State guides
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas: Bathhouse Row Guide
Last updated October 22, 2026 · 2 min read
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Hot Springs, Arkansas is the biggest exception to the rule that US hot springs belong to the West. Congress set the springs aside as a federal reservation in 1832, decades before Yellowstone, and the area became Hot Springs National Park in 1921.
How the springs work
Rain soaks into the ground in the nearby mountains, sinks thousands of feet and is heated by the surrounding rock, then rises quickly along faults. The National Park Service estimates that the water fell as rain about 4,000 years before it reaches the surface, at an average of about 143°F (62°C). Learn more in how hot springs form.
Bathhouse Row
Eight historic bathhouses line Central Avenue in downtown Hot Springs, most built between 1892 and 1923. Two still offer thermal baths:
- Buckstaff Bathhouse, in continuous operation since 1912, offers traditional baths with attendants, whirlpool tubs, sitz baths, steam cabinets and hot packs.
- Quapaw Baths and Spa has shared thermal pools and private baths in a building with a striking tiled dome.
Fordyce Bathhouse serves as the park’s visitor center and museum, showing how the baths worked in their heyday. Other bathhouses have been restored for new uses.
Free thermal water
Around town, public fountains let you fill jugs with thermal water for free. The jug fountain is popular with locals, who come with dozens of containers.
More to do
- Walk the Grand Promenade behind Bathhouse Row.
- See the Display Springs, where hot water flows into open pools you can touch at a safe spot.
- Hike the trails on Hot Springs Mountain and drive up to the observation tower.
Tips
- Book bath times ahead, especially on weekends.
- The national park itself has no entrance fee.
- Summer is hot and humid; spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons.
See the Arkansas hot springs page.
Springs in this guide
Listed Arkansas hot springs
The 1 best-documented of 1 Arkansas springs in our directory. See all Arkansas hot springs on a map.
| Hot spring | Water temp | Type | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal Water Jug Fountain | Not recorded | Natural | Hot Springs, AR |
Frequently asked questions
Can you soak in the hot springs at Hot Springs National Park?
Not in the springs themselves, which are capped to protect the water. You can bathe in the thermal water at two bathhouses on Bathhouse Row, Buckstaff Bathhouse and Quapaw Baths and Spa.
How hot is the water at Hot Springs, Arkansas?
The National Park Service reports the spring water averages about 143°F (62°C) when it reaches the surface. It is cooled before use in the baths.
Can you drink the water at Hot Springs National Park?
Yes. The park has public fountains where visitors fill jugs with thermal water and cold spring water for free.