Hot Springs National Park was one national park that I had no idea what to expect before visiting. I knew it was famous for its hot springs, but I didn’t really understand what they were like, how you could experience them, or what else the park had to offer.

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know before visiting so you can go into your trip with a better understanding of the park and have a plan for what you want to see and do.

This Arkansas treasure is unlike most other national parks in the US, which can make visiting a little confusing if you don’t know what it’s all about. So, these are all the things I wish I had known before visiting Hot Springs National Park.

Hot Springs National Park Takeaways

📍 Hot Springs National Park is located inside the town of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Half of the national park is protected forests with walking trails, while the other half is in the city where you’ll find historical buildings and tourist attractions.

💰 Entering the park and just walking around is free. There’s no entrance gate. You only have to pay for extra experiences.

🏞️ The main attraction of the park is the natural thermal spring water that’s pumped from underground into historic bathhouses. 

♨️ The thermal hot springs have been used for centuries and many people have claimed that the waters had powers to heal chronic diseases and physical ailments. 

📜 Think of Hot Springs more of a historical park than a national park. The spring water is pretty cool, but it’s the history surrounding these springs that really puts this park on the map. You won’t find a ton of notable hiking trails or dramatic landscapes, but it’s the long history of the thermal springs and how people have used them over the years that makes Hot Springs so unique.

How to Soak in the Thermal Hot Springs

The name “Hot Springs National Park” may make you think that there are natural outdoor hot springs that you can soak in. I know that’s what I thought. However, this is not the case. You can only enjoy the warm healing waters by soaking in a bathtub in the bathhouses. 

There are two bathhouses still up and running today in the park: The Buckstaff Bathhouse and The Quapaw Bathhouse. Each bathhouse offers different types of services so here’s what to know about each before making your decision.

Buckstaff Bathhouse- Best for a traditional soaking experience

⭐ This is the only bathhouse in the park that has never closed. It’s been hosting baths for over 100 years! It still has its traditional style of design allowing you to take a step back in time as you experience a soak.

🛁Enjoy private whirlpool tub baths, sitz tubs, steam cabinets, and Swedish massages. These are first-come first-serve with no reservations required.

🫧Other spa services are available such as facials, manicures and pedicures. These do require a reservation that can be made online or by calling 501-623-2308.

💵 Expect to pay around $100 for a standard bathing package which includes all the above types of baths + massage.

Quapaw Bathhouse-Best if you’re looking for special spa treatments

⭐A more modern day spa-like experience.

🛁 Public thermal pools are available without reservations. Private soaks do require reservations which can be made online or by calling 501- 609-9822.

🫧A wide variety of massages, facials, and scalp treatments are offered here by reservation only. Call 501- 609-9822 or book online.

💵 The public pools are only $30 per person. Private baths run from $40-$65 depending on which you choose.

Where to Feel the Water Outside the Bathhouses

If you don’t have the time or don’t want to take a bath, there are a few spots in the park where you can touch the thermal water so you can at least feel how hot it is as it flows out of the earth. 

The easiest one (and the largest) to access is called the Hot Water Cascade.

It can be found across from the Arlington Resort behind the Hot Springs National Park sign at the corner of Fountain St and Central Ave.

Click here for the pin of the Hot Water Cascade.

Can You Drink the Spring Water?

Yes! The thermal water at Hot Springs National Park is safe to drink. In fact, there are bottle fill stations around the park to try out the water yourself. 

Here’s a list of a few locations of the thermal spring fountains around the park: 

• Bathhouse Row: Fountains are located between the Hale and Maurice Bathhouses.
• Noble Fountain: Located at the south entrance of the Grand Promenade.
• Shell Fountain: Located on the Stevens Balustrade between the Fordyce and Maurice Bathhouses.
• Hill Wheatley Plaza: Located just outside the park on Central Ave, suitable for filling jugs.

Is Hot Springs National Park Good for Hiking?

Hiking is not a major draw to Hot Springs National Park. There are a few hiking trails, but if you only have a short time to spend in the park, I would skip these and enjoy the other attractions.

If you have a few days in the area, hiking is a great way to experience the park in another way. The trails never seemed to be that crowded. You’d definitely find some peace and quiet here. 

Here’s a few of the best trails in the park:

• Goat Rock Trail (2.5 miles): Easy-moderate hike with mountain viewpoint at the end.
• Grand Promenade (1 mile): Paved and brick pathway on the hillside behind the bathhouses. Informative signs placed along trail to learn more about the area’s history and architecture. 
• West Mountain via Sunset Trail (2 miles): Steady climb to the highest point in the park. Lots of shade, but minimal views until the end. 

Don’t Skip the Visitor Center/Museum

This is one national park that you won’t want to skip the visitor center at. It’s combined with a museum and it’s completely free. It’s located inside the Fordyce Bathhouse, so you get to experience what the inside of a traditional bathhouse looks like. This is especially great if you aren’t paying for a bath at Buckstaff or Quapaw so you can still get an idea of what it’s like inside.

Inside the Fordyce Bathhouse is where you’ll find so much fascinating history about the hot springs and bathhouse row. I really enjoyed walking through each exhibit and learning about everything from how the Native Americans used these thermal springs to how visitors traveled across the country in the 1920s to experience the bathhouses.

About the Hot Springs Mountain Scenic Drive

The scenic drive in Hot Springs National Park is a short 3.6 mile loop road that was originally built as a carriage road in the 1880’s.

This road is completely paved with a few switchbacks as it climbs to the summit of Hot Springs Mountain at 1,034 feet. There aren’t any notable overlooks on the way up until you get towards the top. There’s a nice viewpoint of the mountains next to a picnic area.

So it’s really just feels like a drive through the forest. Deer are often spotted here so drive slow.

Also at the top of the mountain is the Hot Springs Mountain Tower which we’ll talk about in the next section.

Going Up the Hot Springs Mountain Tower is a Must

The Hot Springs Mountain Tower is another top attraction in the park. This tower is 216 feet tall and offers incredible 360-degree views of the Ouachita Mountains and the surrounding city of Hot Springs. 

This is an extra fee, but I really enjoyed it. It is a little pricey for just a nice view, but there’s really nothing else like it in the area. Especially if you’re in the park for a short time I think this is a worthwhile activity. 

Hot Springs Mountain Tower Ticket Prices:

• $13 per adult; $11 with an Interagency Pass
• $4 for children 5-11 yrs.
• $12 for seniors

You purchase your tickets on site in the visitor center at the bottom of the tower. You cannot book tickets online. 

Keep in mind that final tower tickets are sold at 7:30 PM during spring, summer, and fall and 4:30 PM during the winter. 

To get to the top you’ll ride an elevator or take the stairs. They’re the exact same price so I’m sure most opt for the elevator like we did.

Once you arrive at the top you can take in the incredible mountain views and browse more historical exhibits with information on Hot Springs’ history.

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hot Springs?

Each season offers a different experience of Hot Springs National Park. Depending on what you want to do in the park, some seasons may be better to visit than others. 

🌸 Spring: great time to see wildflowers & trees blooming, mild temperatures 

☀️ Summer: green and lush mountain views, hot and humid days, this is peak season

🍂 Fall: great fall foliage, peak leaf season is from mid-October to mid-November

❄️Winter: great time to enjoy a thermal water soak with very few crowds

If I had to recommend one season, I would definitely say fall is the best time to visit. You just can’t beat the fall colors along with the cooler temps perfect for both hiking and soaking. 

How Much Time to Spend at Hot Springs National Park

You really don’t need more than a day to experience everything in Hot Springs. 

If you want to prioritize hiking then 2-3 days is doable to hit all the main attractions and a few hiking trails.

But if you just want to experience the thermal water and learn about the area’s history, then one day is an excellent amount of time to spend in Hot Springs National Park. 

Sample Hot Springs National Park One Day Itinerary

1. Arrive and walk Bathhouse Row. Located on the east side of Central Ave you’ll find 8 historic bathhouses with architecture that reflects several different styles. Including Victorian, Classical Revival, and Spanish influences.
2. Visit the Hot Water Cascade and/or go to Buckstaff Bathhouse for a soak. If you don’t want to soak, I highly recommend at least going to feel the thermal water from the cascade.
3. Check out the Visitor Center & Museum. Learn more in-depth about the history of the bathhouses and hot springs at the Fordyce Bathhouse.
4. Fill up your water bottle & try the spring water. You can’t leave Hot Springs National Park without sampling the water!
5. Take the scenic drive and go up the Mountain Tower. Take in the gorgeous elevated views of the Ouachita Mountains and town of Hot Springs.
6. Explore the Historic District & enjoy dinner. On the opposite side of the road from the bathhouses you’ll find all kinds of local shops and restaurants that are always great to browse around or stop in for dinner.

Is Hot Springs National Park Worth Visiting?

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed my day at Hot Springs. I didn’t really know what to expect going into it, but I think it’s worth a visit. Especially if you’re interested in history or want to experience something a little different from a typical national park.

Even if you’re just trying to cross off all the national parks on the list, I think you’ll still get a lot out of a visit to Hot Springs. I learned so much about the historic bathhouses and really enjoyed taking in the views from the Mountain Tower.

If you’re looking for a national park vacation centered around fun hikes and outdoor adventure, Hot Springs might not be the best choice for you. But if you’re intrigued by a unique national park that combines history, relaxation, and a little bit of outdoor exploration, Hot Springs is definitely worth a visit.

I hope that after reading this guide you feel well prepared to explore Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas and thank you so much for reading!