The Details
Thermal springs flow from the Ouachita Mountains into historic bathhouses in the oldest federally protected reserve.
STATE
AR
ESTABLISHED
1921
AREA
6k acres
ECOSYSTEM
Forest
When To Visit
Best Time To Visit
MONTH BY MONTHBEST TIME TO GO
March–May and October: mild temperatures for hiking and soaking.
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WEATHER
CROWDS
Weather: greatokaytough — heat, cold, snow, monsoon or closures
Crowds: quietmoderatebusy
CROWDS
Spring break and summer weekends fill Bathhouse Row.
WEATHER
Summers are hot and humid; winters are mild but can bring ice storms.
General patterns — conditions vary by year. Check current NPS alerts and road status before you go.
How Far
Park Entrances
SET YOUR LOCATIONEvery entrance is a different drive. Enter your ZIP to compare:
Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center
Nearest Airports
ESTIMATED DRIVE TO THE PARKHOT
DIRECTIONS →Hot Springs Memorial FieldNEAREST
≈ 4 mi · ~5 min drive to Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center
LIT
DIRECTIONS →Little Rock (Clinton National)
≈ 62 mi · ~1.2 hr drive to Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center
Distances are rough estimates to the closest entrance. Check road and ferry conditions before you go.
What To Do
Top Things To Do
◆Stroll Bathhouse Row
◆Soak in a thermal bath
◆Hike the Hot Springs Mountain Trail
◆Fill a jug at the free public spring fountains
Where To Stay
Camping
Campgrounds inside the park are booked through Recreation.gov, and many fill months ahead.
FIND CAMPSITES ON RECREATION.GOV ↗Lodging & Nearby Towns
INSIDE THE PARK
Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa
GATEWAY TOWNS
Hot Springs
Cool Facts & Figures
By The Numbers
#63
LARGEST OF 64
#17
OLDEST OF 64
5,549
ACRES
105
YEARS PROTECTED
◆Congress set aside this area in 1832, four decades before Yellowstone.
◆The spring water emerges at about 143°F.
Links
Plan Your Visit
OFFICIAL & TRUSTED SITESREADY TO GO?
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Hot Springs