Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- All campsites at the Gulpha Gorge Campground are full hookups, offering 30 or 50 amp electric, water, and sewer.
- Reservations for Gulpha Gorge Campground open 6 months in advance and may be booked online through the Recreation.gov website.
- Arkansas State Parks offer reservations up to 12 months in advance.
- Arkansas State Parks may require 2-night stays for weeks and 3-night stays for holidays.
When to Go
Spring is a popular time to visit Hot Springs National Park, as the wildflowers bloom and the weather warms. The thoroughbred horse-racing season at nearby Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort brings many visitors. Through summer, the temperatures reach highs in the 90s, with high humidity. A stroll on the Grand Promenade takes you out of the sun. Through fall, the mountains alight with colorful leaves, reaching their peak in October. Due to the southern location, Hot Springs has moderate winters, allowing for year-round camping. Freezing temperatures and snowfalls are rare.
Know Before You Go
- While flush toilets are available at Gulpha Gorge Campground, on-site showers are not.
- Cell signal access may be limited in the hills and valleys in Arkansas’s Ouachita Mountains.
- Lake Catherine and Lake Ouachita State Parks offer cabin rentals in addition to camping spots. Lake Catherine State Park also has yurt rentals for glamping.
- Hot Springs National Park is an urban park located in the city of Hot Springs.
- Several lakes around Hot Springs are hotspots for kayaking, boating, and other watersports. The nearby Caddo River also offers fishing and kayaking.
- Dispersed camping may be found in the greater Ouachita National Forest.
- The thermal springs are not open for swimming, but various locations have water access or offer spa treatments using the mineral waters.
Hot Springs National Park
Explore historic bathhouses, thermal waters, and beyond in Arkansas’s Ouachita Mountains.
Arkansas’ Hot Springs National Park is the only to have bathhouses as its focal point. However, Historic Bathhouse Row isn’t home to your typical bathhouses; instead, these unique structures have a fascinating story to tell of mineral waters and magic cures from the late 1800s. Explore the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center to see what visitors would have experienced at the height of the grandeur. Or partake in the traditions; the Buckstaff Bathhouse offers a full spa treatment utilizing the thermal waters that give this Arkansas town its name. After soaking in relaxation, head to Hot Springs Mountains for epic views and hiking trails.
Arkansas’ Hot Springs National Park is the only to have bathhouses as its focal point. However, Historic Bathhouse Row isn’t home to your typical bathhouses; instead, these unique structures have a fascinating story to tell of mineral waters and magic cures from the late 1800s. Explore the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center to see what visitors would have experienced at the height of the grandeur. Or partake in the traditions; the Buckstaff Bathhouse offers a full spa treatment utilizing the thermal waters that give this Arkansas town its name. After soaking in relaxation, head to Hot Springs Mountains for epic views and hiking trails.
Activities in the park
1 campground in Hot Springs National Park
Oooh…what could be better than some post-hike relaxing in a natural hot springs? Not much, we’re pretty sure. Gulpha Gorge Campground offers super scenic camping in the middle of Hot Springs National Park. Some sites are for old school tent campers, others are RV-friendly—and quite a few have even got hookups. What are you waiting for?Read more...
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Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Spring is a popular time to visit Hot Springs National Park, as the wildflowers bloom and the weather warms. The thoroughbred horse-racing season at nearby Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort brings many visitors. Through summer, the temperatures reach highs in the 90s, with high humidity. A stroll on the Grand Promenade takes you out of the sun. Through fall, the mountains alight with colorful leaves, reaching their peak in October. Due to the southern location, Hot Springs has moderate winters, allowing for year-round camping. Freezing temperatures and snowfalls are rare.
Know Before You Go
Frequently asked questions
Does Hot Springs National Park have a campground?
Yes, Hot Springs National Park has a campground called Gulpha Gorge Campground. The campground offers 40 sites with full hookups (water, electric, and sewer) for both tents and RVs. Reservations are not accepted, and sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit the Hot Springs National Park camping page.
Can you swim at Hot Springs National Park?
While you cannot swim in the natural hot springs within Hot Springs National Park, there are two historic bathhouses where you can experience the thermal waters. The Buckstaff Bathhouse offers traditional bathing experiences, while the Quapaw Baths & Spa provides modern spa services, including soaking pools. Swimming in the natural hot springs is prohibited to protect the water quality and the unique ecosystem.
How much does it cost to enter Hot Springs National Park?
Hot Springs National Park is unique among national parks in the United States, as there is no entrance fee to visit the park. Visitors can enjoy the park's natural beauty, hiking trails, and historic bathhouses without having to pay an entrance fee. However, fees may apply for certain services or activities within the park, such as camping or using the bathhouses.
What is the best time of year to visit Hot Springs, Arkansas?
The best time of year to visit Hot Springs, Arkansas, is during the spring months of April and May, or in the fall months of September and October. During these periods, the weather is mild and comfortable, with temperatures ranging from 60s to 80s Fahrenheit (15-27°C). These seasons also offer lower humidity and fewer crowds compared to the hot, busy summer months. Additionally, the fall months provide beautiful foliage colors, while spring brings blooming flowers and greenery.
How do I get a campsite reservation at Hot Springs National Park?
Securing a Hot Springs National Park campsite reservation is usually a challenge due to the park's popularity. Camping trips typically need to be planned months in advance and even then, available campsites can book up within minutes. The good news is that you have other options for last-minute Hot Springs National Park campsite reservations. Try snagging one by setting up a free Hipcamp alert for any Hot Springs campground. We'll monitor campground availability, and you'll get instantly notified of any openings that come up for your dates so you can jump on it to reserve the newly open site. Set up an alert.
When should I reserve camping in Hot Springs National Park?
Most Hot Springs National Park campsite reservations open up months in advance. However, it's notoriously difficult to secure a Hot Springs National Park reservation even if you plan ahead, as campsites are often booked up within minutes. To increase your chances of snagging a campsite, set up a free Hipcamp alert for any Hot Springd campground. We'll monitor campground availability, and you'll get instantly notified of any openings that come up for your dates so you can jump on it to reserve the newly open site. Set up an alert.
Public campgrounds (book externally) —