Lake Ouachita offers camping spots near Hot Springs, Arkansas with over 40,000 acres of clear water and 970 miles of undeveloped shoreline. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 600-800 feet, creating moderate temperatures that range from mid-30s in winter to upper 90s in peak summer. Sites along Lake Ouachita's eastern shore provide the quickest access to Hot Springs attractions, typically within a 20-30 minute drive.
What to do
Water activities at Lake Ouachita: Lake Ouachita State Park Campground offers boat rentals directly from their marina. "You can rent boats onsite and you will want to! Clean and renovated facilities, nice and simple," according to Lynn G. The clear water makes for excellent swimming and fishing opportunities.
Zip lines and adventure courses: Catherine's Landing features an elaborate climbing and ropes course on property. "The climbing and ropes course is enormous and will make any kid's jaw drop in disbelief. There's an affiliated zip line just outside of the park," shares Taylor D. Rates for the zip line start at $45 per person with advance booking recommended.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds connect to trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "We enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," notes Alison C. about Lake Catherine State Park. Many trails are under 5 miles, making them accessible for day hikes.
Crystal hunting: The Hot Springs area is known for quartz crystal deposits. "We went crystal digging at Coleman which was also unbelievable," mentions Ber M. from Crystal Springs Campground. Several commercial mines within 30-45 minutes of Hot Springs allow visitors to dig for crystals for $20-25 per person.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Campers consistently rate sites with direct water access highest. At J and J RV Park, guests appreciate the small creek that runs through the property. "Nice views and love the river stream flowing along the camp sites," Josh H. notes. Many sites offer fishing access directly from camp.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness gets frequent mentions in positive reviews. "The facilities were clean and well kept. I did laundry and took showers during our stay - they were fine for us - nothing fancy but we had plenty of hot water and clean facilities," reports Mitch at J and J RV Park.
Proximity to attractions: Campgrounds within 10-15 minutes of downtown Hot Springs receive high marks for convenience. "This is a beautiful spot to camp on a nice creek in the mountains. No showers all sites have sewer. First come first serve only. No reservations," explains Heather S. about Gulpha Gorge Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The wooded settings around Hot Springs support diverse wildlife. "Exceptional wildlife, amazing sunsets," says Lynn G. about Lake Ouachita State Park. Campers regularly report seeing deer, eagles, and various waterfowl, especially during early morning hours.
What you should know
First-come, first-served limitations: Gulpha Gorge Campground in Hot Springs National Park doesn't accept reservations. "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," Patrick M. explains.
Lake temperatures vary significantly: Lake Ouachita's temperature changes considerably based on depth and season. "The lake was gorgeous! I wish we had more time to walk trails, but we were just stopping for the night," notes Hannah L. The main lake body remains cool even in summer, while shallower coves warm more quickly.
Cell coverage inconsistency: Service varies widely between campgrounds. At Stephens Park Campground, "We got 2 bars on Verizon, which was manageable for internet and phone calls," reports MickandKarla W. Many campgrounds have better reception near entrance areas than at individual sites.
Limited grocery options: Most campgrounds have basic stores with limited supplies. "There is a small pond that looked as though they allow family fishing in. 'Grandpa's Griddle' is a small kitchen on site that they offer home-cooked breakfast," explains Roxy V. about Hot Springs National Park KOA. Stock up on supplies in Hot Springs before heading to more remote campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Sites with play areas: Lake Catherine State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "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. There were trees to hang our hammocks," shares Alison C.
Educational programs: Several parks offer ranger-led activities. "Ranger programs, educational displays, swimming beach, cabins and traditional tent/RV camping," Lynn G. notes about Lake Ouachita State Park. Most programs run Thursday through Sunday during peak season.
Best swimming spots: Look for designated swimming areas with gradual entry points. "The lake is beautiful with very ragged edges and islands so there is a lot to explore by boat, plus two or three hiking trails that take you to a lovely overlook," Lynn G. explains about Lake Ouachita.
Fishing access for kids: Campgrounds with fishing piers provide easier access for young anglers. "We fished at night for catfish and caught what we needed. The campground is pet friendly. My dogs are like my kids and they had fun," Melanie W. shares about Crystal Springs Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds in the Ouachita Mountains require leveling blocks. "We stayed in A35 which is a triple A site with level site with all the trimmings! Wooded campsite with adequate shade, picnic table, fire pit and raised grilling station," Don L. shares about Lake Ouachita State Park.
Hookup placement: Water hookup locations can be unusual at some campgrounds. "The water spigot was in the back of the site away from the sewer and electric so we needed about 30' of water hose," notes MickandKarla W. about Stephens Park Campground.
Water pressure regulation: Some campgrounds have high water pressure that requires regulation. "Recommend using a water pressure regulator, one of my pipes started leaking from the pressure," warns Josh F. about J and J RV Park.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups or convenient dump stations. At DeGray Lake Resort State Park, "Our campsite was a great size and well spaced out from our neighbors. We had trees to hang our hammocks," according to Alison C., but some RVers note the need to plan for dump station timing during busy checkout periods.
