Hot Springs by RV: Campgrounds, Rules, and Tips

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

The short answer: yes, Hot Springs National Park is easy to visit by RV, and no, you will not find French-style thermal campgrounds by searching for “Hot Springs RV” on Google. This is the American national park in Arkansas, right in the middle of Hot Springs, AR. Its main distinction is that no NPS campground lies within the park. You will camp at private campgrounds or nearby state parks, then reach Bathhouse Row each morning in just a few minutes.

Can you drive and camp in an RV at Hot Springs?

Hot Springs National Park is one of the few American federal parks that blends into a city. Bathhouse Row, the Grand Promenade, and the historic thermal springs sit right in downtown Hot Springs, AR, next to shops and Victorian hotels. There is no wilderness zone and no grizzlies. Here, the park coexists with a busy city.

Here is what you can do by RV:

• Drive the three mountain drives, Hot Springs Mountain Drive, North Mountain Drive, and West Mountain Drive, which are open to vehicles from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.;
• Park in public lots near Central Avenue to visit Bathhouse Row;
• Hike the trails that wind through the park’s five wooded hills.

Here is what you cannot do: sleep inside the park. There is no NPS campground anywhere on park grounds. For the night, head to campgrounds in the metro area or Ouachita National Forest.

RV restrictions and parking

There are no low-clearance tunnels and no special permit to obtain. Hot Springs does not impose the access restrictions you might encounter at Zion or Great Smoky Mountains. The urban layout creates its own challenges, though.

Bathhouse Row and Central Avenue: the park’s main street is narrow and busy. Parking an RV longer than 20 feet downtown takes patience. Use public lots farther from the street, then walk to the promenade.

Mountain roads: the three mountain drives are one-way roads with tight turns. A Class B camper van or a compact Class C can handle them without trouble. A large Class A over 33 feet requires care on the switchbacks. These roads close at 10 p.m., so plan your descent before then.

Speed: the speed limit on the park’s mountain roads is 25 mph.

Practical tip: when you arrive, stop at the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum on Central Avenue. Rangers can point you to the spaces that currently work for larger vehicles.

Campgrounds near Hot Springs NP

Since the park has no campground of its own, here are the options around Hot Springs, AR.

Private campgrounds in the metro area

Several campgrounds with electric and water hookups, including 30/50-amp service, sit 3 to 9 miles from the heart of the park. Expect to pay about $35 to $55 per night for full hookups, depending on the season. Their open sites work well for large Class A RVs, and maneuvering is much easier than downtown. Book directly or through the usual platforms, such as Recreation.gov and Campspot.

Lake Ouachita State Park (about 19 miles west)

Set on the shores of Lake Ouachita, this state park offers wooded RV sites with electric hookups, including 30/50-amp service, in a beautiful setting. Kayaking, fishing, and swimming round out the evening. It is a favorite with RV travelers who want nature after a day in town. Reservations are available through the Arkansas State Parks portal.

Lake Catherine State Park (about 16 miles southeast)

The atmosphere is similar, on Lake Catherine. RV sites are available with partial or full hookups, depending on the site. It is convenient if you are heading on to Little Rock for the next part of your road trip.

Ouachita National Forest: boondocking close by

Ouachita National Forest surrounds Hot Springs and stretches across more than 2.7 million acres between Arkansas and Oklahoma. It is the area’s low-key advantage for self-sufficient RV travelers.

Dispersed camping is free across most of the forest, subject to a few conditions: no fires during drought periods, a minimum distance from roads and water sources, and a maximum stay of 14 consecutive days in one spot.

Forest roads lead to quiet spots 30 to 45 minutes from Hot Springs. Check the Hot Springs weather forecast before leaving the paved roads. Spring and fall bring most of the precipitation, and some roads become slippery. A Class B or small Class C will be much more comfortable off pavement than a large Class A.

The map of areas open to dispersed camping is available on the USDA Forest Service website for Ouachita National Forest.

Dump stations, water, and services

There is no dump station or water fill station within the park. That makes sense, since there is no campground inside it. Here is where to find these services:

• Private campgrounds in the metro area: dump stations and water are included at most sites with hookups;
• Lake Ouachita and Lake Catherine State Parks: dump stations are available, with a per-use fee for visitors without a reserved site;
• I-30: Love’s and Flying J stations between Little Rock and Hot Springs offer dump stations and potable water for filling your tank.

Plan to dump your tanks before entering the city if you are arriving after several days of boondocking in the forest.

Which campground fits your travel style?

You are coming for the baths and Bathhouse Row: choose a private campground in the metro area. You will reach Central Avenue in 10 minutes by car, without the downtown parking hassle.

You want nature after the city: choose Lake Ouachita State Park. Spend the day at Hot Springs NP and the evening by the lake. It works very well, and sunsets over the water make you forget the afternoon’s concrete.

You are traveling in a camper van or small Class C: Ouachita National Forest offers free, quiet boondocking spots, ideal for a tight budget or a stay of several days.

You are traveling with family: Lake Catherine State Park is more compact and has useful amenities, including a playground and a beach with seasonal lifeguards. For kid-friendly activities in the park, the Hot Springs family guide covers the options.

Renting an RV to visit Hot Springs

Hot Springs fits naturally into a loop road trip. From Dallas, about 5 hours away, Memphis, about 3 hours, or Little Rock, about 1 hour, the city makes a logical stop between Louisiana and the Ozarks.

Recommended size: given the urban parking and winding mountain drives, a Class C no longer than 23 to 26 feet will be much easier to handle than a large Class A. For two travelers, a Class B is more than enough.

Nearby rental agencies: Little Rock’s Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, airport code LIT, is the most convenient base for renting, especially through Cruise America. Hot Springs has no RV rental agency specializing in downtown pickups.

Pets, budget, and reservations: the essentials

Pets: leashed dogs, on leashes no longer than 6 feet, are allowed in the park’s outdoor areas, including sidewalks, parking lots, and marked trails. They are not allowed inside the historic buildings along Bathhouse Row. Check your campground’s pet policy before you arrive.

Site budget: boondocking in Ouachita National Forest is free, apart from your own equipment. Basic sites in the state parks cost $15 to $25, while full-hookup sites at private campgrounds cost $35 to $55.

When to book: Hot Springs is busy in the fall, when the leaves change in October, and on summer weekends. During peak season, private campgrounds in the metro area are often full by Friday evening. Book state parks 2 to 3 weeks ahead through the Arkansas State Parks portal. To decide which season to avoid or prioritize, the Hot Springs seasons guide breaks down the calendar month by month.

Park entrance: Hot Springs National Park is one of the few American federal parks with no entrance fee. You do not need a ticket to access Bathhouse Row or the mountain drives.

In summary: our Hot Springs RV plan

Hot Springs National Park is unlike any other American park. You do not camp inside the park; you camp around it. That freedom is welcome in the end. You can choose a natural place to sleep, such as a lake or forest, then head into the historic city in the morning without being packed into a crowded loop.

Our four-point recommendation:

1. Camp base: Lake Ouachita State Park for nature, or a private campground in town for maximum convenience;
2. Vehicle: a compact Class C or Class B to handle the mountain drives and city parking without white-knuckle driving;
3. Visiting rhythm: Bathhouse Row in the morning before the crowds, the Grand Promenade in late afternoon, and Hot Springs Mountain Drive at sunset, with the road closing at 10 p.m.;
4. Savings: Ouachita National Forest for free boondocking if you are self-sufficient for water and power.

For traditional lodging, including lodges and local hotels, the Hot Springs accommodations guide covers the city’s non-camping options.

Frequently asked questions