Camping near Jones Mill, AR

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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.

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    Best Campgrounds near Jones Mill (179)

      1. Lake Catherine State Park Campground

      4.6(84)2mi from Jones MillRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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. "

      from $15 - $25 / night

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      2. Gulpha Gorge Campground — Hot Springs National Park

      4.1(79)10mi from Jones Mill44 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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      3. Catherine's Landing

      4.8(25)6mi from Jones MillRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      4. Hot Springs National Park KOA

      4.5(22)8mi from Jones MillRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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. Lake Ouachita State Park Campground

      4.7(50)21mi from Jones MillRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      6. DeGray Lake Resort State Park — De Gray State Park

      4.6(31)19mi from Jones MillRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      7. J and J RV Park

      4.4(9)9mi from Jones MillRVs

      "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

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      8. Hot Springs Arkansas Finish Line RV Park Walk to Oaklawn and Bathhouse Row

      4.9(8)10mi from Jones Mill4 sitesRVs

      "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

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      9. Treasure Isle R.V. Park

      3.9(16)17mi from Jones Mill6 sitesRVs, Cabins

      "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

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      10. Leisure Landing RV Park

      4.0(6)12mi from Jones Mill3 sitesRVs

      "We arrived after the office was closed, but there was an envelope that said “Welcome Smith” outside the office that included maps and a magazine for Hot Springs, as well as some tidbits of the town and"

      "Not at night usually around midday), it's a quiet and comfortable place to stay. It has a small dog park near the lake. The owners are very friendly."

      from $32 - $45 / night

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    Recent Reviews near Jones Mill, AR

    1059 Reviews of 179 Jones Mill Campgrounds


    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 11, 2026

      Toad Suck

      Nice campground

      Staff at gate was very k8nd and helpful. Grounds well kept and manicured. Camp sites under trees for,shade with water, electricity, picnic tables and fire pits. Needed to use levelers to get trailer leveled. Campground on Arkansas river at the dam and locks. Bathhouse was clean, looked like painted for this season. Only issues was heater running in shower, it was 80+ degrees didn't need more heat. I'd stay here again.

    • KThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 10, 2026

      COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

      Beautiful location

      I stayed 2 nights and it was a great location. I had water views on 3 sides. Site 20 is a good location for tenting, it has pretty good shade coverage. There is water and electric at the site. There are bathrooms and showers available to campers. There is a sandy beach area for swimming. The water is refreshing on a hot and humid day. The camp host is very nice and reassured me to reach out if I had any questions or problems. After dark it was surprisingly very quiet, there was a loud group camped 2 spots away from me but they were quiet after dark. The views around the lake are beautiful. I will definitely stay here again if I’m in the area. Just a side note, if the geese are troublesome, the park rangers will shoot off blanks to scare them out of the cove. This is done without warning, so it’s a bit startling.

    • Shawn S.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 3, 2026

      Maumelle COE campground

      Close to hospital

      Luckily it was close to the hospital since we had to take a visit there. Beautiful park with lake access.

    • Amber G.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 3, 2026

      Big Fir Primitive Camping

      USE GOOGLE TO LOCATE

      I learned the hard way that the coordinates on this app are 1.5 hours off. BUT! I will say the spot I snagged at 8:35pm on a Monday was incredible. Would love to come back. Restrooms available (didn't use so not sure on quality). Easy to navigate.

    • MThe Dyrt PRO User
      May. 31, 2026

      Toad Suck

      Nice spot

      Well kept camsites. Clean and right on the beautiful Arkansas river. Would definitely come back.

    • dThe Dyrt PRO User
      May. 27, 2026

      Rocky Shoals

      Nice private spot

      I accidentally found Rocky Shoals when I was driving through scenic, route, and I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful lake that was in front of me. It didn’t seem like it was raining, but the trees were dripping with wetness. It was nice to let my dog go for a little swim. I didn’t use the bathrooms because they were gross.

    • BThe Dyrt PRO User
      May. 25, 2026

      Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park

      Rainy but nice place

      Very nice park and clean bathrooms. The cedar falls are wonderful when it has been raining a lot. RV sites are spacious and a lot of locals like to stay there for short vacations.

    • a
      May. 22, 2026

      Maumelle Park

      Excellent- peaceful

      Pleasant surprise. Pulled in late and found B32 available right on water. Quiet, clean, and bathroom nearby. Shaded beautiful site. Love it.


    Guide to Jones Mill

    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.

    What to Do

    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.

    What Campers Like

    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.

    What You Should Know

    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.

    Tips for Camping with Families

    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."

    Tips from RVers

    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 179 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 84 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.