Camping in Hot Springs: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations & Rates

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Hot Springs

Hot Springs National Park has just one official campground inside the park: Gulpha Gorge. It's open year-round, welcomes tents and RVs, and reservations go through Recreation.gov. For extra nights or when Gulpha Gorge is full, several private campgrounds and a KOA are located within a few miles. There's no dispersed camping in this park. Its urban setting rules it out entirely.

Campgrounds in the park (1)

• Campground Gulpha Gorge Campground recreation.gov · 40 sites Directions ↗

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Can You Camp Inside Hot Springs National Park?

Yes, but only within clearly defined limits. Hot Springs is an unusual park. It stretches through the heart of a city, Hot Springs, Arkansas, and its territory consists mainly of Bathhouse Row, the thermal springs, and the surrounding wooded hills. There are no dispersed camping areas and no wilderness permits. All camping stays take place at Gulpha Gorge, the park's only official campground.

Campgrounds in the Park

Gulpha Gorge Campground

Gulpha Gorge is the campground at Hot Springs National Park. About 1.9 miles from downtown and along Gulpha Creek, it offers a surprisingly wooded setting just steps from Bathhouse Row.

• Sites: About 40 sites for tents and RVs.
• Amenities: Restrooms, running water, picnic tables, and grills. Some sites have electrical hookups.
• Season: Open year-round, including holidays.
• Pets: Allowed on a leash up to 6 feet long.
• Reservations: Through Recreation.gov. Reservations are strongly recommended during the busy spring and fall seasons.

The setting is pleasant. The trees filter the summer heat, and the sound of the creek accompanies you through the night. When we visited in October, the campground was full by Thursday evening for the weekend. Booking ahead is well worth it.

RV or Tent: Which Site Should You Choose?

Gulpha Gorge works for both, with a few differences.

In an RV, you'll want a site with an electrical hookup. These sites are limited and fill quickly during the busy season. The campground doesn't provide water hookups or dump stations at every site, so check with the park about the available facilities when you arrive. Confirm the maximum length with a ranger when you make your reservation, especially if you're bringing a large rig over 26 feet long.

In a tent, you can use any site in the campground. The most popular sites run along the creek. They're shaded and set a little apart from the RV sites. Bring gear suited to cold winter nights. With wind chill, temperatures can drop below 32°F.

For a more fully equipped RV stay with water, electric, and sewer hookups, private parks in the city of Hot Springs offer better facilities. Our RV Camping page covers these options in detail.

Camping Nearby: Private Campgrounds Outside the Park

When Gulpha Gorge is full or you need more amenities, the city of Hot Springs and its surroundings offer several alternatives.

Hot Springs Campground & RV Park (rvparkhotsprings.com) is a private campground with full hookups for water, electric, and sewer, plus cabins and wi-fi. It mainly caters to RVers and campers looking for hotel-like comfort.

Hot Springs KOA is another local option. It has a pool, playgrounds, cabins, and standard and premium sites. KOA is known for its cleanliness standards and family-friendly amenities. Rates are higher than at Gulpha Gorge, but so are the services.

For lodging with solid walls, including lodges, hotels, and bed-and-breakfasts, see our Where to Stay guide and our Hotels & Lodges page.

Dispersed Camping and Backcountry Camping

There is no dispersed camping at Hot Springs National Park. The park's fragmented urban setting, lack of long-distance trails, and sensitive areas around the springs rule out any backcountry camping permit. If you're looking for a wilderness camping experience in Arkansas, the Ouachita and Ozark National Forests near Hot Springs offer dispersed camping areas with permits.

In Hot Springs itself, hikes on the park's hills range from 1.2 to 6.2 miles and are day hikes. They don't require a permit or an overnight stay. Our Hiking page lists the trails by difficulty.

How and When to Reserve a Campsite in Hot Springs

Reservations are made through Recreation.gov, the official federal reservation platform. The booking window generally opens 6 months in advance. If you're targeting a spring or fall weekend, reserve your site as soon as the window opens.

Spring, from March through May, and fall, from September through November, are the busiest seasons. Expect mild weather, colorful foliage in October, and heavy crowds. Summer, from June through August, remains busy despite the heat and humidity, with heat index values reaching 109°F. Winter is quiet and sites are often available without advance reservations, but nighttime temperatures call for four-season gear.

Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The number varies by season. Arrive early in the afternoon to give yourself the best chance.

To choose the right season for your priorities, including heat, crowds, and budget, our When to Visit guide and Weather page provide more information.

Rates: How Much Does a Night of Camping Cost in Hot Springs?

The cost of a night at Gulpha Gorge varies by site type:

• Site without electricity, tent or standard: About $20 to $25 per night.
• Site with an electrical hookup: About $30 to $35 per night.

Rates are in U.S. dollars and payable through Recreation.gov when you reserve. A reservation fee of a few dollars is added. The America the Beautiful Pass, the annual federal pass, offers a discount on camping fees in national parks. Our Fees & Passes page explains entrance fees and passes.

Private campgrounds in town charge comparable or higher rates, depending on the included amenities.

Camping Safety and Good Practices

Hot Springs National Park has no large predators, including bears or alligators. You should still take a few practical precautions.

Local wildlife: Venomous snakes, including cottonmouths and copperheads, live in the wooded areas and along the creek banks. Don't reach under rocks or logs without looking first. Keep children within sight near the creek.

Mosquitoes and ticks: They're widespread from May through October. DEET repellent and daily tick checks are essential, especially during fall stays.

Food storage: Bear boxes aren't required because no bears have been documented, but store your food in your vehicle at night to keep raccoons and opossums, which are very active around the campground, away.

Summer heat: With heat index values reaching 109°F, drink water every hour while hiking. The campground has potable water, so fill your bottles there.

Campfires: They're subject to seasonal park restrictions. Check the rules posted at the Gulpha Gorge entrance or on the official NPS page before lighting a fire.

The complete rules for your stay, including leash requirements, trash disposal, and campground quiet hours, are listed on our Practical Information, Rules & Safety page.

Which Campground Should You Choose?

For lodging with solid walls in Hot Springs, the Where to Stay and Hotels & Lodges guides cover all the options.

Frequently Asked Questions