210 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Hot Springs National Park ranges from developed RV parks with full hookups to primitive tent sites and lakeside cabins, all within easy reach of the city's famous thermal waters and historical bathhouses. Gulpha Gorge Campground, located within the national park boundaries, offers full hookup sites for both tent and RV camping along a scenic creek. Lake Ouachita State Park Campground and Lake Catherine State Park Campground offer lakeside camping options approximately 15-20 miles from the downtown area, with amenities ranging from primitive tent sites to cabins and yurts. Several privately operated facilities like Catherine's Landing and Hot Springs National Park KOA provide additional glamping options with resort-style amenities.
Reservations are essential during peak season, particularly for waterfront sites at Lake Ouachita and Lake Catherine, which often fill months in advance. Most developed campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though services may be limited during winter months. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions ideal for hiking the park's trail system. Cell service is generally reliable at established campgrounds but may be spotty in more remote areas of the surrounding Ouachita National Forest. A visitor noted, "We used Lake Ouachita State Park as our base camp for visits to Hot Springs National Park and Garvan Woodland Gardens. The park itself has a playground, marina, beach, spring, cabins, and geocaching."
Several campers highlight the convenience of staying at Gulpha Gorge Campground for its proximity to downtown Hot Springs and direct access to hiking trails. "The campground connects to the park trails so it's great for hiking. Can easily go up the mountain or walk into town," shared one reviewer. Lakeside campgrounds receive consistently high ratings for swimming access and scenic views, though some mention the visible power plant across Lake Catherine as a minor detraction. Many reviewers recommend Catherine's Landing for its resort amenities including a swimming pool, zip line, and boat rentals. For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, Crystal Springs Campground on Lake Ouachita offers Corps of Engineers sites with good swimming areas and hiking trails while still being within a reasonable drive to Hot Springs National Park attractions.
"Beautiful brook side campgrounds right on the Hot Springs national park."
"There are lots of good hiking trails in the Hot Springs National Park. While they do have nice restroom facilities, they do not have showers. The campsites are first come (not reservable)."
from $34 / night
Check Availability"Yes there is a huge power plant across the lake but it didn’t bother us much. We had a water view site #032 loop B and there are many more."
"PROS Senior discount
Reserved on-line 365 days prior to arriving
Site #68 allowed parking RV 12 feet from water edge which was fabulous
Totally level site
Asphalt campsite pad
Pea gravel and"
from $15 - $25 / night
Check Availability"One of the best lakes/ parks I’ve visited. I went to Arkansas to visit the Hot Springs National Park, and left wishing I had stayed longer in Ouachita rather than visit Hot Springs."
"Nothing but great things to say about Lake Ouachita State Park. We were headed that direction to visit Hot Springs National Park, but chose to stay nearby at Lake Ouachita. It was phenomenal!"
"Laundry was a bit small especially in a world of social distancing but clean. You have to drive through the entire campground to get to the lower sites."
"The sites are close to each other, but they are stair stepped, so you feel like you have more privacy which was really nice."
"We had an overnight here after visiting the hot springs national park. The euro delights food truck was a tasty treat. Loved that the pool was open until 10pm just wish the store was open past 5."
"The park is set on 400 acres with one mile bordering Lake Catherine and about eight or nine miles from downtown Hot Springs. "
"Great hiking, close to Hot Springs National Park and some scenic overlooks, clean enough bathrooms. The campground was full and plenty quiet. We had a wonderful few days."
"It had trees for a couple hammocks, a picnic table and firepit facing the water(most of the sites are lakeside with wonderful views), and was an easy pull-thru for our vintage Avion trailer."
from $16 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Sites are very level and it’s convenient to Hot Springs National Park. All sites are pull through and some are located on Lake Hamilton."
"Nice and quite, right on the Ouachita River / lake Hamilton. Very friendly and helpful staff"
from $45 - $95 / night
Check Availability"It is right on a little creek, and there are turkeys somewhere nearby. The RV Park is very very close to Hot Springs National Park, and there is an amusement park right across the highway."
"I was disappointed that they don't promote wearing masks and social distancing 😕😱 I would definitely stay again if Gulphea Gorge is full."
from $41 / night
Check Availability"Close to the national park in Hot Springs Arkansas. And right next door to the flat track/casino. It’s pretty new, but not really any extra amenities. 20/30/50 amp full hookups."
"Located in Hot Spring proper. Easy access to everything. The Dog Park, laundry facilities, and restrooms/showers are of course new and clean. Casino and Racetrack are right around the corner."
from $10 - $30 / night
Check Availability"This is a decent small campground of eight sites, right next to the lake, and there are bathroom facilities that are fairly clean and showers."
"Be sure you follow the email confirmation directions or put in Stephens Park Recreation Area, Blakely Dam Rd, Mountain Pine, AR 71956 as there is also Lake Ouachita State Park in the area."
from $35 - $60 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThe camp ground is hilly, but all the site are flat and level, the basic site comes with a picnic table, electric, water, and a fire ring. The staff are very friendly and helpful, as we were a last minute check in. The bathroom facilities are very clean, air conditioned, and individual room that include a nice size shower. They have a very nice pool and offer shuttle service into Hot Springs!!
ScoutVery good place! River access! Quiet and peaceful! Good laundry and a wonderful staff!
ScoutThere is a bit of an incline getting to this spot, most cars will make it if you want to tow a trailer up here better make sure your vehicle is well equipped. there is the space for it, but the ground is not level. It is early September, Little Rock got up to 98 degrees, it was nice to come back to lake Sylvia that is nearby. Nice and warm on the surface and colder down below.
ScoutThis spot can be fairly active at times but still a good hideaway to car or van camp for a night or two. There are no amenities so bring it or don't be needing it.
GuideStayed 3 nights. Tent camped, family of 6. Nearly vacant campground. Friendly camp hosts. Clean hot showers and bathrooms. Drinkable spring water. Campsite was alongside the creek, shaded under the trees. Short drive to swimming recreation and picnic area with plenty of shade, grass picnic tables and bathrooms. Beautiful spot. Kids were kept busy for hours searching for crystals and swimming.
TravelerIt's been a bit strange. No placard for our car, only room to park one vehicle. Dog poop at our site. My husband stepped in it as we were unhooking. It's quiet and other than the dog poop situation it seems clean.
TravelerWe stayed a week at Petit Jean in one of their gorgeous cabins. It was a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend. The check-in and check-out was easy. Finding the cabin was easy with the directions and map we were given. They were clearly marked, with parking for two vehicles, as they were setup like a duplex. The cabin was beautiful and clean, inside and out. There was a large, heavy, all wood porch swing on each side. Relaxing in it was a peaceful experience, listening to the sounds of birds and the breeze through the tall pines. Inside it was all beautifully stained wood and roomy enough for two people, much like a hotel room, except for the cathedral ceiling. In fact, the setup was better than most hotel rooms we have stayed in. There was a mini-fridge with a small freezer, microwave, coffee pot(with coffee, cups, creamer, sugar, etc,) a Keurig, blow-dryer, iron, ironing board, and broom. It had all the toiletries: soap, shampoo, conditioner, tissue, cups. The open closet had plenty of shelving and hangers for clothing and bags. The bathroom was standard with water that quickly got hot for your bath or shower. There were two full size beds with comfortable mattresses, plenty of pillows and warm bedding, with a nightstand between. There were plugs to charge your phone and a landline. There was also a fireplace, however it was locked closed. The air unit in the room had cooling/heating that was easy to operate and sufficiently cool. We were near the highway, close to the lodge, but did not hear traffic while in the cabin. Parking at Mather Lodge is just like any other, with a short, easy walk to the entrance. Once inside, you pass the check-in desk, a small, well-stocked gift shop,(with something for every age,) an open meeting area and bar before reaching the restaurant. It is beautifully constructed from large logs stained and polished to a gleaming shine. From floor to ceiling, it is the epitome of rugged elegance. We ate breakfast and dinner exclusively at the lodge. The food was exemplary, every meal, cooked to perfection and delicious. The atmosphere was relaxing and we were never rushed or made to feel as if we overstayed our welcome. The service was fast, even when every table was occupied. The servers were friendly and attentive. We had only one server, one time that was"less than," maybe she was new, not sure, but we did not see her again. Tommy, Thomas, Jessie, Brad, Rebekah, and Lindsay were all so pleasant, always greeting us, even when they weren't our servers, remembering us and making us feel like family. The view of the gorge with it's tall trees and towering rock formations was incredible! There was a common area behind the lodge, just outside the restaurant with tables, chairs and benches for observing the gorge, taking photos, relaxing and socializing. You could walk right down to the edge of the huge flat rocks for photos with a stunning background. We spent every evening there, watching the exquisite sunsets. This place is a nature lovers paradise. There is a pool surrounded by loungers behind and to the side of the lodge. It was clean and well-kept with a small waterfall at one end. Thick thirsty towels are provided for your convenience. The grounds are beautifully maintained. We never saw or heard a mower but the grass was cut to perfection and there wasn't a single piece of litter in the entire park. At check-in we were given a map, brochure and weekly schedule of events/tours at the park. The map was very necessary for navigating around this extensive park of which the lodge area was only a small part. The brochure described the hikes and other available activities(such as climbing and repelling) with descriptions of what could be observed, length and difficulty levels. Trust the brochure! If it says strenuous, it is. Plan accordingly. There were four ranger guided tours the week we were there. We took two of them. They were genuinely interesting and pleasurable. Baron, our ranger, was exceedingly knowledgeable about the geology, animal and plant life and history of the area. Exceptionally so, for someone who was seemingly so young. He was attentive to the needs of those attending the tours, stopping to rest if necessary and moving a bit slower for us older folks. He was so affable and easy to talk with, it seemed as if we were old friends. Willing to spend extra time after the tours, talking with us, was an indication of how much he enjoyed his job. We were very appreciative of someone of his character and enjoyed spending time with him. He is the perfect model of what one would think a park ranger is and should be! Any hike can be taken unguided and there are plenty of them. In fact, we had plans to go outside the park on other hikes, but never made it off the property for those. We actually did not have enough time to do all we wanted to do within the park. If you are looking for a phenomenal vacation, this is the trip you should take!
ScoutThe scenery is lovely with so many options for how you can stay there. The owners are helpful and very friendly.
GuideWell maintained state park especially for its age. All sites have a picnic table, ground grill, and tent pad. Roads and campsites are paved. Nicely spaced sites. Clean bathhouse.
Camping near Hot Springs National Park offers visitors a chance to explore natural thermal waters located where the Ouachita Mountains meet the Gulf Coastal Plain at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,400 feet. Campgrounds within the region experience significant temperature variations throughout the year, with winter lows occasionally dropping below freezing while summer highs can reach into the 90s with high humidity. The Ouachita River watershed provides numerous waterfront camping options with varying levels of development.
Hiking the trails: Lake Catherine State Park features several well-maintained trails, including a waterfall trail that's popular with families. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," notes a visitor to Lake Catherine State Park Campground.
Water recreation: Visitors can rent boats directly at many campgrounds for exploring Lake Ouachita's clear waters. At Catherine's Landing, "The canoe, kayak and boat rentals are in good condition, the paved sites and roads are very smooth and level, the office/lodge and facilities are definitely above average here and quite modern."
Disc golf: Several campgrounds offer disc golf courses as an additional activity option. One visitor mentioned that Catherine's Landing provides "lots of amenities such as a pool, store, boat rentals, zip line and trash pickup. We stayed here for a couple of nights to visit the Hot Springs and it was the perfect location."
Clear water access: The crystal clear water of Lake Ouachita receives consistent praise. "The lake is beautiful with very ragged edges and islands so there is a lot to explore by boat," notes a visitor at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground. "It's near the edge of the giant National Forest and close to Hot Springs National Park."
Peaceful natural settings: Many campers appreciate the secluded feel despite proximity to urban amenities. A visitor to COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground stated, "We saw eagles every day and fishing was great. Campground is secluded and quite." Another mentioned, "The clear lake that is a short walk away from the campsite. The sites are pretty big and has a shelter because it rains pretty often here."
Hiking trail accessibility: Gulpha Gorge Campground receives consistent praise for trail access. A camper noted, "Beautiful location next to a stream, although the sites are tightly packed in comparison with most state and national parks. Lots of hiking trails accessible from the nearby trailhead and a quick drive to the historic and charming Bathhouse Row downtown."
No shower facilities at some sites: Gulpha Gorge Campground within Hot Springs National Park lacks shower facilities. "Beautiful, clean, great location. Camped here in Feb 2020, right on the river. Full hookups, mostly back-in but some pull throughs. Paved, level. Tent sites, too. Clean bathrooms, little camp store. Close to town. Would camp again," notes one reviewer who mentioned the absence of showers.
Reservation systems vary: Campgrounds operate under different reservation systems. At Hot Springs National Park KOA, a late arrival noted, "We were late check-ins and they were extremely accommodating by placing our paperwork on the check-in board for us. Even in the dark our site was easy to find."
Distance considerations: Some campgrounds advertise proximity to Hot Springs but require significant driving. Crystal Springs Campground is "about 16-17 miles from Hotsprings, Arkansas," according to a camper. Another noted about J and J RV Park: "Great value for the price, $48 cash/$53 card. No online reservations. Owner is really nice and helpful. Clean facilities. Quiet. Sites along the stream have a great view and a great place to sit and enjoy nature. About 10 minute drive to the National Park/Downtown Hot Springs."
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated facilities for children. "Kid friendly. Great upkeep and sites that are easily accessible. Playground, splash pad, and pool. We were not able to access the pool because of the time of year, but we will definitely be back in warmer weather," notes a family who stayed at Catherine's Landing.
River exploration opportunities: Children often enjoy wading in shallow waters near campsites. At Stephens Park Campground, "The river is beautiful with clear, cold water. Campsite 3 is right on the river. Sites are full hookup. There is a day use area with access to be able to fish from the bank."
Educational programs: State parks frequently offer ranger-led activities. At Lake Ouachita State Park, "The ranger programs, educational displays, swimming beach, cabins and traditional tent/RV camping. You can rent boats onsite and you will want to! Clean and renovated facilities, nice and simple."
Utility setups: RVers should be prepared for varying hookup placements. A visitor to J and J RV Park advised, "Recommend using a water pressure regulator, one of my pipes started leaking from the pressure."
Leveling challenges: Many sites in the area require significant leveling. "Few if any of the sites in this section of the CG were anywhere close to level and our site, one of the few pull-throughs, was one of the worst, I mean seriously sloped even after ratcheting up the front levelers as far as they'd go," cautioned an RVer at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Road conditions: Interior roads at some campgrounds present navigation challenges. One RVer noted about Hot Springs National Park KOA: "You have to drive through the entire campground to get to the lower sites. Felt a little tight at times and we just have a 13 footer."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping in Hot Springs National Park?
The primary camping option within Hot Springs National Park is Gulpha Gorge Campground — Hot Springs National Park. This campground offers beautiful brookside sites that are first-come, first-served (available at noon daily). Each site includes power/water/septic hookups, a fire pit, and picnic table. The campground is suitable for tents, hammocks, and RVs. While the facilities are typical of national parks, the location provides convenient access to all park attractions. Sites fill quickly during peak season, so arriving early is recommended.
What campgrounds are available near Hot Springs National Park?
Several excellent campgrounds surround Hot Springs National Park. Lake Ouachita State Park Campground offers breathtaking views, pristine bathrooms, and beautiful trails just a short drive from Hot Springs. Many visitors find it superior to staying directly in the national park. Another great option is COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground which features waterfront sites with a swim area, great hiking opportunities, and clean facilities. Both campgrounds provide a peaceful natural setting while maintaining convenient proximity to Hot Springs National Park attractions.
Are there RV camping options in Hot Springs, Arkansas?
Hot Springs offers several quality RV camping options. Catherine's Landing provides full hookups, paved roads, and amenities including a pool open until 10pm and an on-site food truck. It's an excellent base for exploring Hot Springs National Park. Treasure Isle R.V. Park offers lake views and clean, well-maintained facilities, though sites are somewhat close together. For budget-conscious travelers, Cracker Barrel — Hot Springs permits overnight parking in their well-lit, level asphalt lot—perfect for a quick overnight stay after visiting the park.
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