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.”

Hot Springs National Park Profile

Region	Midwest Region
Park Size	5,550 acres (8.67 sq miles) (22.5 sq km) About the size Tuvalu
Elevation	Highest point: 1,405 feet (428 m) at the summit of Music Mountain Lowest point: 415 feet (126 m) at the Bull Bayou
Location	Garland County
Nearby Cities	Hot Springs
Founding Date	Hot Springs Reservation – April 20, 1832 Hot Spring National Park – March 4, 1921
Visitors	1.5 million (in 2018)
Busy Season	April to September
Visitor Centers	Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center – Open Year Around
Park Hours	Open 365 days (24 hours a day)
Entrance Fees	None
Annual Pass	None
Pets	Yes, leashed pets are welcome on the trails and in the campground. If bringing, please review the Hot Springs Pet Policy.

 

Hot Springs Climate
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun
Average high in °F:	50	55	64	73	81	88
Average low in °F:	31	35	42	50	60	67
Av. precipitation in inch:	3.7	4.5	5.2	5.2	6.1	4.4
	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average high in °F:	93	93	86	74	62	52
Average low in °F:	71	70	63	51	42	33
Av. precipitation in inch:	4.6	3	4.1	5.8	5.6	5.3

 

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