People have used the hot springs here for more than two hundred years to treat illnesses and to relax. Both rich and poor came for the baths, and a town built up around the Hot Springs Reservation to accommodate them. Together nicknamed "The American Spa," Hot Springs National Park today surrounds the north end of the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The Basics
Hours:
The park and Gulpha Gorge Campground are open year round. The visitor center is open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and January 1 when it is closed.
Address:
101 Reserve Street
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone:
501-624-2701
Phone:
501-623-2824
Fax:
501-624-3458
Directions
Hot Springs National Park is in downtown Hot Springs; Bathhouse Row is on Central Avenue with the mountains of the park flanking the street. Visitors traveling north-south on I-30 take the Hot Springs US 70 West exit south of Benton, the Hot Springs US 270 West exit at Malvern, or the Hot Springs Ark. 7 North exit near Arkadelphia; visitors traveling south on Ark. 7 will come through downtown Hot Springs where the visitor center is located; visitors traveling south on US 71 from Fort Smith, or north on US 71 from Texarkana, take the US 270 East exit and take 270B through town; visitors coming from Oklahoma on US 70 would take US 70B into Hot Springs. When you get into the city you will see signs for the National Park. The Visitor Center is located downtown on Highway 7 North or Central Avenue.
Climate
Central Arkansas has four seasons: mild in spring and fall with some humidity--a light jacket is recommended; hot and very humid in summer--wear comfortable clothing; winter, variable--temperatures may range from below freezing to the 60s, with some humidity. Be prepared for cold weather.
Hot Springs National Park has natural areas, historic buildings and cultural landscapes. You can:
Tour the park visitor center in the historic Fordyce Bathhouse
Stroll by the eight historic bathhouses and the Grand Promenade, located within Bathhouse Row National Historic Landmark District
Hike some of the park's 26 miles of trails
Drive scenic mountain roads--Hot Springs and North Mountain Drives and West Mountain Drive
Picnic on the mountains or by Gulpha Creek
Camp at Gulpha Gorge Campground
Picknicking
Most picnic areas at Gulpha Gorge, Hot Springs and West Mountains have tables and grills. The Grand Promenade is also a great place for a quiet meal. Please "stash your trash."
Hiking
Bathhouse Row and the Grand Promenade, within the National Historic Landmark District, provide a picturesque place to stroll and enjoy the elegance of a bygone time. The park has 26 miles of trails for you to explore. You can see wildflowers, rock formations and beautiful scenery. There are trails of varying length and difficulty, something for everyone. Please stay on the trails and avoid "short cuts."
Fordyce Bathhouse Tours Several days each week, volunteers give guided tours of the elegant Fordyce Bathhouse. Group tours can be arranged with at least two weeks notice by calling the visitor center at 501-620-6715.
Bathhouse Row Insider's Tour Join a ranger to hear about the rehabilitation work in progress in some of the bathhouses. These tours are offered as scheduling allows. Please call ahead. Tours can be arranged with at least two weeks notice by calling the visitor center at 501-620-6715.
Discovering the Waters Tour Hear the fascinating 4,000 year story of how rain water becomes hot spring water. These tours are offered as scheduling allows. Please call ahead. Group tours can be arranged with at least two weeks notice by calling the visitor center at 501-620-6715.
Indoor Activities
Explore the restored Fordyce Bathhouse, the park visitor center and museum. Tour on your own or with a guide what was the "grandest bathhouse" of its time. Watch a brief history movie of the park and another that shows what a traditional bath is like. Children can earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing activities in the program booklet.
Take a traditional bath at the Buckstaff Baths, a park concessionaire since 1912, or at any of the following bathhouses in the city of Hot Springs that have Park Service special permits to offer thermal bathing: Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa, Austin Hotel and Spa, Downtown Hotel and Spa.
Nearby Attractions
There are five other national park sites in Arkansas:
Central High School National Historic Site, Little Rock, AR, 60 miles
Arkansas Post National Memorial, Gillette, AR, 115 miles
Fort Smith National Historic Site, Fort Smith, AR, 160 miles
Buffalo National River, Harrison, AR, 160 miles
Pea Ridge National Military Park, Pea Ridge, AR, 225 miles
