Every system needs a wacky, oddball cousin and Hot Springs National Park embraces that role with gusto, delivering an unrivaled experience full of eccentric bathhouses and bizarre history.
Most “famous” small towns have a history of precious mineral deposits or significant transportation stops, but Hot Springs, Arkansas- a town that was once the home of Al Capone, Bill Clinton, and Major League Baseball Spring Training- is famous for having naturally hot water.
Federally protected since 1832 and a National Park since 1921, the Park fully embraces the absurdity of its history- which involves rural farmers in Arkansas building Roman style bathhouses (or at least as one sign comically notes ‘what they imagined Roman bathhouses to look like’) in the middle of nowhere. Visitors are allowed to self-guide themselves through an original three-story bathhouse that can best be described as a mixture of Victorian design, Frankenstein-esque equipment, and Roman flourish:
For those interested in experiencing the fully glory of the Hot Springs, the Park has been setup to protect a row of modern bathhouses (spa’s essentially) that standout like castles in this small town:
Outside of “Bathhouse Row” the Park also protects an area called “Hot Springs Mountain” which is a beautiful wooded area behind the town. The mountain road is surrounded on all sides by beautiful trees in full fall colors and at the top of the mountain, visitors have the option to take an elevator up a large tower for 360 degree views of the area:
Since the Park itself is quite tiny (in fact it is the smallest National Park in the System), I’m including two highlights from the town of Hot Springs in this post, as they are both excellent and within short driving distance of the Park:
The Anthony Chapel
Designed by E Fay Jones- those of you who followed me in February know that I visited a “sister” chapel to this one in Bentonville called the “Mildred B Cooper” Chapel.
Garven Woodland Gardens:
Unassuming and fully embracing its role as that “one weird National Park”, Hot Springs National Park made for a highly entertaining visit. While it may not have epic waterfalls, snow capped glaciers, or ancient rock formations, it provides a highly entertaining window into the colorful history of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Only a short drive from Little Rock (or 4 hour drive from Dallas), this Park is 100% worth a visit if you are in the area!
That’s it for Arkansas, next up I am headed to the hottest place in the United States, the one and only Death Valley!
-MB
Bonus Image- The actual “Hot Spring:”
A Couple more from Hot Springs Mountain:
