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Fort Smith, Ozark
Recreation-area reference location
35.68282778, -93.78651111
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Recreation-area reference location
- The map uses a recreation-area reference coordinate from the manager, not a surveyed entrance, parking space or safe water-entry point. Follow current signs and confirm access before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Mulberry River: choose Redding or Wolf Pen before you travel
This page covers two separate Forest Service recreation areas along the Mulberry River. Redding is the better-documented option for visitors comparing campground facilities, while Wolf Pen is a more primitive river-access stop. Neither should be described as a guaranteed quiet or safe swimming spot.
Redding: the destination represented by this map
The corrected pin identifies Redding Recreation Area using the manager's destination coordinates. The old pin was south of the actual area. Redding's official page lists swimming and a canoe launch. Follow current manager directions and forest road alerts instead of treating the old route mileage as reliable.
Compare fees and amenities
Redding's current page lists $3 day use and $15 camping. The 2026 Forest Service schedule lists Wolf Pen at $3 day use and $10 camping. Sites are first-come, first-served in the destination records; confirm current arrangements before travel. Redding has flush toilets and a bathhouse description, whereas Wolf Pen lists vault toilets and no drinking water.
Bring water even to the developed campground
Redding's page describes a campground water system but also marks potable water unavailable. Those statements are not fully aligned. Bring your own drinking water and ask about working showers and water supplies rather than building your trip around an assumed service.
River access is shared with paddlers
Keep canoe launches clear and choose water entry only after assessing conditions and posted rules. A calm photograph or a good floating forecast does not establish safe swimming depth or current. Avoid jumping from bluffs, supervise children directly and switch to a picnic or viewing visit when the river is unsuitable.
Getting There
The pin represents Redding Recreation Area, not every access on the Mulberry. The Forest Service directs visitors from Ozark north on AR-23, then east on Forest Service Road 1003 to Redding. Check current road alerts before choosing a route. Navigate to Wolf Pen Recreation Area separately if that is your destination.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Redding has a canoe launch and river access. Keep launches clear and do not treat a launch as a protected swimming zone. The corrected pin replaces a southern location that did not identify Redding.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check official rules, fees, hours, and closures before visiting. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Aux Arc Park (South Park)
Park
4.5 (500)
Ozark, AR 72949
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroomSlides
Turner Bend Store Cabins & RV Campgrounds
Campground
4.7 (569)
20034 AR-23, Ozark, AR 72949
Redding Recreation Area
Campground
4.6 (226)
21424 AR-23, Ozark, AR 72949
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Restroom
Public bathroom
5 (1)
Lake Trail, West Fork, AR 72774
US Forest Service Boston Mountain Ranger Station
Government office
4 (26)
1803 N 18th St, Ozark, AR 72949
Live Conditions Nearby
Checking nearby USGS water conditions…
Frequently Asked Questions About Mulberry River Swimming Spots, Ozark National Forest
Which Mulberry River access does the map mark?
Redding Recreation Area. Wolf Pen is a separate destination and needs its own navigation and access check.
Are Redding and Wolf Pen free?
Forest Service sources list $3 day use at both, with camping at $15 for Redding and $10 for Wolf Pen. Confirm current charges and pass eligibility.
Can I rely on drinking water at Redding?
The current page has conflicting water information. Bring drinking water and confirm operating facilities with the Pleasant Hill district.
Is Wolf Pen less crowded?
This review does not establish current crowd levels. Both accesses can vary with season, weather and river activity.
Highlights
Two distinct Mulberry River recreation areas
Redding's more developed campground facilities
Wolf Pen's primitive camping context
Separate access and fee planning
Unique Features
Wild and scenic Mulberry River corridor
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid rising, fast or turbid water and storms upstream
- Do not jump from bluffs or dive into unknown depths
- Supervise children directly and stay clear of boats at launches
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
The Mulberry is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
River and wooded-bank views from established access areas; photos are not current-condition reports.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Use designated parking and campsites, leave launches clear and carry out litter.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
For a swim, choose warm weather and stable water levels; a paddling flow recommendation is not a swimming-safety recommendation.
Difficulty Level
Road-access recreation areas; safe water entry depends on current, footing and river level.
Fee
Redding day use $3 and camping $15; Wolf Pen day use $3 and camping $10 in Forest Service sources reviewed October 2026. Confirm current charges and pass eligibility.
Facilities
Redding's page describes a campground well system but separately marks potable water unavailable. Bring drinking water and confirm water and showers before travel. Do not expect Wolf Pen to have Redding's facilities.
Activities
River recreation, swimming at Redding when conditions permit, camping, hiking and fishing
Phone
479-754-2864
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
First-come, first-served campground sites at both Redding and Wolf Pen; fees differ.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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