Hot Springs National Park

Hot Springs National Park is the only national park that we have visited that consists of two distinct entities. As expected, the park includes driving and hiking trails over two mountains, as well as a campground.


On the mountaintop, an observation tower overlooks the city and affords long range views of the countryside.



An elevator whisks you up six stories to a glassed-in deck at the top of the tower. This level includes a museum with exhibits about the life of Bill Clinton, who graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1964. But the museum also explores the history of the therapeutic mineral bath industry which once made Hot Springs a top destination for vacationers and medical patients.


And that is where the other half of this unique national park takes center stage. You can tour the downtown area where opulent bath houses once bustled with visitors. In the 1800's and early 1900's, bathing was reputed to cure all sorts of diseases. But by the 1950's, the bath houses fell out of favor as modern medicine, particularly the use of antibiotics, effected real cures for many diseases. In the 1980's, the federal government stepped in to save the buildings and incorporated the magnolia tree-lined "Bath House Row" as part of Hot Springs National Park...


The government completely restored Fordyce Bath House, made it the official Visitor's Center, and opened it for self-guided tours.


Here's the lobby...

and the "bath"...

the cooling room...
the ladies' lounge...
and the men's gym.
Only one bath house, Buckstaff Baths, still seves the public.

Their web site describes the treatment and services available.For $47.00, you get an 1 1/2 worth of bathing treatments and massage. Sound like heaven to me!

Fortunately, our government continues to restore a number of the other bath houses. They are seeking private businesses to come in, take long term leases, and offer modern spa services to reinvigorate Hot Springs tourism.