Hot Springs National Park Travel Guide: Bathing, Trails & Town
Updated: 4 hours ago
Set in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, Hot Springs National Park mixes forest trails with a deep-cut history of bathhouses and spring water. The park protects ancient thermal springs, historic bathhouses, stunning mountain views, forested hiking trails, and crystal-clear creeks. People have journeyed here for centuries to bathe in the steamy waters and find respite in the scenic hillsides.
Hot Springs National Park is a place where steaming mineral water flows from ancient mountains into ornate bathhouses, a merging of natural wonder and human history amid forested hills.
How to Get to Hot Springs
Hot Springs is unique in that the city surrounds much of the park. From Little Rock, about 55 miles northeast, take Interstate 30 to U.S. 70 or ride Amtrak's Texas Eagle to the Malvern station and catch a taxi to town. The local Hot Springs Memorial Field Airport (HOT) serves general aviation, while Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock provides commercial flights. Greyhound buses and regional shuttles connect nearby cities. Once in town, you can walk to many park features along Bathhouse Row.
Know Before You Go
There is no entrance fee. The historic bathhouses offer spa services for a fee, while the Buckstaff Bathhouse provides traditional thermal bathing. Bring swimsuits and flip‑flops if you plan to soak. Ticks and chiggers inhabit the forests; use insect repellent. Peak season is spring through fall; summers are hot and humid. Prescribed burns occur in winter to maintain ecosystem health. Pets are allowed on trails but not inside buildings.
Taking the Waters
Two historic bathhouses on Bathhouse Row still offer thermal baths, and the rest of the row can be seen from the sidewalk or inside the Fordyce Bathhouse visitor center. Check the bathhouses and the National Park Service website for current hours and services before you plan a soak.
Hot Water Tip
The water comes out of the ground at about 143°F, far too hot to touch. Do not put your hands in the open springs; fill a bottle at the public jug fountains instead, where the water is safe to drink.
Best Time to Visit Hot Springs
Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures for soaking up the sun and hiking. Summer sees the busiest crowds and highest humidity, while winter is quieter and ideal for uncrowded bathhouse visits. The thermal springs flow at 143°F year-round, making indoor bathing enjoyable in any season.
Best Things to Do in Hot Springs
Stroll Bathhouse Row to admire the ornate architecture of eight historic bathhouses. Soak in the thermal waters at Quapaw Baths or Buckstaff Bathhouse. Hike the Hot Springs Mountain Tower Trail to panoramic views and climb the observation tower. Drive the scenic Hot Springs Mountain Drive or West Mountain Drive. Visit the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum to learn about the history of bathing. Join a ranger program about geology and the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Best Hikes in Hot Springs
Hot Springs Mountain Trail (2 miles, moderate): Loops through mixed hardwood forest to vistas over the city.
Grand Promenade (0.5 mile, easy): Paved path behind Bathhouse Row for strolls.
Sunset Trail (15 miles, strenuous): Longest trail in the park; makes a loop across West Mountain and Hot Springs Mountain.
Peak Trail (1 mile, moderate): Climbs steeply from the Grand Promenade to the observation tower.
Places to Stay
The park's Gulpha Gorge Campground offers tent and RV sites along a stream; reservations are recommended. Numerous hotels and inns line Central Avenue, including the historic Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa. Nearby Lake Ouachita State Park provides lakeside cabins and campgrounds. Bed‑and‑breakfasts in the Quapaw‑Prospect Historic District offer Victorian charm.
Places to Eat
Downtown Hot Springs offers a variety of dining options. Try Superior Bathhouse Brewery, located in a former bathhouse, for beer brewed with thermal spring water. Grab breakfast at the Pancake Shop, and barbecue at McClard's. The lobby of the Arlington serves afternoon tea. For picnic supplies, stop by the farmers' market on Saturday mornings.
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A tree-lined avenue through downtown Hot Springs toward a tall hotel tower. Photo: NPS Digital Image Archives / Wikimedia Commons (public domain) 
A downtown Hot Springs street seen through blooming redbud branches. Photo: NPS Digital Image Archives / Wikimedia Commons (public domain) 
A white hotel with a tower rising beyond a street under blue sky. Photo: NPS Digital Image Archives / Wikimedia Commons (public domain) 
A white Spanish-style building beside a green lawn. Photo: NPS Digital Image Archives / Wikimedia Commons (public domain) 
A barred stone spring cave set in a rock wall.jpg. Photo: Brandonrush / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) 
A stone drinking fountain set into a spring house wall.jpg. Photo: Brandonrush / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) 
Green metal covers over boxed springs in a lawn.jpg. Photo: Daniel Schwen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) 
Map of Hot Springs National Park. Photo: U.S. NPS / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Sources
Photos
Green forested ridges rolling toward the horizon under a wide blue sky. Photo: Yash Mannepalli / Unsplash
A rock outcrop and stone stairs above a covered spring.jpg. Photo: Brandonrush / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A rock-lined spring grotto among green plants.jpg. Photo: Chris Light / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A tree-lined avenue through downtown Hot Springs toward a tall hotel tower. Photo: NPS Digital Image Archives / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
A downtown Hot Springs street seen through blooming redbud branches. Photo: NPS Digital Image Archives / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
A white hotel with a tower rising beyond a street under blue sky. Photo: NPS Digital Image Archives / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
A white Spanish-style building beside a green lawn. Photo: NPS Digital Image Archives / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
A barred stone spring cave set in a rock wall.jpg. Photo: Brandonrush / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A stone drinking fountain set into a spring house wall.jpg. Photo: Brandonrush / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Green metal covers over boxed springs in a lawn.jpg. Photo: Daniel Schwen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Map of Hot Springs National Park. Photo: U.S. NPS / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
NPS & Government
Hot Springs National Park, National Park Service
Hot Springs and North Mountain Trails - Hot Springs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · Trail, Plan your visit
Grand Promenade (U.S. National Park Service)
Sunset Trail - Hot Springs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · Trail, Plan your visit
