In the heart of Arkansas, you’ll find the oldest hot springs in the United States. These are the thermal springs of Hot Springs, which were already used by Native Americans thousands of years ago and became a popular tourist and therapeutic destination in the 1800s. Today, in addition to soaking in the warm waters flowing from the Ouachita Mountains, you can visit historic bathhouses and enjoy beautiful hikes on the trails within the park.
Let’s now explore how to plan a visit to Hot Springs National Park.
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Hot Springs National Park Information
What is now Hot Springs National Park, established in 1921, actually had its origins nearly a century earlier. In 1832, the U.S. government set aside an area for the purpose of creating a public park, long before the concept of National Parks existed. This area was located next to the town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and was known for its thermal springs.
The hot water flows from the Ouachita Mountains, and the Native Americans referred to this area as the “Valley of the Vapors”. They believed in the healing properties of these waters and had been harnessing their benefits for thousands of years. Since various tribes would visit these springs, and some even settled in the area, they made an agreement that no one would use weapons in this valley so that everyone could enjoy the healing waters.
The first European to see these springs was Hernando de Soto, one of the Spanish explorers who explored the southern United States in the mid-1500s. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1800s, after Congress established the recreational area, that the town of Hot Springs transformed into a modern spa destination.
Initially, simple wooden shacks were constructed over holes dug to access the hot thermal water. Later, the federal government built a road that passed over the creek and cooling towers to regulate the water temperature, making it safer. Doctors often prescribed baths in these springs to treat certain illnesses, and while treatment cycles usually lasted three weeks, many people stayed in Hot Springs for over a year.
How to Get There
The park is located adjacent to the city of Hot Springs, 53 miles west of Little Rock, the capital and largest city of Arkansas. To get there, you can take I-30 and then exit onto US-70, reaching the park in less than an hour.
The park encompasses a part of the city, and there are several access points via roads or trails. However, the main entrance is along Central Avenue (which later becomes Park Avenue), the road that connects the two parts of the city and where the Visitor Center is located.
Hours of Operations and Admission Fee
You can explore the park independently or opt for a guided tour on historic trams. From a historical perspective, the main attractions are the 19th-century bathhouses, but within the park, you can also enjoy beautiful hikes in the natural surroundings to discover the hot springs and the surrounding environment.
Access to the park is completely free, and it’s open every day from 5 AM to 10 PM. The Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center, on the other hand, is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, with three days of closure: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Hot Springs Trolley
For a relaxed visit to the park and a step back in time, you can take a tour on the Hot Springs Trolley, a historic tram that, in an hour and a half, showcases the oldest part of the city and the park while narrating the local history of the hot springs, baseball, gambling, and gangsters.
The tours all start from 706 Central Avenue and run from Memorial Day to Labor Day: Monday to Friday at 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM; on Saturdays, every hour from 10 AM to 5 PM, and on Sundays at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. You can either visit in person to book the tour or call 501-701-4410 to make a reservation.
Things to Do in Hot Springs National Park
Every Hot Springs tour should ideally begin at the Grand Promenade, the long walkway parallel to Central Avenue, where you’ll find the main historic bathhouses on one side and lush green gardens on the other. Besides the bathhouses, to discover the natural beauty of the park, there are various trails to explore and several scenic viewpoints to reach on foot or by car.
Fordyce Bathhouse Museum
The Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center is also a thematic museum that tells the story of Hot Springs’ long history as a thermal destination. The building itself is worth a visit as it is richly decorated with stained glass windows, fountains, and historic furnishings. It’s no wonder that during its active years, it was considered the finest among the city’s bathhouses.
One could say that this, along with the other bathhouses in the city, was a precursor to modern-day wellness centers. Operating from 1915 to 1962 and then transformed into a visitor center and museum in 1989, the Fordyce had everything needed not only for bathing but also for entertaining guests during their stay.
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Inside, you can see the dressing rooms and massage rooms with furnishings from a century ago, as well as the Music Room with a piano and the opulent furnishings of various rooms. There was even a bowling alley, a unique feature in the city. During your visit, you can also watch a short film that tells the story of the establishment.
Bathhouse Row Hot Springs
The most characteristic street in old Hot Springs, which is now part of the national park, is the Grand Promenade, where you’ll find Bathhouse Row. This row consists of 8 bathhouses built between 1892 and 1923, one of which is the aforementioned Fordyce Bathhouse. Each of them has a different architectural style, making them quite distinctive.
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The oldest bathhouse is the Hale Bathhouse, dating back to 1892. However, the original hotel on the site was much older and was replaced by four new buildings, with the last one still standing today. It features a neoclassical style, and one of its main features is that in 1917, the water from a thermal spring was channeled to flow through a tiled conduit directly into the hotel’s basements. Additionally, the bathhouse was connected to a thermal cave carved into the mountain, which was used as a natural sauna.
The second oldest bathhouses are the Maurice Bathhouse and the Buckstaff Bathhouse, both from 1912. The former actually replaced a previous Victorian-style hotel and became the only bathhouse in Hot Springs with an indoor pool. The latter is the oldest bathhouse that still offers the traditional spa experience from that era. In both cases, the buildings you see today are replacements for their original 19th-century structures, but they have been continuously in operation since 1912.
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Next, you’ll find the Superior Bathhouse, which now houses a brewery. It’s the only brewery in an American national park. The original 19th-century hotel was rebuilt in 1916 in a neoclassical style. The Quapaw Bathhouse is more visually distinctive with its mosaic-tiled dome. Opened in 1922, after a period of closure, it is once again accessible to the public in its original function.
Also from 1922 is the Ozark Bathhouse, which now houses a cultural center run by volunteers, featuring temporary art exhibitions. It can be visited for free. The architecture begins to lean towards Art Deco but hasn’t fully embraced that style yet. Lastly, there’s the Lamar Bathhouse from 1923, which replaced an older Victorian wooden structure. It currently houses park employee offices and some storage areas.
Hot Springs Mountain Tower and Other Viewpoints
To get a comprehensive overview of the park, the best way is to visit the Hot Spring Mountain Tower. This nearly 216-foot-high observation tower offers a 360-degree view of the city, the Ouachita Mountains, and the surrounding area. It’s located here and can be easily reached by car. The admission fee to the tower is $13 (with discounts available for seniors and children, and free entry for children under 4). Operating hours vary depending on the season and are always updated on the official website.
Just a short distance from the tower, you’ll find another viewpoint that, while not as high, is completely free. This is the Hot Springs Mountain Pagoda, located here, and it can also be reached by car.
For a beautiful sunset viewpoint, you can visit the West Mountain Loop Overlook, located here. Since it faces west, it’s ideal for watching the sun set behind the mountains. Along the same road, you’ll also find the West Mountain Lower Overlook, situated here, which provides a view of part of the city from above.
Lastly, I recommend the Goat Rock View Point. It’s located here, along the Goat Rock trail, so it can only be reached on foot. However, a little further up the road, there’s a small parking area along the scenic drive that offers a similar view, located here.
Hot Springs National Park Trails
The best way to explore the more remote areas of the park, especially if you’re not an experienced hiker or have limited time for hiking, is to take some of the following trails. Here are some that can be tackled even by those who are not very experienced hikers or by those who don’t have much time to dedicate to long walks:
- Peak Trail. A short 1-mile round trip with a 377-foot elevation gain, this trail starts from the Grand Promenade (exactly here) and ascends to a high point, offering a beautiful view of the city. The initial section corresponds to the Tufa Terrace Trail, which closely parallels the Grand Promenade.
- Whittington Trail. This completely flat loop is 1.2 miles long and suitable for all levels of hikers. It follows a stream, and you can begin your hike here.
- West Mountain Trail. A scenic 2.5-mile loop with a 509-foot elevation gain, located in the western part of the park. The trailhead is here.
- Goat Rock Trail e Upper Dogwood Trail. When combined, these two trails form a 2.5-mile loop with a 377-foot elevation gain. You can start your hike here and along the way, you’ll come across the splendid Goat Rock View Point.
Nearby Attractions
Hot Springs National Park is the second-smallest national park in America after the Gateway Arch. In fact, it doesn’t take much time to visit, unless you plan to explore several hiking trails. Therefore, when you’re in Hot Springs, you can also make time for other nearby attractions. Let’s look at a couple of examples
The Gangster Museum of America
In the city of Hot Springs, right near the park’s visitor center, you’ll find the Gangster Museum of America. This museum tells the story of the period when Hot Springs attracted not only those seeking the healing waters of the thermal springs but also gangsters and criminals.
Between the 1920s and 1940s, during the era of Prohibition and alcohol smuggling, this town became a gathering place for figures like Al Capone. In the museum’s galleries, you can delve into the stories of some gangsters and learn more about how gambling influenced the city.
But there’s more to it than just the mobsters; even athletes appreciated Hot Springs. In the museum, there’s a gallery dedicated to baseball, showcasing the history of when Babe Ruth and other players trained here.
Magic Springs Theme Park
In Hot Springs, not far from the National Park, you’ll also find an amusement park called Magic Springs. It’s indeed the only major amusement park in Arkansas, and while it may not compete with the massive parks found elsewhere in America, it offers numerous rides and attractions. If you’re in the area, especially with children but not limited to them, a great idea is to combine a visit to the city and the national park with a day of fun at this amusement park.
Places to Stay Near Hot Springs National Park
The park and the city of Hot Springs are adjacent and connected to each other, making it the perfect location for accommodations. Furthermore, due to its history as a popular spa destination, the city offers a wide range of lodging options. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the experience of this place, there’s no better place to spend the night than the Hale Hotel: one of the eight historic bathhouses. The hotel is a five-star establishment, and the quality is truly exceptional.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, I recommend The Gables Inn, a charming B&B very close to the park entrance. It’s small but lovely. Dame Fortune’s Cottage Court is also an excellent choice, located in the part of the city surrounded by the park, making it perfect for exploring all areas. For those seeking adventure, there’s the Starlight Haven Hot Springs, a cabin nestled in the woods where you can stay in close contact with the Ouachita Mountains’ natural surroundings.
