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Best Campgrounds near Royal, AR

1,020 Reviews

Camping near Royal, Arkansas centers around Lake Ouachita, one of Arkansas' largest and clearest lakes, with several established campgrounds managed by both Arkansas State Parks and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Lake Ouachita State Park Campground provides year-round accommodations for tents, RVs, and cabin rentals, while nearby Brady Mountain and Crystal Springs campgrounds offer additional lakeside options. These campgrounds sit approximately 15-20 miles west of Hot Springs National Park, creating convenient access to both natural lake recreation and the historic spa town's amenities. The Ouachita National Forest surrounds much of the area, providing a backdrop of pine and hardwood forests that create a scenic setting for outdoor recreation.

Most campgrounds in the Royal area remain open year-round, though seasonal variations affect availability and crowds. Summer months (May-September) bring higher temperatures, more visitors, and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. According to reviews, Lake Ouachita can become quite windy, particularly at exposed sites along the peninsula at Lake Ouachita State Park. Winter camping offers more solitude with temperatures that can vary significantly. As one camper noted, "Arkansas has variable weather in January. Cold clear day today but higher temps predicted for later in the week." Cell service is generally available at the developed campgrounds but can be spotty in more remote areas of the surrounding national forest.

Water-based recreation dominates the camping experience around Royal. Lake Ouachita's clear waters are popular for fishing, swimming, and boating, with many campsites offering direct lake access. Crystal Springs COE Campground features amenities like a sandy beach, playground, and boat launch within a no-wake zone. Hiking opportunities include the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, accessible from Crystal Springs Campground. One visitor mentioned, "One of the trailheads to the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail is adjacent (about a 10 minute walk). This hike was a standout for me!" The area is also known for its mineral deposits, with some campers reporting finding quartz crystals while exploring the springs that give Crystal Springs its name.

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Best Camping Sites Near Royal, Arkansas (195)

    1. Gulpha Gorge Campground — Hot Springs National Park

    75 Reviews
    Hot Springs National Park, AR
    12 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 Ouachita State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Mountain Pine, AR
    7 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."

    3. COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

    44 Reviews
    Royal, AR
    7 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."

    4. Lake Catherine State Park Campground

    83 Reviews
    Jones Mill, AR
    19 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. 

     "

    5. Treasure Isle R.V. Park

    16 Reviews
    Royal, AR
    4 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"

    6. Catherine's Landing

    25 Reviews
    Hot Springs, AR
    14 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."

    7. Hot Springs National Park KOA

    22 Reviews
    Hot Springs, AR
    13 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."

    8. Brady Mountain

    12 Reviews
    Royal, AR
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 760-1146

    $16 - $50 / night

    "Although the first campsites certainly looked quite close to each other, as you get further back into the campground the sites seemed to have more room."

    "I was in #66 so it was a little busy with traffic (right on the main entrance and exit)."

    9. Charlton Campground

    13 Reviews
    Royal, AR
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 867-2101

    $15 - $40 / night

    "We stayed in Loop C at the very back past the group campsite, which is tent camping only and a short walk from the bathroom."

    "Despite being close to the main road, it was very quiet."

    10. Brady Mountain - Lake Ouachita

    10 Reviews
    Royal, AR
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 767-2101

    $50 / night

    "BUT the views of the lake from almost all of the 74 sites are amazing!!! There are more 1st come 1st serve sites than reservable. It seems the reservable sites go really fast in peak season."

    "Proximity to Hot Springs is great, Lake Ouachita is beautiful. About 3 miles west is a fantastic smokehouse (Burl's) with excellent eats. We will return someday for sure."

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Recent Camping Photos near Royal, AR

286 Photos of 195 Royal Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Royal, AR

1020 Reviews of 195 Royal Campgrounds

  • Travis A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

    Nice ACOE campground

    Nice lake with beach area. Playground for kids. Clean restrooms. Some of the sites are small so check the length. Not far from Hot Springs.

  • Elise A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park

    Camping in luxury

    So here’s the thing, me and my partner do not like fruit, fruit and frills. I’d rather be in the middle of the woods with out a bathroom in sight, then having loads of facilities. But something about this location, turns all of that on its head for us.

    The campsites were well-maintained, the bathroom facilities were clean, but the park lodges, which also function as a trailhead for one of the major hikes there are like nothing I’ve seen before

    A pool at the top of an expensive out overlook which ultimately leads down to a gorgeous waterfall. That same lodge has a fully functioning bar and restaurant attached to it and on either side of the state park there are small coffee shops, a 24 hour farmers market with some of the weirdest and most pleasant people I’ve ever met.

    It was just cool, I’ll leave it at that

  • Makayla C.
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Buckville - Lake Ouachita

    Island Camping!!!

    We decided to island camp here and boy was it an experience. Day one was perfect, despite some storms, we really enjoyed ourselves. Day two we had to pack up early, flies got so horrible and wouldn’t stop biting us!

  • Charity S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Irons Fork

    Peaceful

    We were the only campers had a great spot on the water for a morning shower. I used my own pop up toilet as there’s is not close to being clean. It is bear country and others trash was gone through by wildlife in the bathroom.

  • Darren J.
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Brady Mountain - Lake Ouachita

    Great memory making trip

    Saw the most beautiful sunset. Caught a deliscious catfish. Spent a day in a hamock with a fantastic lake view.

  • Wayne J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2025

    Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground

    5star campground 4star site

    I’ve reviewed the campground before, for other sites. Most are level and plenty of room/parking length. This site 30 is cramped and has a passenger side tilt to it. I have a 26’ (tip to tail) TT and a crew cab pickup… they will not fit in the campsite end to end, much less with some room to get in to the tailgate. Once unhooked, I had to angle the truck in to overlap the tongue of the TT. Ended up with a 3 inch riser to level the trailer side to side, which puts the first step about 17 inches up. To add to it, there is no level surface much further than the step before the site slopes off steeply with pine needles. The site just seems like the Park wanted to jam another spot in to make 45$ extra a night on busy times. I would not recommend site 30, to anyone. Tent campers would be even worse off, as the tent pad area is back closer to the road.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Hot Springs National Park KOA

    NICE PLACE

    The campground was a little hard to find, about 22 miles from I-30 but we found it. Check-in was easy, directions to our site clear. Plenty of room to back into the site. Gravel site, nice and level. We only stayed 1 night. The campground was nice and clean and quiet. Good place to rest up before continuing on with our journey.

Guide to Royal

Camping near Royal, Arkansas, offers a fantastic mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful lakes and well-maintained campgrounds, it’s a great spot for families, RVers, and anyone looking to escape into nature.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy casting a line in the nearby lakes. One visitor at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are all sitting on a serene lake. The spaces are so far apart you can enjoy your own spot without interruption."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the campgrounds. A reviewer at Gulpha Gorge Campground noted, "If you enjoy hiking, this is an excellent location."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing dip at the swimming beaches. A camper at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground shared, "The lake is beautiful and all tent sites have access to the water."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-kept restrooms and showers. One visitor at Gulpha Gorge Campground said, "Cleanest shower house I've ever seen."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer large, private sites. A reviewer at Denby Point mentioned, "The site is HUGE!! You can’t hardly even see your neighbors."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often rave about the helpfulness of campground hosts. A visitor at Catherine's Landing noted, "The staff was amazing and very accommodating."

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A camper at COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground mentioned, "Only negative was our bathroom was still closed for the season."
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife sightings. A visitor at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground shared, "Saw lots of deer and other wildlife."
  • Road noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A reviewer at Gulpha Gorge Campground noted, "A little close to a busy road, but if you have a creek spot you can hear the water flowing!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the right campground: Look for family-friendly amenities. A camper at Daisy State Park Campground said, "The park offers a lot of shade and was very well kept."
  • Plan activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. A visitor at Catherine's Landing mentioned, "Plenty of room for the kids to play behind our water site."
  • Stay safe: Keep an eye on kids near water. A reviewer at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground advised, "The lake is beautiful and all tent sites have access to the water."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site access: Some sites can be tricky to back into. A camper at Denby Point noted, "Only problem is some sites are hard to get to."
  • Bring extra supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. A visitor at Treasure Isle R.V. Park mentioned, "I couldn’t find a place to throw my trash away."
  • Enjoy the views: Look for sites with great scenery. A reviewer at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground said, "Gorgeous lake front sites! This place is really popular in summer time."

Camping near Royal, Arkansas, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin. With plenty of activities and beautiful scenery, it’s a perfect getaway for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Royal, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Royal, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 195 campgrounds and RV parks near Royal, AR and 38 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Royal, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Royal, 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 Royal, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 38 free dispersed camping spots near Royal, AR.

What parks are near Royal, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 parks near Royal, AR that allow camping, notably Ouachita Lake and DeGray Lake.

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