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
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!
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!
Sarah E
VerifiedJuly 28, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 20, Loop: B
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.
Sarah E
VerifiedJuly 28, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 20, Loop: B
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.
Sarah E
VerifiedJuly 28, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 20, Loop: B
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.
Patricia H
VerifiedJuly 25, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 10, Loop: C
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
VerifiedJuly 25, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 6, Loop: C
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
VerifiedJuly 25, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 10, Loop: C
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
VerifiedJuly 25, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 6, Loop: C
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
VerifiedJuly 25, 2025 • Stayed at: Charlton 10, Loop: C
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.
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.
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Last updated: June 13, 2026
