Hot Springs National Park

Hot Springs National Park - Arkansas

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Hot Springs Reservation was set aside on April 20, 1832, by the Federal Government to protect the resource for future generations: the 47 hot springs flowing from the southwestern slope of Hot Springs Mountain, at a temperature of 143 F. The name was changed to Hot Springs National Park on March 4, 1921. The main attraction has always been the hot spring water and baths, given at magnificent bathhouses (a total of eight) on Bathhouse Row. In the past the baths were taken as a therapeutic treatment for rheumatism and other ailments. Since business declined after the advent of modern medicines, only the Buckstaff remains open for the traditional bath on the Row. The former Fordyce Bathhouse has been restored as the park Visitor Center/Museum and is open for touring. Visitors may also enjoy mountain drives, hiking trails, the Grand Promenade and Gulpha Gorge Campground. The park contains 5,839.24 acres.

Location Information
Operating Hours/Seasons
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Climate, Recommended: Clothing
Facilities and Opportunities: (including trails, camping, concessions)
Recommended Activities
Visitation
Special Events Programs
Adjacent Visitor Attractions

Location Information

Location:
Hot Springs, AR

Address:
Superintendent
Hot Springs National Park
P. O. Box 1860
Hot Springs, AR 71902-1860

Telephone:
(501) 624-3383, x640
TDD (501) 624-2308

Directions:
Hot Springs National Park is in downtown Hot Springs; Bathhouse Row is on Central Avenue with the mountains of the park flanking this street.

Visitors traveling north-south on I-30 take the Hot Springs US 70 West exit south of Benton, the Hot Springs US 270 West exit at Malvern, the Hot Springs Ark. 7 north exit at Arkadelphia.

Visitors traveling south on Ark. 7 will come through downtown Hot Springs where the park is located.

Visitors traveling south on US 71 south from Fort Smith, or north on US 71 North from Texarkana take the US 270 East exit.

Visitors coming from Oklahoma on US 70 east would take this route all the way into Hot Springs. When you get into the city you will see signs for the National Park.

Transportation:
To Park: access by I-30, US 70 west, US 70 east, US 270 west, US 270 east, Ark. 7 south, Ark. 7 north. Hot Springs is serviced by a local airport, the Little Rock airport (with shuttle service and rental cars), and buses. Amtrak services Little Rock and Malvern, Arkansas.
In Park: personal vehicle, bicycle, some public transportation, tour buses (vehicles more than 30 feet long are prohibited on Hot Springs Mountain because the road has hairpin curves.)

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Operating Hours/Seasons

Daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; hours possibly extended June- August; closed: Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.

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Reservations/Permits/Fees

Fees, Costs, Rates:
No admission fees. Donations are accepted in the donation bottle in the lobby of the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center. Camping fees are $8.00 per night ($4.00 for those having Golden Age or Golden Access Passports) at Gulpha Gorge Campground.

Two weeks notice is preferred for scheduling a special tour for a group; call the number listed above for information. Reservations are not taken for Gulpha Gorge Campground; it is on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Climate, Recommended Clothing

We have four seasons: mild in spring and fall, some humidity, light jacket recommended; hot and very humid in summer, wear comfortable clothing; winter: variable--temperatures may range from below freezing to the 60s, with some humidity. Be prepared for cold weather.

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Facilities and Opportunities

Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center/Museum: three floors of lovely tile, marble and stained glass, exhibit cases, restored bathhouse rooms, a 9-minute bathing video, a 17-minute movie, basement with the Fordyce spring, rest rooms, water fountain, and pay telephone. There are many wayside exhibits on Bathhouse Row. There are park rangers, volunteers, and senior aides at the lobby desk to assist visitors with brochures, the park newspaper, and other information.

Trails, Roads:
There are approximately 26 miles of day-use hiking trails in the park (mountain bikes are prohibited); there are two scenic mountain drives on West Mountain and on Hot Springs and North Mountains. An observation tower on top of Hot Springs Mountain is operated by a concessioner. There are picnic tables on the Grand Promenade, Hot Springs Mountain, West Mountain, and Gulpha Gorge.

Programs/Activities:
Scheduled guided bathhouse tours and outdoor walking thermal features tours by park rangers and volunteers in season and upon request by advance reservation for groups during the remainder of the year. Self-guided tours all during the year. Campfire programs at the Amphitheater at Gulpha Gorge Campground during June, July, and August.

Lodging and camping facilities:
Camping at Gulpha Gorge Campground (as stated under Fees, Costs and Rates). A variety of hotels, motels, and RV camping sites are available in the surrounding area.

Food/supplies:
Local restaurants, grocery stores.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
A bookstore located in the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center is managed by Eastern National Parks & Monument Association; Hot Springs Mountain Tower is operated by a concessioner and includes a souvenir shop; the Buckstaff Bathhouse is the only remaining operating bathhouse concessioner on Bathhouse Row; the Hot Springs Health Spa/Libbey Memorial Physical Medicine Center is located at the corner of Spring and Reserve and is operated by a concessioner; the Arlington, Majestic, Downtowner and Hot Springs Hilton hotels have thermal water bathing facilities whose functions are regulated by the National Park Service.

Accessibility:
The Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center is fully accessible with wheelchairs available for loan. A model of Bathhouse Row and other architectural features is available for blind and visually impaired visitors. The park brochure is available on cassette as is large print park information. An American Sign Language interpreter can be provided with five days notice. For more information, ask for the park accessibility site bulletin or call the Accessibility Coordinator.

Special Needs:
There is a pull-out in front of the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center where tour buses, etc. may unload passengers visiting the Fordyce. Buses may then park at the Hill Wheatley parking plaza south of the Fordyce until they are ready to pick up their group again. The park does not have a public parking lot; there are several pay parking lots near the Visitor Center and some on- street parking.

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Recommended Activities/Park Use

Sight-seeing at the Visitor Center; observing plants and wildlife on the many trails and roadsides; hiking; picnicking at the designated sites; bird watching; camping at Gulpha Gorge Campground; taking advantage of guided tours when available.

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Visitation

Highest June through October; lowest in December and January.

Basic Visit Recommendations:
The historic Bathhouse Row area may be seen in two hours. Allow longer to enjoy the hiking trails, scenic drives and evening summer programs.

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Special Events Programs

The park sponsors a Volksmarsch each October in conjunction with the city Oktoberfest. It is sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association as is a Year Round Event walk in the park. Write the park for more details.

Wildflower walks, birding walks and other special hikes may be scheduled throughout the year.

The evening summer campfire programs present a variety of indepth information on the history, natural history topics, and archeology of the area.

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Adjacent Visitor Attractions

The city of Hot Springs has a large number of art galleries. A "Festival of the Arts" in the fall includes an extensive documentary film festival. Other festivals include a jazz festival, Oktoberfest, Miss Arkansas Pageant, and outdoor summer concerts. Several museums cover the history of the town as well as a hands-on science museum. Area lakes offer the chance to enjoy a variety of water sports. For more information, call the Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission at 1-800-SPA- CITY.

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