National park · Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park

The very first federally protected reservation in the United States — set aside in 1832, decades before the national park idea existed — over thermal springs Indigenous peoples had used for healing for 8,000 years.

Entrance
No fee listed by NPS
Hours
5:00AM - 10:00PM daily Public Areas and Park Roads
Established
April 20, 1832
Region
Great Plains & Heartland
Hot Springs National Park
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
The Hot Springs National Park patch

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History

Hot Springs National Park was the first area designated for federal government protection, established before the concept of a national park existed. It has a rich history of indigenous peoples utilizing the healing properties of the thermal springs for over 8,000 years.

Key events

  1. Hernando de Soto was the first known European to see the springs in 1541.
  2. Hot Springs was incorporated as a city on January 10, 1851, and became a popular spa town.
  3. In 1921, the Hot Springs Reservation was officially designated as Hot Springs National Park.
  4. It was the smallest national park by area in the United States until the redesignation of Gateway Arch National Park in 2018.

Trails

  • Hot Springs Mountain Trail 1.7 mi · Moderate
  • West Mountain Trail 1.3 mi · Moderate
  • Sunset Trail 10 mi · Hard
  • Peak Trail 1.2 mi · Moderate
  • Grand Promenade 0.5 mi · Easy

Plan your visit

Hours · Public Areas and Park Roads

5:00AM - 10:00PM, every day

Arlington Lawn, Grand Promenade, sidewalks on Bathhouse Row, Reserve Street, and Fountain Street, except for walk through traffic, are open from to 5:00 am to 10:00 pm, daily. Roads to Hot Springs Mountain, North Mountain and West Mountain Summit are open to vehicle traffic from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Entrance fees

NPS lists no entrance fee for this park.

Fees and hours as of May 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Spring. Wildflowers bloom, comfortable hiking weather, moderate crowds
  • Fall. Vibrant autumn colors, pleasant temps, fewer visitors
  • Winter. Peaceful trails, warm thermal baths, holiday atmosphere
  • Summer. All facilities open but hot and humid

Wildlife

White-tailed deerWild turkeysArmadillosRed foxesPileated woodpeckersCardinalsGreat blue heronsPainted buntings

Nearby patches

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