Park Stats
Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas
Park established: March 4, 1921
Park #: 18th National Park
President in office: President Woodrow Wilson
Park size: 5000 Acres
Visitors: 2.6 million in 2022
Fun facts:
- The hot springs were believed to have healing properties and was turned into a spa town in 1832
- It is the oldest park having been established as a national reservation in 1832
- Former home of Major League Baseball spring training, illegal gambling, speakeasies during prohibition, gangsters such as Al Capone
- Childhood home of President Bill Clinton
From hiking trails & camping to Bathhouse Row’s spas, Hot Springs National Park is a park that can be enjoyed by everyone.
The introduction to the park is driving down the main street of Hot Springs, Arkansas. One side of the street is home to beautiful Gilded Age bathhouses built in the 1880s that are part of the National Historic Registry. The Visitor Center for Hot Springs National Park is located in the Fordyce Bathhouse and is home to a museum featuring the restored bathhouse.
From hiking trails & camping to Bathhouse Row’s spas, Hot Springs National Park is a park that can be enjoyed by everyone.
The introduction to the park is driving down the main street of Hot Springs, Arkansas. One side of the street is home to beautiful Gilded Age bathhouses built in the 1880s that are part of the National Historic Registry. The Visitor Center for Hot Springs National Park is located in the Fordyce Bathhouse and is home to a museum featuring the restored bathhouse.
Other bathhouses, stores, and restaurants are located along Bathhouse Row. Walk behind the buildings, or enter through the park at the corner of Central Avenue. You can find trails that will guide you throughout the park. Note that park does not have public pools. To experience the Hot Springs you will need to visit one of the bathhouse locations.
I took a fairly simple hike/stroll from the park and along a path behind the bathhouses. They have story plaques along the way to learn more about the park and its features.
If you are looking for lodging options, the town of Hot Springs has a lot of hotels that allow you to experience the glamor of the Hot Springs.
Missy’s Honest Take
Who this park is perfect for: History lovers, wellness seekers, and anyone who appreciates the genuinely weird and wonderful corners of the National Park System. Hot Springs is unlike any other park in the country — part spa town, part Gilded Age history museum, part actual hiking park. The combination is strange and delightful.
The thing nobody tells you: You can fill your water bottle directly from the hot springs fountains throughout the park — naturally warm, mineral-rich water straight from the source. It tastes different from what you’re used to and it’s completely worth the experience. Bring a cup or bottle you can fill up.
Don’t skip the bathhouse experience: The park itself doesn’t have public pools — you need to book time at one of the operating bathhouses on Bathhouse Row. The Buckstaff and Quapaw are the main options. If you’re going to Hot Springs, build one into your trip. It’s the whole point.
Worth combining with: The town of Hot Springs has excellent restaurants and an arts scene that makes it worth an overnight. And Bill Clinton’s childhood home is nearby — if you’re building a presidential parks itinerary, this adds another chapter. If heading East, stop at Little Rock Central High School for a better appreciation and understanding of our the civil rights story.
Basics
Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas
Parking: Hot Springs has street parking and parking garages within a few blocks of the park entrance.
Bathrooms: Available in the Visitor Center. The park is located off of the main street. Lots of restaurants, hotels and stores are available for services as well.
What to wear: Watch the weather. If you are hiking, I’d wear shoes with good treads and dress for the weather.
What to pack: Take water, but also a cup or bottle that you can fill up with water from the springs. They have several fountains throughout the park where you can fill your containers. YUM!
Pet regulations: Your pet is welcome on the trails at Hot Springs National Park. They aren’t allowed in federal buildings. Check out their policy for any updates.
Best time to visit: Spring and fall are ideal — the city is pleasant, the trails are comfortable, and the bathhouses aren’t swamped. Summer in Arkansas is hot and humid, which is ironic given the park’s spa history but worth planning around. Winter is quiet and perfectly fine for the indoor bathhouse experience.
How long to plan for: Half a day to a full day depending on your interests. The Visitor Center and museum in the Fordyce Bathhouse deserves at least an hour. Add a trail or two and a soak at one of the bathhouses and you’ve got a full day. The town of Hot Springs itself is worth a wander — restaurants and the Gilded Age architecture make it a destination, not just a park stop.
One More Thing – Catch Yourself Smiling Moment
The springs at Hot Springs National Park have been flowing at 143 degrees for thousands of years. Native Americans called them the Valley of the Vapors and considered them neutral ground — a place where even warring tribes could come in peace to heal.
I walked the trails and explored the bath house. The history and respect for how nature heals is amazing. Healing has always been here. The park just put a National Register designation on it.