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The area surrounding Malvern, Arkansas features several established campgrounds with Lake Catherine State Park Campground serving as a central destination for outdoor recreation. Campers can choose from tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations at various locations within a 30-mile radius. Lake Catherine offers waterfront camping with dock access, while nearby options include Gulpha Gorge Campground in Hot Springs National Park, Catherine's Landing, and DeGray Lake Resort State Park. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide electric hookups, drinking water, and fire rings, though amenities vary between locations.
Reservations are highly recommended for developed campgrounds in the region, particularly during summer months and holidays when sites fill quickly. A visitor commented, "You probably want to book up to a year in advance because the park stays booked most of the year." Lake Catherine State Park offers full hookup sites for RVs and dedicated tent camping areas with nearby restrooms and showers. The landscape features lakes, forests, and hiking trails, with several campgrounds positioned directly on waterfront property. Road access to most established camping areas accommodates standard vehicles, though some primitive tent sites may require short walks from parking areas.
Campers consistently highlight waterfront access as a key feature of camping in the Malvern area. Lake Catherine State Park receives particular praise for its lakeside sites, many of which include small docks for fishing. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to scenic areas, including seasonal waterfalls. A recent review noted, "We had a water view site and there are many more. We were able to put our kayaks in right at our site and swim in the lake too." Wildlife viewing opportunities include squirrels, birds, and occasionally raccoons. The Malvern camping region offers excellent access to Hot Springs National Park (approximately 15 miles from Lake Catherine), allowing visitors to experience both lakeside campgrounds and the historic bathhouse district within the same trip. When searching for campgrounds near Malvern, visitors will find that most camping areas maintain reasonable spacing between sites, though several reviews mention limited privacy during peak seasons.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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"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
Check Availability
ScoutThis is a great quiet spot to pitch a tent or bring a moderate sized camper in. Whoever was here last supplied the fire pits with kindling, there is plenty of wood from fallen trees around to build a nice campfire. Not a single person hiked or drove by in the roughly 16 hours I was here. Would recommend!
GuideWe liked Lake Catherine State Park. My husband tried fishing, to no avail. I chose swimming and was also a little let down. The water by camp is extremely shallow. Even 50 ft from bank youre only in 2 ft of water.. so I opted for floating and it was perfect. My husband had my float tied around his waist while he waded around trying to fish. It was honestly magical. The bathrooms, which contain a couple of stalled showers, are some of the cleanest we've seen in all our travels. A lot of the sites are directly on the water and it looks like each group of sites has its own dock, so thats really cool. The waterfall had no falls bc it hasnt rained here in some time. There was a really nice shop that had ice, wood, souvenirs, a few groceries, and practical items like sunscreen and bug spray as well as rv stuff, like pipes and hoses. There is watercraft rental here but we didnt check that out. 2 nights cost us $52 for 30 amp, water hookup, right by the bathhouse and a site on the water. It was honestly worth it. Probably would have stayed longer if it had been a little cheaper though.
GuideHere for an overnight and it was a great night at this KOA. Pool, trails, lake were fantastic. In a camper B RV so no issues navigating to the camp using the Google Maps way. If you are in a big rig RV, it’ll be tight.
ScoutReally nice spot. With good swimming hole. Flush toilets were clean. No lights though but had power. Camping only no rvs or campers. Super peaceful. Water on site. Nice Boat launch
ScoutStayed on site E4 level site with 50 amp hookup water and no sewer. Camp staff was friendly and helpful. No problems with bugs or mosquitos. Bath house very clean. Grocery store and restraunts within 10 minute drive.
GuideSpots have good room and most have water and electricity. Not as maintained as other campgrounds but the isolation and quiet area are nice
LegendSuch a great place. The staff here are amazing and so friendly. You cannot go wrong here.
GuideVehicle : Ram Promaster
Pros: A Shower room that is 30 degrees A/C Controlled with Incredible Shower Pressure, Water & Power Hookups & Extremely Easy Access to Trails (Goat Rock -View in Pictures) , 5 minutes out Main National Park Area.
Cons: Lots close together, public access, a lot of flies but as expected.
$34 /Night
Absolutely would recommend & stay again if Hots Springs NP was ever worth going to twice! (The Sign when you drive in will say NO SHOWER FACILITIES, it is a trick to prevent Gen Pop from trying to sneak a shower & slurp up the greatest temperature controlled bathroom on the planet)
ScoutI visited this property a year ago and came back after I heard it had new ownership and had been updated and remodeled. WOW, I was so impressed with it! We will be coming back again.
Camping options near Malvern, Arkansas span across varied terrain from forested hills to lakefront settings within the Ouachita Mountains region. The area maintains mild winters and humid summers with temperatures typically ranging from 30°F to 95°F seasonally. Most developed campgrounds sit between 300-600 feet elevation, with several positioned along the network of lakes that define the region's outdoor landscape.
Fishing from your site: Several campgrounds offer lakefront sites with direct water access for fishing. At Lake Catherine State Park Campground, campers can enjoy fishing steps from their site. One visitor noted, "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail."
Disc golf course: Catherine's Landing features a full disc golf course through meadow and wooded terrain. A visitor at Catherine's Landing shared, "There are so many amenities such as a pool, store, boat rentals, zip line and trash pickup. We stayed here for a couple of nights to visit the Hot Springs and it was the perfect location."
Hiking to waterfalls: Several campgrounds connect to waterfall hikes under 3 miles round-trip. At Lake Catherine State Park, a visitor mentioned, "Pleasant hike. Pleasant environment. Pleasant waterfall. I remember this place being rather peaceful!"
Ropes course and adventure activities: For families seeking structured outdoor activities beyond hiking and swimming, Catherine's Landing offers a commercial-grade adventure course. A visitor mentioned, "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."
Lakefront access: Sites backing to water consistently receive highest ratings. At Lake Ouachita State Park, a visitor explained: "We had a site overlooking the lake. It was a last minute Memorial Day weekend plan, so there wasn't much research before hand. The campsites were walk up, which was mildly inconvenient at first, but ultimately a big plus with no vehicles driving by the actual sites."
Clean facilities: Restrooms and showers at most established campgrounds receive high marks for cleanliness. A visitor at J and J RV Park noted: "The bathrooms and showers were VERY clean. It is obvious that someone is taking very good care of this park, down to folding the toilet paper into neat triangles."
Quiet atmosphere: Despite proximity to Hot Springs attractions, many campgrounds maintain peaceful settings. A camper at DeGray Lake Resort State Park remarked: "From our stay in Mar 15 2021. Lots of activities here, we stayed at the De Roche Ridge campsite area, love the view of the lake no matter which site you stay and enjoyed beautiful sunsets from ours."
Spring and fall shoulder seasons: Lower humidity and smaller crowds make April-May and September-October preferred camping months. A visitor at Lake Catherine State Park commented: "This SP will fill up quickly in the spring and fall, reservations are recommend."
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds require reservations months ahead, especially for weekend stays from April through October. A visitor at Gulpha Gorge Campground cautioned: "Gulpha Gorge is beautiful. It's close to downtown and close to Magic Springs. The one downfall is they are FCFS only."
Weather considerations: Summer humidity levels reach 70-90% with afternoon thunderstorms common from June to August. Lightning safety procedures should be established before camping. A visitor at Lake Catherine State Park mentioned: "The waterfall was flowing a little on the low side. That's not unusual since it is the end of summer."
Water levels fluctuate seasonally: Boat ramps and swimming areas change accessibility throughout the year. Spring typically features highest water levels. At DeGray Lake, a visitor observed: "Some trails were soggy but it had been raining for a few days making it difficult to get past. Some signs indicating this could have helped us stay off the trails."
Cell coverage varies significantly: Coverage depends on carrier and specific campground location. A visitor at Leisure Landing RV Park noted: "T-Mobile cell phone services week Usually around two bars."
Accessible trails: Look for designated family-friendly trails under 2 miles with minimal elevation change. A visitor at Hot Springs National Park KOA mentioned: "I think it was cool how this KOA was basically carved out of the hillside and was protected by the National Forest canopy of trees. As all KOA's, it was very family friendly. There were lots of activities to keep the kiddos busy."
Water play options: Campgrounds with dedicated splash pads or swimming beaches provide structured water activities for children. A visitor at Catherine's Landing shared: "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."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early morning and early evening offer best wildlife viewing times around campground edges and water. At DeGray Lake, a visitor mentioned: "Wildlife sitings: Eagle, White-tail Deer, Wild Hogs, Birds, Squirrel, and more. Onsite catch and release pond bass fishing(bring your own gear)."
Kid-friendly campsite selection: Request sites away from water if camping with toddlers. At Lake Ouachita, a visitor noted: "The proximity to Hot Springs National Park allows campers to experience both developed camping and the historic bathhouse district within the same trip."
Site leveling requirements: Many lakefront sites feature slight to moderate slopes requiring leveling blocks. A visitor at Lake Ouachita State Park noted: "Many sites were on an incline, so there was a lot of terracing w great use of railroad timbers and crushed rock. Most sites were FULL HookUps."
Water pressure considerations: Several campgrounds report high water pressure that may require regulators. A visitor at J and J RV Park warned: "Recommend using a water pressure regulator, one of my pipes started leaking from the pressure."
Site spacing variations: Most RV parks feature relatively close spacing between sites. At Leisure Landing RV Park, a visitor observed: "Your next door neighbor is about 12 to 15 ft from your door. So the sites are a little bit tight."
Access road conditions: Some campgrounds feature narrow access roads that require careful navigation for larger rigs. A DeGray Lake visitor reported: "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available near Malvern, Arkansas?
Near Malvern, you'll find diverse camping options including established parks and dispersed sites. Lake Catherine State Park Campground offers a tent-only area with picnic tables and fire rings. For a premium experience, Catherine's Landing provides lakefront sites with spacious grounds, fire pits, and proximity to Hot Springs. If you prefer dispersed camping, the Ouachita National Forest has several options, including sites along Forest Roads with access to trails and natural features. These range from basic sites with fire rings to more developed areas, giving you flexibility based on your preferred camping style.
Are there campgrounds close to Malvern for weekend stays?
Yes, several excellent weekend camping options exist near Malvern. Gulpha Gorge Campground in Hot Springs National Park offers a unique opportunity to camp near the town's attractions. For those seeking a more dispersed experience, Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite in the Ouachita National Forest provides a peaceful setting next to a creek with access to a scenic cascade via a short hike. Both locations are within easy driving distance from Malvern, making them perfect for weekend getaways. Consider booking ahead for Gulpha Gorge during peak seasons, while the dispersed site operates on a first-come basis.
Where can I find campsites in Malvern?
Malvern, Arkansas offers several camping options nearby. Erwin Estate High Point in Magnet Cove is a highly-rated private campground just a short drive from Malvern. For those seeking lakeside camping, Caddo Drive - De Gray Lake provides clean facilities on a beautiful peninsula overlooking the water. This Army Corps of Engineers site features separate areas for tents and RVs, hot showers, and is conveniently located near Highway 7. Both options provide good access to Malvern's amenities while offering distinct camping experiences.
Are there campgrounds close to Malvern for weekend stays?
Yes, several excellent weekend camping options exist near Malvern. Gulpha Gorge Campground in Hot Springs National Park offers a unique opportunity to camp near the town's attractions. For those seeking a more dispersed experience, Brown Creek Cascade Dispersed Campsite in the Ouachita National Forest provides a peaceful setting next to a creek with access to a scenic cascade via a short hike. Both locations are within easy driving distance from Malvern, making them perfect for weekend getaways. Consider booking ahead for Gulpha Gorge during peak seasons, while the dispersed site operates on a first-come basis.
What camping options are available near Malvern, Arkansas?
Near Malvern, you'll find diverse camping options including established parks and dispersed sites. Lake Catherine State Park Campground offers a tent-only area with picnic tables and fire rings. For a premium experience, Catherine's Landing provides lakefront sites with spacious grounds, fire pits, and proximity to Hot Springs. If you prefer dispersed camping, the Ouachita National Forest has several options, including sites along Forest Roads with access to trails and natural features. These range from basic sites with fire rings to more developed areas, giving you flexibility based on your preferred camping style.
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