Is there free or dispersed camping near Hot Springs National Park?

Free and dispersed RV camping near Hot Springs National Park is allowed in Ouachita National Forest. However, there are no services, and different regulations may apply compared to Hot Springs National Park. Harvest Hosts stays sit between the two: private property, permission arranged ahead, and no camping fee.

Is Harvest Hosts worth it for a Hot Springs trip?

Harvest Hosts is worth it for a Hot Springs trip, especially when you're unable to reserve a campsite in the park. With limited spots available, it's often more convenient to rely on camping on private property with the owner's permission. No camping fees, even for multi-night stays, outweigh the cost of membership.

Hot Springs National Park RV Camping

Once called the Great American Spa, Hot Springs National Park is about an hour's drive west of Little Rock, Arkansas. Yet, within the historical bathhouses and among the forested paths, the bustling city streets seem to fade away alongside any worries or cares. Countless travelers throughout time have experienced the renewing properties of the over 4,000-year-old thermal water, which makes the park a must-visit destination if you're . Highlight attractions include the Buckstaff and Quapaw Bathhouses, the Hot Water Cascade, the Fordyce Fountains, and any of the six stunning overlooks accessible within the park. As you reconnect with nature, you might even encounter frogs, turtles, salamanders, white-tailed deer, black bears, red and gray foxes, and bobcats. Harvest Hosts has plenty of locations within an hour of the entrances where you can park your RV overnight at a working farm, brewery, or distillery.

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Hot Springs National Park RV Camping Guide

When to Go

In late spring and summer (May through August), Hot Springs National Park typically sees its highest concentration of visitors. Rising temperatures make for more enjoyable hikes, and the park is a prime getaway for summer vacation. Many people also visit the park in September and October for views of the resplendent fall foliage. If you plan to visit from May through October, arrive early in the day. Park wildlife is also active throughout the night and during the early morning. Alternatively, winter offers less competition on hiking trails and an even more satisfying experience soaking in the thermal springs.

Know Before You Go

Timed-entry reservations and entrance fees are not required, but you must reserve a campsite if you want to park your RV overnight. Tours led by a Hot Springs National Park ranger are also free.
Hiking trails within the park are split into two primary areas, including the Hot Springs and North Mountain Trails, as well as the West Mountain Trails. Both feature short hikes (less than two miles) and are located on opposite sides of Highway 7/Central Avenue.
Further west, Sunset Trail winds through more remote areas and can be broken up into sections. It's one of the best hiking trails for RV campers near Hot Springs because it features multiple terrain types and views of Music Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain. Music Mountain is also the highest point in Hot Springs National Park.
Six scenic overlooks provide a new perspective, but your RV must be less than 30 feet long to travel the roads to them. Top scenic overlooks include Hot Springs Mountain Lookout Point, Goat Rock Overlook, and Hot Springs Mountain Tower Overlook.
Not all wildlife in the park is friendly. Be wary of ticks, chiggers, venomous snakes (cottonmouth, rattlesnake, and water moccasin), black widows, and the Texas red centipede as you hike.
Hot Springs National Park allows pets throughout most of the park, including on trails. Pets must be leashed at all times, and leashes cannot be longer than six feet.
Yes, you can take water from Hot Springs National Park home with you as a souvenir. Use designated fountains throughout the park to fill up your containers.

Nearby Attractions

The Ouachita National Forest and Lake Ouachita lie directly west of Hot Springs National Park. With plenty of hiking and camping opportunities throughout the forest, you can easily combine both destinations into a single trip. Though the Louisiana border is only a few hours away, Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo in Hot Springs brings the Cajun fun to you. If you'd rather watch others live life dangerously, the city also hosts the Gangster Museum of America. Explore six galleries' worth of history on unforgettable characters like Al Capone and Alvin Karpis.

Where to Camp

Inside the park. RV camping in Hot Springs National Park is available via the Gulpha Gorge Campground only. The campground features full hookups (electric, water, and sewer) and allows RVs up to 60 feet long. All sites are pull-in or back-in. You must reserve a spot to camp in Gulpha Gorge; reservations open up to six months in advance.

Tips on reserving a campsite. Gulpha Gorge Campground features a large loop with individual campsites branching out along two major sections. Sites along the western loop (spots numbered 17 and up) sit closer together than those on the eastern loop. Reserve spots 7 through 9 or 19 through 24 for the closest access to Gulpha Gorge and Sunset Trails.

Camping outside the park with Harvest Hosts. Because campground reservations typically fill up quickly and campsites sit close together, many RVers choose to stay with local Harvest Hosts instead. Private property owners let RV campers park on their land for free in exchange for patronizing their businesses, which include working farms, breweries, attractions, and distilleries. For many RVers, these experiences enrich their time spent at national parks across the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can you sleep in your RV in Hot Springs National Park?

Yes, you can sleep in your RV in Hot Springs National Park in Gulpha Gorge Campground if you have a reservation. All 40 campsites have full hookups, including water, sewer, and electric, and RV length restrictions cap out at 60 feet. Camping is limited to 14 days.

Where can I camp in an RV near Hot Springs National Park?

You can find RV camping near Hot Springs National Park in many neighboring cities, including Hot Springs, Piney, Red Oak, Price, and Lake Hamilton. For example, Harvest Hosts has many locations within an hour, spread through central Arkansas toward Little Rock and the Ouachita Mountains. Let the dirt fly at this off-road adventure campground, or supplement your vacation diet with a stay at an Arkansas market vegetable farm retreat.

Do you need a reservation to visit Hot Springs National Park?

You don't need a timed-entry reservation to visit Hot Springs National Park. Although you do need a campground reservation to stay overnight, there's no entrance fee on top of camping costs. Bathhouse Row services must be booked separately.

What size RV fits at Hot Springs National Park?

Hot Springs National Park fits RVs up to 60 feet long in Gulpha Gorge Campground. RVers don't have to worry about dirt roads or mountain switchbacks, as access roads double as city streets. However, inner park roads like Hot Springs Mountain Drive and West Mountain Drive prohibit vehicles longer than 30 feet.