Attractions and Places To See in Johnson County - Top 7

Big Piney Creek winds through the heart of the Ozark National Forest, known for its clear mountain water. Designated a National Wild and Scenic River, it’s popular for canoeing, fishing, and swimming, with Class I–III rapids and year-round recreation. The creek flows for nearly 70 miles before joining the Arkansas River, passing through remote wilderness, historic bridges, and Forest Service campgrounds, including Long Pool and Haw Creek Falls.

This section of the OHT follows the banks of Little Piney Creek, and is a nice, easy walk with the quiet sound of the water heading downstream. On the other side of the creek, you'll see beautiful bluffs and rock walls before passing through a lovely area filled with sumac berries, persimmon trees, and blackberry bushes, perfect for a mid-morning snack. Along the way, you'll cross the creek, which is typically dry, unless you are here in the spring, when you may need to look for a better spot to cross. The creek is a great water source, and this section is an ideal spot to take a pause and appreciate the quiet scenery.

Ozone Campground is a small, first-come, first-served site with eight primitive campsites, a vault toilet, picnic tables, and a reservable pavilion, but no potable water or hookups. The fee to camp here is $10, and payment is typically made via a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, so it’s a good idea to download the app ahead of time in case cell service is spotty. Due to its proximity to the Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT), it’s an ideal spot for a quiet overnight stay.

This is a lovely quiet, shaded campsite nestled in a small valley along the OHT. There is reliable water from a nearby stream and flat ground to pitch your tent. The surrounding hollow is peaceful and scenic, with easy access to Lynn Hollow Falls, perfect for a short side hike.

This beautiful bench section of the OHT is stunning, passing house-sized boulders and impressively large beech trees, with some fantastic views of the valley. It is relatively level, although the terrain is very rocky. This stretch is perfect for a slow pace, where you can take some time to enjoy the scenery, especially in the fall when the leaves change to gorgeous hues of gold, orange and red.

Haw Creek Recreation Area is a lovely rustic campground nestled within the Ozark National Forest, with nine primitive, first-come, first-served (free) campsites situated directly adjacent to an 8-foot waterfall cascading over rocky ledges into a fantastic swimming hole. This spot sits right along the Ozark Highlands Trail (around mile 104) with trail access to both Haw Creek Falls and nearby Pack Rat Falls and Pam’s Grotto wet‑weather waterfall. There are vault toilets, but no hookups or potable water. It is important to note that if you plan to visit, this area is subject to flash floods after heavy rain, so be sure to plan your trip ahead to enjoy this beautiful spot.

Spadra Creek is a nice, large creek that runs past Clarksville. There is a lot of shade along the creek, so it is easy to find a shady, grassy spot to relax during a walk.