• water flowing over rocks into basin

    Hot Springs

    National Park Arkansas

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  • Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center Closed

    The Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center is closed until Fall 2013 for a major maintenance project. A temporary park Visitor Center, along with the park store, are located in the Lamar Bathhouse at the south end of Bathhouse Row. Call for more information.

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 Park" when they actually are not; the city's post office name is Hot Springs National Park.

The hot springs only emerge in the Bathhouse Row area downtown because the town grew around the hot springs.

If you only have an hour:

-Tour the historic Fordyce Bathhouse
 *Note-the Fordyce closed from Oct. 1, 2012 for 9-12 months for repairs.
-See (taste and feel if you want) the hot springs

If you have half a day:

-Tour the historic Fordyce Bathhouse and watch the park movie, Valley of Vapors, and the bathing video. Ask about guided tours.
*Note-the Fordyce closed from Oct. 1, 2012 for 9-12 months for repairs.
-Visit the park store, Bathhouse Row Emporium, in the Lamar Bathhouse.
-Stroll through the Bathhouse Row National Historic Landmark District which includes the Grand Promenade.
-Experience the thermal water: Take a traditional bath at the Buckstaff Bathhouse or a modern spa experience at the Quapaw Baths and Spa.

If you have all day or more:

-Do all of the above
-Drive the park's scenic mountain roads
-Plan a picnic at one of the park picnic areas
-Take a hike

 
  • Buckstaff Baths Buckstaff Baths

    Learn more about the traditional bath at the Buckstaff Baths, in business since 1912. Read More

  • Quapaw Baths and Spa Quapaw Baths and Spa

    Find out more about the only modern spa using the hot spring water. Read More

Did You Know?

Gulpha Creek in fall, below campground amphitheater, with bridge over Gorge Road in right background

The name Gulpha Creek is a corruption of the French name for the stream. Explorer William Dunbar reports the name "Fourche á Calfat" in the journal of his visit in 1804. Calfat eventually became Gulpha.