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Ouachita/Charlton
Overview
Situated within the lush, rolling hills of the Ouachita National Forest, Charlton Recreation Area offers a nostalgic camping experience centered around the sparkling waters of Walnut Creek. This historic destination, meticulously constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, blends rustic masonry with the untamed beauty of the Arkansas mountains. It serves as a peaceful retreat for those looking to disconnect from the digital world and immerse themselves in a classic forest setting that has welcomed travelers for generations.
Location & Surroundings
Located in Royal, AR, and conveniently positioned off Highway 270, the park feels remarkably secluded despite its proximity to local services. The campground is nestled in a deep valley where the mountain air remains crisp, cooled by the shade of mature hardwoods and the spring-fed creek. The surrounding Ouachita Mountains provide a rugged, picturesque backdrop, offering RV travelers a sense of true wilderness while remaining just a short drive from the cultural landmarks of Central Arkansas.
Amenities & Park Features
While the park maintains a historic and natural vibe, it provides the essential comforts needed for a pleasant RV stay. Many sites are equipped with water and electric hookups, catering to mid-sized rigs and trailers looking for a forest floor experience. The park is famous for its native stone swimming hole, created by a CCC-era dam that pools the cold mountain water. Other notable features include:
- Renovated bathhouses with hot showers and flush toilets
- Individual picnic tables and heavy-duty fire rings
- Access to potable water throughout the camping loops
- Dedicated waste disposal stations for convenient departures
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Adventure is always within reach at Charlton. Outdoor enthusiasts can access the Charlton Trail directly from the campground, which serves as a gateway to the much larger Ouachita National Recreation Trail system. For those who enjoy the water, the sprawling Lake Ouachita is located nearby, providing world-class fishing and boating opportunities. Additionally, the historic thermal springs and vibrant downtown area of Hot Springs National Park are only twenty minutes away, offering a perfect day-trip contrast to the quiet woods.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal match for nature lovers who appreciate the quiet dignity of the national forest system and historic stonework. It is particularly well-suited for family campers looking for a scenic and safe place for children to swim in natural waters. If you prefer the sound of wind through the pines and a babbling creek over the flashy amenities of a crowded commercial resort, this mountain sanctuary will perfectly fit your travel style.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Merle Giles
Quietest National Park campground ever! Beautiful setting along a creek. Bathroom facilities were totally open during the early days of the USG shutdown. Monday night in October only 6 campers.
Mae Pritchard
I just love this place. It is a family place, so an appropriate swim suit would be recommended bc there are more kid's here than adults. It has Crisp, cold waters. A area for jumping that's plenty deep or shallow waters for the smaller children. Picnic tables, changing rooms & facilities along with grills for those family gatherings.
Anton Hattingh
We had a fantastic RV camping experience with a group of family members. The park is clean, nature is second to none with a beautiful creek flowing through the middle. It is also close to the lake and we were able to enjoy the day on the lake as well. We only camped for 3 days this time, but we will definitely be back to make more memories.
Kathy Saint
We made reservations online for a Monday through Wednesday stay. We arrived about 5 PM, and there were no instructions, no workers, and no information about hosts. When we looked at the sites we had reserved. They did not match the descriptions and were too small for one of our rigs. Since the place was completely empty (And based on our search the previous night, None of the other sites were reserved) We picked another site that was suitable for a larger rig. We tried to contact reservation.gov, but because there was no cell phone service within the campground, We had to go in a car outside of the campground to make a phone call to reservation.gov. Unfortunately, we couldn’t reach anyone to change our site number, but we sure did try. It would’ve been nice if there was a host available to work this out. But they were nowhere in sight Two hours later, after getting set up and ready for dinner, the hosts finally show up and tell us we have to move because someone might decide to make a reservation in the middle of the night. This was ridiculous and Unreasonable, and the hosts started Shouting down anything we were trying to say. We were then told if we stayed in these sites they would call law-enforcement on us, and they drove off. Since there was absolutely no cell phone coverage, we decided to pack up our sites and move on to Cracker Barrel down the road. (which ended up being nicer and more level). The people at reservation.gov were very nice and gave us partial refund, but I want to make sure others don’t have to deal with the same idiocy that we had to deal with. On top of not being available to make sure we were able to set up, the two sites that we had reserved were not even marked as being reserved. Plus, there was a wasps nest in the electrical box, so obviously no one had done any checking on the equipment in recent days? I would not recommend this location unless you’re someone who’s willing to rough it, and feels safe without having any kind of emergency access or competent host To handle any situation that might occur. It’s a shame Because the location has a lot of potential.
Greg
Awesome natural swimming pool with swim platform and ladders. Great full hookup campsites, hiking trails, trees and animals. No pets or alcohol in swimming area allowed.