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

Jennifer Melroy

Jennifer Melroy

Jennifer is a long time national park blogger and the founder of National Park Obsessed. She is a dedicated National Park lover who is working on visiting all 63 US National Parks. She has currently been to 58 of the National Parks. She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge of the Parks with others and helping them learn to love the parks as much as she does.
Hi, I'm Jennifer!

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.

I live in Tennessee, and when I'm home, you can find me hiking in the Smokies and the Cumberland Plateau.

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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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National Park Obsessed assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site (NationalParkObsessed.com). The information contained in this site is provided with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. You are encouraged to conduct your own due diligence before acting on the information provided on this site and should not rely on the opinions expressed here.

There is an inherent risk in all outdoor recreation activities, the reader assumes all responsibility for their own personal safety.

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