Parks and the outdoors in Hot Springs

8 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Hot Springs.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

See
Bathhouse Row
Includes the Fordyce Bathhouse and seven other bathhouses all built in the early 20th century. The Row is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Aside from the Fordyce which serves as the park visitor center, the Buckstaff and the Quapaw are the only other operating bathhouses that are still in use as a spa. The other bathhouses are vacant but awaiting new uses.
See
Garvan Woodland Gardens
Garvan Woodland Gardens. Learn more about its natural flora and fauna.
See
Hale Bathhouse
The present Hale Bathhouse is the oldest visible structure on Bathhouse Row. The Mission Revival-style bathhouse is a textbook case of the changes in use and design of bathhouses buildings in Hot Springs National Park.
See
Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center
The visitor center in the former Fordyce Bathhouse is also a 24-room museum offering self-guided tours. Considered the most elegant bathhouse when completed in 1915, it exhibits beautiful mosaic tile floors, marble, stained glass windows and ceilings, a gymnasium, and routine bathing equipment. The 15-minute orientation movie, Valley of Vapors, offers a brief history of the area. Taking the Baths is a 9-minute video showing the traditional bathing routine in the Hot Springs bathhouses. Rest rooms and water fountains are located in the basement. Other rooms shown include the music room, massage rooms and a bowling alley.
Daily 9AM-5PM
Do
Lake Catherine State Park
A tranquil lake setting with a number of waterfalls where one can submerge in pools below and just frolic in general. But also you can arrange boat rentals or horseback rides on the premises. Or camp in a tent, yurt, or cabin.
Visitor centerː daily 8AM-5PMFree
Do
Lake Ouachita State Park
Centered around the eponymous lake that dominates the area west of Hot Springs, its large size kind of caters to boating enthusiasts, but has hiking, swimming, and camping amenities nonetheless. Visitor center, kayaking.
Visitor centerː daily 8AM-5PMFree
Do
Magic Springs and Crystal Falls
An amusement park with water and thrill rides such as roller coasters perched high above the Ouachita Mountains, outdoor concerts and more.
Do
Ouachita River Whitewater Park
A place to float or kayak down a semi-turbulent stretch of the Ouachita River. Watch out for hooey bathrooms though.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Hot Springs (CC BY-SA 4.0).