Mitch Port
Hot Springs, Arkansas was a place that honestly was not on my radar but after a quick Google search of National Parks to visit in the winter, it quickly became the spot for my next trip. As the town name would suggest Hot Springs, Arkansas is the home of Hot Springs National Park.
Hot Springs has some unique spots that you won’t want to miss. Here are my suggestions for things to do at Hot Springs National Park:
Fordyce Bathhouse: National Park Visitor Center
Obviously, this one is a given. There are plenty of things for you to do in the National Park during your visit, and there is no better place to start.
Take a stop at the Fordyce Bathhouse and Museum, which doubles as the National Park Visitor Center. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting anything special when I had arrived in terms of a visitor center. I’m mostly just in-and-out of visitor centers at National Parks, but due to the first day of our trip, most of the access roads were closed on the first day of my trip. You’ll be surrounded by marble, stained glass, and intricate tiling while you walk through the restored bathhouse and step back in time.
The bathhouse was in operation from 1915-1962 and then restored and reopened in 1989 as the National Park Visitor Center and Museum. Today, you can explore the visitor center and visit all of the visually stunning rooms plus there is even an option to get a free guided tour. There are several featured spots that you’ll be sure to want to see while you stop in like, the restored dressing rooms, massage room, music room, and old-fashioned gymnasium. While you are there, be sure to not miss out on seeing one of the hot springs itself, the Fordyce Spring, located in the basement of the visitor center.
Take a Hike
While the 26 available miles of hiking may not seem like much to choose from, they sure do pack a pack some amazing views. If you are looking to stay closer to the visitor center, I suggest taking the Hot Springs and North Mountain Trails. There are plenty of shorter hikes and hikes with varying levels of difficulty, so feel free to do as many or as little as you can handle.
Hot Springs National Park is also pet friendly! So, feel free to bring your dog on a hike, they just can’t go into any federal buildings.
Hot Springs Mountain Tower
The Mountain Tower has had some different looks over the years, but the tower constructed in 1983 stands at 216 feet tall and is rated as the top attraction in Hot Springs. For just $8 for adults ($5 with a park pass) you can take an elevator ride up to the top to see the views for yourself. The view from up top provides you with a 140-mile view and allows you to see the entire national park.
Fun story: When I visited in early January, the elevator was broken, so I had to take the stairs all the way to the top. Even after being out of breath, the view really exceeded my expectations and I had the added bonus of having it all to myself.
Bathhouse Row
Take a stroll down Bathhouse Row which makes up the downtown of Hot Springs. Over the past few years, there has been an effort to restore many of the bathhouses to their former glory. Some have been restored to bathhouses, restaurants, and even the National Park gift shop. (Hint, hint: read below)
Hot Water Cascade at Arlington Lawn
The Arlington Lawn is just down the street from Fordyce Bathhouse and has a great way of viewing the hot springs in action. The Hot Water Cascade allows you to get up close and personal with the hot springs. Arlington Lawn is also where you can see the largest visible spring in the park.
If you visit on a colder day, you’ll find it filled with a haze from the steam coming from the springs hitting the cool air.
Quapaw Baths
The hot springs have been enjoyed for years, so why not take full advantage of them while you are visiting the National Park and the Quapaw Baths are a great way to make the most of it. There are a variety of different spa treatments available, but I personally recommend the Public Thermal Pools. They have pools at different temperatures for you to heat up and then cool down. While it might be a pricier activity to do in a National Park, I do think that it is definitely worth it for a unique experience that brings you back to the height of Bathhouse Row.
Superior Bathhouse Brewing
A brewery in a National Park? Say what?!
It’s pretty cool and honestly, something that I wasn’t aware could even be a thing. Superior Bathhouse Brewing is the first brewery in a national park in the United States and what makes it stand out is that they use hot spring water when they brew the beer. They have some great food too, so cap off your day by grabbing some dinner and a beer that’s fully unique. Check out what’s on tap and be sure to get some growlers to go.
BONUS: Hickory Nut Vista in Ouachita National Forest
About 45 minutes from Hot Springs National Park is quite possibly one of my favorite outlooks that I have seen in my life. The road to get there isn’t easy and for the last 20 minutes of the drive you’ll be heading up a gravel road on the side of a mountain, but the view once you get to the top is pretty unbeatable.
Things to do in Hot Springs National Park
Whether you are spending a week at Hot Springs National Park or just a few hours, there is something there for you to enjoy. Did I miss something to see in the park? Let me know in the comments below.
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