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Hot Springs National Parkcolor photo of Fordyce Bathhouse gym with parallel bars in left foreground and vaulting horse in right background
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Hot Springs National Park
Things To Know Before You Come
 

Hot Springs National Park is in an urban area, surrounding the north end of the city of Hot Springs. There is not any park-owned parking but the city has a large parking deck one block west of Bathhouse Row as well as street parking and private lots. Watch for pedestrians crossing streets.

The city of Hot Springs also goes by the name Hot Springs National Park and many businesses not related to the federal national park use the name "National Park X" for their business name. The official National Park Service arrowhead will be displayed at the federal Hot Springs National Park facilities.

The hot springs only emerge in the downtown Bathhouse Row area. To use them you must go to a bathhouse. Here's more information. If you want to collect spring water to take home, you can bring bottles or jugs to do so. To find out more about drinking the water, read this.

You can find out more about bathhouses by touring the historic Fordyce Bathhouse which is now the park visitor center. Look at the exhibits to find out how the town grew up around the hot springs.

2007 Hot Springs Reservation anniversary logo, blue Quapaw Bathhouse with text
2007 park anniversary
Find out about the many activities held for the anniversary in 2007
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black and white photo of bronze eagle on top of limestone  

Did You Know?
In 1892 U.S. Army Engineer Lt. Robert R. Stevens hired the noted Boston firm of Frederick Law Olmsted to create landscaping plans for Hot Springs Reservation, now Hot Springs National Park. Stevens rejected the firm’s plans in 1893, but some features were adopted and still survive today.

Last Updated: September 25, 2008 at 16:23 EST