Hot Springs National Park
Rate this placeNearby: Kimery Park Hill Wheatley Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Hot Springs National Park is located in the state of Arkansas and is the oldest national park in the United States.
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Summary
The park is known for its natural hot springs, which have been used for therapeutic purposes since the 19th century.
One of the main reasons to visit Hot Springs National Park is to experience its unique geological features, including the hot springs, which can be found throughout the park. Visitors can also explore the park's many hiking trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Other points of interest within the park include the historic Bathhouse Row, which features several 19th-century bathhouses that have been restored and converted into museums and visitor centers. The park's scenic drives also offer beautiful views of the area, and its many picnic areas provide a perfect spot for a relaxing lunch.
Interesting facts about the park include the fact that it was originally established as a reservation in 1832 to protect the hot springs and their surrounding forests. It was later designated as a national park in 1921. The park is also home to several endangered species, including the Indiana bat and the American burying beetle.
The best time of year to visit Hot Springs National Park is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are mild and the park is less crowded. Summer can be very hot and humid, while winter can be cold and rainy.
Overall, Hot Springs National Park is a unique and fascinating destination that offers visitors the opportunity to explore its natural wonders and learn about its rich history.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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