Why Hot Springs National Park
Situated in central Garland County, Arkansas, directly adjacent to the municipality of Hot Springs, Hot Springs National Park covers 5,839 acres within the Ouachita Mountain range. The park encompasses several peaks, including Hot Springs Mountain, North Mountain, West Mountain, and Sugarloaf Mountain, as well as Whittington Lake Park and areas of preserved old-growth forest. Naturally emerging from the western slope of Hot Springs Mountain at an elevation where surrounding hills rise 600 feet above the city, thermal waters yield more than half a million gallons daily. The surrounding hydrological system and mountain slopes are preserved to manage and deliver clean thermal water for public use.
Indigenous peoples gathered peacefully in the area for over 8,000 years to utilize the thermal waters, referring to the site as the Valley of the Vapors. Following European exploration and changing territorial claims, the United States acquired the region through the Louisiana Purchase, leading to an 1804 exploratory expedition requested by President Thomas Jefferson. Federal protection began on April 20, 1832, when Congress created the Hot Springs Reservation, marking the first time the federal government set aside land for public recreational use. The site was formally redesignated as a national park on March 4, 1921. Over time, the surrounding community evolved into a prominent spa town, later gaining fame in the early 20th century for Major League Baseball spring training, horse racing at Oaklawn Park, and connections to figures like Al Capone and President Bill Clinton.
Because the park borders the streets of downtown Hot Springs, it stands as one of the most accessible national parks in the country. A primary feature is Bathhouse Row, a designated National Historic Landmark District showcasing notable examples of Gilded Age architecture. Within this district, the restored Fordyce Bathhouse functions as the park’s official visitor center, providing historic tours of its facilities. While nearly two dozen pay bathhouses once operated in the area, modern thermal bathing experiences are provided at the Buckstaff and Quapaw bathhouses, where visitors can bathe in regulated spring water for an extra fee. Elsewhere along the row, the Ozark bathhouse structure hosts the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Beyond the historic bathhouses, visitors can explore miles of scenic driving roads and hiking trails that cross the surrounding forested mountains. Outdoor lodging is available at the Gulpha Gorge public campground, situated approximately two miles from downtown Hot Springs. Thanks to a pleasant climate throughout the year, the park and town welcome guests in all seasons, serving both as a traditional summer resort and a winter destination for travelers escaping colder northern regions.
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