Overview
If you thought Arkansas was just fried catfish and backroads, let me stop you right there and introduce you to Hot Springs National Park ... a steamy wonderland where Mother Nature basically built her own luxury spa. For thousands of years, water has been bubbling up from the ground here, and folks eventually figured out that slipping into it made them feel like a million bucks. This is where wellness meets Southern grit, where every inhale smells faintly of minerals and mischief, and where you can walk down Bathhouse Row knowing you’re treading the same ground as presidents, prizefighters, and mobsters. But don’t let the bathrobes fool you. Hot Springs is more than a sleepy spa retreat ... it’s equal parts history book, gangster hideout, and small-town carnival. Al Capone used to vacation here, baseball legends came to “train” in the water, and Franklin Roosevelt even soaked here to ease his polio. Today, you can hike the Ouachita Mountains, sip a craft beer brewed from spring water, and then sit in the same steam that once cloaked cigar-smoking gangsters. It’s part Vegas, part Yellowstone, and one hundred percent Blaze-approved chaos.
Top Attractions (Bathhouses, Towers & Trails)
Bathhouse Row
The crown jewel of the park. Historic bathhouses have been turned into spas, breweries, and museums.
Fordyce Bathhouse
Step back into 1920s spa life, complete with marble floors and historic exhibits.
Quapaw Baths
Modern spa luxury meets natural thermal pools in this beautifully restored bathhouse.
Hot Springs Mountain Tower
Take an elevator up for sweeping views of the Ouachita Mountains and the surrounding town.
The Grand Promenade
A shady half-mile stroll along historic springs and fountains, located just behind Bathhouse Row.
Gulpha Gorge
Offers scenic hiking and camping tucked into a lush, beautiful ravine.
Unique Stories & Facts (Gangsters, Ghosts & Baseball)
- Mobster's Retreat: Al Capone used to vacation here, and you can learn all about it at the Gangster Museum of America.
- Presidential Soak: President Franklin Roosevelt once soaked in the thermal waters for polio therapy.
- Baseball's Spa Day: Babe Ruth and other baseball players famously "trained" here by relaxing in the hot water.
- Earth's Tea Kettle: The waters aren’t volcanic, but rather ancient rainwater that has been heating deep underground for thousands of years.
- Haunted Halls: The historic Arlington Hotel is rumored to have ghostly guests who never checked out.
Best Travel Seasons
Spring and fall are perfection, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer brings the heat, while the winter is cozy and perfect for spa season.
Lodging Options (Haunted Hotels & Creekside Camping)
Historic: Arlington Resort Hotel
A grand and historic hotel that is just a bit haunted.
Boutique: The Waters Hotel
A chic boutique hotel located directly across from Bathhouse Row.
B&B: Hilltop Manor
A cozy, romantic bed & breakfast with a breakfast worth waking up for.
Camping: Gulpha Gorge Campground
Offers creekside camping right inside the national park.
Dining (Thermal Beer & Legendary BBQ)
Superior Bathhouse Brewery
The only brewery in the U.S. that makes its beer with thermal spring water.
Rolando’s Restaurante
Serving up delicious Latin fusion in a funky, artsy setting.
McClard’s Bar-B-Q
A local institution serving legendary Arkansas barbecue since 1928.
Ohio Club
Arkansas’s oldest bar, steeped in history and known for its jazz and strong drinks.
Become a Pathfinder
See something we missed? Spot a detail that doesn’t add up? That’s where you come in. Pathfinders don’t just read the journey ... they help write it. Correct the facts, fill in the gaps, and blaze new trails for fellow travelers.
Does it cost anything? Ha! Nope. In fact, we pay you. Even better, you can write off your travel on your taxes (check your local laws). We’ll even help you fill out the forms.
Talk about a no-brainer. You’re a money-making, tax-break-taking, pathfinding machine.
Travel Tips
- Book Ahead: Appointments for the bathhouses fill up fast, so be sure to book in advance.
- Swimsuit Check: You'll need a swimsuit for the modern pools at Quapaw Baths, but not for the traditional private spas.
- Explore Beyond the Tubs: Don’t skip the hiking trails. This park isn’t all tubs and towels.
Destination Joke
Because they’re always packing heat.
Listen to Our Podcast Episode!
“Mobsters, Minerals, and Microbrews: Hot Springs’ Triple Life”
Your Hot Springs Offbeat Guide!
Ready to soak in America's steamiest national park? This guide is your ticket to the best bathhouses, gangster legends, and beer brewed from the very water you soaked in.
Ebook Coming Soon!What's Your Hot Springs Vibe?
Answer to find your perfect offbeat adventure!
Answer: A – Babe Ruth, known for his big appetite, big swings, and big soaks.
Visit the Gangster Museum of America to learn about Al Capone's vacation spot, or hit the hiking trails in Gulpha Gorge.
Stay at the haunted Arlington Hotel where ghostly guests never checked out, or watch the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade—it’s only 98 feet long!