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Camping areas near Jones Mill, Arkansas center around Lake Catherine State Park and several other established campgrounds in the Hot Springs vicinity. Lake Catherine State Park Campground provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with waterfront access and private docks for fishing. The surrounding region includes additional options such as Gulpha Gorge Campground in Hot Springs National Park, Catherine's Landing, and several privately managed RV parks. Most campgrounds in this area feature full hookups for RVs, with many also accommodating tent campers seeking more primitive experiences.
Reservations are recommended year-round for the more popular campgrounds, particularly Lake Catherine State Park which stays booked well in advance during peak seasons. The region generally permits camping throughout the year, with most facilities maintaining year-round operations. Campground amenities vary widely, with state park and private facilities typically offering showers, restrooms, and trash service, while some also provide firewood, markets, and dump stations. Access to most sites requires no special vehicles, with paved roads leading to established campgrounds. "This is a beautiful state park that offers full hookups. Lots of twists and turns and slow roads to get here, but worth the trip. Bathrooms/showers are clean. Spaces are large and somewhat level," according to one visitor.
The waterfront camping experience ranks highly among visitors to the area, with Lake Catherine State Park receiving consistently positive reviews for its lake views and swimming opportunities. Campers particularly value the hiking trails throughout the region, with Lake Catherine's Falls Branch trail leading to a popular waterfall swimming area that provides relief during warmer months. Several visitors noted the balance of natural scenery with convenient access to Hot Springs National Park, located approximately 15 miles from Lake Catherine. Wildlife sightings are common, with one camper noting: "Squirrels ate from our hand." While most sites offer shade trees and reasonable spacing between campsites, some reviewers mentioned that privacy can be limited during busy periods, and boating noise may be noticeable at waterfront locations.
"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. "
"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."
from $15 - $25 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $34 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"This was our second stay here, and it confirmed what we’re starting to realize: Arkansas state campgrounds are next level."
"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."
"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."
"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."
from $41 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Located in Hot Spring proper. Easy access to everything. The Dog Park, laundry facilities, and restrooms/showers are of course new and clean. Casino and Racetrack are right around the corner."
from $10 - $30 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $45 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Site 40 water faucet is broken Showers are hot and free Arkansas is very pretty but the trash on the road sides and road kill is too much. Clean up after yourself people!!!"
"Arkansas has variable weather in January. Cold clear day today but higher temps predicted for later in the week. Many sites available. Beautiful views."
from $16 - $100 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThe one semi level spot appears to be a homeless camp. Garbage everywhere, random wheel chair. Grass not mowed like it stated in other reviews. Still tons of constant dog barking. Beautiful view of the lake but definitely wouldn’t recommend staying for more than a night.
TravelerBeautiful, secluded spot. The vantage point faces the wrong way for the sunset, but if you enjoy watching the sunrise, this is the spot to do it. Sat in my chair and enjoyed my coffee and the show. Not much level ground, but plenty of rocks to level your vehicle if you're sleeping in or on it. Probably room for 3 rigs comfortably. A little bit of traffic on the dirt road, so expect a little dust as this site is right off the road. I think we saw about 4 vehicles, some slowed to reduce dust, some didn't. Some reviews said the road in was impassable, but I didn't even have to use 4wd, so they must have fixed it.
GuideThis review is strictly for camping. Needed a spot for the night on a road trip. Chose a spot based on limited user photos, as Recreation.gov lists none. Note that the $15 rate jumps to $23 after an $8 reservation fee. Despite previous reviews reporting zero cell coverage, T-Mobile worked fine. We initially chose C15 over the largely vacant Loop A for perceived privacy and proximity to facilities, but it didn't match expectations upon arrival. Phone support stated they cannot modify or cancel reservations for this facility. To switch, we had to create a second Recreation.gov account (the system blocks booking two sites) and pay another $23. The camp host never came by, but we didn't want to risk setting up without an active reservation. If multiple sites are open, scout them in person before paying online. The grounds themselves are pleasant, and the proximity to Hot Springs is a major plus. However, the day-use facility (the only practical option for Loop A) was poorly maintained, leaving only one functional toilet in the women’s restroom.
GuideEasy to get to off the main road. Spots are spread out with tables, grills and fire rings. The bathroom is disgusting with broken doors, didn't even look inside all the way. Water level currently too low to use the boat launch. Other than someone who arrived after dark and slept in their car on the boat ramp, we were the only ones there. Burn ban in effect while we were there. A park ranger did drive bys at 5:15am and again at 10:30am. Good for an overnight spot, very quiet and pretty. One bar with T-Mobile. Bonus persimmon trees along the shore!
RangerCool spot for one night! Lots going on for a Sunday night. Almost like people live out there. No one bothered us and we took our time. Pretty views and late enough in October that there weren’t many bugs and the temps were great. Picnic tables available but no other amenities.
TravelerNice little campground, cute pond. We where the only ones there so nice and quiet. Secure with a coded gate. Saw lots of deer only 30min from Hotsprings. Far enough out to be secluded, but its close enough to residential and a golf course that you dont feel like its middle of nowhere.
ScoutNice quiet neighborly (most) pet friendly laundry showers wifi pool community gathering
TravelerCool campsite with a creek but you’re paying a minimum 15$ for no signal or WiFi, some bathrooms without lockable doors or sinks, shower that is sometimes hot sometimes cold. But if you wanna spend the money it’s not bad and you’re 30 minutes away from hot springs.
GuideNice Asphalt pad. Partially covered.
Private camping options near Jones Mill, Arkansas include waterfront sites along Lake Catherine and Lake Ouachita. The region sits at approximately 300-700 feet elevation, located in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, creating a terrain with numerous bodies of water. Most camping sites near Jones Mill are accessible year-round with summer temperatures reaching into the 90s from June through August.
Hiking trails: Lake Catherine State Park Campground offers several trails including Falls Branch, which leads to a waterfall swimming area. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," notes one visitor who stayed at a lakefront site.
Water activities: Kayaking on Lake Catherine provides a peaceful experience away from motorized traffic. "We enjoyed the hiking trails and rented a few kayaks. It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water," reports a camper who rated their experience 5 stars.
Disc golf: Catherine's Landing offers disc golf among its recreational facilities. This activity is free for campers who bring their own discs. "There are so many amenities such as a pool, store, boat rentals, zip line and trash pickup," writes one camper who visited to explore Hot Springs.
Waterfront access: Sites backing up to lakes offer premium views and direct water access. "We took my nieces on a weekend trip in our camper to Lake Catherine State Park. Our campsite backed up to the lake, so we had a great view. The campsite was a great size and well spaced out from our neighbors," explains a visitor who appreciated the lake views.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers rank highly among camper priorities. At Hot Springs National Park KOA, "Shower house was always clean. Loved the dog park! We are just starting to travel with our 2 boxers and was so nice to have an area for them to run a bit."
Proximity to Hot Springs: Campgrounds in the area offer convenient access to Hot Springs National Park. "This park is beautiful. It has camping for all types," writes a camper at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground, which sits about 15 miles from Hot Springs and offers a mix of tent sites, RV spots, and cabins.
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "Lake Catherine offers many different outdoor options close to Hot Springs. The camp sites are spaced for privacy and are level for both campers and tents. This SP will fill up quickly in the spring and fall, reservations are recommend."
Campsite spacing: Privacy levels vary between campgrounds. At Gulpha Gorge Campground in Hot Springs National Park, "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."
Shower availability: Not all campgrounds offer showers, so check before booking. "We enjoyed our camping trip here only thing missing was a shower in the bath house," reports a camper who otherwise rated their Gulpha Gorge experience positively.
Splash zones: Several campgrounds offer dedicated water play areas beyond the lakes. "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," writes a visitor to Catherine's Landing.
Kid-friendly trails: Choose trails with waterfalls to keep children engaged. "We absolutely love it here. Wonderful trails, fishing, cabins and camp sites and tons of photo opportunities. The waterfall was flowing a little on the low side. That's not unusual since it is the end of summer," reports a Lake Catherine visitor.
Wildlife experiences: Many campgrounds offer wildlife viewing opportunities safe for families. At DeGray Lake Resort State Park, "Depending on where you are in the park you can see the Ouachita mountains in the horizon. Great place for photo enthusiast with Beautiful sunsets and an abundance of wildlife."
Site leveling: Many RV sites require minimal leveling blocks. At Hot Springs National Park KOA, "D26 Back-in full hook-ups, fire ring & picnic table. 2 nights - Memorial Day weekend. Good spot, close to bath rooms/shower house/cafe. Pretty level - just 1 leveling block was all we needed for our pop-up."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging. "Gravel parking lot with painted stripes, a patch of grass growing under the picnic table, and full hookups. Be sure to back in centered, others are complaining about hitting their slide outs," cautions an RVer about site conditions at one local campground.
Hookup availability: Full hookups aren't universal, so verify your needs before booking. "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Jones Mill, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Jones Mill, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 183 campgrounds and RV parks near Jones Mill, AR and 32 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Jones Mill, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Jones Mill, AR is Lake Catherine State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 86 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Jones Mill, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 free dispersed camping spots near Jones Mill, AR.
What parks are near Jones Mill, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 parks near Jones Mill, AR that allow camping, notably DeGray Lake and Ouachita Lake.
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