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Hot Springs/Gulpha Gorge Campground
Overview
Gulpha Gorge Campground offers a unique opportunity to stay within the boundaries of the oldest unit in the National Park System. As the only campground in Hot Springs National Park, it serves as a serene basecamp for those looking to explore the intersection of natural beauty and historic architecture. The sites are nestled along the banks of Gulpha Creek, providing a tranquil atmosphere where the sound of flowing water complements the surrounding forest canopy.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just a short drive from the historic downtown of Hot Springs, Arkansas, the campground feels worlds away from the city's hustle. It is tucked into a lush valley surrounded by the Ouachita Mountains. The landscape is defined by towering hardwoods and pines, with the gentle creek meandering through the heart of the park. This location offers the perfect balance of secluded woodland charm and easy access to the urban amenities and thermal springs that define the region.
Amenities & Park Features
While many national park campgrounds are rustic, Gulpha Gorge is notable for its modern conveniences. The park features full hookup sites including water, sewer, and both 30 and 50-amp electrical service. Every site is paved and includes a pedestal grill and a picnic table. While there are modern restrooms available for guest use, it is important to note that the facility does not offer on-site showers. The sites are well-spaced, though the layout is best suited for moderately sized rigs.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate that the Gulpha Gorge Trail begins right at the campground, connecting visitors to an extensive network of hiking paths leading to the Goat Rock Overlook. A quick trip down the road brings you to Bathhouse Row, where you can tour the historic Fordyce Bathhouse or enjoy a traditional soak in the thermal waters. Visitors also frequently explore the Hot Springs Mountain Tower for panoramic views of the surrounding Arkansas landscape.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is ideal for active couples and families who want to blend a traditional camping experience with historical sightseeing. Because of its full hookups, it is a favorite for RVers who prefer not to dry camp while visiting federal lands. It is a fantastic choice for those who enjoy hiking and photography, but it is also perfectly suited for travelers who appreciate the convenience of being minutes away from fine dining and boutique shopping in a historic setting.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Olivia Rohlfing
Very nice park with a trail and stream/creek right next to it so the kids can play and hike. The parking spots kinda suck because of the incline or decline.
Stephanie Jordan
TLDR; Tent: no, RV: yes. This is my experience as a tent camper. My review would be very different if we were in an RV. While the website says all of the sites are for both tents or RVs, they are not. The site we chose (40) is right along the creek and had a very small spot for our tent (a 6 person Coleman Skydome) to actually fit between a tree and the paved parking spot/RV spot and it was 100% rock. We did not have the option to set up our tent on grass at our campsite. Thank goodness we got into town in enough time to run to Sportsman's Warehouse and buy some stronger tent stakes. Our normal stakes that we've always used would not go into the rock. There are campsites that do have enough grass to comfortably fit a tent, but nowhere on the booking site indicates that and the photos are definitely lacking. If you're looking for a spot to tent camp at this campground, I'd recommend either the spot closest to the amphitheater (if you want to be along the creek) or one of the interior spots where there is more grass. The facilities themselves were lovely. There are 2 showers that are accessible with a code you'll receive in your confirmation e-mail. Each shower room has a bathroom stall, a curtained shower, hooks for your towel, a bench in the shower as well as outside of it to set your items, as well as a sink and mirror. Good water pressure and plenty of hot water. The upside of it being almost exclusively RVs is that, for our 2-night/3-day stay, I never saw anyone else in the restrooms. There are several "trash disposal" markings on the map, but I never noticed any trash cans. There is a dumpster right at the front of the campground though. There is a surprising amount of traffic on the road just outside the campground, so, again, as a tent camper, it wasn't as quiet as we would have liked. This is mentioned several places I saw, but just to reiterate, the Gulpha Gorge trail to get into the rest of the park is VERY steep. Be prepared.
Kathleen Reimer
This place by far is the best NP campground we have stayed at. This was park 30 something for us. First off, they had full hook-ups! Unheard of in the NP usually. They also had showers that didn't cost anything. As soon as we arrived, we were promptly and very enthusiasticly greeted. Brian was very nice and helpful. They did not sell firewood so we went in town to Atwoods. Its kinda like Tractor supply. Note about the firewood- it is sold in 50 lb bundles. Unknowingly, we purchased 4 bundles thinking they were your standard 6 to 8 pieces of wood. Needless to say, we didn't have the opportunity to use it all on our short stay. The best sites are those along the creek. Another bonus on the sites - paved! They were also level. If you are visiting while camping, stay here. Im sure it is nicer than anything else in the area. You can also access some nice trails right from thw campground. If not for the park, this town would be a ghost town.
Nancy Becker
Such a gem. Located in a beautiful gorge with amazing hiking. You can hike into town to see the sights. All campsites are full hook-ups and shower houses are nice. We camped during the winter storm in January 2026 :)
Connor Thompson
My group of 4 stayed for a weekend in mid-November and it was the most perfect weather, perfect fall foliage weekend we could have wished for. The campground was clean, full of people enjoying themselves. We didn't hike the trail, but I will next time. Only thing to keep a lookout for, is that this isn't a gated campground like a state park would be. I saw a few passerbys using the facilities. Also, there aren't showers on the grounds.