Despite its urban setting, Hot Springs National Park supports a variety of wildlife. Common mammals include white-tailed deer, gray squirrels, raccoons, and various bat species that inhabit the forested areas. Bird watchers can spot numerous species, including pileated woodpeckers, Carolina chickadees, and various warblers. The park's streams contain several fish species, though the thermal waters themselves are too hot to support aquatic life. Reptiles and amphibians are also present, including fence lizards, five-lined skinks, and various snake species. The park serves as an important urban wildlife refuge, providing crucial habitat within the developed landscape.
The park encompasses a diverse array of plant life, with over 100 tree species and numerous wildflower varieties. The forested areas are dominated by shortleaf pine, various oak species, and hickory trees. The understory features dogwood, redbud, and serviceberry trees. Spring brings a colorful display of wildflowers, including wild violet, May apple, and bloodroot. The park also contains several rare plant species, including the Ouachita Mountain goldenrod and three-flowered hawthorn. The thermal areas support unique communities of thermophilic (heat-loving) algae and bacteria, creating colorful mats around the spring openings.
The park's famous hot springs emerge from the western slope of Hot Springs Mountain, part of the Ouachita Mountain range. The springs are created when cold groundwater seeps deep into the earth through fault lines and cracks in the rock, where it's heated by the earth's natural geothermal energy. The heated water then rises back to the surface through the same faults, emerging at temperatures averaging 143°F. The springs produce approximately 700,000 gallons of water daily. The rock formations in the area are primarily composed of novaculite, chert, and shale, formed during the Paleozoic era about 300 million years ago when the region was part of an ancient seabed.
The area's thermal springs have been used for therapeutic purposes by Native Americans for thousands of years, with archaeological evidence suggesting human use dating back 8,000 years. European settlers discovered the springs in 1541, and by 1832, the federal government established the Hot Springs Reservation to protect the natural resource, making it the first federally protected land in the United States. The area developed into a popular Victorian-era health resort, with elaborate bathhouses constructed during the early 1900s. In 1921, the reservation was designated as Hot Springs National Park, becoming America's 18th national park and the first to be set aside for recreational use rather than scenic value. During the 1930s, the park became famous as a rehabilitation center for baseball players and a popular destination for organized crime figures.
The park's most iconic features are the historic Bathhouse Row, a collection of eight architecturally significant bathhouses built between 1892 and 1923. The Grand Promenade, a brick-paved walkway behind Bathhouse Row, offers visitors a traditional spa-town strolling experience. The Hot Springs Mountain Tower provides panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountains and surrounding area. The park maintains 26 miles of hiking trails, including the Hot Springs Mountain Trail and the Sunset Trail, the park's longest at 10 miles. The Fordyce Bathhouse, now serving as the park's visitor center and museum, showcases the golden age of bathing through preserved rooms and exhibits. The park also features several cold springs and drinking fountains where visitors can taste the mineral-rich spring water.
Hot Springs National Park experiences a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers (June-August) are hot and humid with average highs around 90°F (32°C), while winters (December-February) are mild with occasional cold snaps and average lows around 30°F (-1°C). Spring and fall are generally pleasant with moderate temperatures. The park receives approximately 55 inches of rainfall annually, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, with May typically being the wettest month. Snow is relatively rare but possible during winter months. The thermal springs maintain a constant temperature of 143°F (62°C) year-round, regardless of surface weather conditions.
USA
34.5210°, -93.0420°
March 4, 1921
22.5
Hot Springs National Park preserves and protects 47 natural thermal springs on the southwestern slope of Hot Springs Mountain. The park is unique as it centers around Bathhouse Row, a collection of eight historic bathhouse buildings from the early 20th century. It was first protected in 1832 as a federal reserve, making it the oldest protected area in the National Park System.