An escape for nature lovers and those seeking a considerable dose of rest and relaxation, Hot Springs, Arkansas, is tucked within the scenic, Ouachita Mountains and has been featured on both US News’ lists for Best Relaxing Vacation Spots in the USA and Best Weekend Getaways in the South. There are many reasons why Hot Springs is a hidden gem that should be on your radar.
Best known for its 47 natural hot springs, thermal waters are nearly 4,000 years old and run at an average of 143 degrees Fahrenheit. Today, Hot Springs is known as “The American Spa,” but the region was known to Native Americans as the “Valley of the Vapors” hundreds of years ago. Native tribes considered it a neutral territory, allowing everyone to benefit from the healing thermal waters.
These very same hot springs have been significant to many different groups, and in 1832, President Andrew Jackson actually deemed the area the very first federal reservation. Yellowstone is the first official National Park, but with Jackson’s designation, Hot Springs National Park is actually considered to predate Yellowstone by 40 years.
Only 55 miles from Little Rock, this small mountain gem has a rich history and many opportunities to explore the scenic landscape, take a moment (or many) to relax, and indulge in great cuisine and fun activities.
Just to clarify, Hot Springs National Park is located within the city of Hot Springs, making it one of the easiest national parks to access. 26 miles worth of interconnected trails make it easy to explore and see the park. If you’re looking for easy paths that lead to scenic views, the Hot Springs and North Mountain Trail section is for you. As popular as this trail system is, the other section, West Mountain Trails, offers less crowds and more chances to see wildlife.
So, what about the actual hot springs?
Different springs offer different interactions. There are three springs that you can actually touch—and don’t worry, the water isn’t still 147 degrees F when it reaches the pools. The Display Spring, Hot Water Cascade, and Fordyce Fountains are all easy to access.
As far as bathing in the springs, there are no outdoor opportunities to do so. Instead, head to Bathhouse Row for either the historic Buckstaff Bathhouse for a traditional bathing experience or the Quapaw Bathhouse for more modern-day spa services.
Lastly, you can drink the water. No, it’s not a silly question if that’s what you were wondering. The water from these hot springs is actually the primary source for the park. The water is known to be healing—an elixir if you will—and many visitors bottle some to take home. For a list of all seven thermal spring fountains and two cold spring fountains, visit the National Park Service’s website.
Bathhouse Row is actually home to eight bathhouses, but as we’ve previously mentioned, only two operate as actual bathhouses. The other six are beautiful historic buildings that have been transformed or are in the process of being transformed for other uses and are worth a visit. For example, the Fordyce Bathhouse is now the park’s visitor center and museum. Here, you’ll be able to chat with park rangers and see most of the restored 28,000 sq. ft. of the elaborate facility. The Bathhouse Row Emporium, the official park’s store, can be found in the Lamar Bathhouse. Others include Hotel Hale inside the Hale Bathhouse, a cultural center inside Ozark Bathhouse, and even a brewery inside Superior Bathhouse.
Another popular attraction that visitors of all ages must see, is the Garvan Woodland Gardens. The grounds were a gift to the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Arkansas by Verna Cook Garvan, one of the first women in the state to own a construction and manufacturing business. Garvan planted hundreds of trees and shrubs on the 210 acres, but after her husband’s unexpected passing, the family home was never built on the property and the industrialist gave the first 40 acres to UA. Since then, both landscape architecture and architecture garden commissions have been beautiful additions to the property, with the most iconic structure being the stunning, Anthony Chapel.
Aside from the popular hot springs, there are many other experiences that revolve around water. To the south of the city, the Ouachita River connects Lake Hamilton, Lake Catherine State Park, and Lake Ouachita. All of these lakes, or rather, reservoirs, were created by various dams. Locals and visitors enjoy these refreshing waters through kayaking, jet skiing, boat rentals, and even tours. Fishing is a huge deal in the region, known for its largemouth bass and stripers. Popular fishing locations are the Blakely Dam at the bottom of the Ouachita Lake, and Carpenter Dam to the right of Lake Hamilton.
Horse racing in Hot Springs predates the Civil War, but today’s Oaklawn facility opened in 1905 and is currently the state’s only thoroughbred horse racing venue. The property, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, offers much more than horse races, as it’s also the only gambling center in Hot Springs.
Believe it or not, Hot Springs, AR, was once a hotbed for gambling, as well as bandits, bootleggers, and gangsters. Hot Springs turned into the largest illegal gambling setup in the country, with gangsters using underground tunnels to move about the city from casino to casino. Visit The Gangster Museum of America, and you’ll be able to learn more about the era of mobsters who ran the town, such as Owen Madden, Al Capone, and even Bonnie and Clyde.
Hot Springs is also a family-friendly destination. In addition to the various opportunities to explore the great outdoors, families also love taking a trip to Magic Springs Theme and Water Park. The property is full of a range of rides that thrill seekers and younger children both will like. In addition to thrill and water rides, live entertainment, games, and dining options make for a fun day’s outing.
The key to visiting Hot Springs is to go when the weather still allows for being outdoors. Many people like taking the trip in the summer when it’s nice and warm, perfect for kayaking, swimming, and exploring shaded trails within the parks. If you want to avoid large crowds, aim to visit in the shoulder seasons. Early spring and early fall are the perfect times to visit if you’d still like to bask in the sunshine and keep to a smaller budget.
Hot Springs, AR, is one of those wonderful cities that makes sure that there’s an event just around the corner throughout the year. The city’s website has a very helpful blog that includes information on what’s happening throughout the year, so if you’d like to read the full overview, click here. We’ve listed some highlighted events below:
- Rebel Stakes Horse Race, February 24, 2024
- Tulip Extravaganza, Late February-Late March, 2024
- Arkansas Derby, March 30, 2024
- Atlas Obscura’s Eliptic Music Festival, April 8, 2024
- World Championship Running of the Tubs, May 31 & June 1, 2024
- Big Steam Music Festival, September 27 & 28, 2024
- Garvan Woodland Gardens Holiday Lights, Mid November-December 31, 2024
Since the Hot Springs Nation Park is so interwoven with the north section of the city, it is possible to stay within the park. Most of the accommodations that you’re going to find will be available outside of the park, but will still be very close in proximity. The best way to get around during your vacation to Hot Springs will be a car, so distances to each attraction or landmark will be rather close. If you’re flying in and need to procure a rental car, we recommend checking to see what’s available on Quest Travel Club.
Another recommendation would be to stay around Lake Hamilton or any of the other two lakes in the region. The drive into downtown is very simple, and you’ll have easy access to activities out on the water. Here are some options that we’ve found on the RCI Exchange:
