All about Hot Springs National Park

Hot Springs National Park is one of the oldest pieces of protected public land in the United States.  Hot Springs was first protected in 1832.  The city of Hot Spring expanded around the naturally occurring hot water springs in the area.  For over 8,000 years, people have been visiting these springs.  Since the 1800s, the water has been used for therapeutic baths and the area was known as “The American Spa.”

All about Hot Springs National Park

Hot Springs National Park Profile

RegionMidwest Region
Park Size5,550 acres (8.67 sq miles) (22.5 sq km)

About the size Tuvalu

ElevationHighest point: 1,405 feet (428 m) at the summit of Music Mountain
Lowest point: 415 feet (126 m) at the Bull Bayou
LocationGarland County
Nearby CitiesHot Springs
Founding DateHot Springs Reservation – April 20, 1832

Hot Spring National Park – March 4, 1921

Visitors 1.5 million (in 2018) 
Busy SeasonApril to September
Visitor Centers

Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center – Open Year Around

Park HoursOpen 365 days (24 hours a day)
Entrance FeesNone
Annual PassNone
PetsYes, leashed pets are welcome on the trails and in the campground. If bringing, please review the Hot Springs Pet Policy.

 

Hot Springs Climate 
JanFebMarAprMayJun
Average high in °F:505564738188
Average low in °F:313542506067
Av. precipitation in inch:3.74.55.25.26.14.4
JulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high in °F:939386746252
Average low in °F:717063514233
Av. precipitation in inch:4.634.15.85.65.3

 

Check out nearby National Park Service Sites (less than a 4-hour drive):

  • Arkansas Post National Memorial
  • Buffalo National River
  • Cane River Creole National Historical Park
  • Fort Smith National Historic Site
  • Fort Smith National Historic Site
  • Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
  • Pea Ridge National Military Park
  • Poverty Point National Monument
  • President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site

Check out nearby National Park Service Sites (less than an 8-hour drive):

  • Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
  • Big Thicket National Preserve
  • Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site
  • Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
  • Chickasaw National Recreation Area
  • Fort Donelson National Battlefield
  • Gateway Arch National Park
  • George Washington Carver National Monument
  • Gulf Islands National Seashore
  • Harry S Truman National Historic Site
  • Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
  • Lincoln Home National Historic Site
  • Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
  • Mammoth Cave National Park
  • Natchez National Historical Park
  • Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
  • Natchez Trace Parkway
  • New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
  • Obed Wild and Scenic River
  • Ozark National Scenic Riverways
  • Shiloh National Military Park
  • Stones River National Battlefield
  • Tupelo National Battlefield
  • Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
  • Vicksburg National Military Park
  • Waco Mammoth National Monument
  • Washita Battlefield National Historic Site
  • Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

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Welcome to the wonderful world of National Parks. I'm here to help you plan your NEXT amazing adventure through the United States National Parks and beyond. I want the national parks to be accessible to all.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LAND

On this site, we promote travel to the United States and beyond that are the traditional lands of  Indigenous and First Nations peoples.

With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to these lands’ past and present people.

To learn more about the people who call these lands home, I invite you to explore Native Land.

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