Camping Near Hot Springs National Park
Arkansas | Established 1921
About Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park is unlike any other national park. Its 5,549 acres surround and interweave with the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas, making it one of the few national parks you can walk to from a downtown hotel. Forty-seven thermal springs produce roughly 700,000 gallons of 143-degree water daily, feeding the historic Bathhouse Row where eight ornate bathhouses built between 1892 and 1923 line a tree-shaded promenade.
Gulpha Gorge Campground is the park's only campground, and it stands out among national park campgrounds for offering full hookups (30/50 amp electric, water, and sewer) at all 40 sites. Open year-round at $34 per night, the campground sits in a forested gorge along Gulpha Creek, just two miles from Bathhouse Row and downtown Hot Springs.
Two of the eight historic bathhouses still operate: Buckstaff Bathhouse, in continuous operation since 1912, offers traditional thermal baths, and Quapaw Baths and Spa provides a modern experience with communal soaking pools heated to 95 to 104 degrees. The park also protects 26 miles of hiking trails through forested mountains, with the Grand Promenade providing a half-mile paved walkway behind Bathhouse Row overlooking the thermal cascade.
Camping Tips for Hot Springs
- Gulpha Gorge Campground offers full hookups (30/50 amp electric, water, and sewer) at all 40 sites, a rare luxury in the national park system. Reserve through Recreation.gov up to six months in advance.
- There is no entrance fee to visit Hot Springs National Park. The campground fee of $34 per night (half price with Senior or Access Pass) is the only cost for staying in the park.
- The campground is just two miles from downtown Hot Springs and Bathhouse Row. Walk or drive to the historic district for thermal baths, restaurants, galleries, and shopping without leaving the park area.
- Visit Buckstaff Bathhouse for a traditional thermal bath experience dating to 1912, or Quapaw Baths and Spa for modern communal soaking pools at 95 to 104 degrees. Both are within walking distance of Bathhouse Row.
- The mild Arkansas climate makes Gulpha Gorge comfortable for year-round camping. Winters rarely see extended freezing temperatures, and the thermal waters flow at 143 degrees regardless of season.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Hot Springs National Park
41.Lake Sylvia Campground
Lake Sylvia Recreation Area is nestled between scenic pine and oak-clad mountains in the northeast corner of the Ouachita National Forest. The serene 18-acre lake is noted for its...
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42.Brushy Creek Campground
Brushy Creek Campground is a beautiful 70 site campground nestled deep in the woods on the western side of DeGray Lake. It has several different rental offerings, including...
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43.River Road Campground
River Road Campground is situated along the scenic shores of the Fourche LaFave River and Nimrod Dam, nestled between Arkansas' Ouachita and Ozark Mountains. This peaceful retreat...
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44.Alpine Ridge
Alpine Ridge Campground sits on the banks of DeGray Lake in the foothills of the Quachita Mountains. The lake attracts visitors far and wide for fishing tournaments, triathlons,...
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45.Sunlight Bay Campground
Sunlight Bay Campground sits along the shores of Nimrod Lake just off of the Fourche Lafave river on Wilson Slough. Nimrod Lake is cradled between Arkansas' Ouachita and Ozark...
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46.Shouse Ford Use Area
Shouse Ford Campground sits on the banks of DeGray Lake in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas. The campground is part of DeGray Lake, one of the region's five...
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47.Camp Clearfork
The Ouachita National Forest is located primarily in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Outstanding mountain views coupled with picturesque streams, rivers, and...
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48.Caddo Drive Campground
Caddo Drive Campground sits along the pristine shores of Degray Lake in the foothills of the Quachita Mountains. The area offers stunning scenery and panoramic views, and Caddo...
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49.Pinewood Properties & Rv Park
Pinewood Properties & RV Park is a well-rated RV park located in Malvern, Arkansas, offering a convenient base for travelers exploring the area. With a solid 4.5-star rating from...
Show more50.Joplin Recreation Area-USACE
Joplin Campground on Lake Ouachita is an excellent destination for pristine lakefront camping. Joplin is perched on a slender peninsula with plenty of attractive scenic views of...
Show moreShowing 41–50 of 81 campgrounds within 30 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are inside Hot Springs National Park?
Gulpha Gorge Campground is the only campground in the park, with 40 sites at $34 per night. Every site has full hookups including 30/50 amp electric, water, and sewer connections, plus a picnic table and pedestal grill. The campground is open year-round and accepts reservations through Recreation.gov.
Gulpha Gorge sits in a forested gorge along Gulpha Creek, about two miles from Bathhouse Row. Maximum RV length is 60 feet including towing vehicle. The campground has a 14-consecutive-day stay limit and a 30-cumulative-day limit per calendar year. Senior and Access pass holders pay half price at $17 per night. Cancellations more than 72 hours in advance incur only a $10 transaction fee.
Is there an entrance fee for Hot Springs National Park?
No, Hot Springs National Park is completely free to enter and explore year-round. There is no vehicle entrance fee or park pass required. The only cost is the campground fee at Gulpha Gorge ($34/night) and fees for bathhouse treatments, which are operated by private concessionaires.
The free admission combined with the park's location within the city of Hot Springs means visitors can explore without a vehicle. Visitors can walk from downtown hotels and restaurants directly into the park. Thermal water is freely accessible at public fountains and the thermal cascade behind Bathhouse Row.
Can I soak in the hot springs?
Two historic bathhouses on Bathhouse Row offer thermal soaking experiences. Buckstaff Bathhouse has operated continuously since 1912 with private thermal baths, steam cabinets, and massage. Quapaw Baths and Spa features four large communal pools heated to 95 to 104 degrees with private bath options.
The thermal springs produce water at 143 degrees, which is cooled to comfortable soaking temperatures at the bathhouses. You cannot soak directly in the natural springs as they are protected. Free thermal water fountains throughout the park let visitors fill containers with the mineral-rich water for drinking. The Hot Water Cascade behind Maurice Bathhouse on the Grand Promenade is the largest visible spring in the park.
Can I bring my dog to Hot Springs National Park?
Dogs on a leash of six feet or shorter are welcome on all 26 miles of hiking trails, in Gulpha Gorge Campground, in parking areas, and on paved roads throughout the park. Dogs are not allowed inside park buildings including bathhouses. Water bowls are provided on the front porch of visitor facilities.
All 26 miles of park trails are open to leashed dogs. The Gulpha Gorge Trail and Peak Trail near the campground are good options for dogs. The Grand Promenade behind Bathhouse Row is paved and dog-friendly. The park offers a BARK Ranger program where dog owners can earn a certificate by following responsible pet practices.
What are the best hikes in Hot Springs National Park?
Top hikes include the Sunset Trail (10 miles round trip, the park's longest and most challenging), Hot Springs Mountain Trail (3.1 miles to the summit observation tower), Gulpha Gorge Trail (0.8 miles along the creek near the campground), Peak Trail (0.5 miles, gentle family-friendly loop), and the Grand Promenade (0.5 miles, paved walkway behind Bathhouse Row).
The Sunset Trail traverses North and West Mountains with multiple scenic overlooks and connects to several shorter trail loops. Hot Springs Mountain Trail climbs to a tower with panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountains and the city below. The Grand Promenade is the most popular walk in the park, passing behind the historic bathhouses with views of the thermal cascade and Hot Water Cascade spring. All 26 miles of park trails are dog-friendly.
What is Bathhouse Row?
Bathhouse Row is a line of eight historic bathhouses built between 1892 and 1923 along Central Avenue in downtown Hot Springs. The buildings showcase Spanish Renaissance Revival and Neoclassical architecture from the Gilded Age. Two still operate as bathhouses; the others house museums, galleries, a brewery, and a restaurant.
Bathhouse Row is a National Historic Landmark and the best-preserved collection of bathhouse architecture in the United States. The Fordyce Bathhouse serves as the park visitor center with free exhibits on bathing history and thermal geology. Buckstaff is the only bathhouse in continuous operation since its 1912 opening. The Superior Bathhouse Brewery uses thermal spring water to brew beer, making it the only brewery inside a national park.
When is the best time to visit Hot Springs National Park?
Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) offer the most comfortable weather with daytime temperatures in the 60s to 70s and low humidity. Summer is hot and humid with temperatures reaching the high 80s to low 90s. Winter is mild with rare freezing temperatures, making year-round camping comfortable.
Fall is considered the best overall season with pleasant temperatures, lower humidity, and fall foliage in the surrounding Ouachita Mountains. The park draws about 2.5 million visitors annually, with summer being the busiest season. Winter offers the quietest experience with affordable lodging in town. The thermal bathhouses operate year-round regardless of weather, making a winter soak particularly appealing.
How is Hot Springs different from other national parks?
Hot Springs is one of the smallest national parks at 5,549 acres and one of the few located within a city. It was the first federal reserve established for natural resource protection in 1832, predating Yellowstone by 40 years. The park's thermal springs and bathhouse history make it more of a cultural and wellness destination than a wilderness park.
Unlike most national parks, Hot Springs has no backcountry or wilderness areas. Its campground offers full RV hookups, and downtown restaurants, shops, and hotels are within walking distance. The park's identity centers on the thermal water and bathhouse heritage rather than scenic grandeur. This makes it an unusual but rewarding stop for travelers who appreciate history, architecture, and the novelty of soaking in naturally heated mineral water inside a national park.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- Free (no entrance fee)
- Best Time to Visit
- March – May, September – November
- Nearest Town
- Hot Springs, AR
- Elevation
- 600 – 1,405 ft
- Park Size
- 5,549 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~2.5 million