Gulpha Gorge Campground
Hot Springs National Park
Write a Review 305 Gulpha Gorge Rd. Hot Springs, AR 71901 501-620-6715 Reservations: 877-444-6777 Official WebsiteGPS: 34.5235, -93.0364
Overview of Gulpha Gorge Campground
Gulpha Gorge Campground is open year-round and all campsites require reservations on Recreation.gov.
RVs and trailers are allowed. The max allowed length is 60 ft. and includes vehicle length.
Last Price Paid: $17
Reported by Nomad Reign RV on 8/18/2024
Longest RV Reported: 38 feet (Toy Hauler Travel Trailer)
Reported by RVwithRandC on 3/4/2020
Number of Sites 40
Pad Type asphalt
Reservations yes
Elevation 524 ft / 159 m
Max Stay 14
Max Length 60 ft
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Gulpha Gorge Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 501-620-6715
Kmurphy asked on 3/26/2022
How difficult is it to get a site here in April? Concerned about no reservations!
Reviews of Gulpha Gorge Campground 96 people have reviewed this location.
“Clean, Lots Of Trees, Well Staffed, Road Noise, 8 Minutes To Bathhouse Row. ”
Reviewed 9/11/2024
Days stayed: | 4 |
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Site Number: | 46 |
Most sites are very close together, possibly a problem for big rigs. Creekside lots are niceest. There is a lot road noise, worse at sites along the road. Stay is very friendly and shower house is very clean with room to change outside of the actual shower. Lots of trees and shade for most sites. We were shoe-horned into site 46.
roadtrippers-ChicoAndRoxy would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“no problem at all on an August Friday afternoon navigating through the campground”
Reviewed 8/18/2024
Nightly rate: | $17 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 21 |
RV Length: | 19' (Travel Trailer) |
The drive southeast to Gulpha Gorge was beautiful as we stayed off the interstates and kept to the fine well-maintained roads through the Ozarks and surrounding farms. Paris, Arkansas was a surprise as it looked like a prosperous and lively little town compared to other struggling ones like Ozark. Arriving at our campground was easy an... more
The drive southeast to Gulpha Gorge was beautiful as we stayed off the interstates and kept to the fine well-maintained roads through the Ozarks and surrounding farms. Paris, Arkansas was a surprise as it looked like a prosperous and lively little town compared to other struggling ones like Ozark. Arriving at our campground was easy and not at all worth the angst I had previously put myself through based on negative Campendium reviews. We had no problem at all on an August Friday afternoon navigating through the campground and finding our site. It is tight and difficult to back into some of the sites, but not so bad that it causes anxiety.
Site 21 borders the creek and is semi-private as it is the second to last site before the amphitheater. The biggest problem behind us was the swimming and wading hole that any visitor can use, especially non-campers. That also means some unruly children are present with absent-minded parents who fail at teaching their children respect for others, as well as safety. I imagine weekdays are better as you would think most parents have to work. But the weekends could be horrid.
We had a surprise power outage due to an unexpected electrical storm on Friday night moving through the area. Power was not restored until late Saturday night and all it required was a new breaker. Hot and sticky, no showers, and a complete waste of a day. The temperatures were near one hundred degrees.
One lousy bar of ATT and one lousy bar of T-Mobile. Both weak signals. Slow as hell. The camp hosts were good and kept a good eye on their camping guests. The shower rooms had keypad locks and were clean and very nice. Visitors to the National Park are not allowed access to the shower rooms. You are issued a code in your email reservation.
The town of Hot Springs has a decent Ecuadorian restaurant and the historic Bath House Promenade was compelling . The visitors center and museum were very educational and interesting. But the town of Hot Springs was too touristy and Disney-like. We won’t be back.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Next To A Stream, Full Hookups, Loads Of Poison Oak”
Reviewed 7/3/2024
Nightly rate: | $34 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 2 |
Stayed here a few days and really wish we could have stayed longer. Full hookups with 50 and 30 amp. The sites are long but can be really tight to maneuver into. The road the loops along the sites is narrow and doesn’t give much room. Some complain about the road noise but if you can score a site along the stream you can’t even hear it... more
Stayed here a few days and really wish we could have stayed longer. Full hookups with 50 and 30 amp. The sites are long but can be really tight to maneuver into. The road the loops along the sites is narrow and doesn’t give much room. Some complain about the road noise but if you can score a site along the stream you can’t even hear it. The sites are really close together. Our neighbors were tent campers and were building fires to cook their food and the smoke kept making its way into the trailer. Internet was ok. T-Mobile was really slow (1mbps down, 0.2up)Verizon was pretty good speeds (120 down, 15-20 up).
sockstar85 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Creek Side Lovely, Road Side Noisy, Some Sites Large Rig Challenge”
Reviewed 5/24/2024
Days stayed: | 3 |
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Site Number: | 40 |
We stayed 3 nights in site 40 which is creek side. There were a lot of thunder storms (one each night) so creek was running strong and lovely sound of water. Very clean, quiet, trees everywhere, nice hosts. Our tow vehicle wouldn’t fit with our 33’foot class A but there is overflow parking right there so no issue at all. Access to t... more
We stayed 3 nights in site 40 which is creek side. There were a lot of thunder storms (one each night) so creek was running strong and lovely sound of water. Very clean, quiet, trees everywhere, nice hosts. Our tow vehicle wouldn’t fit with our 33’foot class A but there is overflow parking right there so no issue at all. Access to trail from campground and nice walking areas inside park. Oh, and fireflies which I loved seeing!
When walking the dog we noticed that when by sites near the road, you could hear road noise. So just be aware of that.
Also, we watched a couple people try to get into sites that were long enough for them however there were trees or light poles that prevented them from making it into their spot. One was a Class A somewhere around 40 ft tried to get spot 38 and the other was a 5th wheel likely 35 feet trying the spot across from spot 38. Again the spots were long enough, they just couldn’t make the angles work to park. The camp hosts worked it out for them somehow by moving site or they swapped. Not sure how but they seemed to be able to stay in park which is great. Just likely stressful so I wanted to mention. Not sure how you could know this from recreation.gov.
Spots I can say had easy big rig access were 39, 40, 41. Smaller rigs I expect have no problems in any sites.
Thornes would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Convenient BathhouseRow”
Reviewed 4/29/2024
Nightly rate: | $34 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | 03 |
RV Length: | 31' (Travel Trailer) |
This campground is convenient to Bathhouse Row and about an hour from Little Rock. Our sit was close to Gulpha Park Road. Very noisy during the day, a little less at night. Sites are close. Our site is the most private of all of them No entrance building, any body could drive into the campground.
Bluebeard would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Needs Security Gate”
Reviewed 4/25/2024
Nightly rate: | $34 |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
Site Number: | 30 |
RV Length: | 20' (Class B) |
This National Park Campground has an ideal location—close to historic bathhouses, an extensive trail system, and FHUs. However, the campground is not secure. Anyone can and does drive in and park conducting drug deals in the extra vehicle parking areas. Others cruise though the campground ostensibly selling fire wood in a best/up car (... more
This National Park Campground has an ideal location—close to historic bathhouses, an extensive trail system, and FHUs. However, the campground is not secure. Anyone can and does drive in and park conducting drug deals in the extra vehicle parking areas. Others cruise though the campground ostensibly selling fire wood in a best/up car (with only one slim bundle) but are clearing casing sites. At night and when out hiking, possessions need to be secured. Not pleasant always looking around for trouble. This could be avoided with a gate to the campground. Day hikers could park in day Use area.
Rats and feral cats are an issue.
Showers are still not open.
As a solo traveler this is my second time camping here and was hoping there were some improvements to security, but sadly not.
julia would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Big Rig Friendly NP Campground”
Reviewed 2/12/2024
Nightly rate: | $30 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
There aren’t many NP that can accommodate rigs over 40’ but this one has you covered. There’s only a few sites that will make you happy but luckily the ranger helped us out we were able to score one. Tight roads, lots of trees and the surrounding area is not very safe but a good stop for a couple days.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beware... This campground has rats.”
Reviewed 12/17/2023
Nightly rate: | $17 |
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Days stayed: | 10 |
Site Number: | 24 |
This morning I observed a park employee release a rat from the trash next to site 23 and it immediately ran to an adjacent RV.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Cheap for FHU and convenient for Hot Springs, but cramped lot spacing.”
Reviewed 11/9/2023
Nightly rate: | $35 |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
RV Length: | 30' (Travel Trailer) |
Verizon speeds were 24Mbps download and 23 upload. T-Mobile speeds were 19/2 respectively. AT&T service was unusable with 0.14 down and nothing up. Verizon/T-Mobile speeds taken with a roof-mounted Pepwave antenna. AT&T via phone. The main pros of this place are that it's cheap for FHU and that it's very close to downtown Hot Sprin... more
Verizon speeds were 24Mbps download and 23 upload. T-Mobile speeds were 19/2 respectively. AT&T service was unusable with 0.14 down and nothing up. Verizon/T-Mobile speeds taken with a roof-mounted Pepwave antenna. AT&T via phone.
The main pros of this place are that it's cheap for FHU and that it's very close to downtown Hot Springs. Otherwise, it's a 2 star park. Not sure what the rave reviews are about if not for the surrounding area and not the park itself.
The site spacing is about as cramped as many private parks we've stayed in and the site geometry is not ideal. You end up with a neighbor on 3 sides depending on the site. There is a moderate amount of road noise from US-7 that goes right next to the campground.
Our site was reasonably level front to back but off 3 inches side to side. Some scraping tree branches were present on the back end of the pad. No issues with any of the hookups.
There are no dumpsters on site, only bear-proof trashcans that can be hard to get normal household trashbags into.
No issues with security. NPS rangers drove through multiple times per day.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Lacks Security”
Reviewed 10/12/2023
Nightly rate: | $34 |
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Days stayed: | 13 |
Site Number: | 30 |
RV Length: | 20' (Class B) |
This is the first time I’ve ever felt unsafe in a National Park. The small campground abuts the picnic area. Day users walk along the creek (no path) right through camp sites. Leaving possessions out are tempting to those with nefarious motives. Unlike other campgrounds, there is no sign stating “Registered Campers Only.” Even worse ... more
This is the first time I’ve ever felt unsafe in a National Park. The small campground abuts the picnic area. Day users walk along the creek (no path) right through camp sites. Leaving possessions out are tempting to those with nefarious motives. Unlike other campgrounds, there is no sign stating “Registered Campers Only.”
Even worse than property crimes is personal safety. During my stay, there was a mentally ill woman in the bathroom all day with her meager possessions strewn about the two stall bathroom. Cigarette Smoke filled the air. When I tried to enter she began ranting at me. I reported it to the Host who told me to use the other bathroom. This went on all day. I finally phoned the police after dark. They arrived quickly along with a Ranger and talked the woman down.
Sites are close together and just below a road so some traffic noise depending on how close to road you are. The only Shower House was closed during the summer and fall of 2023.
On the positive side, the camp has good access to the extensive trail system, including a 2 mile trail to the historic district.
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Update: After writing first review “Lacks Security” I need to update because this morning there was a more troubling incident. At about 7:00am I heard yelling. I took the dog out and saw a man pounding on a Leisure RV and screaming. Two women were inside and sounded the alarm on their toad. Someone phoned the police and they arrived quickly. However too late—the man had slashed three tires on their toad and two on their rv. When he saw the police he ran into the woods and couldn’t be found.
The Day Use area that adjoins the campground has drug dealers.
A sad situation for a beautiful park and campground.
julia would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- 50 Amp
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- water
- dry camping
- sewer
- Full Hookups
Recreation
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- big rig
- picnic table
Facilities
- dump station
- ADA Accessible
- restrooms: flush
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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