20 Serene Things To Do In Hot Springs National Park

1. Visit The Fordyce Bathhouse Museum

Visitors who are into history and want to learn about the park's storied past through interactive exhibits will find the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum an ideal spot. Here, the area's history has been perfectly preserved to provide educational value.

This architecturally stunning place allows visitors to watch educational videos, which the little ones might not find exciting. However, for history buffs, this place is very informative and worth a stop.

This is the most underrated experience to have while visiting Hot Springs National Park, as it can enhance visitors' understanding and appreciation of the park.

2. Stay At The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa

Most of the national parks have beautiful places to explore, except for the hotel accommodations, which are facilitated at Hot Springs National Park Resort. Visitors can stay at the Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa, the largest in Arkansas with nearly 500 rooms and a long list of upscale amenities.

Enjoying a delicious Sunday brunch in the Venetian Room, which has a cozy ambiance, and some spa time at the onsite thermal pools, makes this hotel worth a visit and every single penny. The kind and welcoming staff make the entire stay comfortable as well as unforgettable.

3. Take A Stroll Along The Grand Promenade

After a long day exploring the park, slowing down and cooling off at The Grand Promenade is the best thing to do while taking a stroll. Sometimes, taking a walk helps relieve mental stress, especially when the walk is through a scenic route, which can be enjoyed in this beautiful park.

Walking down the trail also gives a glimpse of what the springs were like centuries ago through its hot springs cascade. For those who like to play chess while enjoying the view, Bathhouse Row inside the park offers that to visitors.

Even though there are not a lot of activities at The Grand Promenade, visitors often come here to spend a calm yet relaxing day.

4. Relax On Arlington Lawn

Sometimes doing nothing and lying under the sunshine on a green lawn is the best low-key activity, which can be enjoyed on the lawn of the Arlington Hotel. while being in the heart of the national park, this grassy knoll is perfect for relaxing and taking in the sights and sounds of downtown Hot Springs.

The Hot Water Cascade is also available at Arlington Lawn, reaching temperatures over 140 degrees so, it is advisable to exercise caution and keep an eye on little ones.

5. Soak In The Hot Springs

Soaking in the outdoor hot springs is not allowed. However, there are other opportunities to enjoy the thermal spring water in the park, such as at Buckstaff Bathhouse or the Quapaw Bathhouse.

Visitors are welcome to enjoy a traditional thermal mineral bath experience, with waters reaching 102 degrees at Buckstaff Bathhouse. This is the oldest continuously running bathhouse in the park, operating for well over a century.

To enjoy a relaxing mineral bath experience, plus a variety of upscale modern spa treatments and public soaking pools, Quapaw Bathhouse is the perfect place.

6. Sleep Under the Stars At Gulpha Gorge Campground

Gulpha Gorge Campground is the perfect place for camping in Hot Springs Arkansas. Especially for people who like to explore natural surroundings, under the stars rather than in luxury hotels.

This spot is open all year round, making it easy for people who cannot travel on weekdays. The campground has 40 sites that accommodate both tents and RVs, and all sites have essential camping amenities such as full hookups, picnic tables, access to water, and shared restrooms.

However, there is no shower facility, which encourages a refreshing dip in the nearby Gulpha Gorge Creek. Visitors should make advance reservations to secure their spot, which costs $34 per night.

7. Take A Scenic Drive

To see the full beauty of Hot Springs National Park, taking a scenic drive is highly recommended for visitors.

It's better to take the winding roads up the mountain through the dense forests to catch glimpses of the other ranges in the distance. But be sure to consider the hot springs Arkansas weather. 

While going down the road, several overlooks offering beautiful views might be encountered, such as West Mountain Picnic Overlook, Balanced Rock Overlook, and Goat Rock Overlook.

8. Get A Birds’ Eye View From Hot Springs Mountain Tower

To check out panoramic views over the Ouachita Mountains and several lakes, visitors can head up to Hot Springs Mountain Tower. This can be done either by hiking the 1.5-mile trail starting from Fountain Street downtown or by taking a super-scenic drive up the mountain.

While hiking, visitors can rest at some of the beautiful natural resting points. They can also shop for gifts and local handicrafts at the gift shop near the tower, which is like carrying a piece of the place when returning home.

9. Hike Sunset Trail

A trip to Hot Springs National Park is incomplete without hiking the Sunset Trail, which is one of the premier places to watch the evening.

West Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Stonebridge Road are the three sections of the trail, which happens to be the longest in the park, clocking in at 10 miles one-way.

Some of the most-visited parts of the park can be explored along the trail, making it one of the best things to do in Hot Springs, Arkansas to really get a sense of the area. Visitors can park their cars at either end of the West Mountain section before starting the hike.

10. Get A Taste Of Mountain Spring Water

Drinking clean and fresh water from a thermal spring is an amazing experience that many people have not had in their lives. Mountain Spring Water encourages visitors to try it out at its seven thermal spring fountains, which are open to the public.

Of these fountains, two provide warm water, perfect for winter, while the rest offer cold water. Carrying a container, such as water bottles or jugs, is recommended for filling up, as directly sipping from the fountains is not allowed.

The water is continuously monitored for quality to ensure the health and safety of visitors.

11. Visit Garvan Woodlands Gardens

While visiting Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, the nearby Garvan Woodland Gardens is a place worth a visit.

This garden features a peaceful Bonsai garden as the main attraction, along with other beautiful botanical landscapes, including unique bridges, stone pathways, and intimate garden spaces.

A six-story-tall structure with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and an intricate wooden design called Anthony Chapel is also located in the garden, designed to draw the attention of photographers. Adult visitors need to pay $15 to enter the garden, which opens every day from 10 am to 6 pm.

12. Explore Lake Hamilton

Only minutes from downtown Hot Springs, Lake Hamilton is the perfect place to relax and chill by the lake, effortlessly blending natural beauty with urban excitement.

Even if visitors want to spend an overnight stay near the lake, luxury resorts, and grand vacation homes are available along the lake shores. If they are running out of time, we recommend hopping off their boat to grab a pizza, dine on the wharf, or shop for essentials at dockside stores.

With more guided boat expeditions than any other lake, including pontoon and duck boat tours, there’s an adventure for everyone. Numerous marinas offer a variety of boat rental options for those who prefer to be at the helm.

13. Enjoy The Thrill of Ziplining In Hot Springs

Many visitors get bored in Hot Springs National Park by exploring the parks and museums and want to go on adventure trips like ziplining. Ziplining can be done properly and safely in Hot Springs.

To spend some time in the great outdoors and soar over an old-growth forest, this thrilling zipline tour in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is the ultimate destination. To ensure safety and learn about protocols, visitors should watch a safety briefing at the adventure park.

After that, the adventure begins with riding several ziplines through the forest and over water, with short hikes in between.

14. Grab A Beer Or A Quick Bite At Superior Bathhouse Brewery

For beer lovers, Superior Bathhouse Brewery is the ideal spot to enjoy freshly crafted beers as well as beers from other regional breweries. Visiting here will make the experience even more wholesome.

Eighteen taps are available to order a beer flight, and the brewery offers a variety of taste options every day, opening daily from 11 AM to 10 PM. 

Apart from beer, when visitors want to snack on something or have a heavy brunch, there is Superior Bathhouse Brewery's family-friendly on-site restaurant that serves simple but fresh dishes and beverages.

15. Solve Clues And Discover Hidden Gems In Hot Springs Hop Scavenger Hunt

Solving the mysterious Scavenger Hunt requires full creativity and a sharp mind, which can be a great activity to engage in while visiting Hot Springs.

Having a Hot Springs National Park map can be helpful for this adventure. Visitors with their kids can participate in a creative scavenger hunt while discovering hidden gems and interpreting clues for points, using this app-based game in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Those who love challenges might find this very interesting, as it involves walking around town to explore curated locations and solve puzzles to reach the top spot on the leaderboard. This is a fun experience that allows engagement with the city's history and culture.

16. Go Birdwatching In Hot Springs National Park

As good as it is to watch birds in the beautiful environment surrounding Tainan, you can do so and be soothed at the same time. People have mentioned that this activity is the most favorite of all.

During the trip to Hot Springs National Park, you should seize the opportunity of bird-watching to come into contact with the park's rich bird life through its scenic trails.

Visitors to the park should bring binoculars and a field guide to do some birdwatching, and one way is through Bird watching alone allows for silence and undisturbed contact with nature.

17. Encountering Alligators At Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo

Families traveling with kids should visit Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo, the oldest attraction in Hot Springs National Park, which is perfect for visitors who don't have plenty of time to explore. Just an hour would be enough to explore this small petting zoo, which has a fair admission price.

Animals like emus, goats, sheep, monkeys, and alligators are found here, and they are loved by little kids. To get more information about anything related to this zoo, it's better to check out its website.

18. Visit The Hot Springs National Park Archives

A good place to study the history of the park is in the Hot Springs National Park Archive, where documents, photos, and artifacts revealing how the park developed as well as its cultural significance are gathered.

Its early settlers left a deep imprint on the area, and it was the evolution of both them and the landscape into a national parkland. Visitors may discover for the first time how this area was shaped by its first inhabitants before that land became a national park.

Its transformation into a product through human effort is reflected in every aspect of life here.

19. Enjoy Watching Horceracing At Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort

An extraordinary sport that is thrilling to watch at Hot Springs National Park is horse racing at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort which is loved by many visitors.

A world-class horse racing track is constructed at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, which features live thoroughbred horse racing events showcasing top-tier equine talent.

Playing at a casino can be both fun and risky, but if visitors want to try it out, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort offers a wide range of casino games, from slots to table games, in a vibrant gaming environment.

20. Become a Junior Ranger At Hot Springs National Park

For children and families who want to engage more deeply with the park's natural and cultural resources becoming a Junior Ranger at Hot Springs National Park can be the perfect choice.

They can take part in a series of fun and educational activities designed to teach about the park's history, wildlife, and conservation efforts. A Junior Ranger badge or certificate is provided to participants after finishing the program, which serves as a rewarding memento of their exploration and learning.

This not only enriches their visit but also fosters a sense of leadership and appreciation for the park. Hence, this valuable knowledge can be gained a greater connection to the park can be felt through this program.