Hot Springs/Little Rock AR and Bowling Green KY

[TEX-CTD]

Will be spending Thankgiving in Bolling Green KY. So I was thinking about making it a week long vacation. I live near Austin TX so I was thinking aobut staying in Hot Springs area on the way up.

What are some nice RV parks in these 2 areas?

Thanks

[Ray,IN]

Coming from the South, DO NOT use the 2-lane highway(AR 7) in an attempt to save mileage. Continue North on I 30 to US 70 (Grand Ave), used to be exit 111 from I 30. I made that mistake and had to endure bumper-to-bumper traffic through the city, only to find the RV park was on Grand Ave after all. We have stayed at Cloud Nine once, too far away, and a steep climb(I'd guess 20%) up the mountain to the park. Manager not friendly at all. Next time we stayed at J&J RV park, owner really nice guy. It's small and completely gravel. Probably the lowest cost park there, and convenient to everything. Across the highway is a KOA, never stayed there.

[RVThere]

Mammoth Cave National Park has a great campground that is open year round. No hookups but quiet and close to the cave tours. Also has a dump station.

While in Bowling Green, do NOT miss the Corvette Museum and the factory tour.

[Corvette Man]

The KOA in Bowling Green is nice and full hookups. It also is just down the road from the New expanded Corvette Museum. You also might want to take in a factory tour of the Corvette Plant. You need to schedule a tour wich costs about $5 - 10 per person. Great tour.

[mrschwarz]

I have stayed at DeGray State Park (near Hot Springs) a couple of times. It's a great place to stay.

[Triker56]

Corvette Advanced tickets for Factory Tour

[Sixpack98]

While Hot Springs is a great place to visit it is not very RV friendly. Most of the RV parks are not very well maintained and lack amenities. We have stayed at Youngs Lakeshore RV Park, Lake Hamilton RV Resort and Cloud Nine. By Far Cloud Nine is the nicest. Not the closest to town (8 miles) but very clean and quiet and on top of hill (great views) with a pretty steep climb. Would not stay at Youngs again. Lake Hamilton is ok and does have a pool and WiFi. There are some great state parks but if you are only going to stay a day or two it may not be your best choice especially if you will be spending most of your time In Hot Springs.

Have not stayed in Bowling Green but did stay in Cave City which is about 20 miles NE of Bowling Green. Mammoth Cave has some great facilities. They have recently done a great deal of work which includes the campgrounds so you may want to check if they now have elec and sewer. We stayed at Cave City RV Park which is a new park with nice wide concrete pads and grasssites. We visited a friend at Singing Hills and it is also a very nice park.

[porscheracer]

I live about 50 miles from Hot Springs - so I know nothing about the CG's (sad, I know).

If you end up on the east or north side of town, take 70 as mentioned (to avoid traffic and winding streets). If you end up on the west or south sides (Lake Hamilton, for instance), take 270 out of Malvern. And, as mentioned, AR7 is a great sightseeing road, and a fun drive . . . in a sports car - not an RV.

[ROMAD]

Hot Springs KOA is not a good choice; too expensive, too crowded and many sites not level. Staff likes to change things on you, like reservations! Cloud 9 is under new management and is nice. A bit of a drive to Hot Springs (8 miles) but not too bad. There is a short climb up the hill but the views are very nice.

[paz]

North of Little Rock, I highly recommend Maumelle Park Corps of Engineers campground. Sites are big, level, and paved with nice grass between most. Some sites have a view of the Arkansas River where you can watch the barges go by. They may be booked up for Thanksgiving, but you might be able to get on your way to Bowling Green before Thanksgiving.

[SlickTX]

We've stayed at Lake Catherine state park just outside Hot Springs and would recommend it highly. It is a short drive into town and the park is right on the lake.

[FlyingDiver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paz North of Little Rock, I highly recommend Maumelle Park Corps of Engineers campground. Sites are big, level, and paved with nice grass between most. Some sites have a view of the Arkansas River where you can watch the barges go by. They may be booked up for Thanksgiving, but you might be able to get on your way to Bowling Green before Thanksgiving.

We've stayed at the one west of town. Nice park, and it's the first one I've ever been in that says you can drain your gray water on the ground next to your site. Not the black. We had a spot on the river, and watched the barges go by. Also watched a family of geese go by our site every afternoon. Geese!

If you want to do any sightseeing in Little Rock itself, the city park in North Little Rock is very convenient. It's basically just a parking lot in the shadow of the I-30, but easy access to the city.

joe