Charlton Recreation Area

Charlton Campground - Ouachita National Forest
C-Loop Bathouse
Charlton Campground - Tent Site
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

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

47 total sites

Tent Sites

47 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.

Number of accommodations: 47

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
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 1, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 10, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 10, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 11, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 11, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 12, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 12, Loop: B
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 12, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 13, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 13, Loop: B
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 13, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 14, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 14, Loop: B
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 14, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 15, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 15, Loop: B
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 15, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 16, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 16, Loop: B
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 16, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 17, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 17, Loop: B
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 17, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 18, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 18, Loop: B
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 19, Loop: B
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 19, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 2, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 2, Loop: C
12 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 20, Loop: B
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 21, Loop: B
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 3, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 3, Loop: C
12 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 4, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 4, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 5, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 5, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 6, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 6, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 7, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 8, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 8, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 9, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Charlton 9, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Group Site A, Loop: A
15 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Group Site C, Loop: C
15 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available

Reviews (249)

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
249 reviews
5
68.3%
170
4
18.5%
46
3
10.0%
25
2
1.6%
4
1
1.6%
4

Kara H

Verified

July 13, 2026 Stayed at: Charlton 14, Loop: B

2

Disappointed in the cleanliness of the bathrooms. Never saw a camp host during our visit however the camp host in C loop apparently accused my 16 yr old daughter of tampering with their side by side when she was at the shower. A sheriff showed up to my site saying her car was seen at the bath house, again she was in the shower. Also had a large dog running loose at our site. I have enjoyed stays at this campground in the past however I’m not sure I will return.

Rachel S

Verified

July 14, 2026 Stayed at: Charlton 8, Loop: A

5

Charleton Recreation area is easily Arkansas's most prized hidden gem. With well-maintained community use areas such as showers, bathrooms, and picnic tables, in addition to clean and tidy campsites and RV spots, this campground has everything you may need for an easy commune with nature, not too far from Hot Springs (a quick, 20-ish minute drive brings you to downtown Hot Springs with no problems). Whether you're visiting for the ridiculously well-priced day-use swimming area, teeming with freezing mountain water and American history, as a WPA-era creation by the people and for the people, or spending the night under the stars in your camper, tent, or hammock, Charleton truly lives up to its name, an area designed for recreation, family fun, and true appreciation of our country's natural beauty.

Gary G

Verified

July 15, 2026 Stayed at: Charlton 3, Loop: C

4

Great area.

Tim C

Verified

July 19, 2026 Stayed at: Charlton 13, Loop: B

5

We loved our stay. We stayed in two different spots during our 10days there and enjoyed both sights.

Cheryl F

Verified

July 21, 2026 Stayed at: Charlton 16, Loop: B

4

Campground was very clean and well maintained. Peaceful and quiet!

Fatima M Q

Verified

July 28, 2026 Stayed at: Charlton 8, Loop: C

5

Beautiful place to enjoy the wonderful nature of Arkansas.

Ryan T

Verified

August 9, 2026 Stayed at: Charlton 18, Loop: B

5

B18 is our favorite site, level and sits to itself by the shower house. The restrooms were spotless and smelled great the entire time we stayed (7 nights) Verizon had 1 bar service, we use Starlink so no problems.
Camp host are on top of the campground, available & friendly but not up in your business.
We have stayed nearby at a larger campground but prefer Charlton over the others.

Roger W

Verified

August 15, 2026 Stayed at: Charlton 4, Loop: C

5

Weather was great, it always feels 10 degrees cooler at the campground

Megan J

Verified

August 17, 2026 Stayed at: Charlton 21, Loop: B

5

This place is a hidden gem. Not overly crowded and very well maintained.

Roger W

Verified

August 19, 2026 Stayed at: Charlton 4, Loop: C

5

Campground was well maintained, our site was well shaded all day. Swimming area had cool and clear water.
Quiet campground.

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

Distance to downtown

8.8 mi drive to downtown Royal (about 11 min)

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: August 23, 2026

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