1. Hot Springs National Park (AR)

Photo Credit: Zack Frank / Shutterstock

  • Share of all national park stays at in-park lodging or park-run RV camps (2025): 93.3%
  • Total national park stays at in-park lodging (2025): 0
  • Total national park stays at park-run RV camps (2025): 31,944
  • Total national park stays (2025): 34,240
  • Total national park stays (2019): 25,706
  • Percentage change in total national park stays (2019–2025): +33.2%

Hot Springs National Park in central Arkansas offers a different kind of national park experience, centered on the thermal springs that have drawn visitors for centuries rather than towering mountains or dramatic canyons. The park's historic Bathhouse Row preserves the legacy of the area's famed spa culture, while nearby park-operated campgrounds accommodate RV travelers looking to explore the Ouachita Mountains. Its blend of historic architecture, accessible hiking trails and developed overnight accommodations makes Hot Springs one of the country's most approachable destinations for travelers seeking a soft-adventure getaway.

Zack Frank

As featured on

Best U.S. National Parks for Soft-Adventure Travel
Best U.S. National Parks for Soft-Adventure Travel
With national parks entering one of their busiest travel seasons, researchers at Dunhill Travel Deals analyzed overnight stay data from all 63 U.S. national parks to identify where travelers are most likely to find comfortable accommodations while still enjoying an outdoor adventure. Rather than focusing on backcountry camping, the study ranks parks and states by the share of overnight stays occurring at in-park lodges and park-run RV campgrounds—highlighting the destinations where visitors most often choose "soft adventure" experiences. Researchers also examined overnight visitation trends since before the pandemic and how travelers are choosing to stay inside America's national parks. 1 min