Glamping is when you combine “camping” with “glamour.” The idea is to spend time in a deluxe cabin, yurt, or tent rather than on the ground “roughing it.” Glamping tents are usually built upon a raised deck. These accommodations have comfortable beds or sleeping pads, climate control, and kitchens or kitchenettes. One of the best places to glamp in Arkansas is near Hot Springs National Park, which is in the city of Hot Springs.
Arkansas’ cities provide educational museums, enjoyable musical experiences, and mind-expanding art galleries. The wilderness of Arkansas, including the world-famous Ozarks, gives you many opportunities for outdoor recreation “away from it all.” The capital is Little Rock, and other places like Texarkana and Arkadelphia all provide not only famous Southern cuisine but also fun places to explore as a family.
Top 5 Glamping Sites in Arkansas
In the Trees
At In the Trees, you’ll experience extravagance that includes both treehouses and Jacuzzis. You can relax in the warming bubbles and marvel at the picturesque forest views and then retire to your treehouse or cabin for a barbecue over the provided fire pit. You can also hike, ride mountain bikes, and explore the charming city of Hot Springs.
Diamond Glamping
Located just a few miles from Crater of Diamonds State Park, Diamond Glamping provides a bit of prospecting whimsy to the whole glamping experience. The campground itself offers geodesic domes, traditional cabins, and even treehouses for your glamping pleasure. You can hike nearby trails and then go to sleep that night to the soothing sounds of the Little Missouri River. Bring your telescope to take advantage of the stargazing, which is rated Class 3 on the Bortle Scale.
Eureka Springs KOA Journey
The Eureka Springs KOA Journey offers both traditional camping and a more lavish camping experience. If you want to enjoy being close to nature without sacrificing the comforts of home, then staying at either a cabin or a yurt at this KOA near the city of Eureka Springs is a great choice. The cabins have cable TV, options for a bathroom/shower, and a propane grill. The yurt has cable TV and a private gazebo but no bathroom or kitchen.
Treehouse Cottages
Treehouse Cottages is close to historic Eureka Springs and has seven romantic treehouses in a private forested wood. Each of the treehouses has a heart-shaped Jacuzzi and a full kitchenette and can accommodate two adults. The park has a hiking trail that travels around the mountain and descends to a cave and a spring.
Catherine’s Landing
Located on Lake Catherine, Catherine’s Landing is a collection of comfortable cabins and yurts that offer a quiet respite from your busy life. The park has 400 acres that include a mile of lake frontage to explore, and visitors will enjoy walking along the Big Foot Trail as well. For the more adventurous, there is a zip line in the park. All the cottages have flat-screen TVs and full kitchens, and select units feature lofts and laundry rooms. The yurts have skylights but no bathroom or kitchen. The yurts are in their own village and are surrounded by trees.
Where to Glamp in Arkansas
The best and most accessible glamping locations in Arkansas are near towns and cities like Murfreesboro, Hot Springs, and Little Rock. The 52 Arkansas state parks provide good opportunities to explore nature and to camp in your RV, and you can find great fishing spots at the state’s lakes and rivers.
What to Bring When Glamping in Arkansas
• Both hiking and mountain biking gear, such as boots, helmets, and other safety equipment
• Battery-operated, hand-held GPS when exploring in the backcountry
• Extra batteries and chargers for the whole family’s electronics
• Telescope for stargazing
• Prepaid credit cards and/or traveler’s checks, which are easily replaceable if stolen or lost
• Food and water for your RV and for cooking in a kitchen or kitchenette
• Hand warmers for fall and/or winter outdoor barbecues
• Appropriate clothing for the season of your visit
• Bedding for beds of different sizes in case the place where you stay doesn’t provide it
• A list of everyone’s medications and other medical needs
From sighting a bear in the woods from a treehouse perch to actually landing a perch with your fishing rod, Arkansas provides both outdoor excitement and relaxation. It’s fun, too, to soak in the two bathhouses at Hot Springs National Park, enjoying the skin-rejuvenating qualities of the minerals in the water. Renting an RV is a fantastic way to enjoy glamping in Arkansas, and you’ll also get a taste for the “on-the-road” life to see if it’s for you over the long term. RVshare is a useful partner to have while planning your trip. Discover more camping options in Arkansas.
