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I’ll be honest – Arkansas has never been at the top of my must-visit list. Sure, I’ve seen pictures of the rich green Ozark Mountains, sparkling blue mountain lakes, and the Little Rock skyline, but even so, it has always been a state I have overlooked when planning trips. Until recently, that is.
I had a three day weekend and obviously wanted to use that time off from work to go somewhere new. One of my bucket list items is to visit every National Park in the United States. Typically, after I decide on a place to visit, I pull up my list of National Parks and see if any are nearby. This time, though, I decided to try a different method. I chose my trip based on a National Park. Did you know that there is one National Park in Arkansas? I didn’t, but as soon as I saw that there was I knew that I wanted to visit. So I hoped in my car and 8 hours later pulled into the town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, home of Hot Springs National Park.
In 1832, the federal government established Hot Springs Reservation to protect the water that flows from natural hot springs in the nearby Hot Springs Mountain into the town below, but it wasn’t until 1921 that the National Park was established. People believed that this thermal mountain water had healing powers and could cure certain diseases, so bathhouses were created at the base of the mountain that provided visitors the opportunity to soak in this water and reap the benefits. Later on, the bathhouses took on more of a spa feel and became a vacation destination for the wealthy.
Taking a trip to Hot Springs now is a great opportunity to learn the history of the region, soak in the hot spring water, and enjoy the beautiful Arkansas scenery.
Soak in a Traditional Bath at Buckstaff Bathhouse
Although most of the old bathhouses still stand along Bathhouse Row in downtown Hot Springs, only a few still offer the opportunity to bathe. I visited Buckstaff Bathhouse for my spa experience and chose the traditional bath package. This experience included a soak in a tub of thermal hot spring water where the attendant scrubs your legs and arms with a loofah, a sitz bath followed by a short sit in a steam cabinet, then you lay on a bench with warm towels covering your back, shoulders, legs, and anywhere else that you ask to be covered. My package ended with a 20-minute full body massage. The entire experience was so relaxing, and exactly what I was hoping to experience during my visit to Hot Springs.
Learn About the Park History
The old Fordyce Bathhouse now serves as a park visitor center and is absolutely worth a visit. Much of the bathhouse has been preserved, giving visitors the opportunity to see how the bathhouse operated during its prime. As you walk around, you pass through old dressing and bathing rooms, massage rooms (where electrotherapy was commonly used), the old gymnasium the music room, and the state room. You’ll have the opportunity to see how visitors to Hot Springs used to spend their time.
Drink a Beer Brewed with Hot Springs Water
After spending the morning soaking in the hot, hot water, I needed to cool off! Superior Bathhouse now serves as the local Superior Bathhouse Brewery. It’s the perfect post-bath spot to grab a bite to eat and a cold drink. Of course, everything in the area has ties to the hot springs, and this brewery is no exception. The brewery uses the water from the mountain springs to brew its beer. Grab a flight and try a few different samples.
Take a Hike
The town of Hot Springs sits at the base of Hot Springs Mountain in the Ouachita Mountains, providing miles of hiking trails for the outdoor traveler. I made my way up to the Mountain Tower overlooking the city. You can either hike up the mountain from town, or drive. Once at the top, there is a small fee to ride the elevator to the top of the tower where you will find an observation deck with views of the surrounding mountains and town.
I spent 2 days in Hot Springs before having to drive the 8 hours back home, but felt that this was a solid introduction to the city and state of Arkansas. I briefly passed throur Little Rock on teh drive nad fully plan to go back one day to explore the city and see what else this beautiful state has to offer.
I’m so glad I chose to give Arkansas a chance!
