PO Box 1860, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71902
Phone: 501-624-3383
Fax: 501-624-1536
Open All Year
Overview. By the time DeSoto and his troops arrived in what is now Arkansas in 1541, Native Americans were perhaps already "taking the waters" at these thermal springs. Caddo, Quapaw, and Choctaw were among those present. After the U.S. acquired the land in the Louisiana Purchase, pioneers settled this area in the Zig Zag Range of the Ouachita Mountains. Word of the therapeutic hot springs (at 143 degrees Fahrenheit, the water is laden with minerals) attracted a steady stream of visitors. Bathhouses were built at the foot of Hot Springs Mountain, where 47 springs flow to the surface at a rate of 850,000 gallons a day. The city of Hot Springs grew and prospered by the spa trade, and on April 20, 1832 the area was set aside as a national reserve to protect the thermal springs, predating the advent of the National Park Service. Hot Springs became the nation's 18th national park in 1921. By the 1960s, therapeutic bathing had been replaced by more advanced technologies in the treatment of arthritis and other ailments, and the opulent establishments along Bathhouse Row began to close and fall into disrepair. Today, only the Buckstaff operates as a traditional bathhouse along this historic stretch of Central Avenue. In the 1980s, local concerns and the National Park Service joined forces to restore this area to its former glory. The Fordyce Bathhouse reopened in 1989 after extensive renovation returned its elegant splendor. It now serves as the visitor center for the park. In addition to historic Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs National Park also encompasses much of Sugarloaf, Music, West, North, Hot Springs, and Indian Mountains, providing plenty of hiking trails, flowering trees and forests, and mountain views to satisfy those who want to take in the fresh air and scenery as well as the healthful waters. What to see and do. Stop by the National Park Visitor Center in the Fordyce Bathhouse to see the opulent bathing facilities that visitors during the 1920s came to expect when they "took the waters." Marble, mosaic tile, and stained glass adorn the three-story bathhouse, which is furnished with original tubs, steam cabinets, and therapy machines from the era. Video and film presentations introduce you to the park and to the rituals of therapeutic bathing. If your interest is piqued, the Buckstaff Bathhouse just down the row offers a full range of bathing services including steam rooms and massage. Then, stroll along the Grand Promenade, a landscaped brick lane behind Bathhouse Row. You'll pass by cascading hot spring water on your way to the Tufa Terrace Trail that leads you to several more secluded springs, along with others downtown. Take in a sweeping 360 degree view of the city, nearby lakes, and the Ouachita Mountains from the 216-foot observation tower atop Hot Springs Mountain. There are two scenic drives through the park or, if you'd rather get out and walk, you can take your pick of over 25 miles of hiking trails. Picnic areas are located throughout the park. The Gulpha Gorge Campground provides 42 first-come, first-served campsites; there are no hookups available. Ample hotel accommodations and restaurants are available in the city of Hot Springs. The National Park Visitor Center in the Fordyce Bathhouse is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The park sponsors a Volksmarsch, or People's March, annually in conjunction with the community's Oktoberfest celebration. Rangers give talks and lead walking tours during the summer months. A Junior Ranger program is available for children. Check at the Visitor Center for more detailed information. The city of Hot Springs and its surrounding area offer a host of additional activities, from art gallery walks to horse racing at popular Oaklawn Park racetrack.
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