Gulpha Gorge Campground - Hot Springs National Park Camping

The Gulpha Gorge Campground is the only campground located in Hot Springs National Park. 

Camping at Gulpha Gorge is a fantastic way to get out and enjoy the natural beauty in this park, something many people miss out on when they just visit the Historic Bathhouses in the Bathhouse Row area! 

I have found that the more time you spend at Hot Springs, the more you truly appreciate the natural beauty of this incredible park!

Gulpha Gorge Campground -  Hot Springs National Park 

The Gulpha Gorge Campground at Hot Springs National Park is a beautiful campground located in the Gulpha Gorge which makes it feel like it's miles away from the historic Bathhouse Row and the bustle of the town of Hot Springs.

While you will still be close to downtown Hot Springs National Park, Hot Springs Mountain Scenic Drive, the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center, thermal springs, and the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, you will feel like you will be in a more traditional park at the campground.  

After all, the campground has a park amphitheater with ranger programs, wading in the Gulpha Creek, trail access to the Gulpha Gorge Trail, and the Gulpha Gorge picnic area.  

Hot Springs National Park Entrance Fee

Hot Springs National Park does not have an entrance fee to enter the park. 

Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.

The park pass covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually. 

Gorge Campground Camping Fees

Campsite Cost $34

Senior/Access Camping Fee: 50% discount. This discount only applies to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass owner.

Park Entrance Fee: $0.00, There are no entrance fees to visit the park. There is a fee if you choose to visit the Quapaw or Buckstaff Bathhouse and experience a mineral bath.

Campground Reservations 

Are Campground Reservations Available? Yes

Phone Number? 877-444-6777

Online? Recreation.Gov

How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? Campground reservations are available on a 6-month rolling basis.

Campground Information

Season: Open Year-Round

Number of Sites: 40 Campsites

Location in the park: Gulpha Gorge Campground is off US Hwy 70B on the east side of Hot Springs. 

Latitude/Longitude: 

Accessible Sites: The campground is fully accessible. Restrooms and campsites are ADA Accessible. There is one campsite designated as ADA Compliant.

Pets Allowed: Pets are allowed on a leash less than 6 feet in length.

Campground Address:  305 Gorge Road, Hot Springs AR 71901

You can still have a tent but you will be placing it on the paved parking area as tents are not allowed on the grass.

This means you will need some sort of pad to sleep on. I would consider sites 20-44 to be the premium sites as they are located along the Gulpha Creek while sites 1-16 are located next to Highway 7S and may have a lot of road noise.

During the day this is a very well-traveled road and people could find this very distracting.

Gulpha Gorge is the only Hot Springs National Park Campground. 

Campground Amenities 

Flush Toilets: Flush toilets are available year-round

Showers: There are no shower facilities in the campground. 

Is wifi available? There is no wifi available in the park. 

Is Cellular Phone Service Available? Cell service is available within the park. 

Is camp host available on-site? Yes

Is firewood available for purchase? Firewood is not available in the park. 

Amenities at each Campsite

Fire pit in the site? No, there are no Fire Rings in campsites but there is a nice big group fire ring with benches available for use with a permit.

Each campsite does have a pedestal grill.

Self-contained portable stoves or grills may be used when off the ground and away from overhanging vegetation

Picnic Table in the site? Yes

Bear Boxes/ Food storage lockers available: There are no food storage locations. 

Potable Water? Yes, We suggest bringing thermal water back with you from the main portion of the park. 

RV Camping at Gulpha Gorge Campground

RV Length: The maximum allowed length is 60 feet, and includes vehicle length.

Dump Station: Yes, open year-round

Generators: No generator Use Allowed

Hookups:   All 40 campsites have full hookups that include 30 and 50-amp power electric hook ups, water hook ups, and sewer hook ups.

For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built-in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss! 

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando

How to get to Gulpha Gorge Campground

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.

Campground Regulations

The maximum occupancy in a campsite: 8 people

The number of cars per campsite: 2 cars

Equipment allowed: 1 RV and 1 tent, or 2 tents per site

Check-In Time: 2 pm

Check-out time: 12 pm

Quiet Hours: 8 pm to 9 am. (No generator use, loud music, etc.)

Maximum Stay: Camping is limited to a total of 14 consecutive days and cumulative total of 30 days in any calendar year. Each 14 day consecutive stay must be followed by a minimum of a 7-day break.

Pets: On a leash no longer than six feet in length. Immediate clean-up and disposal of pet waste is required.

Trailers and other equipment must remain on the pavement at all times.

Livestock are prohibited in the campground.

Insect Repellent:

Insect repellent is always a great idea when outdoors, especially if you are around any body of water. We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. 

Gulpha Gorge Campground Map

Photos of Gulpha Gorge Campground 

Additional Hot Springs NP Resources

Hot Springs National Park Guide - Your complete guide to planning the perfect trip to hot Springs National Park

Hot Springs Hiking - Check out the amazing hiking opportunities in Hot Springs NP.

Things to do in Hot Springs NP - Hot Springs has several hiking trails for you to choose from and is a great way to get out and explore this beautiful park and its breathtaking views!

Superior Bathhouse Brewery - learn more about the only brewery in a national park. 

Hot Springs Mountain Tower - Find out how to see epic mountain-top views of the entire Hot Springs area high up on the observation tower awell above the tree line. 

Now you have the information you need to go camping at Hot Springs National Park. Make sure to also check out my other articles on Hot Springs National Park like Travel Tips, Things to Do, and hiking so you can start planning your dream vacation.

 

Hot Springs National Park Lodging

There are no National Park Lodges within Hot Springs NP, but Gulpha Gorge Campground and Hotel Hale are both located within the park and offer overnight accommodations. 

Embassy Suites by Hilton Hot Springs Hotel & Spa - Take advantage of free full breakfast, a grocery/convenience store, and a free daily manager's reception at Embassy Suites by Hilton Hot Springs Hotel & Spa. Treat yourself to spa services, such as a massage, a manicure/pedicure, or a body scrub. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi in public areas, and guests can find other amenities such as dry cleaning/laundry services and a bar.

The Hotel Hot Springs - A free breakfast buffet, a terrace, and a bar are just a few of the amenities provided at The Hotel Hot Springs. The onsite American cuisine restaurant, Inside Track Grill, features happy hour and light fare. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a 24-hour business center.

The Waters Hot Springs, Tapestry Collection by Hilton - Consider a stay at The Waters Hot Springs, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and take advantage of a grocery/convenience store, a terrace, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a bar and a gym

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Hot Springs - A fitness center, a seasonal outdoor pool, and a business center are available at this smoke-free aparthotel. Free buffet breakfast, free Wi-Fi in public areas, and free self-parking are also provided. Additionally, dry cleaning, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour front desk are onsite. Each apartment provides a kitchenette with a refrigerator, an oven, a stovetop, and a microwave. For a bit of entertainment, a flat-screen TV comes with satellite channels, and guests can also appreciate conveniences like a sitting area and a coffee/tea maker.

Click on the map below to see current rates for hotels and vacation rentals in Hot Springs, AR.

 

Hot Springs Arkansas Cabins

Hot Springs National Park does not have any cabins for rent, however, you can visit Arkansas State Parks for your Hot Springs Cabin Rentals.

You can rent one of 20 cabins or a yurt at Lake Catherine State Park which is only located 20 Minutes away from Hot Springs National Park.

Check out their website for more information and to make reservations.

National Park Sites near Hot Springs National Park

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site

Arkansas Post National Memorial

Buffalo National River 

President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site

Fort Smith National Historic Site

Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Check out all of the National Parks in Arkansas along with neighboring National Parks in Louisiana, National Parks in Mississippi, National Parks in Missouri, Oklahoma National Parks, Tennessee National Parks, and Texas National Parks

Also check out the Arkansas State Parks nearby including Lake Catherine State Park, Lake Ouachita State Park, and DeGray Lake State Park Resort.