At 5,500 acres Hot Springs National Park is by far the smallest park with a city built right on its borders.
I arrived after hours as you can see from the dark, empty streets above. Surprisingly, it took longer than expect to find “bathhouse row”. I would have thought my GPS would take me directly to the visitor center, instead it took me to the road leading into the forest section of the park, if you can call it that.
Death Valley National Park is 3,400,000 acres to put things into perspective.
The heart of this strange and peculiar park is bathhouse row on Central Avenue, in downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas. Rising abruptly behind the street is Hot Springs Mountain, from which the springs originate.
The park calls itself the “oldest area in the National Park System“.
Because in 1832, over 40 years before Yellowstone became a National Park, President Andrew Jackson set aside the hot springs as a special reservation. The federal land became a National Park in 1921. by then Home Springs had long been famous as a national recreational spa.
Old Army-Navy Hospital, overlooking Bathhouse Row.
There are 47 springs throughout the park, dispensing over 700,000 gallons of water per day. The majority of visitors take tours of the 8 bathhouses on Central Ave. It should be noted that the houses weren’t always as exquisite as they appear today. Originally they were wooden shacks built over the natural springs, which became a severe fire hazard due to the high heat and humidity.
Some visitors even bring their own jugs to fill at the free to use fountains located across the park.
Businessmen seized the opportunity. Soon the water was piped into large buildings with fancy architecture to provide a unique atmosphere for visitors.
Ozark Cultural Center, Hot Springs National Park.
The Christmas decorations and lighting was a unique experience despite the bathhouses being closed. Those of you looking for a traditional bath, be sure to visit Buckstaff Bathhouse. If you have a family, visit the Quapaw Bathhouse, opened in 2008, it will provide a more family-style setting.
Some area hotels even have natural springs!
Visit Buckstaff Bathhouse for a traditional experience.
If you are looking for a more typical National Park Experience check out the Gulpha Gorge, 3 miles outside of town. There you will find a quiet campground and hiking trails. The area was once used by Native Americans to mine novaculite for making arrowheads and spearpoints.
Also be sure to check out the nearby Ouachita National Forest and the Ozark National Forest. Both will allow you to get off the beaten path, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Overall,
Generally speaking I enjoy visiting our National Parks because they take me away from life in a big city. Hot Springs National Park might not provide the most natural atmosphere but the sleepy town did look like it would be worth exploring for a couple of days.
One day I will explore the park and town again, but in the mean time I will stick to the more remote and rugged National Parks!