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.
$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)."
$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"
"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!"
"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. "
"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."
$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."
$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"
$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."
$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."
"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."
GuideWe've stay here twice when heading West. It's an easy in and out. Has a nice view of the river & bridges. My only complaint would be that there's not much grass, and the rocks are rough on our dogs feet. If you have the time visit the ESSE Purse Museum, its really cool and for food we loved Camp Taco at lost forty brewing.
GuideCannot access this place.
GuideBEAUTIFUL!!!! National Park campground. Full hook ups and very well maintained facilities. The trails are gorgeous and the staff is wonderful. The only negative that I can report is there are some ferrel cats roaming around the campground and my dogs were always barking at them from inside the RV.
TravelerGreat C/G on the Arkansas River with a boat ramp and dock. Water and electric sites with a dump station.
RangerA very pretty location and depending on the time of year you come you may also see bald eagles like we did also it gets very crowded in the summer but other than that it’s a great campsite and the swimming pools are way deeper then they seem to be
RangerThis is a nice and quite campsite very small and will only fit 1 maybe 2 tents but worth it if able to fit and has a nice water fall across the river with a small pool at the base of it if you come at the right time of year
RangerBest view along the Eagle Rock Loop and totally worth it, my friend and I cowboy camped up at the vista and had the hands down best sunrise and view I’ve seen in a long time, there was also no animals to bug us during the night other than a few coyotes howling near us down near the Little Missouri River, the Window Rocks are also really close and pretty although a bit of a scramble to get down to but are worth it for the cool cave/arch window view
GuideWe found everything was a quick hour hike over the hill. Only national park with a brewery! We also hiked the fourteen mile outer loop. Be sure to get the shower code before arrival.
RangerI had heard that the COE campgrounds are very well maintained and that is true. Our pad was very level and offered a nice view of the River. Easy to get to and very smooth check in. The Camp Host was very friendly and courteous. The pad was super clean and offered ample space for our 25 foot trailer and truck. We felt safe and it was quiet. Power and water worked perfectly for us. Did not use the bath house, but we saw it being cleaned and it seemed well placed and convenient. We took a little stroll in the morning to check out the boat ramp and get a good look at the bridge and the spillway and locks. Had an issue in our RV and needed some screws, luckily Ace Hardware just down the road!
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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