Hot Springs National Park

Visited: March 2016

Nearby town: Hot Springs, AR

Hot Springs National Park is pretty unique. It is the smallest National Park in the NPS. It is also the only Park that is in an urban setting, the Park is literally the historic section of the resort town of Hot Springs, Arkansas. If you want to be in nature, don't worry, that's possible too. The Park extends into the hills and forests just outside town, so there is some hiking trails and a campground in the Park.

The natural hot springs had been used by Native Americans for thousands of years, who referred to the area as the "Valley of the Vapors." Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto was the first European to discover the area in 1541. The healing waters of the hot springs became a popular place in the early US, and people traveled from all over the country to bathe in the water to treat rheumatism and other ailments. The area became federally protected in 1832 (therefore, one could argue that Hot Springs is in fact THE first National Park). 

Hot Springs became a popular tourist destination and resort town. At its heyday in the 1920s (it became a National Park in 1921), it was home to all the spring training for all Major League baseball teams, a frequent vacation spot for Al Capone and other gangsters, lots of gambling (all illegal but authorities didn't really do anything about it), horse racing, and of course, take a bath in the famous hot springs waters to rejuvenate and revitalize in one of the fabulous spas along Bathhouse Row. The Park preserves Bathhouse Row, the Grand Promenade (a beautiful walkway along the bathhouses), and the mountains just outside town that overlook Bathhouse Row. The Park is an historic delight, with the bathhouses well preserved in their Gilded Age and Art Deco architecture and style. To visit Hot Springs National Park is to go back in time.

The main attraction is Bathhouse Row. The southernmost bathhouse (and the first one on our tour) is Lamar, which is used today as the Park Gift Shop.

Just to the north is Buckstaff Bath. This active bathhouse is owned by the NPS. If you want to experience a traditional bathhouse experience (like people did in the 1920s and 30s, etc) this is the place to go. At the entrance, women and men separate, men on the first floor, women on the second floor. You're given a robe and a towel etc. You will have an attendant at the bath who'll fill it up for you at make it just the right temperature. They'll give you a good scrub down. Afterwards you sit in the Sitz Bath, then the sauna (I felt like I was too big to fit in the vapor closet thingy. You know one of those boxes where only your head is sticking out), then you take a needle shower, then you can get a massage, or pedicure, etc. More info here: https://www.buckstaffbaths.com/ Most folks go au naturel, but if you're apprehensive about that, you don't have to. 😊 It's a nice experience, but frankly, kind of awkward. Who wants an attendant when you're taking a bath? 😊 But you do get pampered, so that's nice.

Next up is Ozark, which is used as an art museum.

The next house is Quapaw. This is also an active bathhouse. But it is privately owned. More info here: http://quapawbaths.com/. It appears to be more of a modern spa/massage experience than Buckstaff.

Next up is the Fordyce Bathhouse, this serves as the Visitor Center and Museum. Lots to see and do here. Spend about an hour or so to go through the museum and see the elegance and learn about the traditional bathhouse experience.

needle shower

bath and sample of attendant's clothing (womens)

sitz bath and vapor closet

handy tip

stretching equipment

bath used for paraplegics and non-ambulatory patients. They would lower them in on that platform hanging above

an electro-massage to give you a little shock

gymnasium

There are three more bathhouses along the row, Maurice, Hale, and Superior. At the time, Maurice and Hale were under renovation, and the Superior is a bar/restaurant. At the end of Bathhouse Row is a fabulous historic hotel, the Arlington, where Al Capone stayed. Spend some time walking around downtown and the Grand Promenade to soak up the scenery and the atmosphere.

Arlington Hotel

the hot springs are collected in these pools through artificial means

this attractive walkway is known as the Grand Promenade

Once you are done exploring Bathhouse Row, head up Hot Springs Mountain Road to climb the tower for a great view of the surrounding area. We also took a short hike to Goat Rock.

this large building in the foreground at the base of the hill is the old Army-Navy Hospital

large building at base of the hill is historic Arlington Hotel

Tara caught a glimpse of this beautiful cardinal

Goat Rock

Hot Springs was the boyhood home of Pres. Bill Clinton, he lived here from 1950-1961. You can see the High School where he graduated from and the house he lived in (just from the road, it is a private residence).

former Hot Springs High School. Bill Clinton graduated here. 

Bill Clinton's boyhood home

So, Hot Springs National Park...what to say. I wouldn't go too far out of your way to visit (like we did, but hey, we got a goal to accomplish). But if you find yourself in the area, it's a pleasant stop and it's got lots of historical value, and the Visitor Center and Museum is free. There's also lots to do in the rest of the resort town. If we went again, probably would not do the traditional bathhouse experience, maybe a little too authentic. 😊 I think I'd prefer a more modern spa. More info on the park here: https://www.nps.gov/hosp/index.htm