National parks near Gentry, Arkansas
Gentry sits inside the Siloam Springs area and reaches the same parks. See national parks near Siloam Springs for the full write-up.
Hot Springs National Park is the closest national park to Gentry, Arkansas — 145 mi (234 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 3 hr 53 min behind the wheel.
Hot Springs is better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near Gentry gates the entrance itself, but 2 of the parks in range put a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Gentry has a population of about 3,397.
National parks near Gentry
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs National Park | 145 mi (234 km) | 3 hr 53 min | Best as a weekend |
| Gateway Arch National Park | 287 mi (461 km) | 7 hr 14 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Mammoth Cave National Park | 469 mi (754 km) | 11 hr 32 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Indiana Dunes National Park | 543 mi (874 km) | 13 hr 19 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Los Novillos National Park | 609 mi (980 km) | 14 hr 52 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | 613 mi (987 km) | 14 hr 58 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Great Sand Dunes National Park | 619 mi (996 km) | 15 hr 6 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | 635 mi (1022 km) | 15 hr 29 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | 665 mi (1071 km) | 16 hr 12 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Badlands National Park | 668 mi (1075 km) | 16 hr 16 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Gentry
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains | Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Tag | Parking, not an entrance fee | Timed reservation |
| Great Sand Dunes | Great Sand Dunes National Park Backcountry Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Guadalupe Mountains | Guadalupe Mountains National Park Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping near Gentry
Within reach of Gentry, 46 campgrounds across 7 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 30 at Great Smoky Mountains, 5 at Mammoth Cave, 5 at Indiana Dunes, and 3 at Guadalupe Mountains, plus 3 more parks with fewer sites.
Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.
Once a date is gone, cancellations are the real supply, and they get taken within minutes of appearing.
When to make this trip
Hot Springs National Park is generally best March through May, then September through November, with February and December as the quieter shoulder either side.
Midsummer is hot, humid, and buggy; winter is mild and one of the better times to visit.
Biting insects and afternoon storms dominate summer. Repellent and a rain shell matter more than warm layers.
Planning a trip from Gentry
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Other towns in Benton County
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Gentry?
Hot Springs National Park. It is about 145 mi (234 km) from Gentry, roughly 3 hr 53 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Gentry?
Not comfortably. The nearest parks are far enough that you will want at least one night away.
How many national parks are near Gentry?
10 parks are within reach of Gentry, 0 of them close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Gentry?
None of them gate the entrance itself. 2 put a specific road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket — Great Sand Dunes National Park Backcountry Permits and Guadalupe Mountains National Park Wilderness Permits. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.
Where can you camp near Gentry?
Recreation.gov lists 46 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Gentry. They are spread across 7 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Gentry?
For Hot Springs National Park, the closest one, generally March through May, then September through November. Either side of that, February and December stays quieter.