VISITATION:

Highest June through October; lowest in December and January.

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LOCATION:

Hot Springs, AR

ADDRESS:

Superintendent
Hot Springs National Park
P. O. Box 1860
Hot Springs, AR 71902-1860

TELEPHONE:

(501) 624-3383, x640
TDD (501) 624-2308

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; hours possibly extended June- August; closed: Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

We have four seasons: mild in spring and fall, some humidity, light jacket recommended; hot and very humid in summer, wear comfortable clothing; winter: variable--temperatures may range from below freezing to the 60s, with some humidity. Be prepared for cold weather.

DIRECTIONS:

Hot Springs National Park is in downtown Hot Springs; Bathhouse Row is on Central Avenue with the mountains of the park flanking this street. Visitors traveling north-south on I-30 take the Hot Springs US 70 West exit south of Benton, the Hot Springs US 270 West exit at Malvern, or the Hot Springs Ark. 7 north exit at Arkadelphia; visitors traveling south on Ark. 7 will come through downtown Hot Springs where the visitor center is located; visitors traveling south on US 71 south from Fort Smith, or north on US 71 North from Texarkana take the US 270 East exit; visitors coming from Oklahoma on US 70 east would take this route all the way into Hot Springs. When you get into the city you will see signs for the National Park. The Visitor Center is located downtown on Highway 7 north or Central Avenue.

MAP OF PARK (23k)

TRANSPORTATION:

Hot Springs is serviced by a local airport, the Little Rock airport (with shuttle service and rental cars), and buses. Amtrak services Little Rock and Malvern, Arkansas.
In Park: personal vehicle, bicycle, some public transportation, tour buses (vehicles more than 30 feet long are prohibited on Hot Springs Mountain because the road has hairpin curves.)

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

No admission fees. Donations are accepted at the Visitor Center. Camping fees are $8.00 per night ($4.00 for those having Golden Age or Golden Access Passports) at Gulpha Gorge Campground. Tour companies must have an Incidental Business/Special Use Permit. Write or call superintendent for more information on permits.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:
The Visitor Center is also a museum offering self-guiding tours of the former Fordyce Bathhouse. Considered the most elegant bathhouse when completed in 1915, it contains lovely mosaic tile floors, marble, stained glass, and restored bathhouse rooms. Modern exhibits include "African Americans and the Hot Springs Baths", a 17-minute orientation movie, and a 9-minute video showing the traditional bath routine. The basement showcases the Fordyce spring. There are many wayside exhibits along Bathhouse Row.

The Grand Promenade is a landscaped walkway behind Bathhouse Row which offers a glimpse of the protected springs and historic landscape features. It is accessible from behind the Visitor Center and from Fountain Street.

Trails, Roads:

There are approximately 26 miles of day-use hiking trails in the park (mountain bikes are prohibited); there are scenic mountain drives on West Mountain, Hot Springs, and North Mountains. An observation tower on top of Hot Springs Mountain is operated by a concessioner. There are picnic tables on the Grand Promenade, Hot Springs Mountain, West Mountain, and at Gulpha Gorge.

Programs/Activities:

Scheduled guided bathhouse tours and outdoor walking thermal features tours are given by park rangers and volunteers in season and upon request by advance reservation for groups. Campfire programs at the amphitheater at Gulpha Gorge Campground during June, July, and August.

The park offers a Junior Ranger program for children who tour the Visitor Center/Museum. A summer Junior Ranger program is offered in for children attending four Saturday morning programs.

Lodging and camping facilities:

Camping is available at Gulpha Gorge Campground for $8.00 per night ($4.00 with a Golden Age or Golden Access card.) Campground sites have a picnic table, pedistal grill, and water nearby. There are no electric or water hookups and no showers. Modern rest rooms and a dump station are available. Campgrounds with more amenities are available in the surrounding area.

A variety of hotels, motels, and RV camping sites are available in the greater Hot Springs area.

Food/supplies:

Local restaurants and grocery stores abound.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and

Opportunities:
A bookstore located in the Visitor Center is managed by Eastern National; Hot Springs Mountain Tower, operated by a concessioner, includes a souvenir shop; the Buckstaff Bathhouse is the only remaining operating bathhouse concessioner on Bathhouse Row; the Hot Springs Health Spa/Libbey Memorial Physical Medicine Center located at the corner of Spring and Reserve is also operated by a concessioner; the Arlington, Majestic, Downtowner and Hot Springs Hilton hotels have thermal water bathing facilities whose functions are regulated by the National Park Service.

Accessibility:

The Visitor Center is fully accessible with wheelchairs available for loan. A model of Bathhouse Row and other architectural features is available for blind and visually impaired visitors. The park brochure is available on cassette and large print park information can be obtained at the information desk. An American Sign Language interpreter can be provided with five days notice. For more information, ask for the park accessibility site bulletin or call the Accessibility Coordinator.

Special Needs:

There is a loading area in front of the Visitor Center where tour buses, etc. may unload passengers. Buses may then park at the Hill Wheatley parking plaza south of Bathhouse Row until they are ready to pick up their group. The park does not have a public parking lot; there are several pay parking lots near the Visitor Center and some on- street parking.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Touring the Visitor Center and the Bathhouse Row area are highly recommended; hiking; picnicking; camping at Gulpha Gorge Campground; taking a thermal bath at one of the many concessioners.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Two weeks notice is preferred for scheduling a special tour for a group; call the number listed above for information. Reservations are not taken for Gulpha Gorge Campground; it is on a first-come, first-served basis.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

The historic Bathhouse Row area may be seen in a few hours. Allow longer to enjoy the hiking trails, scenic drives and evening summer programs.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

The park sponsors a Volksmarsch each October (October 23, 1999) in conjunction with the city Oktoberfest. It is sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association as is a Year Round Event walk in the park. Write the park for more details.

Wildflower walks, birding walks and other special hikes may be scheduled throughout the year.

A Civil War encampment on June 12, 1999, at Gulpha Gorge Campground will offer a glimpse of military life during the Civil War in Arkansas.

The evening summer campfire programs present a variety of indepth information on the history, natural history topics, and archeology of the area.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

The city of Hot Springs has a large number of art galleries. A "Festival of the Arts" in the fall includes an extensive documentary film festival. Other festivals include a jazz festival, Oktoberfest, Miss Arkansas Pageant, and outdoor summer concerts. A hands-on science museum is located on the west side of town. Area lakes offer the chance to enjoy a variety of water sports. For more information, call the Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission at 1-800-SPA-CITY.

email: HOSP_Interpretation@nps.gov

Last Updated:12/5/98Monday, 07-Dec-98 12:28:07
http://www.nps.gov/hosp/