About Charlton Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 47
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Rates, Sites & Availability
47 Sites Available
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Site Details
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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
Duane R
VerifiedApril 20, 2024 • Stayed at: Charlton 6, Loop: C
I called to make a reservation, about two months (maybe more) before our stay. The guy said we were set, but did not want my email to send a confirmation. We got there, and there was no one that we found to tell us which site we were supposed to use. Some helpful seasonal campers said it was First-come-first-served on the sites, and to take an empty site.
Later, the campground manager came by, and told me the guy I spoke with was no longer employed with them, so any info he gave me was not reliable. And, it is a FCFS campground. If I had known, I would have found a backup (which, fortunately, I didn't need). We could have easily gotten there with nothing available.
Nice campground, though. Full hook-ups. Water hook-up was in an underground vault, which was different. Did not find any snakes or spiders in it, fortunately.
Robin B
VerifiedApril 16, 2024 • Stayed at: Charlton 17, Loop: A
Stayed in site A17. Driveway is long and mostly level. Tent pad is flat and free from rocks / roots. Water and garbage are very close. When the restroom repairs are completed this site will be near perfect. However, the driveway slants the wrong way to back a trailer in. I had to come in the loop and go out the loop in the reverse direction. Many of the sites have the same problem, but it would be great for a motor home with a towed vehicle.
I wish I knew beforehand that the day use area is off limits to dogs, but it makes sense since it is a swimming area.
The whole loop will be well shaded when the leaves come out.
Robin B
VerifiedApril 16, 2024 • Stayed at: Charlton 17, Loop: A
Stayed in site A17. Driveway is long and mostly level. Tent pad is flat and free from rocks / roots. Water and garbage are very close. When the restroom repairs are completed this site will be near perfect. However, the driveway slants the wrong way to back a trailer in. I had to come in the loop and go out the loop in the reverse direction. Many of the sites have the same problem, but it would be great for a motor home with a towed vehicle.
I wish I knew beforehand that the day use area is off limits to dogs, but it makes sense since it is a swimming area.
The whole loop will be well shaded when the leaves come out.
Robin B
VerifiedApril 16, 2024 • Stayed at: Charlton 17, Loop: A
Stayed in site A17. Driveway is long and mostly level. Tent pad is flat and free from rocks / roots. Water and garbage are very close. When the restroom repairs are completed this site will be near perfect. However, the driveway slants the wrong way to back a trailer in. I had to come in the loop and go out the loop in the reverse direction. Many of the sites have the same problem, but it would be great for a motor home with a towed vehicle.
I wish I knew beforehand that the day use area is off limits to dogs, but it makes sense since it is a swimming area.
The whole loop will be well shaded when the leaves come out.
Alexandra D
VerifiedApril 15, 2024 • Stayed at: Group Site A, Loop: A
Very nice area. Nice facilities, beautiful creek, close to everything.
Alexandra D
VerifiedApril 15, 2024 • Stayed at: Group Site A, Loop: A
Very nice area. Nice facilities, beautiful creek, close to everything.
Alexandra D
VerifiedApril 15, 2024 • Stayed at: Group Site A, Loop: A
Very nice area. Nice facilities, beautiful creek, close to everything.
Jessica M
VerifiedApril 13, 2024 • Stayed at: Charlton 2, Loop: C
Lovely site. Easy to walk around to the public use area, easy to get in to the rv sites. Bathhouses were clean. The creek is wonderful. Cell service is limited. Good area around sites for privacy.
James T
VerifiedApril 13, 2024 • Stayed at: Charlton 4, Loop: C
Good campgrounds. Well tended. Clean showers, hot water. Friendly rangers. A Civilian Conservation Corps gem, courtesy of FDR!
Jessica M
VerifiedApril 13, 2024 • Stayed at: Charlton 2, Loop: C
Lovely site. Easy to walk around to the public use area, easy to get in to the rv sites. Bathhouses were clean. The creek is wonderful. Cell service is limited. Good area around sites for privacy.
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