About Charlton Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 47
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Rates, Sites & Availability
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Reviews (234)
What Guests Are Saying
Charlton Recreation Area offers a peaceful and scenic environment with spacious, well-kept campsites and clean facilities, making it an ideal spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors appreciate the proximity to Hot Springs and local attractions like crystal hunting and Ouachita Lake. While some have noted the lack of cell service and the reservation-only policy, the overall experience is positive, highlighting the campground's beauty and cleanliness.
What Guests Are Saying
Charlton Recreation Area offers a peaceful and scenic environment with spacious, well-kept campsites and clean facilities, making it an ideal spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors appreciate the proximity to Hot Springs and local attractions like crystal hunting and Ouachita Lake. While some have noted the lack of cell service and the reservation-only policy, the overall experience is positive, highlighting the campground's beauty and cleanliness.
Review Summary
Charlene R
July 5, 2024
Loved the nice roomy spot 7C. Lots of memories from my childhood.
David M
VerifiedJuly 5, 2024 • Stayed at: Charlton 13, Loop: B
Nice park. Only spent the night there. Our campsite was above the high water mark for flash flooding, something to think about. Decent showers
Charlene R
July 5, 2024
Loved the nice roomy spot 7C. Lots of memories from my childhood.
Larry L
June 4, 2024
Really enjoyed our stay. Park was clean and very well maintained. Excellent volunteer camp hosts. Rangers patrolled the area regularly and were very friendly and helpful.
Larry L
June 4, 2024
Really enjoyed our stay. Park was clean and very well maintained. Excellent volunteer camp hosts. Rangers patrolled the area regularly and were very friendly and helpful.
Larry L
June 4, 2024
Really enjoyed our stay. Park was clean and very well maintained. Excellent volunteer camp hosts. Rangers patrolled the area regularly and were very friendly and helpful.
Amanda L
VerifiedMay 13, 2024 • Stayed at: Charlton 16, Loop: B
It can be hard to choose a campground from only internet pictures when you live 10 hours away and have no experience with the area - but we took a leap of faith and were pleasantly surprised. We loved this campground. We stayed in Loop B. The campground was clean, the trash was emptied daily, and the bathroom facility was kept clean and well stocked. The grates for both the grill and for the fire ring were there. We were tent camping but it was still nice having a power hookup and water at the site. The creek was beautiful and was a big hit with the kiddos. The day use area is nice. They had the sluice open so the swimming area wasn't full of water while we were there, but it looked like it would be a lot of fun in the summer. You're close to Hot Springs in case you need to make a quick trip to the store to get supplies. An all-around great experience!
Amanda L
VerifiedMay 13, 2024 • Stayed at: Charlton 16, Loop: B
It can be hard to choose a campground from only internet pictures when you live 10 hours away and have no experience with the area - but we took a leap of faith and were pleasantly surprised. We loved this campground. We stayed in Loop B. The campground was clean, the trash was emptied daily, and the bathroom facility was kept clean and well stocked. The grates for both the grill and for the fire ring were there. We were tent camping but it was still nice having a power hookup and water at the site. The creek was beautiful and was a big hit with the kiddos. The day use area is nice. They had the sluice open so the swimming area wasn't full of water while we were there, but it looked like it would be a lot of fun in the summer. You're close to Hot Springs in case you need to make a quick trip to the store to get supplies. An all-around great experience!
Amanda L
VerifiedMay 13, 2024 • Stayed at: Charlton 16, Loop: B
It can be hard to choose a campground from only internet pictures when you live 10 hours away and have no experience with the area - but we took a leap of faith and were pleasantly surprised. We loved this campground. We stayed in Loop B. The campground was clean, the trash was emptied daily, and the bathroom facility was kept clean and well stocked. The grates for both the grill and for the fire ring were there. We were tent camping but it was still nice having a power hookup and water at the site. The creek was beautiful and was a big hit with the kiddos. The day use area is nice. They had the sluice open so the swimming area wasn't full of water while we were there, but it looked like it would be a lot of fun in the summer. You're close to Hot Springs in case you need to make a quick trip to the store to get supplies. An all-around great experience!
Donna S
VerifiedMay 4, 2024 • Stayed at: Charlton 10, Loop: C
Gorgeous campground, but be prepared for NO cell service. There are 2 wifi boosters; 1 on the B bathhouse & 1 on the older bathhouse in the day use area. They might help.
Also, there was a water line break & all the bathhouses had backups & mess for a full day.
Again: it is a beautiful area but not a well kept campground. The AR State Parks are much better.
Location Charlton Recreation Area
Address:
Charlton Campground, 11500 Albert Pike Road
Royal, AR, 71968
United States
Latitude & Longitude: 34.5168 / -93.3818
Elevation: 197 feet
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Site types & loops
- C-Loop campsites 11-19 offer no electrical or water services, but community water spigots are available.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 3, 2026
