Arkansas / Garland County / Ouachita National Forest

Crystal Springs

Open — Open year-round. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

About

Crystal Springs Campground is perched on the shores of Lake Ouachita in the Ouachita National Forest, approximately 10 miles west of Hot Springs National Park. The campground features 63 established sites with electric and water hookups, with many sites situated directly on the waterfront in peaceful coves. The facility was recently renovated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and includes modern amenities such as hot showers, restrooms, a dump station, fish cleaning station, boat ramp, playground, and swim beach. Lake Ouachita is nestled in the Ouachita Mountains and extends about 30 miles over 40,000 surface acres of crystal-clear water. The lake attracts approximately 1.2 million visitors annually who come to enjoy fishing for striped bass and other species, water skiing, boating, and scuba diving. The lake's exceptional underwater visibility makes it particularly popular with divers, who can spot rare freshwater jellyfish and explore underwater rock formations. Bird watchers and photographers flock to the area in winter months to observe bald eagles. The Charlton Trail, a 4-mile hiking and biking trail, begins at the campground, and the scenic 223-mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail runs just north of the lake.

Directions

From Hot Springs, Arkansas, take US 270 west about 15.4 miles to North Crystal Springs Road. Turn right and follow the access road three miles north to the campground.

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