Time: Jun/01/2024 (in the last week)
This is a unique park, as the city of Hot Springs sits in the middle of it. All of the trails we hiked were well maintained and there was plenty to do in the area. Visiting the bathhouses was fun, and the free tour of the Fordyce Bathhouse with Ranger Lisa was excellent! Definitely stop by Superior Brewing at the end of the row!
Time: Jun/01/2024 (in the last week)
Hot Springs National Park offers a quaint setting with its historic town charm, but overall, it didn't live up to my expectations. The Arlington Resort Hotel was particularly disappointing, contributing to an underwhelming experience. Additionally, the hiking trails, including the Sunset Trail, offered views that were less impressive than anticipated, resembling something closer to what I might find in my own backyard. While the park has its merits for those in the area, I would recommend exploring other national parks if you're looking for a more memorable adventure. As for lodging, I'd suggest staying clear of the Arlington Resort.
Time: Apr/22/2024 (a month ago)
Nice how the park is setup and part of the town. Different from the other parks we have been to. But what makes it unique. If you want something in one of the bath houses it’s best to reserve it a week or two in advance. The views from the top of the tower were spectacular.
Time: Apr/26/2024 (a month ago)
Interesting national park with a city in it. Unlike any other. Highly commercialized and congested. The tour of bath house row is nice, and a stroll behind it on the Grand Promenade is nice. Parking to do these things is a hassle and often cannot be found without paying for metered parking or walking miles. If you like to shop, enjoy restaurants, and don't mind the vehicle congestion, then swing by. The mountain trails are not easily found. The "easy" ones are not easy, especially if you have any sort of limitations. I'm glad to have popped in for a few days, though I spent most of my time here at Lake Ouachita and Lake Catherine State Parks, a 30 and 15 minute drive, respectively, from Hot Springs NP.
Time: Apr/09/2024 (a month ago)
Such a cool National Park, and the only one I know of that is situated on the main street of a town. The history of these springs is really interesting as they have been popular for bathing for over 10,000 years when Native Americans flocked to the area, but you might want to visit this park before the springs run out due to climate change. We visited for the Solar Eclipse, and it was a wonderful experience to hike around the park amidst so much greenery and all the little streams. The welcome center for this park is an historic bath house that they preserved into a museum, and we enjoyed exploring it and learning about the wellness culture that helped create the town of Hot Springs, AR. Highly recommend visiting this National Park, and I hope we'll come back again!
