Gulpha Gorge Campground to Use Reservation System After a Century of First Come, First Served System

After almost a century of offering campsites on a first-come-first-served system, Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas) will begin a reservation system for Gulpha Gorge Campground starting February.

According to a report, Ashley Waymouth, supervisory park ranger, announced on Wednesday that Gulpha Gorge Campground is moving to a reservable system for all 44 sites on recreation.gov.

Within its 98-year experience of managing the campgrounds, this would be the first time they will utilize a reservation system.

Waymouth claimed that the change came about primarily because of the changing times.

A lot of times, we noticed that visitors that traveled here from out of state, or who have a spontaneous family vacation planned, when they come to get a spot, especially in the summer or our busy season—it’s often very difficult,” Waymouth said, “The whole campground will be full by 10 a.m.

The site filling up can be very common. Gulpha Gorge Campground is pretty full for most of the year, Waymouth added.

“By enabling people to make reservations in advance, this will provide a sense of solace and security as they plan their trip, they know they will have a place to stay when they arrive,” Waymouth said.

The land itself has been here, obviously, for quite some time, but Hot Springs National Park has managed Gulpha Gorge Campground since 1924, so for 98 years, and during that entire time, it’s always been on a first-come, first-serve basis, so this is the first major change we’ve made in that respect.

Waymouth said she hopes that the changes will improve campground visits.

“I do hope it provides a sense of security for people as they plan their trips. I know in the visitor center, a lot of the phone calls we get are about how feasible it might be to get a site at Gulpha Gorge, and people are often anxious or worried, and when they don’t get a site, since they aren’t familiar with the area, we have to guide them and help them to find a new place to stay,” she said.

“So with a reservable system, it enables you to make a reservation up to six months in advance, so I am hopeful that a lot of people will see this [as] a good thing and a better way to help them plan their future and their upcoming travels,” Waymouth added.

Reservations are currently an option; however, they aren’t required.

“You can still try to get lucky, but you will still have to purchase your site on recreation.gov or by calling the reservation number.”

Campers who want to stay in the campgrounds can stay for 14 consecutive days but not more than 30 days in a calendar year.

Waymouth said that Gulpha Gorge accommodates both RVs and tents.

“We allow eight people maximum per campsite, and that can be with two vehicles, an RV, and a tent or two tents,” she said. “All of the sites are paved, and they all have water, sewer, and 30 and 50 amp electric.”

“With the change of making Gulpha Gorge fully reservable, the campsite prices are now $34 a night, but if you have an inter-agency senior or access pass, that does cut the cost in half to $17 a night,” Waymouth said.

According to the park’s website, the current cost for camping is $30 per night.

Information on each campsite, including maps and photos, will be available at recreation.gov, as well as on the park’s camping page, http://www.nps.gov/hosp/planyourvisit/campground.htm.