Be Soothed And Meet History At Hot Springs National Park

Aug 20, 2024

Last Updated on: Jul 8, 2025

Travel Blog

The Arkansas Hot Springs National Park is a place where stories and histories are intertwined with natural abundance and unique geological features

Home to 47 hot springs, this national park has been a place of healing and relaxation. These springs offer the ultimate spa treatment after you complete arduous hiking through the trails.   

Are you ready to indulge in a therapeutic experience at this national park known as the American Spa? Let’s take a deep dive. 

Also, I have grabbed this opportunity to talk about the rich history of the park. 

Know The Hot Springs National Park History And Culture 

Know The Hot Springs National Park History And Culture

The 5,500-acre landscape of the Hot Springs National Park tells us many tales from the trails and springs. This park has seen novaculite extraction by American Indians for thousands of years, as well as The Great Fire of 1878

Even before the park’s designation as a Hot Springs Reservation in 1832, historic events like the Dunbar-Hunter Expedition took place here. Many historic places in the park, including the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, Arlington Lawn, and Stonebridge Area, have been narrating the stories of this park for centuries. 

Hot Springs Mountain Tower

Hot Springs Mountain Tower

Built in 1983, Hot Springs Mountain Tower is a great place for visitors to enjoy the panoramic view of the park and the surrounding area from a 1,256 ft height

Don’t miss to catch a glimpse of the Ouachita Mountains from the open-air upper deck of the tower. The air-conditioned lower observation deck offers you the opportunity to explore exhibits related to the history of the locality and the park.

Also, if you want to collect souvenirs, you can visit the gift shop at the base of the Hot Springs Mountain Tower.

This tower was first built as a wooden structure in 1877 by Enoch Woolman. Further, in 1906, a new steel tower was built, and it was known as Rix Tower after Charles N. Rix, the then-president of Arkansas National Bank. However, the Rix Tower was taken down in 1971. 

Bathhouse Row

Bathhouse Row

The Bathhouse Row is probably the most iconic and visited place in the Hot Springs National Park. It has 8 bathhouse buildings, all of them built between 1892 and 1923, adding to the historic and architectural value of the park. These eight bathhouses are:

  • Lamar Bathhouse
  • Buckstaff Bathhouse
  • Ozark Bathhouse
  • Quapaw Bathhouse
  • Fordyce Bathhouse
  • Maurice Bathhouse
  • Hale Bathhouse
  • Superior Bathhouse

In 1987, Bathhouse Row with Grand Promenade became a National Historic Landmark District.

Arlington Lawn

The Arlington Lawn gets its name from the presence of the first two luxurious versions of the Arlington Hotel present here. 

The first version of the hotel was built in 1875, and a second or grander version replaced it in 1893.

The second version had a glorious run until 1923 when a fire broke it down. In 1925, the third Arlington Hotel (which you can see now) came up an unbelievable 500-room accommodation. 

Whittington Park 

Whittington Park got its name from Hiram Abiff Whittington, an early resident of Hot Springs. The greenway stretches along Whittington Creek, which stands between Sugarloaf Mountain and West Mountain. 

Constructed in the late 1890s, Whittington Park was initially called Whittington Lake Reserve. You can enjoy a relaxing walk through this tree-shaded greenway. 

Stonebridge Area 

The Stonebridge Area is the best spot in the National Park to watch turtles. You will also see a waterfall area carving through step-like structures in the rocks. 

Further, Lake Lillian, now known as Ricks Pond, is here with its tranquil beauty and turtles floating in the water. 

What Is Hot Springs National Park Famous For? 

Known as the American Spa, Hot Springs National Park has 47 natural hot springs. Since the early 1800s, people have been visiting this park to soak in the hot and cold springs here. Further, thanks to the healing geothermal waters here, bathhouses and a full-fledged bathing industry were built here.

The average temperature of the bath springs water here is 143° Fahrenheit. You can soak in the springs in the Buckstaff and Quapaw bathhouses, as there are no opportunities for soaking in the water outdoors. You can even drink the water from these springs, and the geothermal water of the springs has healing properties. 

Hot Springs In The National Park 

Here are some of the hot springs in the national park.

  • You will find hot springs In front of the Libbey Memorial Physical Medicine Center and the National Park Service Administration Building on Reserve St.
  • Visit the Bathhouse Row and find the hot springs between the Hale and Maurice Bathhouses
  • You will find the Noble Fountain at the Grand Promenade south entrance on Reserve St.

If you want to touch the geothermal water of the springs, you can visit the shallow pool where the Display Spring falls. 

Cold Water Spring Fountains 

Happy Hollow and Whittington Spring are two cold water spring fountains in the national park. The origin of the Whittington Spring is the West Mountain, and the Hollow Spring comes from the North Mountain.

Hiking And Camping In Hot Springs National Park

Camping and hiking are two of the most fascinating things to do in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. 

Hiking In Hot Springs National Park 

Hot Springs and North Mountain Trails and West Mountain Trails are the two most popular destinations in the park for trekking. However, there is also a Sunset Trail, which is longer and passes through the remote areas of the park.

Hot Springs And North Mountain Trails

Along with the most amazing scenic view, these trails have highlight points such as Stephen’s Balustrade or the Grand Staircase, Gulpha Gorge Campground, Hot Springs Mountain Drive, and Fordyce Bathhouse

West Mountain Trails

If you want to explore the vivid wildlife of the Hot Springs, you will have to take the West Mountain Trails. Find the trails through the Canyon Trailhead and Whittington Park. 

Sunset Trail

The longest in the Hot Springs, the Sunset Trail, is a straight 10-mile hike. Also, if you want to complete the loop, you will have to cover 15-17 miles. 

The best thing about this trail is that it takes you to places less trodden by in the park. Further, hiking in the long trail will be broken into three sections: West Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Stonebridge Road. 

Camping In The Gulpha Gorge Campground

This campground is most suitable for tents and RVs or recreational vehicles. Basic amenities like water, electricity, and sewage are available at the campground.  Further, there are facilities like pedestal grills and picnic tables. 

You can stay for a maximum of 14 days at a stretch in the camp. In addition, the park authority does not allow camping for more than 30 days in a calendar year. 

Final Words 

The Hot Springs National Park has been consistently getting more than 2 million visitors for the last few years. In 2023, 2,502,967 people paid a visit to this park to indulge in the therapeutic experience of the hot springs, explore wildlife, and enjoy hiking. (Source)

Further, you can never forget how significant this park is from the perspective of history and culture. Exploring the Stonebridge Area and spending some time in Whittington Park or other historic places in the park will help you learn how American Indians extracted novaculite from this park and made their tools and accessories. 

In addition, prominent names in American history, such as Dr. Timothy L. Bottoms, Samuel Wesley Fordyce, and Robert Radcliff Stevens, are associated with this popular national park.

So, you must visit this national park to enjoy nature at its best and see some pages of history unfurling before your eyes. What do you think of the other national parks in America, like the Biscayne National Park or the Everglades National Park? Don’t forget to share your ideas with us! 

Hot Springs National Park FAQs 

How Is Hot Springs National Park Wildlife?

The Hot Springs is a crucial sanctuary for vivid animals. The “novaculite outcrops” and “lush creek valleys” make this national park a safe harbor for animals and birds. 

Overall, this park has more than 50 species of mammals, over 100 bird species, 50+ fish species, and more than 70 species of reptiles and amphibians.

The Copperhead snake is the most venomous reptile here, along with other venomous snakes. The park is also replete with lizards, frogs, salamanders, and turtles

Bluegill and banded darter are some common fish in this national park. Further, this park is home to mammals like groundhogs, white-tailed deer, and squirrels. Moreover, pigeons, doves, falcons, herons, vultures, owls, and many other birds make this park delightful. 

Also, watch out for the colorful butterflies and fireflies in the park. By the way, did you know that Arkansas has more than 5,000 species of moths and butterflies?

What Are The Best Hot Springs National Park Activities?

The most amazing thing to do at Hot Springs National Park is to soak in the hot springs and indulge in a therapeutic experience. The Buckstaff Bathhouse and The Quapaw Bathhouse offer you the most relaxing time. 

Further, you can explore 26 miles of hiking trails in the park and enjoy biking to the North and West Mountains. You can take these rides on bicycles or e-scooters

Also, if you are a birder, you will get to see great blue herons, vultures, falcons, and many other birds in the national park. 

Shopping and exploring the Mid America Science Museum are some other activities to do when you are at the Hot Springs. 

What Is The Hot Springs National Park Size?

The Hot Springs National Park stretches across 5550 acres. As one of the oldest national parks in the USA, this national park was designated in 1921. 

You will find many hiking trails and as many as 47 natural hot springs in the national park. The campground, visitor center, and gift shop further make it a place of versatile encounters with nature and history.

Hot Springs and North Mountain Trails, and the West Mountain Trails are the most concentrated trekking zones in the park. However, if you want to explore more remote parts of the park, you can surely take the longer Sunset trail.

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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Alligator sightings are practically guaranteed along the Anhinga Trail, a leisurely 0.8-mile loop that leaves at the Royal Palm Visitor Centre. You can rent kayaks and paddle up the Flamingo Canal on unnervingly quiet water while passing through deep forests and mangrove tunnels to Coot Bay by continuing to travel along the Main Park Road until it ends at the Flamingo Campground. Keep a watch out for American crocodiles and also manatees along the trip. They enjoy the brackish waters close to the shore. 7. Fort Matanzas National Monument The next on the list of the best national parks in Florida is Fort Matanzas. From Fort Jefferson to Fort Barrancas, forts are as central to Florida’s national parks as gators as well as mangroves. Chief among them is Fort Matanzas National Monument. It's one of the oldest fortresses in the state and is also one of the first forts-as-national monuments in the nation, designated back in 1924. Originally built by Spanish settlers in 1742 to fortify the Matanzas Inlet in St. Augustine, it remains a resolute structure that stretches 50 feet on each side and is 30 feet high. Today, the fort is accessible via ferry, with ranger programs that shed light on its storied history. Other park activities include relaxing at a beach or following the boardwalk trail off the visitor center parking lot, which zigzags through a shaded hammock forest. 8. Dry Tortugas National Park Seventy miles off the coast of Key West is Dry Tortugas National Park, an aquatic wonderland of 99 percent water. The only land out here, seemingly in the middle of the gulf, is a handful of tiny keys, including the main attraction: Garden Key. After the two-to-four boat ride from Key West’s Yankee Freedom ferry terminal, dock at Garden Key to explore Fort Jefferson, an ironclad fortress built in the 1800s that looks like a brick Pentagon. Originally built to defend the Southern coast of the U.S. after the War of 1812, the fort also served as a temporary prison before earning national park status. Today, the structure—and the surrounding keys and waters—tells the stories of maritime combat and marine wildlife, best observed from the Garden Key beaches or along the underwater snorkel trails that surround the fort. 9. Silver Springs State Park For years, tourists have flocked to this location just to take glass-bottomed boat trips through the state's breathtaking springs. In reality, Silver Springs State Park's glass-bottom boat trips were introduced over a century ago, and they continue to be popular in this area of north-central Florida between Orlando and Gainesville. It's understandable, given that the park is home to surreal, crystal-clear water and a variety of animals, including otters, manatees, alligators, rabid rhesus macaques, and monkeys. Despite the fact that swimming is prohibited (due to the aforementioned alligators), Silver Spring is a kayaker's and paddle boarder's heaven, and there are 15 miles of shady hiking trails circling the 4.5-mile Silver River. 10. Point Washington State Forest Point Washington State Forest on Florida's panhandle is a refuge of tall trees and hiking trails. Located seemingly miles away from the state's more well-known parks, you will find the longleaf pine as the main attraction. It is a tree that is so tall that it resembles a hybrid of a redwood and a palm. The Eastern Lake Trail System, which supports the park's recreational options, is surrounded by these pines for miles. The trail system here contains several unpaved trails for cyclists and hikers despite being as flat as a pancake. The nearby Grayton Beach State Park, which follows the coast as well as offers coastal forest trails, swimming chances, and kayaking on dune lakes, is definitely worth exploring. 11. Bahia Honda State & National Park Bahia Honda State Park is a pastoral pit stop on the road to Key West out in the Keys. Calusa Beach, off Big Pine Key, serves as the park's focal point. Its turquoise waters entice swimmers, snorkelers, as well as kayakers alike (equipment for both activities is available for rent). At the summit of the iconic Bahia Honda Bridge lies a truly picturesque setting. It is a historical structure dating back to the early 1900s. This was originally a crucial component of Henry Flagler's ambitious Overseas Railroad to Key West. A little route along a portion of the bridge will lead you to one of the Keys' highest spots. Here you may enjoy panoramic views of the bay below. Stay for a photo-worthy sunset and afterward stargazing if you want to remember it forever. 12. Apalachicola National Park A stone’s throw from the state capital of Tallahassee, Apalachicola National Forest is a natural haven. Florida's largest national forest clocks in at a whopping 633,000 acres. This park has two main sections. They are Bradwell Bay Wilderness and Mud Swamp/New River Wilderness. Between the two, visitors can paddle, swim, hike, fish, and go off-roading or horseback riding. The park also exhibits striking biological and ecological diversity. It goes from longleaf pine sandhills and pine flatwoods to coastal plain hammocks, basin swamps, and floodplain forests. The area teems with wildlife, like woodpeckers, bobcats, gray foxes, as well as alligators. Drink in the diversity on a one-mile loop at the Camel Lake Trail. You can also enjoy by kayaking to Owl Creek from Hickory Landing. You can also take a two-mile route along the Apalachicola River. This gets paddlers up close and personal with that classic Florida river swamp terrain. Wrapping It Up! In case you were searching for the best national parks in Florida, I hope that this blog has been of help to you. If there are any other queries related to the same, feel free to let me know. All that you need to do is scroll down till you reach the bottom of the page. Then leave your comments and queries in the box below. And I will be there to answer them all for you! Read Also: Is It Worth It To Stay In An All-Inclusive Resort In Florida? Indian Buffet Near Me In Florida – Best Buffets For You 10 Best Fishing Charters In Florida To Visit Top 8+ Splash Pad Near Me In Florida