Gulpha Gorge Campground
The Quick Take
Gulpha Gorge is one of those rare campgrounds that feels like cheating -- you're minutes from downtown Hot Springs and its famous bathhouses, yet tucked into a wooded gorge along Gulpha Creek where it genuinely feels like wilderness. Every site comes with full hookups (water, sewer, and both 30 and 50 amp electric), which is remarkable for a national park campground at this price point. The trade-off? With only about 40 sites and no pull-throughs, it fills fast and maneuvering larger rigs requires patience. There's no camp store, no showers, and no dump station on site, so you're relying on your rig's self-sufficiency or the bathhouses in town for a proper wash. This is the perfect base camp for anyone who wants to soak in the thermal waters by day and sleep under the trees at night -- especially RVers who don't want to sacrifice hookups for a national park experience.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 40 sites are reservable.
Book at Hot Springs LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. Maximum length: 60 feet. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
Accessible restrooms available. Restrooms and campsites are ADA accessible. One campsite is designated as ADA compliant. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Rules to Know
- Generators:• Quiet hours are 8 pm to 9 am.
- Checkout:• Checkout time is 12:00 p.m.
- Occupancy:Camping groups must register prior to site occupancy.
- Stay Limit:• Camping is limited to a total of 14 consecutive days and cumulative total of 30 days in any calendar year.
Pro Tips
Book on Recreation.gov the moment your window opens -- this campground is open year-round and stays packed in spring and fall. Winter is your best bet for walk-up availability, and the mild Arkansas climate means you won't freeze out. Weekday arrivals dramatically improve your odds.
Gulpha Creek runs right through the campground and connects to a short trail that leads to the Hot Springs Creek Greenway. From there you can walk all the way to Bathhouse Row without ever starting your car -- about a mile and a half of easy, flat walking that beats fighting for downtown parking.
No showers on site sounds rough, but the Buckstaff Bathhouse on Bathhouse Row offers walk-in thermal baths -- it's the only traditional bathhouse still operating without reservations. A hot mineral soak after a day of hiking beats any campground shower. Bring your own towel to save the rental fee.
Photos
Mitch Smith
Mitch Smith
NPS Photo/Lissa AllenGetting There
Directions
Gulpha Gorge Campground is off US Hwy 70B on the east side of Hot Springs. For GPS directions, the physical address is 305 Gorge Road, Hot Springs AR 71901. (There is no mail delivery at this address.)
Get directions