Charlton Campground

A very well maintained and enjoyable campground! There are amny sites, ranging from tents to full hookups. Prices range from $15/night (tents) to $45/night (group sites). Despite being close to the main road, it was very quiet. There is no cell signal to speak of in the loop C tent sites, but closer to the front, near the swimming area & pavillion, I got three bars (Verizon). The swimming is great! There is a CCC platform to jump from into the pool. Hot Springs is 20 minutes, and this campground has access to trailheads nearby. Would Stay Again.

Stayed September 2021.

This place was so pretty. When we got there the power was out, but that wasn't a big deal at all. They allowed our dogs (including the 100lb German Shepard). It was very clean and well kept. We will definitely be coming back in the spring!

The campground was beautiful and not over crowded. Everyone was friendly including the camp host. The campsite offered privacy while still being in a short walking distance to the well kept bath house.

Nice campground far enough away from the highway to make it feel like you are far in the woods. Day use area was closed when we got there. Lots of shade and good sized pavement areas. Creek was low due to recent drought but looked deep enough to swim during the summer months.

We stayed in Loop C at the very back past the group campsite, which is tent camping only and a short walk from the bathroom. The campsites were more isolated and there was easy access to and great views of Walnut Creek. We had water access and trashcans in this area and every campsite was well-shaded. Very pretty and easily accessible with all campsites being empty besides ours and one other in the loop. Provided enough distance from the RVs for peaceful sleeping and raccoons were active at night and grabbed any food or trash accidentally left out. Bathrooms were clean although there is only one shower per bathroom and toilet paper ran out one day. Campground is a short distance from Brady Mountain, Joplin, Hickory Nut Mtn, and other areas on Lake Ouachita. Swimming area is nice and is accessible by car or a short walk from any campsite.

Beautiful campground! Peaceful and quiet on the camp loop. Day area has quite a few folks but there’s plenty of area to sprawl out. Everyone was friendly!

I have seen a lot of properties through my travels which are available to all those who choose to explore.   While many sites have a pro and a con, I couldn't find a single con with this site from the size of the campsites to the popular cool off destination for summer in the swimming hole, this campsite was a perfect COE site.

Price point was reasonable for day use or for overnight with day use coming in at only $5 and overnight under $20.  (I did notice that the sign had been changed a few times from what looked like $11 to $16, not sure what this was about)    The section for day use and nightly stay was slightly separated to avoid overflowing traffic in campsites and also to limit some of the noise made by those coming to swim for the day at the main pool.    This created a almost retreat like setting for escaping the heat into the tree covered canopy above but also provided some great views of the waters below.

Running water and flush toilets were available and something which distinguished this site from others was that it actually had services available at some campsites.    This is a HUGE change from other similar sites in the area which have nothing and only vault toilets.  And perhaps one of the biggest surprises when arriving here was that they have showers!!   They are push button to conserve water but the pressure is good and the water felt nice.

Camping area as well as recreation day use area is well designed with picnic tables, fire rings and paved parking and roadways and the little bridge between each side is clearly marked to allow you to cross when waters are not to high to do so.    

All in all this site is a new personal favorite and I will return!

I love it here

I love Civilian Conservation Corps architecture and construction and this place has it! There’s a beautiful CCC dam that forms a beautiful swimming area. There’s a former CCC building that’s been converted into a rustic bathhouse for the day use area. This place is so pretty and quiet. You’re convenient to the highway but it’s so peaceful here you’ll think you’re mikes away. The campground is situated on both sides of Walnut Creek and the water is crystal clear and cold even in the hottest days of summer. I give this place two thumbs up 👍🏻👍🏻!

A lot of RV and tent site camping sites. Nice scenery and the park host was very helpful. We stayed in area C (A, B, C are the different areas) on a super busy weekend and weren't to cramped. Spacious tent sites just off a creek with fire rings, picnic tables, and good proximity to clean toilet/shower facilities. Would visit again.

The camp is beautiful and quiet. Walnut Creek is always cold, the swimming is great! Most of the campsites are roomy, and the camp is well maintained. The trails in the area connect to the Ouachita National Scenic Trail, and the views are pretty impressive. 6 generations of my family have camped there.

This is a nice campground with three loops (primitive, partial, and full hookups). Loop A, atop a hill, has the forested primitive sites, and is the prettiest of the three loops. There are also some cool primitive sites at the end of Loop C, a few of which overlook the creek. For popup or RV campers, the sites on loop B offer a nicer setting than Loop C, in my opinion, but neither are bad.

The swimming area at the entrance of the campground is a big draw, accessible to the public for day use, and has quite chilly water. On the hottest summer days, it's a better bet for cooling off than warm lake water on nearby Lake Ouachita. The temperature takes your breath away at first, and then you're good. There are platforms for jumping into the swimming hole, a few picnic areas, and grassy and rocky slopes where people grill food and lounge around. Bring beach towels, something to sit on, and sun protection!

My fiance and I went to Charlton Rec. Area to get away for labor day weekend. Overall the camp was nice. A creek ran through the camp with plenty of tree cover. Near the camp entrance the creek was dammed to create a swimming hole. Many visitors came during the day for the swimming.

Most of the sites were for trailers and RVs, with only a few tent campsites. The camp was clean and had bathrooms with running water. They were in good condition, but pretty far from the tent camping. Surprisingly there weren't any mosquitos, but plenty of Daddy Long Legs. Each site has a pad for parking, BBQ pit, picnic bench (bring a tablecloth), and fire ring with grittle/grill. Camp was lacking trailheads with just one starting in camp. The trail itself was much longer than anticipated; distance wasn't marked and it needed some maintaining. It took you up along the mountain ridge with wonderful views in the areas with less brush.

I'd go back and explore some more. If you're in the area check out Lake Ouachita, Crooked Creek Falls (45 min), or the Vista off Hickory Nut Mountain Rd (20 min).