How much does camping cost at Crystal Springs?

Camping fees at Crystal Springs range from $14-$80/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Crystal Springs first-come first-served or reservation?

Crystal Springs accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Crystal Springs before I book?

Yes! Crystal Springs has 10 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 Crystal Springs?

Crystal Springs 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 Crystal Springs?

Yes, Crystal Springs has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Crystal Springs have?

Crystal Springs has 68 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Crystal Springs?

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

What amenities are available at Crystal Springs?

Crystal Springs offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Crystal Springs?

Popular activities at Crystal Springs include Swimming, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Crystal Springs (Ar)

4.36

1.1K reviews

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

Top 10% in ARWinter

Summer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping Arkansas Camping Near Hot Springs National Park Best Campgrounds Arkansas

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

597 ft

Price

$14 - $80/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

68 campsites

Season

Open from May 1 to D...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on U.S Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

597 ft

Price

$14 - $80/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

68 campsites

Season

Open from May 1 to D...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on U.S Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Crystal Springs (Ar)

$14.00 - $80.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Electricity, Water, Sewer Hookup: $30.00; GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC: $50.00; GROUP STANDARD ELECTRIC: $80.00; Group D - Single Site Rental: $24.00;...

Hike and Bike Site Fee$14.00

Group Site Fee$80.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

501-991-3390lakeouachita@usace.army.mil

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

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

Crystal Springs (Ar)

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

Nearby places

Hot Springs (approximately 16 miles / 25 minutes), Mount Ida (approximately 20 miles / 30 minutes)

Weather at Crystal Springs (Ar)

Best Time to Camp at Crystal Springs (Ar)

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of mild weather, colorful foliage, and excellent lake access — daytime highs usually fall between 55–75°F with crisp nights in the 35–50°F range. Water is still pleasant for boating and fishing through October, while trails and ridgelines light up with hardwood color, making hiking and scenic drives especially rewarding. Crowds are moderate (weekends busiest during peak leaf color), and insect activity drops off, so overall comfort and scenery peak in October and Peak months: October, September, November, May Avoid: January, February, March, April

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Called the standout season: cool days, peak hardwood color and lower insect pressure.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from May 1 to December 31 yearly. Reservations begin June 20 for the following season.

About Crystal Springs (Ar)

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.

Crystal Springs Campground offers a diverse range of camping accommodations including electric and water hookup sites, tent-only sites, and group campsites with amenities.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of mild weather, colorful foliage, and excellent lake access — daytime highs usually fall between 55–75°F with crisp nights in the 35–50°F range. Water is still pleasant for boating and fishing through October, while trails and ridgelines light up with hardwood color, making hiking and scenic drives especially rewarding. Crowds are moderate (weekends busiest during peak leaf color), and insect activity drops off, so overall comfort and scenery peak in October and Peak months: October, September, November, May Avoid: January, February, March, April

Elevation597 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a forested point where ridges of the ancient Ouachita Mountains drop into Lake Ouachita's clear water. Pines and hardwoods shade most sites, and the lake stretches out in long fingers between wooded hills. At 597 feet elevation, the terrain is a mix of gentle slopes and steeper ridges. Wildlife sightings include deer at dawn and dusk, and bald eagles winter along the shoreline. The lake itself covers 40,000 acres with countless coves and inlets, creating varied scenery from every angle. Expect dense forest, rocky points, and open water views depending on which loop you're in.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo explicit mention of lodging beyond campsites, group sites, and picnic shelters.

Programs & ActivitiesNo explicit mention of cultural or educational programs.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 14 nights allowed during a rolling 30-day period during peak season (May 1 - September 30). From October 1 to April 16, stays can extend up to 56 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Exact guest limits depend on site, but generally sites accommodate standard family sizes.

Groups

Reservable group campsite includes electrical and water hookups.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityAccessibility features include reservable group campsites and a swim beach. Users report mixed accessibility: 'Great location right on the lake.' (User Review).

Site SizeSome sites are described as spacious, and others closer together: 'Our site was roomy enough for our truck, tent trailer, 2 hammocks, and all of our chairs, with room to spare.' (User Review).

PrivacyPrivacy is mixed; some sites have good privacy, while others are clustered: 'Campground is very crowded with virtually no privacy.' (User Review).

Total Campsites68 campsites

Recommended SitesSite 45 in Loop C is popular for its direct lake access, shade, and hammock-friendly trees. Loop B is recommended for quieter, more secluded sites.

Best CampsitesSites 16, 17, and 44 get mentioned in reviews for water views and proximity to the lake, though privacy at these spots isn't guaranteed. Some campers recommend avoiding the most crowded loops during holidays, and bringing leveling blocks is a common tip since many sites aren't flat.

Need help booking Crystal Springs (Ar)?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Crystal Springs Campground offers 68 campsites with 63 sites equipped with electric and water hookups. Additional amenities include reservable group campsites, group picnic shelters with electricity, a dump station, fish cleaning station, boat ramp, playground, and swim beach. Flush toilets and showers are available. 'The campground consists of 63 sites with electric and water hookups. There is also a reservable group campsite that includes electrical and water hookups. The two group picnic shelters have electricity. Other amenities include a dump station, fish cleaning station, hot showers, boat ramp, playground and a swim beach.' (Authoritative Source)

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Visitors enjoy fishing, water skiing, hiking, and boating. Scuba diving is popular due to high underwater visibility. 'Visitors enjoy fishing, water skiing, hiking and boating. Scuba diving is particularly popular because of the lake's high underwater visibility.' (Authoritative Source).

Swimming

Boating

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

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From Booking Sources

4.4

1.1K reviews

Recommended

Crystal Springs (Ar) is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Crystal Springs Campground receives highly positive reviews for its scenic location, cleanliness, and variety of activities but mixed reviews on site privacy and maintenance issues. 'Absolutely beautiful place! Beautiful lake, well kept campground.' (User Review).

Review Summaries

Based on 1068 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 1068 reviews.

Site 16Mentioned
Site 16 and 17 have water views but are close together.
Site 18Issues noted
Site 18 is on a steep slope.
Site 19Issues noted
Site 19 has electrical issues.

What Campers Love

Highlights include clean bathrooms, scenic lake views, and friendly hosts: 'We enjoyed a great experience at Crystal Springs Campground over Xmas 2021. The campground is quiet & well kept.' (User...

Based on 1068 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints focus on site leveling issues, crowded conditions, and maintenance delays: 'Sites are close together.' (User Review).

Based on 1068 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Recommended activities include visiting Hot Springs National Park and hiking the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. Tips include bringing leveling blocks and avoiding certain spots during busy...

Based on 1068 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter months are praised for bald eagle sightings and peaceful camping. Summer reviews highlight water activities but mention crowds and maintenance concerns.

Based on 1068 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Beautiful River! Campground is kept clean.' (User Review). 2. 'The lady at the check-in was helpful and friendly. Our site was clean and level.' (User Review).

Based on 1068 reviews

Accessibility Features

Mixed accessibility reviews. Some find the campsites suitable for larger RVs, while others struggle with tight roads and unlevel spots.

Based on 1068 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Some complaints about unattended dogs barking and causing disturbances. 'The camp next to us had two dogs barking all day and night until the campers returned to camp.' (User Review).

Based on 1068 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want a Corps-managed lakefront campground with electric hookups and maintained facilities near Hot Springs.

Skip if

You need level sites or prefer a quieter setting away from waterfowl and neighboring campers.

Nearby Campgrounds

Frequently Visited

4.2

(138)

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.