About Charlton Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 47
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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47 Sites Available
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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
John R
VerifiedAugust 11, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 20, Loop: B
This is the sweet spot. Far enough from town, but close enough if you forgot something. Always cold water in the swimming hole. The dam is a great example of CCC craftsmanship, and will provide no end of fun. The campground is very shady. Spacious, clean, well designed sites make backing in easy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kelly R
VerifiedAugust 11, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 12, Loop: B
Beautiful, quiet, serene campground in AR. The camp sites were spread out, with lots of trees and shade. Each site had a nice, level gravel pad plus cement sidewalk with picnic table and fire pit. The bathrooms were typical of a state park; functional and mostly clean.
John R
VerifiedAugust 11, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 20, Loop: B
This is the sweet spot. Far enough from town, but close enough if you forgot something. Always cold water in the swimming hole. The dam is a great example of CCC craftsmanship, and will provide no end of fun. The campground is very shady. Spacious, clean, well designed sites make backing in easy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kelly R
VerifiedAugust 11, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 12, Loop: B
Beautiful, quiet, serene campground in AR. The camp sites were spread out, with lots of trees and shade. Each site had a nice, level gravel pad plus cement sidewalk with picnic table and fire pit. The bathrooms were typical of a state park; functional and mostly clean.
John R
VerifiedAugust 11, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 20, Loop: B
This is the sweet spot. Far enough from town, but close enough if you forgot something. Always cold water in the swimming hole. The dam is a great example of CCC craftsmanship, and will provide no end of fun. The campground is very shady. Spacious, clean, well designed sites make backing in easy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kelly R
VerifiedAugust 11, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 12, Loop: B
Beautiful, quiet, serene campground in AR. The camp sites were spread out, with lots of trees and shade. Each site had a nice, level gravel pad plus cement sidewalk with picnic table and fire pit. The bathrooms were typical of a state park; functional and mostly clean.
Kurt R
VerifiedAugust 10, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 20, Loop: B
Lovely campground, there were very few people here when we were. The hosts are excellent, and the grounds are in superb shape. Definitely will be heading back soon. There's a nice place to swim, a great little nature trail, and a trail that accesses LOVIT (Lake Ouachita Vista Trail). Bathrooms and showers are clean and well-kept. Bugs were nearly non-existent in our visit, and we enjoyed quiet, peaceful nights. Almost hate recommending this because it's a hidden gem. Sadly, we must support and promote our parks anyway we can before they take those away too.
Kurt R
VerifiedAugust 10, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 20, Loop: B
Lovely campground, there were very few people here when we were. The hosts are excellent, and the grounds are in superb shape. Definitely will be heading back soon. There's a nice place to swim, a great little nature trail, and a trail that accesses LOVIT (Lake Ouachita Vista Trail). Bathrooms and showers are clean and well-kept. Bugs were nearly non-existent in our visit, and we enjoyed quiet, peaceful nights. Almost hate recommending this because it's a hidden gem. Sadly, we must support and promote our parks anyway we can before they take those away too.
Kurt R
VerifiedAugust 10, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 20, Loop: B
Lovely campground, there were very few people here when we were. The hosts are excellent, and the grounds are in superb shape. Definitely will be heading back soon. There's a nice place to swim, a great little nature trail, and a trail that accesses LOVIT (Lake Ouachita Vista Trail). Bathrooms and showers are clean and well-kept. Bugs were nearly non-existent in our visit, and we enjoyed quiet, peaceful nights. Almost hate recommending this because it's a hidden gem. Sadly, we must support and promote our parks anyway we can before they take those away too.
Tim C
VerifiedAugust 4, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 13, Loop: B
We loved B-13, nice shady spot. It was clean and level, we had no problems. Swimming hole is great, COLD!
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 13, 2026
