Hot Springs, Arkansas

The journey to Hot Springs was through forests, back roads, and small towns. It was a beautiful part of Arkansas to see. Our campground was close to the center of town and Hot Springs National Park.

Hot Springs Reservation was initially created by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1832 to be preserved for future recreation. Established before the concept of a national park existed, it was the first time that land had been set aside by the federal government to preserve its use as an area for recreation. The area was established as a national park on March 4, 1921.

Hot Springs National Park is the oldest park maintained by the National Park Service. The hot springs flow from the western slope of Hot Springs Mountain, part of the Ouachita Mountain range.

The entire Bathhouse Row area is designated as a National Historic Landmark District; it contains the grandest collection of bathhouses of its kind in North America, including many outstanding examples of Gilded Age architecture. The row’s Fordyce Bathhouse serves as the park’s visitor center; the Buckstaff and Quapaw are the only facilities still operating as bathhouses.

In the early 1900s the hot springs were enclosed to protect the thermal water and retain heat. A water collection & distribution system was installed. It is a beautiful walkway that has cobble stones for the entire creek.

Were we able to tour the inside of the Fordyce Bath House. This is where the Park Headquarters is located. It is a self guided tour and covers three floors and the basement of the bath house. Incredible how it has been restored to some of its former glory.

In 1887 the Army & Navy General Hospital opened. It consisted of five buildings. It has been closed and several of the historic buildings are being removed.

We chose to spend our time hiking on the Oertel Fitness Trail Network. This trail system was built in 1914 on Hot Springs Mountain that overlooks the town. We hiked 12 of the 27 miles of the Oertel Fitness Trail Network.