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Best Tent Camping near Hot Springs National Park, AR

1,031 Reviews

Tent campgrounds near Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas range from established sites to primitive backcountry areas, offering diverse experiences for tent campers seeking natural settings. Hickory Nut Mountain provides free tent camping with picnic tables, fire rings, and basic amenities, while Ouachita National Forest offers dispersed backcountry tent sites along Forest Road 132. Cedar Glades Park previously allowed tent camping but now permits day use only, according to recent visitor information.

Sites may be set on dirt, gravel, or forest terrain with minimal development, particularly at primitive tent campgrounds like Irons Fork Primitive Camping. Most tent sites include fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between locations. A recent review noted that "there is glass EVERYWHERE" at some sites, highlighting the importance of careful site selection and footwear. Road access varies from paved to rough gravel routes; several reviews mention that Hickory Nut Mountain requires navigating a 3-4 mile gravel road that may challenge low-clearance vehicles but rewards tent campers with scenic views and relative solitude.

In early fall, many tent sites offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, making it an ideal season for backcountry tent camping in the region. The Ouachita National Forest provides multiple dispersed camping opportunities with natural forest surroundings. "This dispersed camp site has a level pull-thru driveway which can accommodate about 2 or 3 vehicles," noted one visitor about FR132 sites. Walk-in tent areas typically provide more seclusion than drive-in campgrounds, with tent campers frequently using these zones as bases for hiking and exploring. While most primitive tent sites lack drinking water, some established campgrounds provide vault toilets or limited facilities. Tent campers should be prepared for variable conditions and practice proper waste disposal, as most backcountry tent sites do not offer trash collection services.

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Best Tent Sites Near Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas (34)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hot Springs National Park, AR

19 Photos of 34 Hot Springs National Park Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Hot Springs National Park, AR

1031 Reviews of 34 Hot Springs National Park Campgrounds

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2024

    Fourche Mountain Campground

    Free Overnight Stay in the Ouachita National Forest

    Stayed here on June 11, 2024. Small 5-site primitive campground. No water. No electric. Clean vault toilets with tp, and a trash barrel. Clean campground & campsites. Sites are small with reasonable separation, but no privacy. Sites have clean picnic tables, fire ring/grill. Some have lantern plies. Gravel drive. Sites nearly level. No tent pads, but tents can be set up. Sites may be able to accommodate a truck camper & smaller. Lots of highway noise from nearby Hwy 27, but not too bad overnight. There was logging activity elsewhere in the national forest, so log haulers were driving by during the day. Campground is located at eastbound turnoff onto Forest Road 83W - a well maintained gravel road. Pine & oak trees in the campground. Probably a beautiful view of distant mountains during the winter. This campground is good for an overnight stay when exploring the national forest or passing by on Highway 27. There is no recreation in this recreation area; no water access, no hiking trails. Good T-Mobile cell service. Despite some of the road noise from nearby Highway 27, I really liked this campground.

  • Chloe T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2024

    Hickory Nut Mountain

    Amazing camp site

    plenty of spots & a bathroom! Not too far from Hot Springs National Park!

  • Napunani
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    Fabulous Water-Edge Campsite

    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 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

  • T
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    Small free for all tent sites

    Small open Campground with no specific sites (Tent Only Area). There is a small lot nearby to park then you must walk everything in. This can be anything from right next to your car to a few hundred feet away depending on where you want to set up. Picnic tables, fire rings and campground grills located throughout but again nothing is marketed as far as site numbers. The area allows for up to six camp permits per night. Could be good for smaller groups. It’s up away from the lake unlike the rest of the campgrounds in the park. There are restrooms nearby with flushing toilets and sinks. Also a playground is located close to the campsite. Overall it was clean but felt cramped among other campers and parking away from the tent made for multiple trips back and forth.

  • Brian V.
    May. 5, 2017

    Lake Ouachita State Park Campground

    A Nice Hideaway

    We used this State Park as our base camp for visits to Hot Springs National Park and Garvan Woodland Gardens

    We stayed in the walk-in section of the park. It was not a far walk from the parking lot and easy to transport gear. There was also a bathroom with-in close walking distance.

    The campsites themselves had a tent pad, a table, and fire ring. There were two communal water spouts along the path that were shared by the 12 sites.

    The sites aren't too close to each other, which allows you to have some privacy.

    Each site can have a maximum of 8 people on each one.

    The walk-in sites are on a peninsula, which makes for great views, but the wind can be an issue.

    The Park itself also has a play ground, a marina, a beach, a spring, cabins, and geocaching.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2024

    Spring Lake Recreation Area

    Beautiful Family Campground

    Camped here mid-week on May 28, 2024, just after Memorial Day weedend. The Spring Lake Receation Area is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The recreation area is gated between 10pm and 6am. It has a day use area, and a campground which is a long walk or short drive away from the day use area. The day use area has picnic tables, grills, beach and a central restroom/shower facility. Day use fee is $4. The small campgound is situated in the woods along Spring Lake across from the day use area. Camping fee is $15 ($7.50 for federal pass holders). Sounds from folks enjoying the day use area can be heard in the campground during the day, but it's very quiet during the night when the day use is closed. The campground has 13 sites. All of the sites can accomodate tent camping. Each site is unpaved and has a level tent pad, table, metal fire ring and lantern pole. Most of the sites are small with little privacy between sites. The sites are in the woods and have a view of the lake, with some actually on the lake shore. Our site, #8, has a short walking path to the shoreline - good for bank fishing. The campground has two single unit vault toilets which were reasonably clean. For showers and flush toilets, campers will have to use the central restroom/shower facilites in the day use area. The campgound has two water spigots, and trash reeceptacles. There is also a playground with swings and a group pavilion in the campground. There are no hookups at the campsites. I don't recommend this campground for RV camping; Cove Lake Recreation Area is a better choice. Because of the campsite sizes, levelness and ability to access, I believe sites 1, 5, 7 and 8 can accomodate van, RTT or SUV camping, and possibly small towables such as a pop-up or tear drop campers. In my opinion, all of the other sites are too small with tight access and not level enough for anything other than tent camping. Our site, #8, had a level pad which accomodated our camper van, plus a smaller seperate tent pad. The camp host was very friendly and provided good information. There is an iron ranger with payment envelopes at the campground entrance; cash and checks are accepted. There was no AT&T and T-Mobile reception, although cell reception may be possible at other locations around the lake. I came across three possible disperse camping spots around the lake (see separate listings). Overall, this is a beautiful campground. It was quiet and peaceful during the night. I would stay here again, especially in the Fall.

  • Bailey W.
    May. 14, 2022

    Toad Suck

    A good little campground

    Toad Suck is a great campground- with some caveats. All of the sites are reservable and have concrete pads. This makes it impossible to stake down a tent but also provides a great level spot. There's no foragable wood at the sites, but there's a quick stop type gas station very nearby that sells it cheap and locally sourced. The bathrooms can be a trek from your site or right next door, depending on where you're staying, but theyre immaculately clean. They service them twice daily. It's right next to the lock and dam at Toad Suck on the Arkansas River so there's a constant roar of water and the sound of barges throughout the night and day. I don't mind it but keep that in mind if you don't like those sounds. The campsite is peaceful otherwise. Dogs are allowed! ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL.

  • Richard
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Lake Ouachita State Park Campground

    One of the best in Arkansas

    Definitely my favorite park in Arkansas so far. It’s a really big park at the lake with lots to do. I was there in the fall so I didn’t do any lake stuff but still had a great time tent camping. There’s a nice hiking trail to explore. Also, the bathrooms were the cleanest I’ve ever seen at a state park. All the tent sites have a gravel pad, grill, picnic table and fire ring. There are also walk in tent sites on the peninsula which are nice and quiet. If you get one at the end I’d say it’s probably 200 meters to the parking lot and bathrooms. I peeked into one of the cabins and they look really nice. They also have camper cabins that have heat/air but no bathroom. In all there are 93 RV/tent sites, 8 cabins and 4 camper cabins. The park is also near Hot Springs so there is lots to do.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2020

    Big Fir Primitive Camping

    Free and beautiful

    Pit toilets, no water. Only about 6 sites. Fire rings, picnic tables, lantern poles, and standing BBQS. Not many flat sights for tents, but doable. Road in is part gravel and some paved. Only 4 stars because people leave trash on the ground even though there are bins. Trees are plentiful and shady. Many paths down to the river/lake. Boat motor noise, but not too bad.

Guide to Hot Springs National Park

Tent camping near Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Tent campers should check out Hickory Nut Mountain

  • Enjoy the serene atmosphere at Hickory Nut Mountain, where you can find plenty of spots and a bathroom, all while being close to Hot Springs National Park.
  • This campground allows pets and fires, making it perfect for a cozy camping experience with your furry friends.
  • With picnic tables available, you can easily set up for meals outdoors while soaking in the peaceful surroundings.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Campground features that enhance your stay

  • Irons Fork Primitive Camping provides picnic tables and fire pits, making it a great spot for a classic camping experience.
  • The COE Lake Ouachita Buckville Campground offers beautiful water scenery and is well-maintained, ensuring a pleasant stay.
  • Experience the tranquility of South Fourche, a smaller campground that provides a peaceful environment away from the crowds, perfect for those seeking privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hot Springs National Park, AR is Hickory Nut Mountain with a 4.3-star rating from 11 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Hot Springs National Park, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 34 tent camping locations near Hot Springs National Park, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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