• 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.

Hiking Trails

Whittington Trail with graveled path on left bordered by yellow-leaved sycamore trees and slatted park bench in right foreground.

Whittington Park Trail provides a level loop for a peaceful walk.

Walking paths have long been a part of Hot Springs National Park and the preceding Hot Springs Reservation. Many informal paths criss-crossed the mountains when Hot Springs Reservation was reclaimed by the federal government in 1878; however, formal trails were not laid out for several years. In the early to mid 1890's, Captain Robert Stevens laid out many of the trails on Hot Springs Mountain. Most trails were built during the 1920's with some improvements completed by the CCC in 1933.

Earn incentives while you walk in the park. Let's Move Outside and improve health.

As in all communities and parks, crimes against property and visitors may occur and you must use good judgment to protect your property and yourself. Hot Springs National Park encourages you to lock your vehicle and ensure property is locked in the trunk of your vehicle or hidden from view; hold or carry personal possessions securely; avoid dark and isolated areas; and, walk, run and hike in pairs or groups. In the event of criminal activity, you should go to the nearest telephone and call 911 to report the incident.

Trail information was generated and compiled by students from Hot Springs area EAST Labs during a 2006 summer grant program.

Choose A Trail

Did You Know?

black and white head and shoulders shot of James Cary with ranger hat on and building in background

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.