Hot Springs

https://www.nps.gov/hosp/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Springs_National_Park Hot Springs National Park is a United States National Park in central Garland County, Arkansas, adjacent to the city of Hot Springs, the county seat. Hot Springs National Park has a rich cultural past. The grand architecture of our historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of years. Ancient thermal springs, mountain views, incredible geology, forested hikes, and abundant creeks – all in the middle of town – make Hot Springs National Park a unique and beautiful destination. From Little Rock: Take I-30W towards Texarkana. Exit 111 for US 70W/Hot Springs. Turn Right onto Spring St. Turn Right onto Central Ave. Drive North, the Park will be on the right after Reserve St. From Texarkana: Take 1-30E. Exit 78 for AR-7 and turn left under the highway. Follow AR-7 North for 31 miles. AR-7 becomes Central Ave., the Park will be on the right after Reserve Street. Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum The Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum is open daily. Park rangers are available at the front desk from 9 am - 5 pm to assist with any questions and offer information. The visitor center is located on Central Avenue, downtown Hot Springs Arkansas. Located off Central Avenue and right across from all of the shops downtown, the Visitor Center is on Bathhouse Row. The Fordyce Bathhouse sits between the Maurice Bathhouse and the Quapaw Bathhouse, right next to the stone pillars which mark our grand entrance. Gulpha Gorge Campground Camping at Gulpha Gorge Campground costs $34 per night for all sites. All sites have full hookups: 30 and 50 amp electric, water and sewer connections. Sites are not pull-through. Each campsite has a picnic table, pedestal grill, and water. Camping in Gulpha Gorge Campground is limited to a total of 14 consecutive days and a cumulative total of 30 days in any calendar year. Each 14 day consecutive stay must be followed by a minimum of a 7 day break. All Camp Sites 34.00 Camping is $34 per night.* As of February 1st, all campsites must be paid for by making a reservation on Recreation.gov *Owners of the America the Beautiful: The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior or Access Pass may receive a 50% discount. This discount only applies to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass owner. Relax by the Creek Lawn chairs posted beside a calming creek Many campsites are located along Gulpha Creek Gulpha Creek Fall Colors Fall trees showing color Gulpha Creek during the start of fall Gulpha Creek Two people stand on the banks of Gulpha Creek. An arched bridge is reflected in the water. Gulpha Creek runs right by the campground and is a perfect place to relax. Amphitheater An amphitheater with rows of seating on a lawn within the trees The amphitheater is a great place to host events and bring campers together Creek Crossing A stone walkway bridging the gab across a creek Stones built to bridge the gab across the creek Gulpha Creek Amber brown water flowing between a forest of fall trees Gulpha Creek RV Camping A silver RV camper parked on a lot and hooked up to power All sites come with full RV hookups for electric and water. Tent Camping Several colorful tents are set up underneath the canopy of the trees at the campground. There are opportunities for tent camping at Gulpha Gorge. Pay Station The tan brick, ranch style building houses the campground's fee station and community bulletin board The fee station for campground reservations is located within this building. Campers RV's lined up on the campground Park your RV next to the river Bathhouse Row Evening A pink sky above gentle white buildings Bathhouse Row as the sun sets Hot Water Cascade Misty water evaporating from a cascade The Arlington Lawn holds a beautiful thermal cascade Bathhouse Row From The Waters A sky view of large bathhouse buildings The Waters offers a great view of bathhouse row Bathhouse Row Stone entrance pillars in front of a row of four bathouses Visitors and patients come to take the thermal waters Take A Hike! Close up of a hiking boot on the trail a hiker in the distance Hot Springs National Park has 26 miles of hiking trails to explore. Hiker at bridge Whittington Park Creek Hiker sits at the edge of the creek, with a bridge in the background Visitors hike and enjoy the cool shady places in the park. Bridge with fall colors Stone bridge surrounded by brilliant yellow and green leaves The park is beautiful year round Thermal Water Trough A stone tough in a green forest with water flowing down Along the hiking trails of Hot Springs Mountain are active troughs for directing the thermal water Visitor at the edge of the pools of the hot water cascade women sitting on the stone wall at the hot water cascade as the vapor rises The natural curiosity of the thermal water can be seen and experienced Balanced Rock Overlook Sun setting over rolling hills Along Sunset Trail is the spectacular view over Balanced Rock Mountain Tower and Pagoda A tower and pagoda on the side of a mountain For the best views of the Ouachita mountains, the tower and pagoda offer amazing and different sights Wildland Fire in Arkansas' National Parks Wildland fire impacts each of the national parks in Arkansas in one way or another. The National Park Service manages wildland fire to protect the public; park communities and infrastructure; conserve natural and cultural resources; and maintain and restore natural ecosystem processes. A prescribed fire is monitored by a firefighter on an all-terrain vehicle. 2016 Recipients: George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service Learn the invaluable contributions of the 2016 Hartzog winners, celebrating excellence in volunteerism. Group of school kids pointing at things in a marsh area Building an African American Community at Hot Springs Reconstruction was a time of hope and progress for African Americans in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Peter and Fannie Henderson filed a land patent in 1882 to claim land from the federal government. NPS archeologists investigated home sites and cemeteries within the Hendersons' community, a place with deep traditions whose people built themselves up after starting with very little. Headstone in the forest. Morale, Welfare and Recreation in WWII National Parks Wartime NPS Director Newton Drury wrote 'In wartime, the best function of these areas is to prove a place to which members of the armed forces and civilians may retire to restore shattered nerves and to recuperate physically and mentally for the war tasks still ahead of them.' During World War II, parks across the United States supported the morale of troops and sought to become places of healing for those returning from war. B&W; soldiers post in front of large tree Bat Projects in Parks: Hot Springs National Park Find out what species of bat they discovered during research in Hot Springs National Park! A little bat roosting with white fuzz on its muzzle. Bathhouse Row Cultural Landscape Bathhouse Row, a cultural landscape in Hot Springs National Park, is the largest remaining collection of early twentieth-century bathhouses in the United States. It stands as a reminder of the development and decline of the nation's spa movement, during which bathing was valued as an elegant leisure activity and an option for healing. The landscape is significant for associations with architecture, landscape design, recreation, health, social history, and conservation. Two people cross a street near a tall column, with the Grand Promenade in the background. Wildland Fire in Oak Woodlands and Savannas of the Midwestern United States Oak woodlands depend on disturbances like fire to survive. Frequent fire created and maintained the open structure and make-up of the woodlands. Today, there are fewer oak woodlands across the central United States. Oak woodlands are converting into forests due to a lack of fire. Oak trees with an understory of grasses and forbs. NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports. hot spring with pathway and visitors Geoscientists-in-the-Parks: Invasive Species Management Read about the work Emily Roberts and G. William Harrison did as Invasive Species Management Interns in Hot Springs National Park as GIPs in 2016. Emily Roberts inventorying a vegetation plot Vegetation Community Monitoring at Hot Springs National Park The mountain area of Hot Springs National Park is in the recharge zone for the hot springs and the forest provides other important ecosystem services. View of mountain ridges at Hot Springs National Park. Aquatic Invertebrate Monitoring at Hot Springs National Park In 2015, scientists found many species that are intolerant to poor water quality, which shows these streams currently are in good condition. Gulpha Creek at Hot Springs National Park. Series: GIP Participants and Project Highlights [8 Articles] Participants selected for the GIP program have a unique opportunity to contribute to the conservation of America's national parks. Participants may assist with research, mapping, GIS analysis, resource monitoring, hazard mitigation, and education. GIP positions can last from 3 months to one-year. Robyn Henderek Southern Magnolia at Hot Springs National Park Bathhouse Row along Central Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas was historically designed as an "architectural park" where buildings and landscape would unite into one cohesive space. The Magnolia Promenade along Bathhouse Row is a prominent feature of the park’s documented cultural landscape and is listed in the 1985 National Historic Landmark Nomination . Long, waxy leaves of a magnolia, framing a oval seed pod Civil War Connections at Hot Springs National Park Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas has a diverse history. In this article learn about the Civil War and how men who fought during that war came to recover from injuries at this site. a yellow building in the background with a brown sign that says Hot Springs National Park African Americans and the Hot Springs Baths Before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 African American men and women were not allowed to use the same bathhouses as whites. This article will explore the building of their own bathhouses in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Pythian Bathhouse color photo Plan Like A Ranger: Top 10 Things to Know to Plan Your Trip Interested in visiting the thermal springs? Taking a tour of a historic bathhouse? Or hitting the trail? This top ten list of things to know before you visit will ensure you make the most of you time in Hot Springs National Park! Two large, multi-story rectangular buildings peek over the top of tall magnolia trees. Things to Do in Arkansas Find things to do and trip ideas in Arkansas. Front of a high school made of brown brick that rises to a high point in the middle with stairways. Series: Things to Do in the Midwest There is something for everyone in the Midwest. See what makes the Great Plains great. Dip your toes in the continent's inland seas. Learn about Native American heritage and history. Paddle miles of scenic rivers and waterways. Explore the homes of former presidents. From the Civil War to Civil Rights, discover the stories that shape our journey as a nation. Steep bluff with pink sky above and yellow leaves below. Josie Fernandez Born in Cuba, Josie Fernandez emigrated to the United States with her family when she was 12 years old. She became a US citizen in 1976 and was inspired to join the US Air Force. She wore two uniforms throughout her careers with the US Air Force Reserves and the National Park Service (NPS). Starting as a public affairs officer in 1993, she quickly rose to superintendent positions while continuing to serve her country. Josie Fernandez poses outside in her NPS uniform with a gold badge on her shirt. Pauline Mead Pauline "Polly" Mead fell in love with the Grand Canyon as a botany student. Her knowledge of the plants at the canyon, together with a connection to National Park Service (NPS) Director Stephen T. Mather, got her a job as the first woman ranger-naturalist at Grand Canyon National Park in 1930. Mead's formal NPS career was short because she married the park's assistant superintendent in 1931. As a "park wife" she continued to live and research in parks for another 25 years. Polly Mead in her NPS uniform examining a plant. Volunteer Story: Barry Richardson Meet our longest-standing volunteer! A jack of all trades, Barry has dedicated 23 years and over 7,000 hours to Hot Springs National Park. An older white man with glasses smiles, wearing a beige volunteer had and yellow safety vest. Volunteer Story: Gulpha Gorge Campground Hosts Gulpha Gorge Volunteer Campground Hosts ensure everyone who stays at the campground has a safe, positive experience. Meet the dedicated volunteers who keep our campground running! A middle-aged white woman wearing a bright blue NPS volunteer polo stands in front of green trees. Volunteer Story: Visitor Services at the Fordyce First impressions are important, and our Fordyce Bathhouse volunteers make sure visitors have a great one! A middle-aged white man poses behind a front desk, wearing a tan NPS volunteer shirt. Uncovering Ral City What lengths would you go to for free access to hot springs? Discover the unique history of water access at Hot Springs National Park. A black and white photo of a large group of men sitting and standing. B.A.R.K. Ranger Program Hot Springs National Park offers a variety of ways for your pup to become an official B.A.R.K. Ranger! Check out this article to learn more about the program and earn your certificate today! A red dog sits on a rock with her mouth open in front of a bright and rolling vista. Guide to the Thomas J. Allen Photograph Collection Finding aid for the Thomas J. Allen Photographs in the NPS History Collection. Future preservation work of historic bathhouse row buildings in Hot Springs National Park Hot Springs National Park will receive funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) for roof repairs to the Buckstaff Bathhouse and structural and systems upgrades to the Maurice Bathhouse and the former Libbey Memorial Physical Medicine Center. These essential repairs will address deferred maintenance and repairs associated with these facilities and provide employees and visitors with more accessible, safe, and energy efficient facilities. A white, 3-story building with tall arched windows and green trim stands in the sunlight. 50 Nifty Finds #18: Portable Posters Many visitors to national parks today collect passport stamps, magnets, or other items to recall their trip and to show others where they’ve been. In the 1920s and 1930s the “must have” souvenirs weren’t created to be collected. National Park Service (NPS) windshield stickers served a practical administrative purpose; they were evidence that the automobile license fee drivers paid at some parks had been paid. Even so, Americans embraced their colorful, artistic designs. Four colorful Rocky Mountain National Park windshield stickers. African Americans and the Great Outdoors There is the prevailing misconception that African Americans do not participate in outdoor recreation; however, this misconception is far from reality. While racially exclusionary practices attempted to impose limits on African American participation in outdoor recreation, African Americans participated in opportunities offered by the larger society and also carved out spaces of their own. African American Girl Scouts setting up tents for a day trip at Paradise Park My Park Story: Tatum Monroe In honor of National Volunteer Month, members of the Community Volunteer Ambassador program participated in a photo contest geared towards recognizing volunteers at national park sites. Read more about one of the contest winners, Tatum Monroe, and learn what motivates her to serve as a Community Volunteer Ambassador at Hot Spring National Park. Tatum poses with youth volunteers during a trash clean up. Women Who Were There No comprehensive data has been compiled about women government employees working in national parks before the NPS was founded on August 25, 1916. Their numbers are undoubtedly few but perhaps not as small as we might imagine. The four early NPS women featured here were exceptional in their own ways, but they are also proxies for the names we no longer remember and the stories we can no longer tell. Una Lee Roberts, 1933.(Courtesy of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Gaylord-Pickens Museum) A Partnership Built on Faith and Water: The Levi Memorial Hospital and Hot Springs National Park The relationship between Levi Memorial Hospital and Hot Springs National Park demonstrates an enduring connection between Jewish American communities and the National Park Service. The hospital the national park’s thermal water to treat disabled Jewish visitors to Hot Springs, combat anti-Semitism through achievements in health, and provide a lasting site of thermal water medicinal care in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Illustration of a red building on a hillside and yellow car is on the street. National Public Lands Day: The Battle of Central Arkansas Volunteers celebrate a successful trash collection event during National Public Lands Day 2023 at Hots Springs National Park. A group stands among a large pile of debris smiling, one sits among the debris From Buffalo Soldier to Bath Attendant: The Story of Hugh Hayes and Hot Springs National Park Learn about the life of Hugh Hayes, an African American man from Tennessee, and how his life as a Buffalo Soldier and bath attendant at Hot Springs National Park connected him to significant moments in American history. African American man wearing a white shirt and tie sits in a wooden chair Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park System To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Project Profile: Landscape Stewardship Corps Pre-Apprenticeship Program In collaboration with the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation, the Historic Preservation Training Center is launching the Traditional Trades Advancement Program-Landscape Stewardship Corps, a nationwide internship program aimed at inspiring youth. The program focuses on providing hands-on experiences and training in cultural landscape preservation, preparing the next generation to become stewards of the National Park Service. Two people working with seeds Guide to the National Parks Conservation Assocation (NPCA) Southeast Region Collection This finding aid describes the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Southest Region Collection, part of the NPS History Collection. A Stellar Partnership: National Park Service and NASA partner on 2024 Eclipse Programming through Earth to Sky Public programming for the 2024 Total Eclipse was a team effort! With help from Earth to Sky—an organization that fosters collaboration between NASA and the National Park Service—visitors at Hot Springs National Park and other NPS sites in the eclipse path got to experience awe and learning as they witnessed the April 8, 2024 Total Eclipse. A group gathers at an overlook to view the eclipse. People hold up eclipse viewers Dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on how dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways: Janssen, S.E., C.J. Kotalik, J.J. Willacker, M.T. Tate, C. Flanagan Pritz, S.J. Nelson, D.P. Krabbenhoft, D. Walters, and C. Eagles-Smith. 2024. Geographic Drivers of Mercury Entry into Aquatic Foods Webs Revealed by Mercury Stable Isotopes in Dragonfly Larvae. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02436 close up of dragonfly larvae on white spoon Landscape Stewardship Corps The Landscape Stewardship Corps, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Conservation Experience, is composed of 35 interns at 19 National Park sites. A young intern smiles with a hard hat and goggles on under a branch