National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service: U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
 
 
Find a National Park Near You
Hot Springs National Park portion of Maurice stained glass, blue and green striated glass with white birds flying (gulls)
view map
text size: largest larger normal
printer friendly
Hot Springs National Park
Traditional Baths
Large ceramic white bath tub, typical of those in the traditional bathhouses, with a large faucet on the left and a grab bar on the gray marble wall behind the tub;blond haired woman in the tub

Courtesy of Buckstaff Baths

The traditional bath is in an over-sized tub in a private stall.

A regimented bathing routine was established in the 1800s according to the tradition of the European spas. This routine is still used at most of the bathhouses today. You may decline any portions you do not wish to have.

1. Purchase a bath ticket and lock your valuables in a security box.

2. You will be guided to the dressing room where an attendant provides a bathsheet for you to wear.

3. In the bath halls, you have a private bath tub which your attendant has cleaned and filled with fresh 98-100-degree water. The tubs are large enough for you to stretch out and soak for 20 minutes. You may purchase a personal luffa bath mitt for a back scrub if desired.

4. Full steam cabinets (two minutes) or head-out cabinets (five minutes) can benefit lung or sinus conditions.

5. Sitz (sitting) tubs filled with 108-degree water for ten minutes are great for problems and pains in the lower back.

6. Applications of hot packs (up to four for twenty minutes) provide heat therapy for specific aches or pains.

7. The two-minute cool-down shower is a refreshing, tingling experience.

8. A full-body Swedish massage lasting twenty minutes or more is optional and costs extra.

You are exiting the National Park Service website

Thank you for visiting our site.

You will now be redirected to:

We hope your visit was informative and enjoyable.
black and white head and shoulders shot of James Cary with ranger hat on and building in background

Did You Know?
Hot Springs National Park Ranger James Cary was the first National Park Service ranger to be killed in the line of duty. He was shot by bootleggers while patrolling West Mountain on March 12, 1927.
Disclaimer Accessibility Privacy Policy FOIA Notices USA.gov

Last Updated: August 22, 2007 at 12:15 MST