Best Campgrounds near Hot Springs National Park, AR

Camping areas near Hot Springs National Park range from basic sites to more developed campgrounds with additional amenities. Gulpha Gorge Campground sits inside the park boundaries along a creek, with simple facilities including a shower house that needs a code to use. About 11 miles from the park, Lake Catherine State Park Campground has spots for both tents and RVs, plus trails and fishing areas nearby. If you drive about 20 miles out, you'll find DeGray Lake Resort State Park, which includes extras like a golf course and boat marina. Since wildlife is common throughout the area, you'll need to store food properly to keep bears and other animals away. Most roads to these camping areas stay in good shape, though it's smart to check conditions if there's been heavy rain. The town of Hot Springs is close enough for quick trips to restaurants or shops. Trails throughout the park let you see great views and the natural landscape of the Ouachita Mountains. Weather can change quickly here, so come prepared. Many campers prefer spring and fall when temperatures are mild and there aren't as many people. Summers get hot and humid, while winters cool down and occasionally have snow. Remember to follow Leave No Trace practices while camping. Whether staying for a few days or longer, the camping options around Hot Springs National Park work well for different types of trips.

Best Camping Sites Near Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas (191)

    1. Gulpha Gorge Campground — Hot Springs National Park

    75 Reviews
    Hot Springs National Park, AR
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (510) 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

    21 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

    43 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

    30 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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Showing results 1-10 of 191 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Hot Springs National Park, AR

1103 Reviews of 191 Hot Springs National Park Campgrounds



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

What camping is available near Hot Springs National Park, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hot Springs National Park, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 191 campgrounds and RV parks near Hot Springs National Park, AR and 29 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Hot Springs National Park, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hot Springs National Park, AR is Gulpha Gorge Campground — Hot Springs National Park with a 4.1-star rating from 75 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hot Springs National Park, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 free dispersed camping spots near Hot Springs National Park, AR.

What parks are near Hot Springs National Park, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 parks near Hot Springs National Park, AR that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.