Charlton Recreation Area
Ouachita National Forest — lakeside, fishing
Location: Mount Ida, AR, AR
Price: From $15 per night
Price range: $15–$40 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (78 reviews)
Season: May through October
Charlton Campground is located 17-miles west of Hot Springs National Park along Highway 270-West. This historic campground constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930’s has been upgraded with modern amenities. Known as one of the coldest swimming sites in the State of Arkansas, the cool water temperatures can be enjoyed through-out the summer months.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Dump Station, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/charlton-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Test camp near Crescent Lake with good fishing.
Insider tips for Charlton Recreation Area: Book early
Skip Charlton Recreation Area if: Need hookups.
Best time to visit Charlton Recreation Area: Jun-Sep — Dry season.
Nearby campgrounds: Crystal Springs (Ar) (ROYAL, AR), Joplin (Mt. Ida, AR), Tompkins Bend (Mt. Ida, AR), Denby Point (Mt. Ida, AR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Charlton Recreation Area
Cell signal at Charlton Recreation Area (Mount Ida, AR): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Charlton Campground is located 17-miles west of Hot Springs National Park along Highway 270-West. This historic campground constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930’s has been upgraded with modern amenities. Known as one of the coldest swimming sites in the State of Arkansas, the cool water temperatures can be enjoyed through-out the summer months.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
Dry season
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Hot Springs, drive 17 miles west on Albert Pike Road (Hwy 270 West), Charlton Recreation Area is located along Hwy 270.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Ouachita National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Ouachita National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Charlton Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Charlton Recreation Area open?+
Does Charlton Recreation Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Charlton Recreation Area?+
How do I make reservations at Charlton Recreation Area?+
What is the cell service like at Charlton Recreation Area?+
What season is Charlton Recreation Area open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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