Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park
Situated in the oak-pine forest Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas's Hot Springs National Park is a four season destination. Whether a romantic weekend getaway or a family trip, this national park offers a combination of relaxation and exploration in a historic and natural setting. Coined "the American Spa", the therapeutic waters of this national park have lured tourists for over 200 years.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Josie FernandezPhone Number: 501-624-3383
Entrance Fees: Free
Sights: Bathhouse Row; Grand Promenade; Fordyce Bathhouse; Gulpha Creek; North Mountain Drive; West Mountain Drive
Endangered Species: None
Important Dates
Established as Park: March 4, 1921By The Numbers
Acres: 5,550.00Highest Point: Music Mountain (1410 feet)
Annual Visitation: 1,273,456 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :34.513810 / -93.053050 (map it)
State: AR
Nearby Big City: Hot Springs National Park, AR
Gateway Communities: Royal, AR; Mountain, AR; Lonsdale, AR; Pearcy, AR; Hot Springs Village, AR; Bismarck, AR; Bonnerdale, AR; Malvern, AR; Jessieville, AR
Nearby Airports: Hot Springs Memorial Field (HOT); Little Rock National Airport (LIT)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : Yes
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Natural Steam
Jonathan Brizendine
Ozark Bath House
Lori Martin
Quapaw Bath House
Lori Martin
View More Hot Springs Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs Plan Your Visit Hot Springs National Park is in an urban area, surrounding the north end of the city of Hot Springs. Be aware that many businesses in the area say they are in "Hot Springs National Pa ... read more.
Animals Animals Wildlife within the park is typical of the region, consisting mostly of rodents, bats, and other small mammals. Because of the region's mild climate, bird species are varied and plentiful. A ... read more.
Camping Gulpha Gorge Campground Camping at Gulpha Gorge Campground costs $10 per night ($5 with a Golden Age/Interagency Senior pass or Golden Access/Interagency Access card.) Sites are available on a first ... read more.
History About The Park Hot Springs National Park has a rich history. The park has prehistoric American Indian novaculite quarries. It was the destination of the Dunbar-Hunter Expedition sent by President Jef ... read more.
Just For Kids Be A Junior Ranger Children may earn the Junior Ranger badge by completing part of the free Junior Ranger Activity Booklet, which is available at the park visitor center. After you complete four acti ... read more.
Natural World Natural Features & Ecosystems The most common topographic features of the park are the rocky mountain slopes with their novaculite outcrops and lush creek valleys. These areas support mixed stands of ... read more.
Park Regulations & Safety Pets Pets on a leash are welcome on the trails and in the campground but must wait outside the visitor center and other park buildings. Please pick up your pet's waste. Service animals are welcome i ... read more.
Planning Your Visit Things To Know Before You Come Hot Springs National Park is in an urban area, surrounding the north end of the city of Hot Springs. There is not any park-owned parking but the city has a large parkin ... read more.
Plants Plants Outside of the Bathhouse Row National Historic Landmark District, Hot Springs National Park is primarily forested hills and valleys. The oak-hickory-pine forest type includes many other tree a ... read more.
Sights to See Nearby Attractions You can get more information about the area, including lodging, from the following sources: Hot Springs Convention and Visitor's Bureau Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Comm ... read more.
Walking & Hiking Hiking Trails Walking paths have long been a part of Hot Springs National Park and the preceding Hot Springs Reservation. Many informal paths criss-crossed the mountains when Hot Springs Reservat ... read more.
Who's Who at the Park Our Partners There are a number of organizations who help support Hot Springs National Park. Friends of the Fordyce and Hot Springs National Park, Inc. The Friends of the Fordyce was organized in 19 ... read more.
Recent News
- Rare Photograph of Al Capone Found October 9, 2008, 9:20 am
- Videos on Bathhouse to Mark Anniversary August 25, 2008, 12:46 pm
- Hot Springs Should Retain National Park Trademark April 18, 2008, 8:45 pm
Hot Springs In Depth
News from the Parks
Light Pollution Harms Not Just Stargazers
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
Tourists Bite on ‘Twilight’ Vampire Tours of Forks, Washington
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
Crowds Observe World AIDS Day In GG Park
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
Grounded in God, Green and Glaciers
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
Smokies' Formation Began 500 Million to 600 Million Years Ago
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
