Hot Springs Arkansas Bathhouse Row Thermal Baths and Trails

Why visit Hot Springs

The springs themselves are the reason the town exists. Rainwater that fell thousands of years ago seeps deep into the earth, heats up and rises back to the surface at around 143 degrees Fahrenheit.

Much of that era survives. The eight bathhouses of Bathhouse Row, built between 1892 and 1923, form a National Historic Landmark District, and two still offer thermal baths. You can fill a jug with spring water at public fountains, hike to mountaintop views straight from downtown, then spend an afternoon on a lake in the Ouachita Mountains.

Bathhouse Row and downtown

Fordyce Bathhouse and park visitor center

Begin at the Fordyce, the grandest of the bathhouses, which serves as the national park's visitor center and museum.

Buckstaff Bathhouse

The Buckstaff has operated continuously since 1912 and is the place to take a traditional bath the way visitors did a century ago. The classic experience includes a whirlpool soak in thermal water, time in a vapor cabinet, hot packs and a needle shower, with an optional massage.

Quapaw Baths and Spa

If you prefer a modern spa, the Quapaw, with its tiled dome and Spanish Colonial Revival facade, offers shared thermal pools of different temperatures, private baths and treatments. The pools are a relaxing way to try the water without the formality of the traditional routine.

The Grand Promenade and the springs

Behind Bathhouse Row, the brick-paved Grand Promenade runs for about half a mile along the slope of Hot Springs Mountain, shaded by trees and dotted with benches. Along the way look for Display Spring, where you can see the water emerge, and the open Hot Water Cascade near the north end of the row.

The other bathhouses and Central Avenue

Each bathhouse has its own story. The Lamar houses the park store, the Ozark is used as a cultural center, and the Hale, the oldest on the row, has been converted to lodging.

Mountain trails and lookouts

Hot Springs Mountain Tower

A scenic drive winds up Hot Springs Mountain to the observation tower, which rises above the treetops. From the open deck and the glassed-in level you can see across the folded ridges of the Ouachita Mountains, over downtown and on clear days out to the lakes.

Hiking trails in the national park

The park has more than twenty-six miles of trails, many starting within a short walk of Bathhouse Row. The Peak Trail and Dead Chief Trail link downtown with the mountain summit, while the Sunset Trail, the longest in the park, runs along the ridges of West, Music and Sugarloaf Mountains.

Gulpha Gorge

On the east side of Hot Springs Mountain, Gulpha Gorge holds the national park campground, set along a creek under tall hardwoods.

Gardens, lakes and racing beyond downtown

Garvan Woodland Gardens

On a wooded peninsula on Lake Hamilton, the University of Arkansas's Garvan Woodland Gardens covers acres of paths, streams, waterfalls and a Japanese garden.

Lake Ouachita and Lake Hamilton

Lake Ouachita, a short drive west, is the largest lake entirely within Arkansas, known for clear water and more than two hundred islands in the Ouachita National Forest.

Oaklawn

Thoroughbred racing has run at Oaklawn since 1905, and the live meet, which usually takes place from winter into spring, culminates in the Arkansas Derby, one of the major prep races for the Kentucky Derby.

Mid-America Science Museum

Families should head to this hands-on science museum in the woods west of town, with interactive exhibits, a giant Tesla coil and an outdoor treetop skywalk. Allow two to three hours.

Food and local flavors

Hot Springs eats like the rest of the South with an Arkansas accent. Barbecue is the local passion, with pulled pork and ribs served with tangy sauce and slaw.

Breakfast is a big deal here: look for diners serving biscuits and gravy, pancakes and grits along Central Avenue and Park Avenue.

Where to stay

Downtown, around Central Avenue and Bathhouse Row, suits travelers who want to walk to the baths, restaurants and trailheads.

Lake Hamilton, south of downtown, suits families and groups who want a resort feel, waterfront rentals and boat docks. The Park Avenue area north of the row has quieter motels and guesthouses.

Best time to visit

Spring, from March to May, brings mild temperatures, flowering trees and the busy end of the racing season.

Summers are hot and humid, which makes the lakes the main attraction.

Getting there and getting around

Most visitors fly into Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, about an hour's drive northeast, and rent a car. From Little Rock, follow Interstate 30 west and then US Highway 70 into town.

Downtown is compact and walkable. Parking is available on the street and in a public parking deck near Bathhouse Row.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Start at the Fordyce visitor center, then walk the Grand Promenade, stopping at Display Spring and the Hot Water Cascade.

Second day

Hike up the Peak Trail to Hot Springs Mountain Tower in the cool of the morning.

Third day

Spend the day on Lake Ouachita swimming, kayaking or renting a boat, or, during the racing season, catch an afternoon of races at Oaklawn.

Practical tips

• Bring an empty jug or bottle to fill with free thermal water at the public fountains.
• Do not touch the open springs; the water emerges hot enough to scald.
• Book spa treatments and massages in advance, especially on weekends and holidays.
• Check the official website for current hours and fees at the bathhouses, museums and gardens.
• Wear proper shoes on the trails; rocks are slippery after rain.
• Watch for ticks and chiggers in summer and use insect repellent on the trails.

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