Be advised that the NPS has issued alerts for this park.

Change to Fordyce Visitor Center Operational Schedule

Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center located in the Fordyce Bathhouse will be closing Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning March 4, 2025. The updated visitor center hours will be 9a to 5p, Thursday-Monday, until further notice.

Title Hot Springs
Park Code hosp
Description Hot Springs National Park has a rich cultural past. The grand architecture of our historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of years. Ancient thermal springs, mountain views,...
Location
Contact
Activities
  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • RV Camping
  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Dining
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Hiking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store
  • Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Entrance fees
Campgrounds Count: 1

Gulpha Gorge Campground

  • All sites are now available to reserve up to 6 months in advance. Please follow the instructions on Recreation.gov to obtain a campsite.
  • The Gulpha Gorge campground is located between Gulpha Creek and Highway 7-South. The campground road is essentially a big loop connecting all the amenities and facilities of the campground together. There are tall trees that fill the spaces between the campgrounds and create a remote-feeling atmosphere. As you enter, the picnic area is immediately available on the left. There are stone tables/benches with free standing grills available. The picnic area overlooks Gulpha Creek and is very shady. Driving through the campground, you'll first see the dump station, the campground hosts campsites, and then will drive through several campsites on the loop. At the end of the loop is the campground's amphitheater. The amphitheater is sloped downward, with a stage and A-frame structure at the bottom. There are many rows with benches, separated by wide-aisles leading down to the stage. Behind the amphitheater is Gulpha Creek and the access point for Gulpha Gorge trail. Leaving the amphitheater, you'll drive by more campsites, Gulpha Creek is now on the right hand side, and eventually will come to the fee station. This is a ranch style building, with ornamental bushes in front, that has maps, brochures, park information, and the fee station to pay for your campsite. Continuing down the road, you'll drive through the rest of the campsites, and eventually will reconnect with the entrance road, passing the picnic area on the right-hand side before getting to Highway 7 South.
Places Count: 39

Administration Building

The administration building was built in 1936 and became a National Historic Landmark in 1987. It's the newest building to be added onto bathhouse row, and started out as the park's visitor center and museum in addition to being the administration building. It wasn't until 1989 when the visitor center and museum operations moved into the newly refurbished Fordyce Bathhouse. 

Arlington Lawn

Arlington Lawn in a nice little area to enjoy nature and the town. It's right across the street from the shops and right next to the hot water cascade and hot spring mountain trials. It offers many benches and a pavilion to cool off in the shade.

  • Arlington Lawn in a nice little area to enjoy nature and the town. It's right across the street from the shops and right next to the hot water cascade and hot spring mountain trials. It offers many benches and a pavilion to cool off in the shade.

Army and Navy Hospital

Hot Springs is home to the former Army-Navy Hospital, the first general hospital in the nation that provided treatment to both Army and Navy patients.

  • A large hospital building on top of a hill. It has a grand entrance with tower at the top. It's made of tan brick and concrete, and stand tall and authoritative. Due to being out of use, the windows are dark and the building looks resting.

Arsenic Spring

Arsenic Spring is the northernmost of the springs located along Hot Springs Creek. By the late 1800s, a Victorian-era wooden structure was built over the spring. Despite its name, Arsenic Spring became a favorite drinking spring for nineteenth century visitors. A national publication in the 1870s wrote that Arsenic Spring was “in great repute among the fair sex, who fancy that it improves their complexion."

  • Standing on the walking path, Arsenic Spring is one of two green boxes located on a short, steep section of hillside. Arsenic Spring is the lower spring at the surface of the lawn while Arsenic Spring North is located a few feet higher in elevation. Between the visitor and the green boxes is a landscaped area with plants and a fence. To the right of the viewer is the maintenance area. To the left is more landscaping at the base of the hillside.

Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock is located on Sugarloaf Mountain along Sunset Trail between Blacksnake and Cedarglades Road. It's a huge novaculite outcrop with a great view. 

  • Large novaculite rock formations making an opening in the side of the mountain for a scenic view.

Big Iron Spring

Big Iron Spring is the largest and one of the hottest springs in Hot Springs. It was a centerpiece of 19th century Hot Springs both as a functioning spring and a marketable name.

  • Standing on the lawn below Big Iron Spring, the grassy hillside is covered in a few bushes, trees and other spring boxes. The green box covering Big Iron Spring is approximately 20 feet above the level of the lawn. A fence to the left surrounds a maintenance yard. Directly below the spring box is the Superior Bathhouse Brewery and its outdoor patio. Please do not climb up the hillside to the spring box.

Buckstaff Bathhouse

Orginally opened in 1912, the Buckstaff is the only facility on the Row that has never fully closed since it first started offering baths. For information about services, rates, and reservations, please visit their website (www.buckstaffbaths.com) or call them directly at (501) 623-2308.

  • The Buckstaff Bathhouse is a large three story building with blue and white stripped awnings on all of its 25 windows. Made of brick and concrete, it stands strong along bathhouse row with neatly trimmed square hedges separating it from the sidewalk. Beyond the hedges is a grassy lawn and blue rocking chairs provided on its porch. Leading up to the porch is a long ramp with golden handlebars and potted plants just before the entrance.

Corn Hole

Corn Hole Springs attracted a broad range of bathers in the nineteenth century because of its ability to treat specific foot ailments. Observers frequently reported that Corn Hole was the most sociable location in Hot Springs, as strangers chatted about topics like the destruction of Ral Hole and their experiences during the Civil War, while healing their feet.

  • Standing near the approximate location of the Corn Hole, the paved Grand Promenade traverses north and south along the hillside. On the east side of the Promenade, the hot water overflow chute travels down a natural ravine. On the west side, a small open area is bounded by a chain-link fence and the bathhouses stand at the bottom of the tufa bluff, beyond the fence. To the north, along the Promenade, an exposed tufa bluff lines the right side of the path and several green boxes are on the left side. To the south, along the Promenade, the balustrade appears a few hundred feet away.

Display Spring

This display spring is one of the few thermal springs that can be seen along Bathhouse Row. It is located behind the Maurice Bathhouse, alongside Steven's Balustrade.

  • Standing in front of the Display Springs, a lower spring emerges to the left, and the upper spring to the right. The water from these springs is directed via small streams towards a shallow, rock-lined pool. The water is slightly steamy and a green, moss-like plant grows under the path of the water. Behind the springs is a small hillside mixed with trees. In front of the springs is a brick patio for visitors to walk on.

Egg Spring

Egg Spring is the northern-most spring located in the uppermost group of hot springs. Egg Spring was historically one of the hottest springs in the park. One observer even reported a water temperature over 150 degrees. Its 1901 temperature was 143 degrees. Egg Spring earned its name because it could supposedly boil an egg the quickest, about 15 minutes.

  • A green box, measuring 4 feet by 4 feet sits on a sloping, grassy hillside. Looking at the spring box from below, the hillside is open to the right and behind the viewer, containing more green spring boxes. Approximately 20 feet behind the spring box is the roadway of the Hot Springs Mountain Drive.

Goat Rock View Point

The Goat Rock viewpoint on the Goat Rock trail offers great views overlooking Indian Mountain.

  • A small set of stairs leading to a railed overlook.

Grand Promenade

The Grand Promenade is a National Recreation Trail that runs parrallell to bathhouse row, behind the bathhouses. It's about a half mile long and made entierly out of brick. The inspiration for its design came from the Prado, a pedestrain walkway in Havana, Cuba. Along with it being a great place to walk, it also ofers many benches, tables, and even a table for playing chess. 

Hale Bathhouse

The present Hale Bathhouse is the oldest visible structure on Bathhouse Row, built in 1892. The Mission Revival-style bathhouse is a textbook case of the changes in use and design of bathhouses buildings in Hot Springs National Park. Today, the Hale operates as a historic boutique hotel.

Happy Hollow Jug Fountain (Cold)

The source of this cool water is a spring above Fountain Street on the southeast slope of North Mountain. Happy Hollow Spring probably issues from Arkansas Novaculite. The water appears to be of recent vintage-perhaps less than a century in age. Prior to 1960 when it was privately owned, it was called the Magnesia Spring and a pitcher-full cost 5 cents.

Hill Wheatley Plaza Jug Fountain (Hot)

Located at 629 Central Ave., just across the street from Hot Springs National Park. Water averages 143º Fahrenheit/62º Celsius

Honeysuckle Trail Shelter House

A stone shelter house on the side of a hiking trail. Built high on the edge of Hot Springs Mountain, The shelter faces a great view of the surrounding mountain area.

  • A stone shelter house on the side of a hiking trail. Built high on the edge of Hot Springs Mountain, The shelter faces a great view of the surrounding mountain area.

Hot Springs Creek

Hot Springs Creek drains the hot waters of Hot Springs National Park. Today the creek is covered by a tunnel as it passes along Bathhouse Row and is not visible to the public.

  • A 10-foot-wide concrete path that separates Central Avenue and Bathhouse Row. The path is edged by a low shrub on the east and a raised bed of Magnolia Trees on the west. Visitors are standing at the historic Formal Entrance of the park with two concrete pillars topped by eagle statues. There is no obvious indication that Hot Springs Creek flows beneath the walking path. However, during colder temperatures, steam can be seen rising from storm grates along the road and along the walking path.

Hot Springs Mountain Shelter

Mountain shelters like the one on Hot Spring Mountain were made to provide visitors with a place to rest in the shade while out on a hike.

  • A stone shelter with open walls on the side of a mountain. There is seating on the inside and a wooden roof.

Hot Springs Mountain Tower

The Hot Springs Mountain Tower is operated as a concession for the park. The tower's upper observation deck is open-air and at an elevation of 1,256 feet above sea level. From there, visitors may overlook 140 square miles of surrounding countryside, including the entire park and a portion of the Ouachita Mountains.

  • The tower is 216 feet tall with an octagonal shaped observation room on its top. One side of the tower offers an elevator while the other side holds an open stairwell to the top. The very top is an exposed balcony where you can walk all around and see a full panoramic view of Hot Springs and the surrounding area. At the base of the tower is a gift shop with wide windows displaying all the merchandise.

Hot Water Cascade

Located at Arlington Lawn, this is the largest visible spring in the Park. Hot water emanates from the hill side near the Grand Promenade and flows under the path, down a steep cliff into two pools.

  • The hot water cascade displays the innate beauty of hot springs. Thirty feet above, hot spring water trickles down rock emitting a cloudy gust of vapor at every foot. The water feeds into a display pool with vibrant green algae built up around every inch.

Lamar Bathhouse Emporium

  • The Lamar is a long two story remolded bathhouse. The front of the building is exposed with large windows displaying the merchandise available in the store. The staircase in front of the building is wide and equipped with handrails leading up the the wooden door entrance.

Libbey Bathhouse

The Libbey Bathhouse once operated as the government free bathhouse. It is now vacant but holds a thermal water jug fountain. 

  • A concrete building with pillars and a pointed roof.

Libbey Jug Fountain (Hot)

Located in front of the Libbey Memorial Physical Medicine Center, this thermal jug fountain is available to fill up water jugs with the mineral-rich thermal water.

Magnesia Spring

Magnesia Spring historically flowed from the east bank of Hot Springs Creek, at the base of a 20-foot-high tufa cliff. Numerous 19th century photographs show visitors drinking from and posing by the springs. In 1901, the water measured 137 degrees, and flowed at 35 gallons a minute. The Quapaw Bathhouse, built in 1922, now sits over the location of Magnesia Spring.

  • The Quapaw Bathhouse, which was built on the location of Magnesia Spring, is a two story, symmetrical white building with reddish brown tile roofs and a large dome in the middle. Archways hold up the covered seating areas on the porch. Visitors can enter through steps in the front of building or using a ramp on the side.

Mud Hole

In the late nineteenth century, the open waters of the Mud Hole were very popular across the class spectrum. Initially, paying customers at the Mud Hole subsidized poorer patients. Eventually, the federal government took over the bathhouse, using revenue from the pay bathhouses to provide free bathing.

  • The location of Mud Hole is an approximation. The visitor is standing on the brick-paved Grand Promenade while looking at a small seep of thermal water emerging from the hillside. The water flows over of a bed of green-colored algae into a drainage grate. The hillside is open grass. 50 feet behind the seep lies the campus of the former Army-Navy General Hospital.

Noble Fountain (Hot)

The Noble Fountain is located at the southern end of the Grand Promenade, just off Reserve Street.

North Mountain

Hot Springs Mountain Drive begins at the end of Fountain Street off Central Avenue downtown. Built as a carriage road in the 1880s, it has switchbacks that will take you to the top to a picnic area, the Pagoda overlook, and the Hot Springs Mountain Tower.

  • North Mountain sits next to Hot Springs Mountain. At the end of the mountain is a scenic view point overlooking the zig zag mountains. The view is vast and open with rolling hills expanding for miles.

Ozark Bathhouse

Quapaw Bathhouse

The Quapaw Bathhouse offers modern day spa services with amenities like thermal pools, private baths, and a steam cave. For information about services, rates, and reservations, please visit their website (www.quapawbaths.com) or call them directly at (501) 609-9822.

  • The large domed roof is the most striking feature of the Quapaw Bathhouse. Made with mosaic tiles individually placed by hand, the design is and intricate pattern of zig zagging lines, one on top of another, much like the rolling hills surrounding the area. Being the longest bathhouse on the block, it features ten tall and wide open arches, exposing the shaded porch overlooking the sidewalk. Another signature feature is the Native American bust displayed above the entrance. With age it has become a rusty orange, clay color. The wise old face guarding the entrance is adorned with feathers, arrows, and plants. On the far sides of the roof are statues of koi fish with big eyes and rounds lips, coming out of clam shells.

Ral Spring

Ral Spring was perhaps the most famous Hot Springs water in the nineteenth century. Ral Springs was associated with the most remarkable outcomes in Hot Springs. The stories of healing, along with free access, made Ral Springs the destination for hundreds of health seekers who could not afford the costs of the bathhouses.

  • Standing on the Tufa Terrace Trail, the visitor sees a small mound of tufa that is the location of Ral Hole. Immediately behind the tufa mound is a small bluff covered in thick underbrush. There is no water emerging at the site of Ral Hole.

Reserve Street Jug Fountain (Hot)

Located on the southern end of Bathhouse Row, this thermal jug fountain is available to fill up water bottles and jugs all year-long.

Rick's Pond

Rick's Pond is both historical and very peaceful. Located near Gulpha Gorge Campground, off Stonebridge Road, it is one of the less visited locations in the park. From Rick's Pond, you can catch the Sunset Trail to the campground or up towards Fordyce Peak.

  • A large pond with a walking trail leading to a stone bridge. There are many plants and animals like lily pads and turtles. There is a dam at one end of the pond that is open and the water spills out like a waterfall into Gulpha creek. The walking trails connects Gulpha gorge trail to sunset trail.

Stevens Balustrade Shell Fountain (Hot)

The Shell Fountain is located between the Fordyce and Maurice Bathhouses. Built in the late 1800s, it still offers visitors the opportunity to drink the thermal springs water.

Superior Bathhouse

The Superior Bathhouse is now home to the only brewery in a United States National Park, and the only brewery in the world to utilize thermal spring water to make their beer. Be sure to visit their website to learn more about the Superior Bathhouse Brewery.

  • The Superior Bathhouse is a wide brick building. It has many windows with green frames and green and yellow stripped awnings. It's located to the left of Arlington lawn and offers outdoor seating on the grass.

West Mountain

West Mountain Drive has entrances on Prospect Avenue and Whittington Avenue. It is a two way road that leads to the Summit Loop where you will find three overlooks. The first overlook affords a good view of Bathhouse Row and the former Army-Navy Hospital. The second overlook has a historic trail shelter and picnic tables and the summit has a view south to the Trap Mountains and Lake Hamilton. The Sunset Trail can be accessed from the top of West Mountain.

  • West Mountain has a long windy road to its summit. Along the way are three overlooks offering different perspectives of the park. One overlooks bathhouse row and the army-navy hospital, another overlooks the city of Hot Springs, and the summit overlooks much of the Trap Mountains.

West Mountain Novaculite Outcrop

Novaculite was mined by early native people because of its ability to be easily formed into a variety of shaped for tools while retaining their sharp edge. This outcrop is located on the summit of West Mountain. 

  • A large chunk of novaculite rock budging out of the ground. It's bout 30 feet wide and is located along a mountain road.

West Mountain Shelter House

Located in the middle of West Mountain, this shelter is a great place to rest in the shade after a long hike. This shelter was built in 1924 making it the oldest one still standing in the park today.

  • A stone structure with windows and seating. It's on a mountain overlooking the city of Hot Springs.

Whittington Jug Fountain (Cold)

The source of this cool water is just off Whittington Avenue near the base of West Mountain. In 1911, park employees built a trough for this spring flow to gather in, and in 1954 a jug fountain was built at the present location. Emerging from Big Fork Chert, the water is over 6000 years old.

Whittington Park and Creek

Whittington Park once featured two shallow rowing lakes, several pavilions, tennis courts, carriage drives, and a caretaker's house. Today, it simply offers shaded walking trails for visitors to enjoy.

  • Whittinton Park it a quiet area with a nice walking path along Whittinton Creek. It features many park benches and picnic areas. The creek is deep, three feet, in the ground separating the park into two sides with bridges throughout.
Visitor Centers Count: 1

Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum

  • Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum
  • Beginning March 4, 2025, the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum is open five days a week, Thursday-Monday. Park rangers are available at the front desk from 9 am - 5 pm to assist with any questions and offer information.
Things to do Count: 36

  • Become a Hot Springs Junior Ranger
  • Kids visiting Hot Springs National Park may earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing a number of activities as they explore the park. The Junior Ranger booklet is available at the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center.

  • Camp at the Gulpha Gorge Campground
  • BASIC INFORMATION Camping at Gulpha Gorge Campground costs $34 per night for all sites. All sites have full hookups: 30 and 50 amp electric, water and sewer connections. Sites are not pull-through. Each campsite has a picnic table, pedestal grill, and water.

  • Oak Trail
  • The northeastern end of Oak Trail is mostly flat. The trail is fairly steep for a short distance between West Mountain Trail and West Mountain Drive.

  • An Overview: Hot Springs and North Mountain Trails
  • The Hot Springs and North Mountain trails are popular since they are easy to reach and provide scenic views. You can get to these trails via Stephen’s Balustrade (grand staircase) behind the Fordyce Bathhouse, Hot Springs Mountain Drive, and the Gulpha Gorge Campground. See the Hot Springs and North Mountain trail map for more information. 

  • Honeysuckle Trail
  • Honeysuckle Trail connects Peak Trail with Hot Springs Mountain Trail.

  • Short Cut Trail
  • Short Cut Trail connects Oertel Trail with Hot Springs Mountain Trail near the picnic area atop Hot Springs Mountain.

  • West Mountain Trail
  • Both sections of West Mountain Trail have gradual change in elevation. Note: West Mountain Trail can be made into a loop by using Mountain Top Trail (elevation change: 400 feet in this section).

  • Whittington Trail
  • The flat, gravel trail is popular with joggers and walkers. Whittington Trail loops around Whittington Park.

  • Mountain Top Trail
  • Mountaintop trail can be linked with Canyon Trail and West Mountain trail to complete a loop around West Mountain. If hiking southward, the trail is strenuous, as it gains elevation quickly. If hiking northward, there is a steady rise in elevation until you cross Sunset Trail; the trail descends steeply to the trailhead at Whittington Park.

  • Canyon Trail
  • The West Mountain trails can be reached from downtown via Canyon Trail. The trailhead is behind the Mountain Valley Water building. The section between West Mountain Drive and West Mountain Trail is very steep.

  • Pullman Trail
  • The Pullman Trail is the only trail in the park that allows bicycles. This moderate trail passes an archeological site and connects with the city's Northwoods Trails. 

  • Upper Dogwood Trail
  • Upper Dogwood trail has short rises and long stretches of flat trail. It can be combined with the Lower Dogwood Trail or the Goat Rock Trail to create a longer hike.

  • Lower Dogwood Trail
  • Lower Dogwood Trail climbs North Mountain. Near the top, boulders mark the westernmost tip of the trail. From there, the trail drops downhill.

  • Arlington Trail
  • Ask for directions to the trailhead from staff at the Arlington Hotel lobby. Arlington Trail will connect with Lower Dogwood Trail.

  • Floral Trail
  • Floral Trail connects Lower Dogwood Trail and Honeysuckle Trail. From either trailhead you will descend into a valley and climb the other side.

  • Gulpha Gorge Trail
  • Gulpha Gorge Trail connects the Gulpha Gorge Campground to many of the park's trails. The trail going west from the campground is steep.

  • Goat Rock Trail
  • The Goat Rock trail offers stunning views of the Ouachita Mountains and the recharge zone for the thermal springs. Limited parking is available at the overlook on North Mountain. The trailhead starts south of the parking area.

  • Tufa Terrace Trail
  • This paved trail can be reached from the Grand Promenade or Arlington Lawn. The lower portion of the Tufa Terrace Trail is near the Hot Water Cascade.

  • Grand Avenue Trail
  • Grand Avenue Trail connects Oertel Trail with Grand Avenue. A local motel lies just south of the trailhead.

  • Fountain Trail
  • This short trail begins on Fountain Street below the entrance to Hot Springs Mountain Drive. Use it to reach Honeysuckle Trail by crossing the road.

  • Reserve Trail
  • Reserve Trail connects Oertel Trail with Spring Street and Reserve Street at a "Y" intersection.

  • Hot Springs Mountain Trail
  • Hot Springs Mountain Trail is an easy stroll around the top of the mountain with several scenic overlooks.

  • Oertel Trail
  • From downtown, ascend the Stephen's Balustrade (grand staircase) behind the Fordyce Visitor Center to the Grand Promenade and climb the next two sets of steps until you reach the gravel road. Take the road right until you reach an iron gate; the trailhead begins here. Oertel Trail ranges from moderate to very steep grade.

  • Peak Trail
  • Peak Trail leads to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. The Trail is 0.6 mi (1.0 km) long with an elevation gain of 644 - 1044 ft (196-318 m). It has a 12.6% grade. The trailhead is located near the center of the Grand Promenade. Peak Trail is paved then turns to gravel and connects to many other hiking trails around Hot Springs Mountain.

  • Grand Promenade National Recreation Trail
  • This National Recreation Trail is the entry point for many of the Hot Springs and North Mountain trails from downtown.

  • Bicycle Riding
  • Biking through national parks is a great way to see beautiful scenery and discover new places. Cyclists are allowed and welcome to ride on any of the paved roads in the park. The roads up to North Mountain and West Mountain maintain a progressive incline with moderate traffic, so please use caution and plan accordingly. *Bicycles are not allowed on the Grand Promenade or on the sidewalk in front of Bathhouse Row.

  • Photography in the Park
  • Photography is an important part of national park history. Photographers took pictures to show why special places needed protection. People were able to see how beautiful and unique park landscapes were even if they could not visit them in person. Today, professional and amateur photographers alike travel from around the world to capture scenic and historic vistas.

  • Birdwatching in the Park
  • Birds are everywhere. They soar overhead, flit through branches, walk on the ground, and swim in the water. From the tiny calliope hummingbird to the gigantic California condor, a great diversity of birds finds a home in the national parks. Even more species pass through during migration. Casual observers and hardcore birders alike can experience the joy of birds and birding in a national park.

  • The Bathhouse Row Emporium
  • Visit the America’s National Parks™ Store at Hot Springs National Park to shop a curated selection of quality educational products and books that will help extend the park experience. Explore products in person or at the America’s National Parks™ Online Store. Your purchases in the park and online directly support educational programs at this park.

  • An Overview: West Mountain Trails
  • The West Mountain trails are less traveled, providing greater opportunities for wildlife sightings. You can get to these trails via Whittington Park and the Canyon Trailhead. See the West Mountain trail map for more information.

  • Visit Display Springs
  • Touch the Thermal Springs

  • Visit the Hot Water Cascade
  • Located at Arlington Lawn, this is the largest visible spring in the Park. Hot water emanates from the hill side near the Grand Promenade and flows under the path, down a steep cliff into two pools.

  • Sunset Trail
  • Sunset Trail is the longest trail in Hot Springs National Park, covering approximately 10 miles one-way. Crossing all types of terrain, the trail makes its way through the most remote areas of the park. This trail is divided into three sections: West Mountain (2.8 miles), Sugarloaf Mountain (2.6 miles), and Stonebridge Road (3.8 miles). Sunset Trail can be combined with Hot Springs and North Mountain trails and West Mountain trails to complete a strenuous 15 mile loop hike.

  • Ride to the Top of Hot Springs Mountain Tower
  • 216 feet above Hot Springs Mountain and 1,256 feet above Sea level is the breathtaking panoramic view of the park and its surrounding countryside. Originally being made of wood in 1877, the tower was rebuilt with steel and an elevator in 1982 with both open and enclosed observation decks.

  • Drink the Water
  • Thousands of visitors highly endorse the good quality of the hot springs water and fill bottles to take home.

  • Soak in the Springs
  • Even though there are no soaking opportunities outdoors, Bathhouse Row does have 2 available facilities that offer visitors the chance to fully submerge and relax in the thermal water. The thermal springs are piped directly into both of these bathhouses, offering users a true and authentic experience of the water.
Tours Count: 2

Explore Hot Springs National Park

Walk along Bathhouse Row and then take a scenic drive to take in the sights and learn more about Hot Springs National Park.

Hidden Hot Springs: A Walking Tour of the Park as Told Through the Springs

Dozens of springs cover the lower slopes of Hot Springs Mountain. However, most are hidden after two centuries of development and efforts to keep the water clean for consumption. This 1-mile loop along Bathhouse Row, to Happy Hollow Spring, and back along the Grand Promenade reveals the stories and images of some of the hottest, most famed springs from the 19th century. Along the way, you’ll learn about the hydrology and the cultural significance of the springs that help explain the park you see today.

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