🥾 Goat Rock Trail (2.4 miles, 380 feet elev. gain): In addition to guiding hikers to its namesake rock, this trail offers solid views of the surrounding mountains.
🥾 Sunset Trail (13 miles, 2,372 feet elev. gain): If you truly want solitude in Hot Springs National Park, embark on a half-day journey along Sunset Trail. The trail circumnavigates the donut-shaped national park, allowing hikers to escape from the city into the surrounding forests.
🥾 West Mountain & Mountain Top Trail Loop (2.4 miles, 521 feet elev. gain): Combining these two trails creates a fun loop that offers scenic views of the nearby city of Hot Springs.

🛀 Spa Day: Have you ever treated yourself to a spa day in a national park? Well, Hot Springs National Park is the perfect place to do that! The Quapaw Bathhouse and the Buckstaff Bathhouse are the only two buildings in Bathhouse Row that offer opportunities to soak in the thermal waters for which the park is named. Hot pools, a steam cave, and private baths can all be enjoyed at these locations.
📜 Hot Springs National Park Museum: The park’s visitor center and adjacent museum sits inside the Fordyce Bathhouse, which has been converted into an interesting museum.
🗼 Hot Springs Mountain Tower: The forests surrounding Hot Springs offer several overlooks of the city. This overlook – an observation tower atop the park’s namesake mountain – is perhaps the best. Check it out.
🍺 Superior Bathhouse Brewery: If you want to dine and drink in the only brewery in a national park, stop here.

🏙️ Hot Springs: Named for the national park (or vice versa, I’m not sure), Hot Springs is an interesting city to explore with plenty of food, drink, and shopping opportunities. There’s even an amusement park – Magic Springs Theme and Water Park – nearby.
🏙️ Little Rock: Arkansas’ capital city sits only an hour from Hot Springs, making it a solid stop if you have the time.
🌲 Ouachita National Forest: Those looking for more intimate time with nature can seek out this nearby national forest, which offers plenty of hiking opportunity in western Arkansas.

📅 When to Visit: Since the park’s main attractions are indoors, there’s not really a bad time to come. However, those looking to hike should come in the fall or spring. Weather at Hot Springs is fairly mild year-round, but it’s best to avoid the dead of winter or the peak heat of summer.
⌚ How Long to Visit: 1 day at Hot Springs National Park is plenty of time to explore Bathhouse Row and even squeeze in a hike or two. If you want to explore the Sunset Trail in addition to experiencing a full spa day, consider extending your visit to 2 days.
🚗 How to Visit: Hot Springs National Park sits about 1 hour by car from Little Rock and 2 hours by car from Texarkana. Since the town is close to I-30, it can easily be visited as part of a longer drive or road trip.
🛏️ Where to Stay: If you want to stay in the national park, Hotel Hale – a converted bathhouse – and Gulpha Gorge Campground are your only two options. Otherwise, check out the national park’s lodging guide for places to stay outside the park.
🧳 What to Bring: Bring hiking boots and water if you’re planning to explore the park’s trails. Otherwise, bring a swimsuit for the thermal pools and comfortable clothes and walking shoes for exploring the city.

✅ DO pack a swimsuit. 
✅ DO spend time learning about Hot Springs’ history while you’re visiting. If nothing else, Hot Springs National Park is a fascinating historical site.
❌ DON’T visit the park with unreasonable expectations. Even though Hot Springs is a national park, you won’t find huge mountains, breathtaking vistas, or loads of nature here.