You are certainly right to be considering Mountain View. Try to plan your visit to include a performance at the Ozark Folk Center (a state park, but no camping.) The Ozark RV Park is adjoining the grounds of the Ozark Folk Center. You can walk a path to the auditorium or to the restaurant there. There will be "music" all over the town especially on week-ends. That is the charm of Mountain View over Branson. These are just people who love to "pick and sing," nothing like the commercialization you find in Branson.
On our last visit to Branson we stayed out at the "Old Highway 86" COE campground:
Old 86You spoke of cities, but not staying too close. I have two suggestions: Lake Catherine State Park which is near Hot Springs, but would also allow visit to Little Rock. AND nearer to Little Rock, the Maumelle COE Park on the river. Lake Catherine (and probably Maumelle) would require reservations well in advance as they are very popular campgrounds.
Altogether away from any city is Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas' first and finest.
