Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas is known as the American Spa. The natural hot springs have become the center of the town that was built around it, namely Hot Springs, Arkansas. The site is preserved as a National Park, which consists of historic buildings, cultural landscapes and natural areas.
Overview of Hot Springs National Park
The park’s visitor center, located in the historic Fordyce Bathhouse, is a great place to start your trip.
The Fordyce Bathhouse is one of eight bathhouses lining Bathhouse Row, a National Historic Landmark. Each of the bathhouses were built between 1892 and 1923. Guests may take a traditional bath in a claw foot bathtub, the same way visitors have been doing for over 50 years, at the Buckstaff Bathhouse, a park concessioner since 1912. The Quapaw Baths and Spa offers larger spring-fed thermal pools. A park store, named the Bathhouse Row Emporium is located in the historic Lamar Bathhouse.
26 miles of hiking trails surround Bathhouse Row and the Grand Promenade. These short walks through the forest have been part of the area’s health regimen since the establishment of the area as a National Reservation in the 1800’s.
Plan your visit
Tours of the Fordyce Bathhouse are available, and may begin with an orientation movie, which offers an overview of the National Park offerings. The full bath experience at Buckstaff Bathhouse has been the same since the 1800’s, and consists of soaking in a private tub of 98-100 degree water for 20 minutes, steaming for two or five minutes in a head in, or head out steam cabinet, the application of hot packs for specific aches and pains, or a soak in a 108 degree sits bath, and finally, a two minute ice cold shower. Guests may follow the protocol with a relaxing Swedish massage. Outdoor activities include strolling the Bathhouse Row and the Grand Promenade. The area is also surrounded by 26 miles of hiking trails. Camping is available at the park’s Gulpha Gorge Campground, located adjacent to the Gulpha Creek.
369 Central Avenue Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901, Phone: 501-620-6715, Map, Video
