Hot Springs National Park is a unique National Park located just 50 miles SW of Little Rock, Arkansas. This is the only URBAN National Park, set in the historic district of Hot Springs.
What makes Hot Springs National Park truly special is its urban setting. Rather than requiring a car and days of travel to reach remote wilderness, this park invites you to simply stroll down tree-lined streets and experience geological wonders woven directly into the fabric of a historic American town. The park encompasses about 5,500 acres, with much of it preserved within the Ouachita National Forest, but its heart beats in the downtown thermal bathhouses and grand historic hotels that line Bathhouse Row.
The park’s story begins with the naturally heated water that emerges from the western slope of Hot Springs Mountain. For centuries, Native Americans visited these waters, recognizing their therapeutic properties. By the 19th century, the hot springs became a destination for those seeking health and restoration, earning Hot Springs the nickname “The Spa City.” Today, that same tradition continues, and you can experience it much as visitors did over 100 years ago
The Rich History of Hot Springs
The story of Hot Springs stretches back far before it became a National Park. For countless generations, Native American tribes including the Quapaw, Caddo, and Osage considered these springs sacred and visited them for their reputed healing properties. The thermal waters were so revered that various tribes observed a truce around Hot Springs, treating it as neutral ground where enemies could gather peacefully for the restorative waters. A testament to the universal human desire to heal and find wellness.
When settlers arrived in the 19th century, they quickly recognized the commercial and recreational potential of the springs. By the 1830s and 1840s, Hot Springs was becoming a fashionable destination for wealthy Americans seeking health cures. The town grew rapidly during the Gilded Age, with grand hotels and elaborate bathhouses constructed to cater to an increasingly affluent clientele. Hot Springs National Park was established in 1921, making it one of the earliest preserved areas in the National Park system—predating the National Park Service itself by several years. Remarkably, it was the first National Park to be established in an urban area, reflecting the unique value placed on preserving not just wilderness, but also this special cultural and geological treasure.
The Gangster Era
Hidden beneath Hot Springs’ genteel spa town image is a more colorful and notorious chapter of American history. During the Prohibition era of the 1920s and 1930s, Hot Springs became an unlikely haven for organized crime. The town’s remote location, combined with its reputation as a neutral ground where rival gangs agreed to a truce, made it attractive to some of America’s most wanted criminals. Notorious gangsters including Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, and Bugsy Siegel were known to frequent the town, using it as a refuge where they could relax, conduct business, and hide from law enforcement. Local authorities often turned a blind eye, and the underworld’s money flowed into local businesses and establishments.
This dual identity, a refined spa destination by day and a criminal haven by night, created a unique and somewhat scandalous reputation that persists in local folklore and stories to this day. Today, this fascinating and often overlooked piece of American criminal history adds another layer of intrigue to Hot Springs’ complex heritage. Several local museums and historical sites now tell these stories, offering visitors a more complete picture of how this charming town played an unexpected role in the dramatic saga of American organized crime.
The Bathhouse Row Experience
The centerpiece of any visit is Bathhouse Row, an iconic stretch of bathhouses built between 1892 and 1923. Eight of these grand historic structures still stand, their Spanish Colonial and Victorian Revival architecture creating an enchanting streetscape that feels frozen in time. Walking along this row is like stepping into the golden age of American spa culture.
Several bathhouses remain in operation and welcome visitors to soak in the naturally heated waters. Explore the exteriors and learn about their architectural significance.
Some, like the Fordyce Bathhouse, now operate as museums where you can tour the ornate facilities of the past and understand what the bathing experience was like for wealthy visitors and local residents alike. This bathhouse is the National Park’s visitors center, and there are many historic displays showing how it used to be operated.
If you want to actually soak, you have options. The Quapaw bathhouse offers soaking in several large indoor pools filled with hot springs water at different temperatures.
Bring your swimsuit and rubber sandals, and note- no cell phones allowed, you will have to lock them up in your locker. You can visit on a first come first served basis, and soak as long as you’d like for one low price. Additional paid services such as massages are available.
The Buckstaff Bathhouse offers services in the traditional sense much like when it was originally operated.
Hiking and Mountain Views
Beyond the bathhouses, Hot Springs National Park offers several hiking trails that take you into the surrounding forests and to scenic overlooks. The moderate hike up Hot Springs Mountain rewards you with panoramic views of the park, Bathhouse Row, and the Ouachita Mountains beyond. On a clear day, it’s a perspective that gives you a sense of how this natural resource sits within both the landscape and the community.
I visited during a crazy heat wave, so I chose to drive up to the Mountain Tower. The Mountain Tower is $13/adult to visit. There’s a great gift shop at the bottom, you can take in 360 degree views of the town and mountains from the top, and explore the history at the museum before you leave. This is a must-do when you are in the area.
Behind Bathhouse row is a beautiful walking path called the Grand Promenade. I chose to walk this path the next morning while the temperatures were still cool!
Where to Stay
The top rated hotel in the area is the Waters, a hilton property, located across the street from the bath-houses. I spoke to some travelers who stayed at that property, and raved about it’s beauty. It also has a great bar on the roof with fantastic views.
For a full list of my top places to stay in Hot Springs, check out this blog post here.
When to Visit
The park is essentially open year round since it is in town. If impacted by federal funding issues, such as the current federal government shutdown, it will likely only close the visitor center. Summers can be very hot, however, many attractions are in air conditioned spaces, so it is still comfortable to visit. If visiting in summer, plan your hikes in the early morning hours, the humidity can be smothering. Fall will definitely be the best time to visit with cooler temperatures, and gorgeous fall color.
Additional Info
It is surprising to note that there is no swimming or wading in the outdoor springs in the area. If you want to soak in the springs, you will need to use the bathhouses, or one of the hotels that offer mineral water in the rooms.
Look for the parking garage located halfway down bathhouse row. You can find covered parking for just $1/hour.
For more Frequently asked questions check out this post here (coming soon)
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