Hot Springs AR -- where to camp

[happybooker1]

We've been to the Hot Springs area 2X now and are headed out again tomorrow.

We've stayed at Daisy SP & Lake Ouachita. Now I'm also considering Gulpha Gorge in Hot Springs, Charlton Recreation area, and Crystal Springs COE. We need at least W/E but FHUs would be great. Shade and swimming would be perfect, as well as not over $25/night.

Things we want to do: visit Hot Springs, son wants to go to Magic Springs, take a day trip to Mt. Ida, maybe go visit the Blanchard Cavern, dig for diamonds, etc. Yes we know it'll be hot & humid. But we HAVE to vacay during the summer.

Any input from anyone? Any CGs I also should consider?

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Lake Catherine State Park or Crystal Springs are our favorites.
Lake Catherine has some full hookup sites.

[beulahwareagle]

We just got back from 2 days at Charlton. Great swimming hole, and campground has just reopened this year. Not all sites are part of the reopening, but we had our pick of sites. We tent camped, but had a very shady full hookup site. $17 a nite. we love Charlton, looking forward to returning

[Kit_Carson]

Lake Catherine State Park is a beautiful place and is very close to Hot Springs.

[oldchief7155]

I like Cloud 9. No pool last time we were there but a nice, clean park.

[om]

Although we have not stayed at Gulpha Gorge, I thought it was in a beautiful area! We checked it out bc we had a 40 ft 5th wheel and wanted to be sure that we wouldn't have problems size wise . Was amazed that it had some full hookup sites. It will be our choice next time we go thru there. At that time, we were staying at Cloud Nine. It was nice enough- don't remember any specifics regarding pool etc, as it was lightly snowing when we were there....brrrrr. Good luck on the diamond hunting. If you have never been there before, let me assure you that it is hot, hot, HOT! Try for a cloudy day or early, early in the day.