The land of glorious hot springs, friendly faces and dense, lush southern forests, Arkansas is truly a premier destination — and something of a hidden gem, as well. Also hidden gems? The state’s three best amusement parks:
- Big Dam Waterpark in Texarkana, Arkansas
- Magic Springs in Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Lokomotion Family Fun Park in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Each of these three parks is easily combined with other excellent Arkansas attractions, from Hot Springs National Park to its many great state parks and cities. RVing around Arkansas gives you a premier opportunity to explore it all in peace, comfort, and style, and RVshare offers the largest selection of peer-to-peer rental RVs on the American market.
Arkansas Amusement Parks: At a Glance
| Park | Big Dam Waterpark | Magic Springs | Lokomotion Family Fun Park |
| Location | Texarkana | Hot Springs | Fayetteville |
| Ticket Cost | Day passes starting at $29.99 plus tax (kids under 3 free);Twilight Tickets and and Season Passes available | Prices vary based on season and sales; season passes available | Prices per attraction starting at $10; combos and deals available |
| Attractions | Interactive play structure; wave pool, thrill slides, lazy river | World-class roller coasters along with gentler attractions for kids and families; classic water park features | Go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, arcade |
| Onsite Overnight RV Parking? | No | No | No |
Why RV to an Arkansas Amusement Park?
There are all kinds of ways an RV makes your Arkansas road trip even more unforgettable than the sheer beauty and friendliness of the state already promises it to be. When you travel in a motorhome or trailer, you’ll benefit from:
- Climate control you control the whole time. While almost all Arkansas accommodations will feature air conditioning (since hot days are regularly in the 90s), when you travel in an RV, you have full control over the thermostat the entire time.
- The ability to set your own pace. Yes, flying is convenient, but being beholden to the airlines’ schedules — not to mention having to arrive at the airport hours ahead of time, wait in line, and cram in next to strangers — is not
- Plenty of room for all your stuff (and more importantly, your kids’ stuff). Most people considering a road trip to the Arkansas theme parks are traveling families, and if that describes your situation, you know traveling with families can mean traveling with a whole lot of stuff to bring along. The capacious storage abilities of an RV make it easy to bring everything they need, no sweat.
Convinced yet? On to the parks!
Big Dam Waterpark (Texarkana)
The park formerly known as Holiday Springs Water Park is now Big Dam. And if anything, it’s better than ever. From its 65-foot slide tower to the Lil Buffalo lazy river and beyond, there’s a reason Big Dam sells season passes as well as single-day tickets. You’re probably going to want to come back.
Stand-Out Features
Big Dam is best loved for:
- The unique Kit Colony mega play structure, where kids can get hands-on with more than 100 interactive water features as over 1,000 gallons of water splash down from all around
- Cold Springs, where you can enjoy a truly refreshing dip on even the hottest of Arkansas summer days
- The Breach Beach wave pool, where you’ll feel like you’ve been magically transported to an ocean beach even in this landlocked state
- Great onsite food and drink options, including an unlimited soft drink refill wristband
Nearby RV Campgrounds
Situated right on the Texas-Arkansas border (as its name suggests), Texarkana has a variety of nearby campground options to choose from. We recommend:
- The serene surroundings of Millwood State Park, just half an hour from Big Dam
- Sunrise RV Park to get a bit away from the crowd (but still enjoy luxurious amenities)
- The classic Texarkana KOA Journey experience
Magic Springs (Hot Springs)
If you’re looking for a classic amusement park experience in Arkansas, Magic Springs has you covered. Including both a classic theme park element and a water park for all your cooling-down needs, Magic Springs offers big thrills and gentle kid-friendly options all in the same destination.
Stand-Out Features
Magic Springs’ must-sees include:
- Extreme rides like the X-Coaster and Brain Drain
- Family rides like the DIamond Mine Coaster and Razorback Roundup Bumper Cars
- Kids’ rides like Fearless Flyers and a carousel
- Classic water park attractions including big slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river
It really is all there, right in one place.
Nearby RV Campgrounds
If you’re in Hot Springs, you absolutely can’t miss a visit to nearby Hot Springs National Park, whose namesake springs are basically like a waterpark for adults. You can camp there at Gulpha Gorge Campground (if you reserve early enough), and there are also some other privately-owned options nearby, too:
Lokomotion Family Fun Park (Fayetteville)
Last, but certainly not least, Lokomotion Family Fun Park is the place to go if you’re looking to spend hours of both indoor and outdoor fun with your fam. When the weather’s nice, enjoy bumper boats, go-karts, and miniature golf; if it’s stormy or just too hot, head inside to meander the massive arcade or play a game of laser tag.
Stand-Out Features
There really is something for everyone in the family at lokomotion family fun park:
- Not one but two 18-hole mini golf courses
- Bumper Boats with a squirter ready to aim at your friends
- The only Go-Karts in all of Northwestern Arkansas (four tracks for riders of various ages)
- Party Packs and room rentals available
Nearby RV Campgrounds
Tucked as it is only about an hour from Ozark National Forest, Fayetteville attracts a lot of travelers. That means there are plenty of nearby RV campgrounds to choose from, including:
Tips for an Awesome Arkansas Amusement Park Trip
Any trip to Arkansas is sure to be an awesome one, especially if you follow these top tips before you book your rental RV.
- Consider the kind of vacationer you are. Maybe you like to get off-road and rugged, in which case a camper van or pop-up trailer might work. On the other hand, if you’re traveling with a big family and want to stay comfortable, a fifth wheel trailer or Class A motorhome might make more sense.
- Double-check the weather. While Arkansas is known for its hot and humid summers, thunderstorms can also crop up. Check before you book, especially if you’re hoping to go to a water park.
- Don’t forget: we deliver! Want to have a set-it-and-forget-it RV rental experience? RVshare offers delivery and setup so all you have to do is show up and start the party.
You’ve got all the knowledge you need to make an amazing trip happen. Now, it’s up to you and your crew. Have a great trip!
Arkansas Amusement Parks: Frequently Asked Questions
While any of Arkansas’ amusement parks work well for traveling families, Magic Springs offers rides and attractions aimed at every level, whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or taking it easy. That makes it a great option for families traveling with kids of different ages, since everyone can find something fun for them.
Along with Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas is also home to incredible state parks including Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only place in the entire world the general public can sift for diamonds right at their volcanic source. It’s also got a major amusement park called Magic Springs as well as a great water park called Big Dam.
When you’ve got kids on board, comfort and routine are key. We recommend traveling in a Class A motorhome or fifth wheel travel trailer, which will give you the maximum amount of room to spread out (and plenty of storage space for all your kids’ gear).
Yes! While it might not have the reputation of Florida or California, Arkansas is home to some world-class thrill rides, especially at Magic Springs near the city of Hot Springs. Other Arkansas amusement parks include Big Dam waterpark in Texarkana and Lokomotion Family Fun Park in Fayetteville.
Looking for even more to do in Arkansas? Check out these must-sees:
- The Top 10 Waterfalls in Arkansas
- The Top 10 Landmarks in Arkansas
- Arkansas’s Best State Parks
- Arkansas’s Best Campgrounds
- Travel Local Arkansas
Whether you’re zooming over the landscape on a roller coaster or beating the heat in one of its many wonderful water parks — or something else entirely — enjoy your trip to the great state of Arkansas!
