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.

Also read

Share on Social Media

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!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

title-img Related

READ MORE Kiwi flights

Kiwi Flights Review – Login, Services, And Travel Experiences

BY  Barsha May 2, 2023

Based on Kiwi Flights reviews, I will be writing my experience of the Kiwi Flights and how travel experiences can be severely impacted. Further, I will address the advantages and shortcomings of the airlines! While we have heard about the exciting features of Kiwi flights that apparently helps users to plan their travel itineraries for savings and convenience, several regular users feel it might not always be a smooth ride. Although Kiwi is not really the ideal travel agency for all your trips yet it can prove to be a good tool for specific or even unique situations. For instance, you came across the perfect flight deal for Europe, but you are located far away from the departing location. Naturally, you will look for flights from your home city, but the prices turn out to be double the rates you were getting from the initial deal. In that case, most of us would bid adieu to another dream vacation. But, instead, have you thought of taking a different approach? With the help of Kiwi, you can combine another bus, train, or flight with the initial cheap deal to reach your dream destination without spending a lot of money. So, we decided to check out Kiwi and decide whether it’s legit or just another scam platform. Stay tuned to find out more. Exploring The Kiwi App: All That You Need To Know! Today, we are here to find out - is Kiwi flights legit? The official website of the platform looks pretty cool. Plus, the app has a good 4.3 rating, accompanied by mostly positive reviews from guests. But then we can’t just start depending on every platform based on positive online reviews though it is certainly a convincing factor. When booking a flight on Kiwi, it will take only 20 minutes but there are other concerns. With technical difficulties regularly occurring, booking flights in Kiwi can be a huge risk! There are instances when booking flights can more time. according to Kiwi Flights reviews, there is another issue because while booking, if there are technical problems, it might lead to an incomplete booking. So without wasting any time, scroll down to find out all that you need to know about the Kiwi platform - because we did check it out, and here’s what we found out! What Is Kiwi? So, what is Kiwi? Welcome to the Tour And Travel Blog’s Kiwi flights review. Today, we will discuss Kiwi, a travel agency that operates online. Based in the beautiful Czech Republic, the Kiwi platform specializes in combining different flights with various transportation types into one booking to make your dream vacation possible at affordable rates. The platform uses a wide database filled with different bus, train, and flight schedules - these are combined together to provide users with travel options that are fast and cheap. While the platform can give you a great deal - a cheap flight combined with the right bus, train, or another flight can sometimes reduce your travel expenditure drastically. However, there’s only one problem - at times, Kiwi can end up creating itineraries that are either complicated or overly competitive just to save some money. Using Kiwi Flights: When Should You Use Kiwi? For most of us, using Kiwi flights makes sense when the expenditure for any planned trip turns out to be really costly. For instance, you are in the middle of some last-minute emergency, or you need to book an international flight (one-way), or your itinerary is too complicated, and you are looking for an easy way to make things cheaper on the itinerary. Yet, it has been observed that Kiwi Flights have had a 95% accuracy rate in predicting flight prices several months in advance. When combining the features of low-cost carriers along with analyzing airfare, it is one of the best on the market. In all these cases, using Kiwi flights seems like an obvious solution. Here we can check out the benefits of using the Kiwi platform - stay tuned to find out more. Save on expensive airfares. Book one-way international flights. Book multi-city trips with the help of Kiwi Nomad. Manage last-minute emergencies. There are some advantages that Kiwi flights have such as saving on expensive airfares along with booking one-way international flights. There are different options to make the booking via Kiwi Nomad for multi-city trips. This site is one of the best for last-minute bookings according to the Kiwi Flights reviews! When there is an emergency, you can make the booking on Kiwi Flights as there is always some seats available last moment. Are There Downsides To Kiwi Flights? While Kiwi is a good tool for booking cheap flights and making your itinerary simple, what most Kiwi flights reviews won’t tell you are the downsides of the platform that you have to note before you can start using the same. So, what are the downsides of Kiwi flights? Let’s find out - without wasting time, scroll down to find out more. There’s no guarantee that the flight options you will find on Kiwi will be the cheapest. If you do not pay extra, then there’s no reliable protection for your connecting flights. One of the biggest drawbacks is that the flights are not cheap so, people planning on traveling on a budget will find it difficult to book! At times, the authorities at Kiwi Flights take guarantees when booking flights. They inform customers that they will be provided connecting flights if there is an issue however, there is no guarantee of that! I personally would suggest to not rely on this guarantee considering there have been too many complaints and concerns regarding luggage lost, flight connections and other issues. Is Kiwi Legit? The User Reviews You Needed: So, the question that always pops up in reviews has made an appearance here as well - is kiwi.com legit? There are so many different kinds of customer reviews on Kiwi Flights that it’s honestly difficult to deduce. While the platform has a 4.3 rating on Google Play, it has only 1.5 stars on TrustPilot, and that too from more than 60K reviews. One of the best features is that the Airlines provide services to a wide variety of places. apart from that, they also take bookings last moment however there are concerns with improper bookings. At times, customers have experienced issues with flight bookings regarding availability and change. There are, however, some hacks that people who are traveling can use so that they can travel on a budget! A majority of concerns that customers have with Kiwi have a lot to do with different issues, such as long delays on different refund requests, improper bookings, and not always the cheapest rates. Naturally, you need to proceed with some caution while using the Kiwi platform. Review By Damien Powell: “I've used this service and app for several trips, one being a transatlantic flight. These are very good deals, but what really helps is the travel insurance that they provide. I had a delayed flight in Berlin that caused me to miss my connection in the US. They found me a flight home at no cost, it was really great during a very stressful journey. Review By Maxim Diatchenko: “An extremely irresponsible company. Bad communication: no phone contacts, email once a week. Very unreliable service. But they have a great website and mobile app. My story: I bought tickets months in advance. My criteria were: to fly in the evening. A couple of weeks before departure, the departure time was changed to nine and a half hours, moving it to the morning. I asked them to find me a similar flight or refund money to buy new tickets. They refused.” Review By John Villielm: “Absolutely ridiculous service. We booked two separate trips for the family to visit us overseas. Both trips were booked for 4 total flights, all of which were purchased as a set. Due to Covid, only 1 flight was canceled, but that started the problems. They give you two options, 1) 200euro credit (the tickets as a set were $3K and $4k), so 200euro is nowhere close to matching that. 2) a 3-month wait on a "potential" refund.” Our Verdict: Use Kiwi Flights With Caution! Most of the kiwi.com reviews are not great, which makes it absolutely important that you use Kiwi flights with caution. If the platform provides good service to you, then that’s great, but if they don’t, then you will be the only one losing out. So we recommend proceeding with caution while planning your trip via Kiwi. In recent times, there have been several complaints where the flight tickets have been known to be lowest however, they have been cancelled without prior information. The refund process has also been subject to availability and change so, you need to be careful before booking flight tickets. Feel free to share your thoughts on the same with us - and while sharing your thoughts, let us know about your experience, if you have used the platform before, in the comments below. Read Also: Hopper flights review- Login, services and Travel experiences Using flightscanner To Find Cheap Flights In 2023? All That You Need To Know! Using Google Flights To Find Cheap Flights In 2023? All That You Need To Know!

READ MORE Wildlife At Yellowstone National Park

Exploring Wildlife At Yellowstone National Park: Know The Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, Fish And More

BY  Sibashree Nov 11, 2024

The wildlife of Yellowstone National Park is as fascinating as its geology. So, along with the geysers, many tourists also visit this park to explore its wildlife. The grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and more make the park the biggest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states. However, the park is also a popular birder hub with ospreys, eagles, and falcons. You just need to know the spots well to encounter these wild creatures, with respect, of course.  Here, I will give you a brief idea about the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish found in this park. I will also share where to spot them.  Mammals You Will See At Yellowstone National Park May to June or spring is the ideal season for watching mammals at Yellowstone National Park. You will especially get to see many bears and wolves in this season. Further, at the advent of the fall season, this park has elk bulls in great numbers.  Moreover, mammals like elk, bulls, and bison are also visible in the park in winter. Winter is also a great time to glimpse the Lamar Valley wolves. So, watching wildlife at Yellowstone National Park is a year-round activity.  Tour and Travel Tips For Wildlife Watching At Yellowstone National ParkTrek the park in the early morning or evening to have better visibility of the wildlife. The temperature remains moderate during these hours of the day.Further, you will need spotting scopes or binoculars to see the wild animals.Maintain at least 25 yards of distance from elk, bison, and other wild animals. However, for bears and wolves, you must maintain at least 100 yards of distance.  Let’s learn about the most prominent mammals in the park in detail.  American Bison Where to Find: Lamar and Hayden Valleys and the Grasslands Best Time to Find: July to August Did you know that bison in Yellowstone make up the largest (remaining) bison population on American public land?  The biggest mammals of the park, bison, have been there since pre-historic times. A male bison weighs 1,800 pounds on average, while the weight of a female bison is close to 1300 pounds.  Black And Grizzly Bears Where to Find: Mammoth and Tower Areas (Black Bear) and Lamar and Hayden Valleys (Grizzly Bears) Best Time to Find: May to June Black and grizzly bears co-exist in many parts of the national park. Grizzlies are bigger than black bears, with a hump on their shoulders and a rounder face. Bear safari is a popular activity in the park. However, you need to maintain a distance of at least 100 yards and follow all safety regulations, as bears can get violent, especially when they are with their cubs.  Elk Where to Find: Lamar Valley, Madison Canyon, Mammoth Valley Best Time to Find: September to November Due to the impressive antlers, elks are probably the most photographed animals in this national park. Do you know that the antler of an elk can grow up to 6 feet? Moose and deer, closely related to elks, are other prominent park mammals. Moose is the largest of the Cervidae family, and elks are the second largest.  Further, moose are seen in the park’s marshy areas and near water bodies. Bighorn Sheep Where to Find: Gardner Canyon and Near the Yellowstone River Best Time to Visit Bighorn Sheep in Yellowstone National Park - November and December The large and curved horns of bighorn sheep make them stand out. You will find these horns on the males. Bighorn sheep live in a herd, and in the fall season, the males get involved in loggerheads to win over their female companion.  There is one fascinating fact about bighorn sheep. When a baby bighorn sheep (lamb) is born, it can climb and walk within one day. Wolves Where to Find: Throughout the Park Best Time to See Wolves: May to June Around 100 wolves live in the Yellowstone National Park. Leopold packs, Yellowstone Delta, and Slough Creek are the biggest wolf packs in the park.  Wolves are native to the park. However, in 1995, they were re-introduced here.  Along with the types discussed, you will also find mammals like coyotes, martens, red foxes, wolverines, mule deer, marmots, and more in the park. Overall, around 67 species of mammals live here.  Amphibians In Yellowstone National Park Thanks to a unique geology, there are various ponds and wetlands across the Yellowstone National Park. Here, you will find the following varieties. Boreal Chorus Frog Western Tiger Salamander Western Toad Columbia Spotted Frog Plains Spadefoot Toad Further, these amphibians play a crucial role in the maintenance of the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of the park. Many mammals, birds, reptiles, and even fish prey on them. Also, they eat many vertebrate and invertebrate creatures to balance the food chain. Moreover, the amphibians in the park are indicators of high pollution rates or changes in the weather. They even indicate the advent of diseases and the arrival of any nonnative species.  So, research on amphibian populations in the park is crucial to know about any impending danger that may affect the ecosystem.  Reptiles At Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone has six species of reptiles. However, there is a greater scope for studying and identifying these reptiles. As of today, the reptile species found in the park are: Terrestrial garter snake Common garter snake Rubber boa Prairie rattlesnake Bullsnake Sagebrush lizard Prairie rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in the park, while bullsnake is the largest variety found here. Yellowstone National Park: A Birder’s Paradise A 2018 survey in Yellowstone National Park announced the presence of 82 species of birds in the park.  Further, the species of birds here are varied, and the table below mentions the variety you will come across in the park. OwlsNorthern saw-whet owl Northern pygmy-owlBoreal owl Great-horned owl EaglesBald eagleGolden eagleColony Nesting BirdsPelicanHeronsIbisesSong Birds Ruby-crowned kinglet American RobinDark-eyed junco You will also find birds like woodpeckers, ducks, geese, swans, falcons, and ospreys in this national park.  Fish In Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park is home to many native and non-native fish species. Eastern Brook Trout, brown trout, lake chub, rainbow trout, and lake trout are some non-native fish species in the park. Further, this park has native fish species, such as mountain sucker, speckled dace, Utah chub, Redside Shiner, etc.  Human Imprint On Yellowstone National Park  The home to Native Americans, Yellowstone National Park displays a human tapestry of almost 11000 years. The natives of the place have survived on hunting and fishing. Further, they have known the medicinal properties of the herbs available in the park. In addition, the healing properties and religious importance of the thermal water here had a major impact on the local human lives.  Yellowstone National Park: At A Glance  How to Reach Yellowstone National Park: Reach the Yellowstone Airport and take a cab or bus to Yellowstone National Park. Highest Point: Eagle Peak Established: 1st March 1872 Designation: UNESCO World Heritage Site for “globally unparalleled assemblage of surficial geothermal activity.” Entry Fee: $25-80 based on the entrance pass  Visitor Centers: Albright Visitor Center, West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center, Grant Visitor Center, etc.  Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.

READ MORE national parks illinois

Best National Parks In Illinois To Visit In 2023!

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 19, 2021

These national parks Illinois will give you the ultimate experience of ‘Breathing within nature.’ Chicago, the windy city! That is the first thought that comes to our mind when we think about the state Illinois located in the central estern region of the United States Of America. Although Chicago is the perfect destination when it comes to relieving the American nostalgia with vintage buildings and dinners, all our nature’s enthusiasts will be leaning more towards the Mississippi river bay of Illinois. One more thing that attracts travellers towards this town are the breathtaking national parks illinois. It is no short of windy roads and state parks giving you the serene experience that the city of Chicago can’t. These national parks near Illinois will give you the ultimate experience of ‘Breathing within nature.’ Following the general US restrictions, travel to Illinois from other states and countries have been open. National Parks In Illinois Taking the famous route 66 which trails to the pacific west coast, then you will tumble across two of the most well known Illinois national parks which can be a jackpot for people who take a special interest in the history of the state. It is known as the ‘Land of Lincoln’ afterall! These national parks in Illinois also have excellent hiking trails. Are There Any National Parks In Illinois? Yes, Illinois has two major national parks. These are Pullman National Monument Lincoln Home National Historic Site. However, they are mostly national park services. Nevertheless, they don’t fall short of showing the mesmerizing beauty of nature. However, if hiking is more in your forte then here are the three more National historic trails of the national park Illinois which you can add to your itinerary. Here Are The List Of National Park Illinois Trails Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail Are Illinois National Parks Open? Following every Covid Guideline, National parks Illinois have been opened for travel. Pullman National Monument This Illinois national park is located in the northern side of the state. It will take you less than thirty minutes to reach the location from Chicago. It is a small national park which is evidently surrounded by districts which have found their place in American history. This district is known to be the first planned one in the whole country. Other than the short walks you can take throughout the community and fill your day with other attractive sightseeing then go for the Pullman park which is a must. If you are nature’s prodigy and love camping then you might find a place right in this national park Illinois. However, on travelling a little west you will find the beautiful MacMahon Woods to have a night or two in the wilderness. Lincoln Home National Historic Site This Illinois national park is located in the breathtaking state capital Springfield. It gets its name because of the fact that the former president resided here with his family before becoming the president of the United States. The national park itself is not that big, but nevertheless sublime. Therefore, it won't take you more than an hour or two to cover the entire ground. However, the main attraction here is not there woods, it is Lincoln house itself which has a visiting entry. There is also a show that airs regarding this subject. Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail National park Illinois trails are the perfect blend which will give you a look at the locals and the mesmerizing nature that surrounds it. Although, make sure you know your route and sites since there are certain private properties that do not allow the entrance of outside public. Since it is in the south of the Mississippi River, you can find hiking trails, scenic beauties, and camping ground. If you have plans to travel a little towards the west, Shimek state forest among the national parks in Illinois. Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail The next on the list of the best national parks in Illinois is the Trail of Tears, also known as the “Journey of Injustice.” Most urban places may be reached by car in just one hour from one of these routes, which are dispersed all throughout the nation. We can better appreciate Native Americans' history and struggles by studying the Trail of Tears, a national historic trail. The Indian Removal Act was established by Congress in 1830, which is when the trail's history began. The law signed by President Andrew Jackson permitted "for an exchange of lands with the Indians residing in any of the states or territories, and for their removal west of the river Mississippi". What Is The Most Beautiful National Park In Illinois? Shawnee National Forest which is located in Harrisburg is known to be the most beautiful national park trail in Illinois. Lewis And Clark National Historic Trail This historic trail doesn’t restrict national park Illinois. The headquarters of this park is situated in the state of Omaha however, it stretches up to Hartford Illinois. It is situated in the west of the Mississippi River from St.Louis. Other than the breathtaking landscape which you can explore, you can also squeeze some time for the historical attractions with old buildings and exhibits that are flourishing around this area. The closest camping site for this trail is Granite City, or if the riverside camping is what you desire then you can drive to Sioux Passage Park. What Is The Biggest National Park In Illinois? Although, the measurement of national park Illinois cannot be given, in terms of state parks the biggest one which covers almost 8000 acres in Pere Marquette State Park. These are some of the best national parks in Illinois. However, if Illinois is not your last stop and national parks aren’t the only trails you are looking for, then here is a list of other state parks or national parks in the driveaway neighbourhood that you can explore. In just a three hour drive, you can reach Mark Twain National park in the neighbouring state of Missouri. You can Visit Chicago and dive into the city life for a little while.  Again in just a three hour ride, you can visit Indiana Dunes National Parks which has some of the most desirable camping grounds. A night of wild adventures and sweet smokey smores!  Some Of The State Parks You Can Visit If you have crossed all the national parks Illinois in the list then step towards some of the state parks. With gorgeous sites and fun activities like fishing, camping, and boating filled in these trips, you won’t be disappointed.  Clinton Lake State Recreation Area  Rock Cut State Park  Fort Massac State Park  Illinois Beach State Park  Hennepin Canal State Trail  The best part is, the government charges no extra penny for you to enter these paradises.  Are Covid 19 Tests Required To Travel To National Park Illinois? If you are an unvaccinated traveler then you have to get a Covid Test for travelling to Illinois. You don’t have to get quarantined though.  Final Thoughts  With big cities of the country getting all the limelight, we are forgetting the other smaller states where lies the sublime beauties of mother nature as well as the nostalgia of American history.  So, this season let us rekindle the hidden beauties of national parks illinois that will tweek all your travel love metre again. Read Also: A Guide To National Parks In Alabama – Latest Guide A Guide To National Parks In Wisconsin – Latest Guide A Guide To National Parks In Arkansas – Latest Guide