Can you reserve a site at Tompkins Bend?

Yes, Tompkins Bend is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Tompkins Bend have?

78 sites in total, of which 75 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Tompkins Bend?

20 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Tompkins Bend?

Yes, pets are allowed at Tompkins Bend.

Are campfires allowed at Tompkins Bend?

Campfires are allowed at Tompkins Bend. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Tompkins Bend, Arkansas — 75 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Tompkins Bend on Lake Ouachita, is a great family camping destination. The combination of lush mountain scenery and roomy sites big enough for two camping units, make this quiet location an ideal place for an outdoor getaway.

Click here for the Lake Ouachita Virtual Tour.

Recreation

Water skiers, jet skiers and anglers can all enjoy the crystal clear waters of the lake, while hikers enjoy the campground's location on the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT), which meanders across the south end of the lake. Wildlife enthusiasts can find everything from bobcats to black bears and deer in the forested mountains surrounding the lake, and Bald eagles are often spotted in winter.

Facilities

The campground consists of 77 sites including 63 sites with electric hookups and 69 sites with water hookups. Most sites will accommodate two camping units. Other amenities include a dump station, fish cleaning station, hot showers, playground and a boat ramp.

Natural Features

Lake Ouachita is fed from the cool waters of the Ouachita River in central Arkansas. Surrounded by the Ouachita Mountains and National Forest, it's crystal waters span over 40,000 acres and extend for 30 miles, making it the largest lake completely in the state of Arkansas.

Nearby Attractions

Head to Hot Springs National Park and discover how it earned the nickname, "The American Spa." Or take a scenic drive through the 1.8 million-acres of Ouachita National Forest. Here, off-roading enthusiasts can take on the Wolf Pen Gap Off-Highway Vehicle Trail System.

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (501) 767-2101.

The facts

75 bookable sites
78 sites in total, including non-bookable
1 site for day use only
Vehicles up to 20 ft
Up to 12 people per site
Loops: A, B, C, D

Site types

61 Standard Electric
14 Tent Only Nonelectric
3 Management

Amenities

Electric hookups
Water hookups
Campfires allowed
Picnic tables
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, fire pits, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

78 campsites at Tompkins Bend

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
01	A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
02	A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
03	A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
04	A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
05	A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
06	A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
07	A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
08	A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
09	A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
10	A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
11	A	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
12	A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
13	A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
14	A	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
15	A	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
16	A	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
PAV1	A	Management	—	Paved	20 ft	0	🐾
17	B	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
18	B	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
19	B	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
20	B	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
21	B	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
22	B	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
23	B	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
24	B	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
25	B	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
26	B	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
27	B	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
28	B	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
29	B	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
30	B	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
31	C	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
32	C	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
33	C	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
34	C	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
35	C	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
36	C	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
37	C	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
38	C	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
39	C	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
40	C	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
41	C	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
42	C	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
43	C	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
44	C	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
45	C	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
46	C	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
47	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
48	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
49	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
50	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
51	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
52	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
53	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
54	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
55	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
56	D	Management	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
57	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
58	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
59	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
60	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
61	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
62	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
63	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
64	D	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
65	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
66	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
67	D	Management	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
68	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
69	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
70	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
71	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
72	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
73	D	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	12	🐾
74	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
75	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
76	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾
77	D	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	12	🐾

Getting there

From Hot Springs, Arkansas, take US 270 west approximately 24.5 miles to Tompkin Bend Road. Turn right and follow access road 2.4 miles north to park.

From Mount Ida, Arkansas, take US 270 east about 10.7 miles to Tompkins Bend Road. Turn left and follow access road 2.4 miles north to the park.

34.56878, -93.46989 · 34°34'7.6"N 93°28'11.6"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	3.8	3.8	4.6	5.1	5.8	3.9	3.6	3.9	3.6	4.2	4.8	4.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Tompkins Bend

Can you reserve a site at Tompkins Bend?: Yes, Tompkins Bend is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Tompkins Bend have?: 78 sites in total, of which 75 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Tompkins Bend?: 20 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Tompkins Bend?: Yes, pets are allowed at Tompkins Bend.
Does Tompkins Bend have hookups?: Electric, Water.
Are campfires allowed at Tompkins Bend?: Campfires are allowed at Tompkins Bend. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Tompkins Bend

Tompkins Bend Day-Use 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Joplin 1.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Denby Point 2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Little Fir 4.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Charlton Recreation Area 6.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Crystal Springs (AR) 6.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Crystal Springs (AR) Day-Use 7.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Brady Mountain Day-Use 11.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Brady Mountain 11.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Spillway (Lake Ouachita) 14.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Avery 15.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Camp Clearfork 6.1 mi · Campground

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Tompkins Bend