Charlton Campground - Ouachita National Forest
Charlton Campground - Tent Site
C-Loop Bathouse
Charlton Campground Trailhead - Charlton Campground to Forest Service Road #47/Pipe Spring
Charlton Campground - Interpretative Trail

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Power Service Power Service
Restrooms Restrooms

Available sites

47 total sites

About Charlton Recreation Area

Charlton Campground is located 17-miles west of Hot Springs National Park along Highway 270-West. This historic campground constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930's has been upgraded with modern amenities. Known as one of the coldest swimming sites in the State of Arkansas, the cool water temperatures can be enjoyed through-out the summer months.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 13 to Nov 1

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Pet friendly Pet friendly
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Power Service Power Service
Restrooms Restrooms
Water Hookup Water Hookup
Electric Hookup Electric Hookup
Showers Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Power Service
  • Water Hookup
  • Electric Hookup
  • Sewer Hookup
  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
  • Showers
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Grill
  • BBQ
  • Fire Pit
  • Campfire Ring
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Pavilion
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

47 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ Charlton 1, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 1, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 10, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 10, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 11, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 11, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 12, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 12, Loop: B Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 12, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 13, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 13, Loop: B Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 13, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 14, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 14, Loop: B Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 14, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 15, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 15, Loop: B Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 15, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 16, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 16, Loop: B Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 16, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 17, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 17, Loop: B Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 17, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 18, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 18, Loop: B Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 19, Loop: B Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 19, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 2, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 2, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 20, Loop: B Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 21, Loop: B Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 3, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 3, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 4, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 4, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 5, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 5, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 6, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 6, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 7, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 8, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 8, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 9, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Charlton 9, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Group Site A, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Group Site C, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews (258)

What Guests Are Saying

Charlton Recreation Area is a well-maintained campground, known for its spacious, shaded sites and clean facilities, including restrooms. Visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, beautiful natural surroundings, and proximity to Hot Springs. While some guests reported issues with cell service and occasional cleanliness concerns, many enjoyed their stay and highlighted the campground as a hidden gem for outdoor recreation.

Review Summary

4.5
258 reviews
5
68.6%
177
4
17.8%
46
3
10.1%
26
2
1.9%
5
1
1.6%
4

Cathy A

Verified

July 17, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 4, Loop: C

5

Loved the swimming pool area with waterfall.

Cathy A

Verified

July 17, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 4, Loop: C

5

Loved the swimming pool area with waterfall.

Cathy A

Verified

July 17, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 4, Loop: C

5

Loved the swimming pool area with waterfall.

Jean T

Verified

July 25, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 6, Loop: C

4

Very quiet campground with nice hosts. Be aware that although campsites run along the creek, the creek is at the bottom of a deep ravine and you can't access it from the campground. There is a nice swimming area which is also a day use area for the local residents. Bathrooms were cleaned daily. The campground is very nice with lots of shade and large, flat, and spacious sites.

Patricia H

Verified

July 25, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 10, Loop: C

5

Great campsite- last on the row and close to facilities. Very nice hosts. The swimming area was crowded but we found a spot to sit in our floats in the nice cool water away from the crowds. Full hookups are an added bonus. Showers could use a face lift.

Jean T

Verified

July 25, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 6, Loop: C

4

Very quiet campground with nice hosts. Be aware that although campsites run along the creek, the creek is at the bottom of a deep ravine and you can't access it from the campground. There is a nice swimming area which is also a day use area for the local residents. Bathrooms were cleaned daily. The campground is very nice with lots of shade and large, flat, and spacious sites.

Patricia H

Verified

July 25, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 10, Loop: C

5

Great campsite- last on the row and close to facilities. Very nice hosts. The swimming area was crowded but we found a spot to sit in our floats in the nice cool water away from the crowds. Full hookups are an added bonus. Showers could use a face lift.

Jean T

Verified

July 25, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 6, Loop: C

4

Very quiet campground with nice hosts. Be aware that although campsites run along the creek, the creek is at the bottom of a deep ravine and you can't access it from the campground. There is a nice swimming area which is also a day use area for the local residents. Bathrooms were cleaned daily. The campground is very nice with lots of shade and large, flat, and spacious sites.

Patricia H

Verified

July 25, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 10, Loop: C

5

Great campsite- last on the row and close to facilities. Very nice hosts. The swimming area was crowded but we found a spot to sit in our floats in the nice cool water away from the crowds. Full hookups are an added bonus. Showers could use a face lift.

Sarah E

Verified

July 28, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 20, Loop: B

5

This is a great site if you want a roomy pad etc. It is very level everywhere. We had electric and water hookup there is no sewer in LOOP B. we were in a camper and had sooooo much room between the actual camper pad and the concrete food etc area. It has some shade as well and is toward the very end of loop B. It is the 2nd from last site on that loop. It has a fire pit and working grill. The bathrooms/showers are further down toward the beginning of the loop but its only a 3 minute or so walk. You can also walk to the little mini bridge over the creek that has lots of brim for the kiddos to fish. Or even swim in because there are deeper spots in it. So if you like feeling more away from other sites and a lot of room its a good one.

Overall the campground was very nice and super relaxing. It was our first time here and we came and booked multiple sites with friends. I had read how cold Walnut Creek was but was no where near prepared at how cold it actually was . It apparently stays somewhere in the 60s in the summer ha. There was lots of trails and creeks etc to explore. The bathrooms were clean except for the dead bugs littering the entire floor in each bathroom in Loop B. We never went to the other restrooms . I cant speak toward our host because honestly we only saw them once when we were leaving. And we arrived when they were out and about. Online the swimming area looks like you can camp pretty much right on it but you cannot. You have to walk a bit of a ways depending on exactly what loop your in. None of the campsites in any loop are waterfront . Also the swim area is open to the public so its busy in the summer. IF YOU REQUIRE CELL PHONE SERVICE be prepared there is none. You might get lucky and obtain it for a very very short amount of time if you go up to Loop A an drive around or at a few spots at the swim area. But we didn't mind we enjoyed unplugging for 4 days from cellphones. Overall it was a gorgeous place.

Location & Directions for Charlton Recreation Area

Charlton Campground, 11500 Albert Pike Road, Royal, AR 71968 United States

Elevation: 197 ft

Nearest town

Royal, AR - 8.8 mi

About 11 min to downtown

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

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 18, 2026

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Explore Royal, AR

Nearby larger city

Little Rock, AR

Approx. 64 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 486 ft

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