Best Campgrounds near Hot Springs Village, AR

Campgrounds around Hot Springs Village in central Arkansas blend National Park accommodations with state park facilities and private RV parks. Hot Springs National Park's Gulpha Gorge Campground provides the closest access to the historic bathhouse district, offering both tent and RV sites with electrical hookups. Within a short drive, Lake Catherine State Park and Lake Ouachita State Park campgrounds feature lakeside camping with cabins, tent sites, and RV facilities. Crystal Ridge RV Park offers unique camping near crystal mining areas, while several private RV parks cater to visitors seeking amenities like full hookups and wifi.

The region generally permits year-round camping with most facilities remaining open regardless of season. "The campground is on the small side, but with a nice shower area and coin laundry. The paved areas (including the RV pads) are a bit rough, but ok. Leveling pads were needed for our site," noted one camper about Cloud Nine RV Park. Access roads to some campgrounds require careful navigation, particularly for larger RVs and trailers. Fire restrictions may apply during summer months, and lakeside campgrounds often fill quickly during peak season. Most established campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially for weekend stays and holiday periods.

Waterfront camping experiences dominate the region's highest-rated options. Lake Ouachita and Lake Catherine State Parks consistently receive positive reviews for their water access and scenic shorelines. One visitor to Catherine's Landing mentioned, "boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in" options for accessing campsites. Tent campers will find more limited options, with several reviews noting concrete pads at some RV-focused parks making tent setup challenging. Proximity to Hot Springs National Park remains a significant draw for many campers, with Gulpha Gorge providing trail access directly from the campground. While the more developed campgrounds offer amenities like showers and electrical hookups, reviewers noted that sites are often close together with minimal privacy, though the convenience to attractions compensates for this limitation.

Best Camping Sites Near Hot Springs Village, Arkansas (197)

    1. Gulpha Gorge Campground — Hot Springs National Park

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

    $34 / night

    "There are many positives to this campground well beyond the proximity itself. With electricity at all sites and a flat rate it seems to have a lot of positives to check off."

    "With close proximity to the town of Hot Springs, AR, this campground is well maintained and convenient but lacks in privacy. I stayed here as an overnight while driving north through the Midwest."

    2. Lake Catherine State Park Campground

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

    $15 - $25 / night

    "We stayed in site 54 (w/e/s) that was right on the lake. We could walk to the dock right behind the site to fish, although did not have very good luck."

    "Lake Catherine State Park, like all Arkansas state parks, is immaculately clean!  Most RV sites have close access to the water and there are small stationary docks to park your boat. "

    3. Lake Ouachita State Park Campground

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

    "This state park sits on one of the prettiest and clearest lakes in the state of Arkansas. The area that I will be focusing on is the primitive tent sites."

    "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."

    4. Hot Springs National Park KOA

    22 Reviews
    Hot Springs, AR
    11 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."

    5. Catherine's Landing

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

    "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."

    "The lake was beautiful and very natural. However if you like roughing it and being close to the water, you better have an RV of some sort or you'll miss the good spots."

    6. COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

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

    $14 - $80 / night

    "Arkansas has variable weather in January. Cold clear day today but higher temps predicted for later in the week. Many sites available. Beautiful views."

    "This site also backs to the lake which is nice except that people would park their boats on the shore and walk through the site at which I was camped. This was a first for me."

    7. J and J RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Hot Springs, AR
    11 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."

    8. Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park

    105 Reviews
    Adona, AR
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 727-5441

    $25 - $40 / night

    "_ There are several viewpoints/vistas that you can access from roads (just two close together that involve some driving on gravel)."

    "Super cool paths, views and community. Tons of historical value and it's obvious that Arkansas cares about it's forests, natural resources and outdoor communities."

    9. Crystal Ridge RV Park at Ron Coleman Mine

    7 Reviews
    Jessieville, AR
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 209-9933

    $13 / night

    "I don’t think camping at this RV park is about the camping experience; it’s about the proximity to the crystal mines. It is a good campground for the price, but it is not anything fancy."

    "12 a night, full hookup potential AND you are walking distance to the mine!!! For $20 you can go spend the day diggin through dirt and finding crystals."

    10. Treasure Isle R.V. Park

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

    $45 - $95 / night

    "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"

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Recent Reviews near Hot Springs Village, AR

1079 Reviews of 197 Hot Springs Village Campgrounds


  • B
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Maumelle Park

    Love the campground !

    Traveling through Arkansas and landed at this beautiful park! Spacious sites and beautiful area! Tried to get a water site but they were full. But after arriving we realized that there really aren’t any bad sites. We stayed in B14 and had lots of room and the area was great. Great place for dog walking and even a trail to take her on. Our Labrador loved it here too. Many picnic areas as well as a concrete picnic table at each site. Lots of trees and shade. Very relaxing and peaceful. Would love to come back!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Cherokee Park (Arkansas River) — Arkansas River Rockefeller Lake

    Best Corps of Engineers campground

    A beautiful spot with both lakeside campsites and shaded sites. All spaced for plenty of privacy. Each site has  power and water. Bathrooms are clean and have showers. $26 per night or $13 if you have a federal pass. I used my senior lifetime pass. Strong cell: 3 bars of 5G Verizon.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    FR94 Dispersed Campsite

    Peaceful site in the Quachitas

    Coordinates: 34.86190,-92.90667. Camped here Sept 9, 2025. Large dirt and grass site; very clean. May accommodate a truck camper or 2 smaller vehicles. Mostly level. Tent and hammock camping possible. No privacy from the road. The site has a rock fire ring. The site is surrounded by forest with the Flatside Wilderness Area just across the forest road. There are no hiking trails near the campsite, but there are opportunities to stroll and explore in the forest. The site is mostly shaded; Starlink connectivity may be a challenge. AT&T LTE service. Sporadic T-Mobile service. Quiet location. No one drove by during our stay. Note that there are a couple of dead trees in the middle of this site; choose the position of your vehicle and/or tent carefully. The Flatside Pinnacle hiking trailhead and parking for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail are located 3/4 of a mile north of the site along FR94. The forest roads approaching the site from the south are in good condition. In my opinion, I don't recommend anything larger that a truck camper. The approach from the north, however, is not as good. FR94 and FR805 are eroded at the higher elevations; lots of exposed embedded rocks. I believe a 2wd passenger car can very carefully get through this area with air-downed tires.

  • 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 Walk to Oaklawn and Bathhouse Row

    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.


Guide to Hot Springs Village

Camping near Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With beautiful landscapes and plenty of activities, there’s something for everyone.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Many campgrounds offer trails for hiking. At Petit Jean State Park, one visitor said, “Beautiful, stunning, and can’t wait to visit again!”
  • Fishing and Water Activities: If you love fishing, Lake Catherine State Park Campground is a great choice. A camper shared, “Our site on the lake was very beautiful and every site on the water has a small dock you can fish off.”
  • Wildlife Viewing: Campers at Gulpha Gorge Campground have enjoyed spotting wildlife. One reviewer noted, “Wished they would have sold firewood as we couldn’t find any anywhere in town and had to scavenge.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground said, “The bathrooms were super clean with showers.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One camper at Maumelle Park mentioned, “The campsites are pretty spacious for tents with their own fire rings too.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground said, “The staff were friendly and helpful.”

What you should know

  • Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A reviewer at Gulpha Gorge Campground pointed out, “A little close to a busy road, but if you have a creek spot you can hear the water flowing!”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For instance, at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground, one camper noted, “The only thing to beware of is the crows.”
  • Primitive Camping: If you’re looking for a more rustic experience, Mount Nebo State Park Campground offers primitive camping. One camper mentioned, “Beautiful! So peaceful.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. At Lake Catherine State Park Campground, a reviewer said, “Bugs were not bad at all. Would recommend this place to anyone.”
  • Plan for Bugs: Some areas can be buggy, especially near water. A camper at Petit Jean State Park noted, “Just no signal. Also a little expensive for me but others may not think so!”
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Campgrounds often have open spaces for games. One camper at Maumelle Park suggested, “Definitely would stay again!”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Gulpha Gorge Campground mentioned, “The sites that back up to the creek are better.”
  • Wi-Fi Availability: Some campgrounds have decent Wi-Fi. A visitor at Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground said, “The only downsides that come to mind are the iffy WiFi.”
  • Be Prepared for Road Noise: If you’re sensitive to noise, consider this before booking. A camper at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground mentioned the nearby highway noise.

Camping around Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a peaceful spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Hot Springs Village, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hot Springs Village, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 197 campgrounds and RV parks near Hot Springs Village, AR and 34 free dispersed camping spots.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hot Springs Village, 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 Village, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 34 free dispersed camping spots near Hot Springs Village, AR.

What parks are near Hot Springs Village, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 parks near Hot Springs Village, AR that allow camping, notably Ouachita Lake and Nimrod Lake.