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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

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

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