A trip to the therapeutic springs of the Ouachita can relieve you of your ailments. At least that was the prevailing attitude in the early 20th century. Today, visiting Hot Springs National Park is more of a checklist for many Park Junkies.
However, that should not prevent the savvy visitor from taking heed of the advice of those from a century past. No visit to this park is complete without at least a nice long soak in one of the famous bathhouses. You’ll certainly feel washed anew after an hour or two spent in that nice hot, soothing water…
Here are some things you’ll want to know when visiting Hot Springs.
Guide to Hot Springs
Where is Hot Springs?
Hot Springs National Park is located in west-central Arkansas, about 45 miles southwest of Little Rock, just a few miles north of Interstate 30.
Entrance Fee
Hot Springs National Park does not charge an entrance fee.
That said, Park Junkie recommends the National Park Pass, aka, the Interagency Pass. It grants entrance to more than 420 national park service units and is an economic necessity for those who make it a practice to visit multiple parks in a calendar year. It’s the best $80 you’ll spend this year, and you won’t even care if there’s an entrance fee at the next park.
Hot Springs Visitor Center
There is one Visitor Center in Hot Springs National Park, located on the first floor of the Fordyce Bathhouse, at 369 Central Ave. Here guests can find answers to questions, watch the park movie and tour the upper floors of the Fordyce, which have been restored as a museum, showcasing the classic era of American Spa treatments.
Seasons in Hot Springs
The park is open year round, and given the fact that many of the park’s attractions are indoor, there is really no bad time to visit Hot Springs National Park.
Generally, the climate in this part of Arkansas is pretty mild. Winters can be cold, but temperatures rarely dive below freezing, although wind chill can make it seem a bit colder. Spring and fall are fairly wet, with showers common during the days, and comfortable temperatures. Summers can be hot and humid, with temperatures exceeding the century mark.
Parking
Given that Hot Springs is found in a small urban area with an active business and tourist district, finding a space to park the ol’ metal coffin can be somewhat frustrating.
The town of Hot Springs offers a free parking garage, at 128 Exchange Street, which is one block west of the Visitor Center. For those who cannot fit into a parking garage, free parking can be found on most of the streets to the southwest of the Visitor Center.
Parking is available along the western side of Central Avenue, although these spaces are metered and hold a two hour limit.
For RV and bus crowd, try the Hill Wheatley Plaza, south of the Visitor Center at 629 Central Ave. Whittington Park also has space for larger rigs.
Transportation
The city of Hot Springs offers a public bus system, which services most of the major streets in town. Check their website for more information.
Camping
Hot Springs National Park offers campers a nice retreat, in the Gulpha Gorge Campground. This relaxing campground has 40 sites that provide spaces for both tents and RVs. All sites have full hookups, a picnic table, grill and water. The campground is equipped with nice restrooms, but lacks shower facilities.
The campground is first come/first served as of 2021, but that could change. Check the park website for more specifics.
There is also a KOA nearby.
Check out the Visiting Hot Springs site for a few more camping opportunities.
Lodging
There are numerous lodging options in the park, but only the Hotel Hale offers in park accommodations. This historic bathhouse was built in 1892 and is the oldest structure on Bathhouse Row. It closed in 1978 and fell into disrepair. It has since been remodeled and provides a fabulous home base for your time in Hot Springs.
Aside from the Hotel Hale, there are a wide array of options for lodging near the park. Check out the Visiting Hot Springs website for more suggestions.
Guide to Hot Springs
Relevant Links
National Park Guides
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YOU CAN DIE. Activities pursued within National Park boundaries hold inherent dangers. You are solely responsible for your safety in the outdoors. Park Junkie accepts no responsibility for actions that result in inconveniences, injury or death.
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