The 10 Best Glamping Spots in Hot Springs, Arkansas

I pulled into Hot Springs on a damp March evening, the kind where the mist hangs over the Ouachita Mountains like a secret. My first mistake? I booked a tent site at a generic KOA without checking the weather. By midnight, the temperature had dropped under 40°F, and I was shivering in a sleeping bag rated for “cool nights.” That’s when I learned the first rule of glamping in Hot Springs, Arkansas: if you’re going to sleep outside in thermal country, do it right. Over the next week, I stayed in domes, lakefront cabins, and safari tents, and I found ten spots that actually deliver the soak-and-sleep dream. Browse all glamping stays here.

Camp Wildcat - Secluded Glamping by Reservation

Camp Wildcat is the kind of place you find when you’re looking for a secret. Hidden down a gravel road outside Hot Springs, this property has geodesic domes with skylights and private wood-fired hot tubs. I stayed in the “Thermal Dome” — a canvas-and-yurt hybrid with a king bed, a mini-split AC, and a deck overlooking a creek. The real magic is the hot tub: you fill it with a hose, then build a fire underneath. It takes an hour to heat, but when the steam rises into the cold night air and you can see Orion through the dome’s window, it’s worth every split log. The owners leave a cooler with local beer and a map of hiking trails. Not cheap (around $200/night), but the solitude is priceless.

Catherine’s Landing, an RVC Outdoor Destination

This is the glamping resort that actually feels like a resort. Catherine’s Landing sits on Lake Ouachita, and it has everything: a pool, a restaurant, a marina, and cabins with full kitchens. I rented a “Lakefront Cottage” — a two-bedroom with a porch swing and a gas fireplace. The bed was memory foam, the shower had good pressure, and I could walk to the water in 30 seconds. It’s not rustic, but that’s the point. This is where you go if you want to hike all day and then watch Netflix on a 50-inch TV. The downside? It’s expensive and popular. Book months ahead.

Hot Springs National Park KOA Holiday

I have a love-hate relationship with KOAs, but the Hot Springs location is a standout. They have “Deluxe Cabins” with private bathrooms, mini-fridges, and microwaves. The park itself is clean and has a heated pool, a jumping pillow, and a dog park. It’s not romantic, but it’s reliable. The best part: it’s a 10-minute drive from Bathhouse Row, so you can soak in the thermal waters at the Quapaw Baths and then stumble back to your cabin. The worst part: the train tracks nearby. Bring earplugs.

Lake Catherine State Park

If you want cheap glamping that still feels like camping, this is it. Lake Catherine has “Rustic Cabins” from the 1930s (with updates) and newer yurts. I booked a yurt for $75/night — it’s a circular canvas tent on a wooden platform with a futon, a table, and a mini-fridge. The shared bathhouse is a 2-minute walk. The state park has hiking trails and a lake for kayaking. It’s basic, but the price is right. The catch: you need to reserve 6 months in advance, especially for weekends.

Treasure Isle RV Park

Treasure Isle is an RV park with a few cabins, located right on Lake Hamilton. The cabins are small — think “hunting camp” small — but they have AC, a microwave, and a porch. The real draw is the location: you can walk to the lake and launch a kayak, or drive 5 minutes to the downtown strip. It’s not luxury, but it’s affordable (around $100/night) and the owners are friendly. I’d recommend it for solo travelers or couples who just need a place to sleep.

Hot Springs Campground & RV Park

This is the closest campground to downtown Hot Springs — literally a 3-minute drive to Bathhouse Row. They have “Park Model Cabins” that look like tiny houses: full kitchen, queen bed, loft with twin beds. It’s clean and convenient. The downside? It’s right off the main road, so you hear traffic. But if you’re in town for the thermal baths and restaurants, you can’t beat the location.

Watkins RV Park

Watkins is a small, quiet RV park with a handful of cabins near Lake Hamilton. The cabins are basic (bed, mini-fridge, microwave), but the lake access is great. I spent an afternoon fishing off the dock and caught a bass. It’s not fancy, but it’s peaceful. Best for anglers and budget travelers.

Hot Rod Hill RV Park

Hot Rod Hill is exactly what it sounds like: an RV park with a classic car theme. They have a few cabins, but the real appeal is the community: there’s a clubhouse, a pool, and regular car shows. If you’re traveling with kids or as part of a group, this is a fun stop. The cabins are clean and have full bathrooms. Not my style, but I can see the appeal.

Beyond the List

What makes glamping in Hot Springs special is the thermal water. After a day of hiking in the Ouachitas or paddling on Lake Ouachita, you can soak in 143°F mineral water at the Quapaw Baths or Buckstaff Bathhouse. And the best part? You don’t have to leave the hotel. Many of these properties have hot tubs or private tubs, and some even have thermal water piped in (though not all). If you want the full thermal experience, look for places with “hot tub” in the amenities. Camp Wildcat’s wood-fired tub is my favorite.

One tip: don’t skip the bathhouses. Even if you’re in a dome with a hot tub, the Quapaw Baths have a rooftop pool that’s open late. I went at 9 p.m. on a Tuesday and had the whole pool to myself, staring at the stars. That’s the real glamping move.

For more options, check out all glamping in Arkansas or browse our full glamping directory.