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Hot Springs/Gulpha Gorge Campground
Overview
Overview
Gulpha Gorge Campground is the only campground located within the borders of Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. Tucked away in a lush, wooded valley, this park offers a unique opportunity to stay surrounded by nature while remaining just minutes from the historic district. It provides a peaceful retreat that emphasizes the natural beauty of the Ouachita Mountains, offering an authentic park experience for those looking to disconnect and recharge in a quiet, forest-adjacent setting.
Location & Surroundings
Situated along the banks of the tranquil Gulpha Creek, the campground is surrounded by steep, tree-covered slopes that make it feel far more remote than it actually is. The location is an ideal base for outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore the park's extensive trail system right from their doorstep. The natural forest canopy provides plenty of shade, keeping the area cool during warmer months and creating an inviting environment for nature photography and bird watching.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground offers 40 sites, all of which are full hookup locations equipped with 30- and 50-amp electrical service, water, and sewer connections. Every site includes a picnic table, a pedestal grill, and a lantern post, ensuring guests have the essentials for comfortable outdoor living. While there are no shower facilities on-site, the campground maintains clean restroom blocks and is highly accessible for various vehicle sizes, including big-rig friendly pads that cater to larger motorhomes and fifth wheels.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Guests are perfectly positioned to enjoy the famous Bathhouse Row, which is just a short drive away. Visitors can tour the historic architecture, soak in thermal waters, or walk the park's scenic hiking trails. The local area features diverse outdoor recreation, including fishing in the creek, mountain biking, and exploring the visitor center to learn about the area's rich history. The proximity to Hot Springs’ downtown shops and museums makes it easy to balance quiet nature time with local culture.
Who This Park Is Best For
Gulpha Gorge is best suited for travelers who prioritize proximity to national park resources and a wooded, tranquil atmosphere over resort-style luxuries like swimming pools or clubhouses. It is perfect for RVers who enjoy hiking, cycling, or simply sitting by a bubbling creek in the evening. Because it offers a more rustic and quiet camping experience, it is an ideal stop for those seeking a genuine, nature-focused stay in the heart of Arkansas.
Features & Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
Reviews
Beth Wicker
The location is fantastic as it is under 15 minutes to downtown Hot Springs! The sites are tight. As in the back in site we rented had a tree right next to the lane where backing the camper in on the right side which was tricky to get around. There was also a tree on the right side that you must miss by maybe 5 inches to back up to the utility hookups. It's doable but you must know what you're doing to back into the space! Some sites aren't wide enough and this was one of them. I nearly fell over onto the picnic table when I stopped out the door. The tires on the back side was at the edge of the pavement and the steps to my camper was about 6 inches from the camp side. The camp space here was basically behind the camper next to the backside neighbor. This site was also creekside so you have to choose your preferences when choosing a site. There are many sites there that were very spacious and looked very nice! The bathhouse is nice enough and spacious as there are only two. Some people didn't bother to clean their hair up from the shower floor after using the facility.
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.
Mile Markers & Memories
Gulpha Gorge Campground at Hot Springs National Park is a gem. The sites are tight, but with a little patience we got our rig in without any issues. The wooded setting is beautiful and if you can snag a site on the creek, do it - our kids had an absolute blast playing in it. The trails right out of the campground are excellent too. Head up to Goat Rock for a great view. All utilities held up well and did their job. One heads up - T-Mobile signal was spotty, so plan accordingly. Highly recommended for any NPS camping experience.
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.
Cheyenne Sawyer
A wonderful and peaceful hike. It felt like we were very secluded yet also completely safe. The locals were very kind jogging by or walking their dogs. There was even good parking and a clean bathroom. I like that there was a choice in the trails. I do wish the markings were a little more clear but maybe thats my lack of experience hiking. I would definitely recommend a visit here!