Hot Springs National Park
DOWNTOWN HOT SPRINGS
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Hot Springs is the smallest and oldest of the parks in the National Park System, dating back to 1832, when Congress established - 40 years ahead of Yellowstone - the first federally protected area in the nation's history. Hot Springs Reservation - which was renamed Hot Springs National Park in 1921 - originally was created by Congress to protect the 47 naturally flowing thermal springs on the southwestern slope of Hot Springs Mountain.
Although it's small there is plenty of things that kept me busy during my travels through the National Park. The world famous Bathhouse Row, is located right in the heart of Hot Springs' Historic Downtown District.
Restored Fordyce Bathhouse (currently also the Park Visitors Center) right in the middle of Bathhouse Row. Tours through the marvelous building give a quick understanding of where the thermal waters come from, how they are used and how the federal government protects the 700,000 gallons of thermal water that gushes uninterrupted from the earth every day.
There are display springs that let you feel just how hot the water really is (148 degrees Fahrenheit), and the beautiful cascade of thermal water at the northern end of Bathhouse Row lets you dip your feet in the thermal waters as you relax and enjoy the beauty of Arlington Lawn Park.
A twisting scenic drive up Hot Springs Mountain behind the bathhouses takes you to breathtaking Hot Springs Mountain Tower. Elevated 1,256 feet above sea level, overlooking 140 miles of beautiful Arkansas countryside, including Hot Springs National Park and the Ouachita Mountains. A concessionaire of the National Park service where you'll be whisked by elevators to the top and a spectacularly beautiful view of the city, mountains, forests and lakes that surround Hot Springs 40 miles in all directions.
An extensive 26-mile network of hiking trails that range from the easily negotiated Grand Promenade to some challengingly rugged mountain treks crisscrosses the park.
HOT SPRINGS REHAB FACILITY
.Although it's small there is plenty of things that kept me busy during my travels through the National Park. The world famous Bathhouse Row, is located right in the heart of Hot Springs' Historic Downtown District.
FORDYCE BATHHOUSE
Restored Fordyce Bathhouse (currently also the Park Visitors Center) right in the middle of Bathhouse Row. Tours through the marvelous building give a quick understanding of where the thermal waters come from, how they are used and how the federal government protects the 700,000 gallons of thermal water that gushes uninterrupted from the earth every day.
There are display springs that let you feel just how hot the water really is (148 degrees Fahrenheit), and the beautiful cascade of thermal water at the northern end of Bathhouse Row lets you dip your feet in the thermal waters as you relax and enjoy the beauty of Arlington Lawn Park.
A twisting scenic drive up Hot Springs Mountain behind the bathhouses takes you to breathtaking Hot Springs Mountain Tower. Elevated 1,256 feet above sea level, overlooking 140 miles of beautiful Arkansas countryside, including Hot Springs National Park and the Ouachita Mountains. A concessionaire of the National Park service where you'll be whisked by elevators to the top and a spectacularly beautiful view of the city, mountains, forests and lakes that surround Hot Springs 40 miles in all directions.
VIEW FROM WEST MOUNTAIN OVERLOOK
An extensive 26-mile network of hiking trails that range from the easily negotiated Grand Promenade to some challengingly rugged mountain treks crisscrosses the park.
MY ADVENTURES
Arriving in the early afternoon I toured through downtown seeing the historic buildings and walked down Bathhouse Row. It was like walking down a street with these fancy high class spas from the 1920s but all on one street together competing for business. I could just close my eyes and imagine what it looked like back in the hay day on Bathhouse Row.
I walked through Fordyce Bathhouse and it has been restored to look as it did in the 1900s- it was pretty cool. Plus they had pictures displayed in each room in the bathhouse to display clients relaxing and enjoying their stay at the spa.
Then I continued down Main Street towards Arlington Hotel and the cascading thermal pool. The water is really hot!! Like hotter than a bath or hot tub hot!! But it was nice to put my hands in a splash the water on my face.
Next, I walked through Arlington Hotel which has a "mall" in the lower level. It is just spa type shops selling soaps, candles, and other good smelly things for baths or relaxation.
Finally I made my way to the trails up Hot Springs Mountain!! Went on a 3-mile hike in the dense forest which was perfect timing to avoid the stinging death heat rays from the sun. While hiking I discovered some new wild flowers that I had never seen before!!
Afterwords I went to the east side of the park & toured Hot Springs Mountain Tower. It is 21 stories above the city and I climbed up every one of them just so I could stop along the way to take pictures!! It was super windy and a bit chilling up at the top when compared to the 90 degrees at the base.
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