Nestled in the heart of the beautiful state of Arkansas, Hot Springs National Park is a natural wonder that offers a unique and rejuvenating experience. This national park is a hidden gem known for its therapeutic hot springs, lush greenery, and captivating history. In this blog post, we’ll tell you about the park, where to stay, and what one day at the park could look like.
Hot Springs National Park is the second smallest in the United States but is packed with adventure. This a must-visit destination for nature lovers, history buffs, and anyone seeking relaxation and adventure.
About Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park, located in the picturesque state of Arkansas, is a natural wonder and a testament to the therapeutic power of geothermal springs. This unique national park stands out for its remarkable combination of scenic beauty and historical significance. And it is the second smallest national park!
This National Park is also free to the public – no entrance fee is required. What a win!
Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, the park boasts a collection of naturally heated, mineral-rich springs that have attracted visitors for centuries. Native American tribes revered these springs for their healing properties. In the 19th century, it became a sought-after health destination, earning it the nickname “The American Spa.”
When to Visit
Hot Springs National Park is open year-round, but experiences will vary depending on the time of year. We visited the park on Labor Day weekend, and it was busy, but that was to be expected for a Holiday weekend. We still had pockets of time to ourselves and enjoyed the park immensely!
Summer: The crowds are particularly bad in the summer, and the weather will be hot. But you will still be able to enjoy all that this park has to offer. During the summer months, all the shops and attractions will be open without a doubt.
Fall: During the fall months, you will experience fewer crowds, and the weather will be more comfortable. All of the attractions will still be open and operating. If you time it right, you will also get beautiful fall foliage.
Winter: Wintertime will allow you to have a less crowded park, but the weather may be chilly. This cold weather may make the thermal baths even more enjoyable!
Spring: Spring is also a great time to go when the crowds will be smaller, and the weather will be pleasant!
Where to Stay
Camping: We stayed at the Hot Springs KOA right outside the downtown/national park area. We wanted to camp at Gulpha Gorge Campground within the park, but it was completely booked. Another popular campground, Lake Ouachita State Park, was also completely booked. Be sure to reserve your campsite early to camp in the park, especially in the summer and fall.
Our KOA fee was $50.00 per night, which is steep, but the campsite was very well maintained and had terrific amenities like a swimming pool! They also have wifi available and, on the weekends, they have a breakfast hut. We also waited until the last minute, so it was one of the only camping options available.
Historic Downtown Hotels: For a quintessential Hot Springs experience, consider staying in one of the historic hotels located in the heart of downtown. These charming establishments offer a glimpse into the city’s past and provide easy access to attractions like Bathhouse Row and the Hot Springs National Park. Some popular options include The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa and The Waters Hotel.
Vacation Rentals: If you’re traveling with a group or prefer a more home-like setting, vacation rentals are an excellent choice. You can find cozy cabins, spacious apartments, and luxurious houses for rent in and around Hot Springs. Websites like Airbnb and Vrbo offer various options to suit your needs and budget.
Bed and Breakfasts: Hot Springs boasts numerous charming bed and breakfast establishments that provide a cozy and personalized experience. These properties often offer delicious homemade breakfasts and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Look into places like Hilltop Manor Bed & Breakfast and The 1890 Williams House Inn for a unique stay.
Resorts and Spas: Hot Springs has several resorts and spa hotels if you’re seeking relaxation and pampering. These properties typically offer hot spring baths, massages, and other wellness amenities. Consider The Quapaw Baths & Spa or Lookout Point Lakeside Inn for an indulgent escape.
Budget-Friendly Options: Hot Springs caters to all budgets, so you will be satisfied if you are looking for affordable accommodations. Chain hotels and motels can provide comfortable stays without breaking the bank. Look for options along Central Avenue or nearby highways for convenient access to the city’s attractions.
How Much Time to Spend
There are many things to do at Hot Springs National Park, but if you want to hit the main attractions, like taking a soak in the bathhouse, walking down the bathhouse row, and exploring more of the park, you can complete everything in one packed day.
If you want to take a more relaxed pass or even want to explore more of the National Park and the Town of Hot Springs, two to three days would give you plenty of time!
Best Things to Do
Explore Bathhouse Row
Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs National Park is a historic and iconic collection of eight beautifully preserved bathhouses. These elegant structures, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, line the famous Central Avenue and offer a glimpse into the city’s golden era as a health and wellness destination. You can explore the ornate architectural details of these bathhouses, many of which still offer traditional spa and thermal bathing services today.
Take a soak in a Bathhouse!
There are still two traditional soaking bathhouses – Quapaw Bathhouse and Buckstaff Bathhouse. Both of the bathhouses offer a variety of services. Reservations are recommended for any special services.
We went to the Quapaw Bathhouse for our adventure. We just wanted a regular soak in the pools, which did not require any reservations. It costs $25 per person, and you could stay however long.
We got to the bathhouse around 10:30 a.m. and had to wait about 1 hour to enter the pools. Quapaw has a small cafe waiting area where you can order small plates and drinks as you wait. Their waiting system is old school, and you will be given a paper with a number on it. You must stay in the Bathhouse area, or you may miss your spot!
Once your number gets called, they will provide you with a towel and a key to a locker. You will then change and shower before hopping into the pools. They have four different pools available for soaking at different temperatures. When we visited the pools, temperatures were 96, 98, 102, and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. They also provide complimentary water.
It was a very relaxing experience!!
As a heads up, we walked around town at 7:30 a.m., and a line was forming outside Buckstaff Bathhouse. If you want to be the first one in the public pool, get ready to wake up early!
Take a Museum Tour at Fordyce Bathhouse
Hot Spring National Park is a fee-free National Park, so even the museum in the visitor’s center is free to the public. I was blown away by the museum!!
This museum has four different levels and takes you through the history of the Bathhouses. They explained what all the different rooms were used for, had displays of the rooms, and had a traditional men’s changing room.
This museum was filled with so much information about the history and nature of the park – it is a must-stop!
Try Thermal Brewed Beer/Try Local Goods
The Superior Bathhouse has been transformed into a brewery that brews its beers with geothermal water!! It is the only brewery in a National Park and was delicious.
They had plenty of seating at the venue. They have their main seating area, outdoor seating, and indoor seating. We chose to sit upstairs where it was less busy and escape the heat for a little while.
Also, Superior Bathhouse Brewery takes pride in its commitment to sustainability, using geothermal water for brewing and boasting a menu featuring locally sourced ingredients.
Like Superior Bathhouse, Hale Bathhouse offers a cute cafe with homemade desserts. This cafe was a perfect stop for a midday coffee and sweet treat! Their most popular cake is strawberry, so we couldn’t resist!
There are also many other local eats around the area. Be sure to check out the food scene in Hot Springs!
Explore the Grand Promenade
The Grand Promenade is a picturesque and iconic feature that offers visitors a scenic stroll through the heart of the park’s historic district. This beautifully landscaped brick pathway runs alongside Bathhouse Row, providing panoramic views of the elegant bathhouses and lush greenery. Lined with informative plaques detailing the park’s rich history.
This path is about half a mile long and has plenty of benches, tables, and even a few places to play chess!
We visited the Grand Promenade at different times of the day. It does get pretty crowded during mid-day, and we loved it the best in the morning when we had it all to ourselves!
The Grand Promenade gives you access to other hiking locations too!
Hike in the National Park
There are about 26 miles of hiking trails in Hot Spring National Park. There are two main hiking areas- Hot Springs, North Mountain Trails, and West Mountains.
Hot Spring and North Mountain Trail offer paved and more traditional dirt hiking trails. These trails offer great views of the area and provide much history, too. We hiked some of the Hot Springs Trails and enjoyed the steep but paved trails to explore the park.
West Mountain offers some more remote trails with beautiful outlooks as well.
Our favorite trail was Sunset Trail to Balanced Rock. We did not complete the whole trail, but we did an out and back around sunset time, and it was BEAUTIFUL!!! From the Cedarglades Road parking lot, we took the one-mile hike to Balanced Rock.
Drink the Thermal Water
Throughout the park, there are multiple fountains that you can fill with water. Some are super hot, while others are “cold.” They are not ice cold but slightly cooler than room temperature.
We had to try the hot fountain at the start of the Grand Promenade, and Brandon put it best: bring a mug and make some tea!
Many people will be filling jugs and bottles at the fountains, so don’t be shy!
Drive through the Scenic Roads
Hot Spring National Park has two scenic drives that you can explore. One is through North Mountain, and the other is through West Mountain.
The North Mountain road will take you to a beautiful overlook and Hot Spring Mountain Tower. Visitors are welcome to ride up on the Mountain Tower for a fee. This was a nice drive through the park. We timed it to line up with the sunset, which was so enjoyable.
West Mountain is a two-way road that will lead you to Summit Loop. On this drive, you will find three overlooks along the way!
Parking
There is a ton of free parking in the downtown area. One parking garage is free to the public, but it does get filled up pretty quickly in the morning, so get there early!! There is also free parking along the streets.
Metered parking is available on the main street downtown as well!
Our weekend trip to Hot Spring National Park was a perfect getaway. We learned so much history and enjoyed some great food, leaving us relaxed and excited for the next adventure.
