Join the fun near Hensley. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Hensley is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
"Super friendly staff,lots of trees, little store with ice cream. Nice game room with a pool table. Laundry room and a little workout room behind the store. Small fenced in playground and a huge pool."
"Extremely nice staff. Super clean facilities. We arrived late, found our spot and went to bed. Didn’t get to enjoy the area."
$15 - $25 / night
"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"
"Lake Catherine is a popular spot that’s on a first come first serve basis so arrive early. Most campsite have fire pits and grills. Nice space in between campsites."
"The park is set on 400 acres with one mile bordering Lake Catherine and about eight or nine miles from downtown Hot Springs. "
"Gorgeous setting on pristine Lake Catherine close to historic Hot Springs. I was in lakefront site 123 for one night but would have liked to stay longer."
"Would like to revisit without our dogs to check out the theme park nearby next time!"
"Had a double bed and bunk bed. Heat /air and cable tv. They advertise WiFi but we didn’t get good reception even though our cabin was very near the office/pool/bathroom. Clean and well kept."
"It is not a breathtaking place, but it accurately portrays the nature of south Arkansas. I have seen ducks, deer armadillos and eagles live here as well. The playgrounds are good."
"We were able to watch numerous birds (pileated woodpeckers) and even saw a swamp rat swimming in the lake (resembles a beaver with a skinny tail)."
LegendPROS
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 grass around asphalt
Good night sky viewing
Squirrels ate from our hand
Saw ranger patrolling campground frequently
Waste containers every other campsite
Metal picnic table on concrete slab
One hook lantern pole
Metal fire pit with cooking grate
Pedestal BBQ grill
Clean restroom/shower and adequate TP and hand soap. Women had 2 showers, 2 sinks, 3 toilets
Weekend campground nearly filled to capacity
4 bars Verizon LTE
Hike to waterfall a bit tricky, but worth the effort
Hot Springs National Park 15 miles from campground; nice to watch the crowds from Superior Bathouse Brewery
Free water from the springs next to the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center- must have your own containers to fill
Enjoyed Red Oak Fillin’ Station so much we dined there twice
Diamond Head 19th Hole Restaurant, open to the public and very close to park entrance
CONS
Damn Canadian geese crap everywhere
Fire pit was filled with oversized logs and once removed there was unburned charcoal and lots of ash
Unable to move picnic table
Site#68 no shade what so ever
No privacy from other sites
Lots of speed boat and jet ski noise, even after sunset
Morning train noise
Power plant lights and humming noise
No security gate closure overnight
No WIFI
TravelerEasy to find and was a nice community spot. Would like to revisit without our dogs to check out the theme park nearby next time!
LegendLake Catherine is a popular spot that’s on a first come first serve basis so arrive early. Most campsite have fire pits and grills. Nice space in between campsites.
This campground is also home to some very intelligent raccoons who have adapted to campers being around. Be smart, they are not scared!! If you leave your food out they will get it.
There is total shade over the swimming area after 2pm which makes for very enjoyable swimming.
RangerStayed 2 nights in a basic one room cabin. Had a double bed and bunk bed. Heat /air and cable tv. They advertise WiFi but we didn’t get good reception even though our cabin was very near the office/pool/bathroom. Clean and well kept. Porch swing, fire ring and water at the site. Friendly staff. Clean facilities. Pool is small. Dog play area and kids playground. Good location for exploring hot springs area.
TravelerI grew up in Star City and have been to this park many times. It is not a breathtaking place, but it accurately portrays the nature of south Arkansas. I have seen ducks, deer armadillos and eagles live here as well. The playgrounds are good. The pavilions are clean and the AC works well. Halloween brings thousands of visitors each fall. The campsites all decorate for the holiday and everyone wants to see it!
LegendCatherine’s Landing is a great RV park with lots of amenities and things happening. This park is an RVC Outdoor Destination property which is known for their “resort” amenities. The park is set on 400 acres with one mile bordering Lake Catherine and about eight or nine miles from downtown Hot Springs.
All roads, sites and patios are paved and this is definitely a big rig-friendly park. Every site has water, 50/30 amp, sewer, cable, and wifi. Fire pits and picnic tables accompany all sites. There are a variety of sites ranging from waterfront back-in, pull-thrus, or interior back-in. Waterfront sites have a nice view of the lake from the back of the site and access for fishing. The park also has yurts and cottages (some of which are pet-friendly). Adjacent to the yurts is a nice, large covered picnic area with grills, a dish washing station.
Lots and lots of amenities here. Hiking trails, swimming pool, fitness center, lounge, playground, dog park, zip-line, boat rental, boat launch, store, and disc golf. Some amenities (boat rentals and zip-line) are an extra charge.
Hot Springs is a nice little town nestled in the Ouachita Mountains with interesting history and natural beauty. We found plenty to do from hiking the National Park to learning about the bathhouse history to discovering the gangster influence. We spent four nights and could have stayed longer with all that the town offers. Most people come here to bathe in the soothing warm mineral waters but there is also a horse racetrack, science museum, off road track, water/theme park, alligator farm, and a few museums. Hot Springs National Park has miles and miles of great hiking trails and a great place to spend an afternoon. The town of Hot Springs is very dog-friendly and we found many places that would allow them in and on the patio for lunch.
Pros:
Cons:
LegendLet me just start this out by saying, selecting a spot in Arkansas you are overwhelmed with options. State parks flourish and individual campgrounds seem to be countless. When traveling to the Hot Springs area It was a toss up as to which location would bear suit my journey, not only as a campground but as a part of the adventure. I elected to try Lake Catherine State Park, located just 10 miles outside of Hot Springs.
What sold me on this site were the numerous hiking trails, but what surprised me when I arrived were the lakeside water rentals located on premise as well as the actual beach recreation area.
I arrived later in the day and quickly made my camp in the primitive tent area. These sites have no water or electric hook ups however a very nice restroom facilities within 100 yards. They also boast a playground for the kids, not the only of the site. I was greeted by other campers and the sense of community was high at this facility.
My campsite included a table and grill and was nearby a fire ring. The area was much flatter than many camp areas and made for a quick site selection. In the distance deer grazed as the sun was setting.
The next morning I ventured toward the marina and was excited to find they have numerous boats for any level of experience available. Larger units available for full or half day use and smaller units for full or half day along with by the hour.
Hiking trails were my next stop after learning of the various skill levels including ADA accessible, moderate and difficult.
In addition to primitive camping the park offers RV and non-primitive tent camping. Also available are Yurt and Cabin rentals.
Office contains limited food and beverage options as well as supplies for lake visitors and a full picnic area overlooking the beach. Bathrooms and washrooms are scattered throughout the park and are kept impeccably clean with high water pressure.
Cell signal was good even on the remote trails during my stay.
This is by far one of the nicest parks I have camped not only on this journey but on any. Staff was knowledgeable about the park and others of the state and very helpful.
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Easy 5 of 5 Bunnies. I will return!
ScoutI am quite fond of the state parks in Arkansas and this was a clean, quiet, beautiful and safe location near Hot Springs. I was very happy that I could also bring my dog. When I reached my campsite my booking tag was already there and there was some firewood placed on the fire pit for me already. I was only a minute walk from restroom facilities. I also found it was very easy to book last minute after receiving a recommendation from a local barista.
RangerGorgeous setting on pristine Lake Catherine close to historic Hot Springs. I was in lakefront site 123 for one night but would have liked to stay longer. The water front sites near the boat dock were my favorite and easy to back into. All sites appear to be spacious with grass and fire pits. 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. While the setting is gorgeous on its own, this park has spared no expense on their facilities. The pool and adjacent waterfall are 5 star resort level. The climbing and ropes course is enormous and will make any kid’s jaw drop in disbelief. There’s an affiliated zip line just outside of the park. The hiking paths are lovely and wooded, and the tent campsites are on their own in a grassy meadow away from the RVs. The Yurts looked very nice from the outside. The shower rooms are large and stone tiled, however it looks like the ceiling needs some drywall attention or is amidst a construction project during my stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Hensley, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Hensley, AR is Little Rock North KOA with a 3.6-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Hensley, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 glamping camping locations near Hensley, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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