How much does camping cost at Tompkins Bend Day-Use?

Camping fees at Tompkins Bend Day-Use range from $50/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Tompkins Bend Day-Use first-come first-served or reservation?

Tompkins Bend Day-Use operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Tompkins Bend Day-Use before I book?

Yes! Tompkins Bend Day-Use has 3 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Tompkins Bend Day-Use?

Tompkins Bend Day-Use is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Tompkins Bend Day-Use?

Tompkins Bend Day-Use does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Tompkins Bend Day-Use?

Fire policies at Tompkins Bend Day-Use: Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Tompkins Bend Day-Use?

Pets are not allowed at Tompkins Bend Day-Use. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Tompkins Bend Day-Use?

Tompkins Bend Day-Use offers: Electrical Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Tompkins Bend Day-Use?

Popular activities at Tompkins Bend Day-Use include Hiking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Tompkins Bend Day-Use

4.71

359 reviews

Top 2% in ARSummer

Family FriendlyFishingSummer Destination

Featured in:Camping Near Hot Springs National Park#1 Beach Camping Arkansas#3 Summer Camping Arkansas +7 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

653 ft

Price

$50/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Electric

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

653 ft

Price

$50/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Electric

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Tompkins Bend Day-Use

$50.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

PAV1: $50.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(501) 767-2101

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Tompkins Bend Day-Use

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Tompkins Bend Day-Use

34.5680, -93.4706

Nearby places

Hot Springs: approximately 24.5 miles

Mount Ida: approximately 10.7 miles

Weather at Tompkins Bend Day-Use

Current alerts(2)

All reservations must be made through recreation.gov.
No off-road vehicles allowed.

Best Time to Camp at Tompkins Bend Day-Use

Best season: summer. Summer is the best time to enjoy Tompkins Bend because warm, sunny days (typical highs in the mid-80s to low-90s °F and overnight lows in the mid-60s) make Lake Ouachita ideal for boating, swimming, and watersports. Water-based activities and pavilion gatherings are at their peak, with fishing and long daylight hours for paddling and beaching. Expect busier weekends and holiday spikes in crowds, so plan weekday visits or arrive early for prime day-use spots. Peak months: June, July, August, May

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

5.0 / 5

Top 2% in AR

Summer is described as the best time; lake ideal for swimming and boating in warm weather.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Tompkins Bend Day-Use

Tompkins Bend Day-Use Area sits on the shore of Lake Ouachita in the Ouachita National Forest, about 50 minutes from Hot Springs. The site features a day-use pavilion with electrical hookups, picnic tables, grills, and dedicated restrooms, plus a boat launch that makes it popular with boaters and anglers. Reviewers consistently mention clean facilities, friendly hosts, and a quieter atmosphere than more crowded nearby campgrounds.

Tompkins Bend is described as a Day-Use Area; the source does not specify any overnight camping types or facilities.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer is the best time to enjoy Tompkins Bend because warm, sunny days (typical highs in the mid-80s to low-90s °F and overnight lows in the mid-60s) make Lake Ouachita ideal for boating, swimming, and watersports. Water-based activities and pavilion gatherings are at their peak, with fishing and long daylight hours for paddling and beaching. Expect busier weekends and holiday spikes in crowds, so plan weekday visits or arrive early for prime day-use spots. Peak months: June, July, August, May

Elevation653 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryLake Ouachita stretches across more than 40,000 acres with clear water and 30 miles of forested shoreline. The campground sits at 653 feet elevation where pine forest meets the lake. Bobcats, black bears, and white-tailed deer live in the surrounding Ouachita National Forest. Bald eagles appear during winter months. Many sites offer direct lake views and easy water access. The setting is quiet and scenic, with trees providing shade around the pavilion and camping areas.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Day-Use Pavilion has electrical hook-ups, picnic tables, and lighting. Other on-site amenities include a bathroom facility, a playground, and grassy wooded scenic views.

Electricity hookups

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The area supports a range of water-based recreation (water skiing, jet skiing, angling) on Lake Ouachita, hiking on the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT), and wildlife viewing in the surrounding forested Ouachita Mountains.

Hiking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.7

359 reviews

Top-Rated

Tompkins Bend Day-Use is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Tompkins Bend, describing it as clean, quiet, scenic, and relaxing, with many saying they return regularly. Campers highlight lakeside views, good facilities, friendly staff/hosts, and great options for boating, fishing, hiking, and day use gatherings.

Review Summaries

Based on 359 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers consistently praise the beautiful lake views and scenery, noting many sites are right on or very close to the water and offer easy water access. Reviews mention clean bathhouses and...

Based on 359 reviews

Common Concerns

There are very few complaints in the reviews. One camper notes that bathhouses can have spiders due to the natural setting, but mentions this more as a nature caveat than a serious issue. No other...

Based on 359 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One reviewer mentions that tent sites do not have power while nearby RV sites do, and notes there is no septic hookup but a dump station is available. Another review of Pavilion 1 in the day-use area...

Based on 359 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Several reviewers suggest this campground is especially good if you have a boat, thanks to lakeside sites, a quality boat launch, and easy lake access. One reviewer advises wearing shoes you don’t...

Based on 359 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Everything we were expecting. Clean, beautiful view of the lake, pets welcomed. Our campsite was clean with water and electricity, fire pit grill and picnic table. Helpful and friendly staff. Well...

Based on 359 reviews

Accessibility Features

Boat users describe the concrete boat ramp as able to handle up to three boats launching at once, with a dock for tying off and restrooms near the parking area, suggesting convenient access for...

Based on 359 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

One camper explicitly notes "pets welcomed" and describes a clean campsite with standard utilities and amenities, indicating that pets are allowed and integrated into the general camping experience....

Based on 359 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Nearby Campgrounds

15 Tompkins Bend, Mt. Ida, AR 71957

Tompkins Bend sits on Lake Ouachita near Mt. Ida, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with seasonal access during peak months. This large campground offers tent and RV sites with electric and water hookups, plus group camping options. Reviewers highlight spacious lakeside sites, clean facilities, and access to the Ouachita ridges for hiking and biking, though some note occasional maintenance issues and campground noise.

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Joplin sits on Lake Ouachita near Mt. Ida, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This mid-sized campground offers tent and RV sites with electric hookups, hot showers, and a dump station during peak season. Campers fish, bike, and boat on one of Arkansas's clearest lakes, with reviewers praising the secluded sites and lake views.

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Little Fir sits on the shores of Lake Ouachita in Arkansas, operated by Lake Ouachita Recreation Area Management as a seasonal campground open during peak months. The small, budget-friendly site offers electric and water hookups, flush toilets, showers, and a dump station for both tent and RV campers. Reviewers praise the peaceful atmosphere and excellent fishing access, though some note uneven terrain and landscaping that can fall behind on maintenance.

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Highway 27 Campground

Null

Highway 27 Campground sits on the shores of Lake Ouachita near Royal, Arkansas, offering electric hookups, showers, and a dump station for tent and RV campers. This mid-sized campground provides direct access to one of the state's clearest lakes, known for excellent fishing and boating. The facility accommodates stays up to 56 days with clean amenities and lakefront proximity.

1523 Hwy 270E Mt Ida, AR 71957

Camp Clearfork is a group-use campground in the Ouachita National Forest with 14 sites offering bunkhouses, tent camping, and RV hookups with electric. A dining hall with a full kitchen anchors the property. Fees run $23-46 per night and reservations are required. The final access is a one-lane dirt road, but parking is ample once you arrive.

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Charlton Recreation Area

Charlton Campground, 11500 Albert Pike Road, Royal, AR, 71968

Charlton Recreation Area sits along spring-fed Walnut Creek in Ouachita National Forest near Royal, Arkansas. Operated by the US Forest Service, this mid-sized campground offers tent and RV sites with full hookups, showers, and a dump station. Campers come for creek swimming, fishing, and shaded valley sites that stay cool even when summer air temperatures climb into the 90s.

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1330 N. Crystal springs Rd., Royal, AR 71968

Crystal Springs sits on the shore of Lake Ouachita near Hot Springs, Arkansas, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This mid-sized campground offers electric and water hookups, flush toilets, and hot showers for both tent and RV campers. Visitors swim and boat on the lake, with group sites available for larger gatherings.

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Campgrounds

Tompkins Bend Day-Use

About Lake Ouachita

Context for the broader area surrounding Tompkins Bend Day-Use, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Lake Ouachita, AR is located on the Ouachita River near the resort spa of Hot Springs. Its crystal-clear waters make the lake a popular site for scuba diving. There are numerous camping, fishing and swimming opportunities at the lake as well as concessions with marinas, motels, restaurants and horseback riding. There is a boating trail for viewing geological formations on the shoreline.

Directions

From Hot Springs, AR, 13 miles, west on Highway 270 and north on Highway 227.