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Best Campgrounds near Hot Springs National Park, AR

1,124 Reviews

Campgrounds near Hot Springs National Park provide a mix of developed sites and natural settings 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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas (196)

    1. Gulpha Gorge Campground — Hot Springs National Park

    75 Reviews
    Hot Springs National Park, AR
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 620-6715

    $34 / night

    "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)."

    2. Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    83 Reviews
    Jones Mill, AR
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 844-4176

    $15 - $25 / night

    "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"

    3. Lake Ouachita State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Mountain Pine, AR
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 287-2757

    "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!"

    4. Catherine's Landing

    25 Reviews
    Hot Springs, AR
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 262-2550

    "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. "

    5. Hot Springs National Park KOA

    22 Reviews
    Hot Springs, AR
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 624-5912

    "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."

    6. COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

    45 Reviews
    Royal, AR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 991-3390

    $14 - $80 / night

    "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."

    7. Treasure Isle R.V. Park

    16 Reviews
    Royal, AR
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 767-6852

    $45 - $95 / night

    "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"

    8. J and J RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Hot Springs, AR
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 321-9852

    $41 / night

    "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."

    9. Stephens Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Mountain Pine, AR
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 767-2101

    $30 - $50 / night

    "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."

    10. DeGray Lake Resort State Park — De Gray State Park

    31 Reviews
    Bismarck, AR
    20 miles
    Website

    "Great ranger led boat tour of the lake. Lots of nice level sites. Super cool yurts for rent that have the best views! Arkansas has the best State Parks!"

    "Nice campsites, lakeside, lake view and in the woods, YURT rentals have the best location, DeRoche Ridge second best if you want to be right next to the lake."

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Recent Camping Photos near Hot Springs National Park, AR

299 Photos of 196 Hot Springs National Park Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Hot Springs National Park, AR

1124 Reviews of 196 Hot Springs National Park Campgrounds

  • Benjamin S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Toad Suck

    ACOE Toad Suck

    Great little campground. Decently maintained. Most of the sites have concrete pads big enough for a couple tents. Solid concrete picnic table with a roof over it was nice. Parking was not very level but our 38ft schoolie fit fine with enough room for our car.

  • Amanda F.
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Mount Nebo State Park Campground

    Great place

    One of the best places I have camped in a while. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Nice trails and panoramic views.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

    Must visit !

    Beautiful campground! Sites are spacious. Area is clean and lots of things to do. Near Hot Springs so we did a lot of exploring there.

  • Kenneth F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Hot Springs Arkansas Finish Line RV Park

    Nice little park

    This is a nice little gated park. 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. Concrete pads, and paved streets. Laundry and bath house. Inexpensive. We’d definitely stay here again!

  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    DeGray Lake Resort State Park — De Gray State Park

    Very quiet and secluded CG

    We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 12 for 1 night in mid September. The CG is clean and well maintained but showing its age. The CG roads are paved, but narrow, winding, and fairly bumpy in spots. 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. The CG is very quiet and peaceful. There was only one other camper in this section of the CG while we were there. 

    AT&T coverage was basically nonexistent with 1 bar of LTE service but very little if any throughput. The CG is heavily wooded, so Starlink was unusable.

  • alicianlv The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground

    Diamond Mining Fun

    What a lovely state park campground. Sites are just close enough not to be crowded. Facilities on site were clean and well maintained. Nice to have a hot shower after mining for diamonds. Will make note that best time to come is October-November. Visitor center was somewhat dated, would have thought they would have basic food stuff and more camper supplies. Other than that it was a nice place and we will come again!

    PS if you have a dog who likes to dig this is a nice place for them to help you dig.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Toad Suck

    Lock & Dam

    Small clean campground. Some spots are very private Some not so much. Spots are large. Great views of lock. Multiple playgrounds and pavilions. Basketball, volleyball and store across the street.

  • Christopher T.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Maumelle Park

    Great volunteers

    Love this place and the people who work there

Guide to Hot Springs National Park

Camping near Hot Springs National Park offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor activities. With several campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are many trails around the area. One camper mentioned, "Three beautiful hikes right out of the campground" at Lake Catherine State Park Campground.
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, you’ll love the access to lakes. A review noted, "Every site on the water has a small dock you can fish off" at the same campground.
  • Swimming: Many campgrounds have swimming areas. One visitor said, "Nice swimming beach" at Gulpha Gorge Campground.

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. A review from Gulpha Gorge Campground stated, "Cleanest shower house I've ever seen."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer large, private sites. One camper at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground said, "The spaces are so far apart you can enjoy your own spot without interruption."
  • Friendly atmosphere: Campers often mention the welcoming vibe. A review from Catherine's Landing highlighted, "The staff was awesome; I would definitely go back."

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at Gulpha Gorge Campground noted, "No showers" available.
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. One camper at Denby Point mentioned, "Raccoons were active at night and grabbed any food or trash accidentally left out."
  • Road noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A review from Charlton Campground mentioned, "Despite being close to the main road, it was very quiet."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with swimming areas and playgrounds. One family enjoyed the "great swimming areas" at DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
  • Space to play: Choose campgrounds with spacious sites. A camper at Catherine's Landing said, "Plenty of room for the kids to play behind our water site."
  • Plan for meals: Bring food supplies, as some campgrounds lack markets. A visitor at Treasure Isle R.V. Park noted, "There’s no market."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site access: Some sites can be tricky to back into. A review from Denby Point mentioned, "Some sites are hard to get to."
  • Full hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A camper at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground appreciated the "full hook ups."
  • Quiet hours: Be mindful of noise levels, especially in RV parks. A visitor at Treasure Isle R.V. Park suggested, "I wish quiet hours were enforced."

Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, hot springs national park camping has something for everyone.

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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