Hot Springs National Park Itinerary: How To Spend 2-3 Days
Planning a Hot Springs National Park itinerary? This small but genuinely surprising park in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas packs more personality into 2-3 days than most parks do in a week.
Where else can you hike in a national park in the morning, tour a historic bathhouse where Al Capone used to soak, drink beer brewed with thermal spring water at the only brewery inside a national park, and end the day with live music at the oldest bar in Arkansas?
Hot Springs gets unfairly dismissed as a “lesser” national park, and we’re here to tell you that’s wrong. We spent 2-3 days here and loved every minute of it.
This itinerary covers the best of what the park and the surrounding areas have to offer, including the one stop that gets overlooked on almost every Hot Springs guide: Garvan Woodland Gardens.
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Best Time to Visit Hot Springs National Park
There really isn’t a bad time to go to Hot Springs National Park. Being situated in Arkansas, there are rarely any weather-related closures here. We recommend visiting in the spring months if you can do so.
The weather during March-May is mild, with temperatures in the 40°F to 60°F range. Plus, the trees will be coming out, and the flowers are in bloom. The best thing about this time is the lower humidity! If you know, you know. The weather during the fall months is similar to spring.
During the summer, temperatures range from 80°F to 90°F, and humidity levels can make it feel oppressive and hard to breathe. Chances of potentially severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are also common during the summer months.
Winter is a bit chillier with temperatures as low as the teens! It could even possibly snow. During this time, the trees will be bare, but it’s also a great time to soak in the warm thermal baths of Hot Springs!
Hot Springs National Park Itinerary at a Glance
Here is a quick table with an overview of what your Hot Springs National Park itinerary could look like. For our recommendations on exactly where to stay, keep reading.
| Day 1 – drive or fly to Arkansas, pick up your rental car, and visit Garvan Woodland Gardens. | Travel Day Rest in Hot Springs, AR |
| Day 2 – Hot Springs National Park – visit the Bathhouses, go on a hike, and visit the brewery. | Rest in Hot Springs, AR |
| Day 3 – Travel home | Travel Day |
| Closest Airports | Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport |
Use the map above to help plan your trip to Hot Springs. We think it helps to see a nice overview of the hikes, things to do, and places to see while planning.
What Does A Trip To Hot Spring National Park Cost?
Wondering what a trip here costs? Let’s break down what you might expect to spend. This estimate is based on our 2025 trip, so prices have likely gone up a bit because, honestly, what hasn’t? These figures cover most of the major expenses, though they don’t include food or gas.
| Category | Budget Range (2 people) | Notes |
| Flights | $1,000 | Varies widely by departure city; book early. Take a road trip instead of flying. |
| Rental Car | $500 | Book pay-later so you can reprice; see our rental car guide |
| Hotels/Accommodations | $500 | Our accommodations were about $220 a night. 3-4 nights total. |
| Garvan Woodland Gardens | $44 | Budget for entry fees to visit the gardens. |
| Estimated Total | $2,044 |
This is one of our cheaper trips we have taken. That being said, without having to fly and rent a car, you can save tons of money here if you can make the drive to Hot Springs.
Planning Your Hot Springs National Park Itinerary
Getting There
The closest major airport is Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock, Arkansas, which is about 1 hour from Hot Springs. It’s a small regional airport with connections through major hubs, so check fares via Dallas, Atlanta, or Chicago for the best options.
That being said, Hot Springs is one of the best national parks to reach by car, and many visitors don’t fly at all. Dallas is about 4.5 hours away, Memphis is 3 hours, and St. Louis is about 6 hours.
🍺 Don’t Miss This: The Only Brewery Inside a U.S. National Park: Tucked inside a restored 1916 bathhouse on Bathhouse Row, Superior Bathhouse Brewery is known as the only brewery operating inside a national park in the United States, and the only one in the world that brews its beer using natural thermal spring water straight from the hot springs! The water comes out of the ground at a consistent 143°F and has been filtering through rock for thousands of years before it ever touches your glass. The result? Beer with a story, unlike anything you’ll drink anywhere else. Whether you go for a classic pint or the full Beer Bath (samples of all 18 beers on tap 😄), this stop alone is worth the trip to Hot Springs. Plan it as your Day 2 reward after hiking and Bathhouse Row.
Need to Know
- Hot Springs National Park is FREE to visit!
- The visitor center is located in the historic Fordyce Bathhouse, right on Bathhouse Row.
- You CAN’T bathe in any of the outdoor hot springs.
- 2 bathhouses provide bathing experiences. Visit the Buckstaff Baths or Quapaw Bathhouse to enjoy the thermal waters.
- You CAN drink water from the hot springs. There are a few cold and hot water fountains that you can fill up at. These are marked on the map above, so check it out!
- Parking is located on the street or at the nearby parking garages. Unless you are up early, the garages are your best bet. We have these marked on our map, too.
- Restrooms are located on Bathhouse Row. You’ll find restrooms located on both sides of Quapaw Bathhouse and in the basement of Fordyce Bathhouse (visitor center).
- While hiking and enjoying the scenery, be sure to practice Leave No Trace.
Rental Car
- We typically reserve our rental car well in advance using a pay-later option. This lets you keep an eye on prices leading up to your trip. If the rate drops, you can cancel for free and rebook at the lower price. Most major rental car companies offer free cancellation on pay-later reservations, but it’s always smart to double-check the fine print.
- Make sure to take a video of the outside AND inside of the car before you leave the rental car lot. This will save you from any damage claims made by the rental car company after your return. We know from a very bad experience on this! Check out our post for more information on rental cars and what not to do.
🚗 Book now before it’s too late! Check prices and options for rental cars at Booking.com or Expedia.
Where to Stay While Visiting Hot Springs National Park
You can stay right on Bathhouse Row and be close to the action in Hot Springs National Park. Or, you can also stay a bit further away to save some money. Hot Springs has many accommodations to choose from. Check out some of the best options below.
- Hotel Hale – a boutique hotel on historic Bathhouse Row offering nine individually styled suites with hot spring mineral soaking tubs right in your room, free Wi-Fi, and on-site dining at the Eden Restaurant.
- The Waters Hot Springs, Tapestry Collection by Hilton – located across from Bathhouse Row, this hotel includes on-site dining with a rooftop bar, free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, valet parking, and easy walking access to downtown shops, spas, and trails. Book your stay on Expedia or Booking.com
- Lookout Point Lakeside Inn – stay farther away from the action in a romantic boutique inn perched on Lake Hamilton, offering scenic lake views, peaceful gardens, and more. Compare rates on Expedia or Booking.com.
- The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa – located just north of Bathhouse Row and Hot Springs National Park, it features classic rooms and themed suites, thermal mineral baths, outdoor pools, a full spa, on-site dining and bars, free Wi-Fi, and EV charging stations. Check it out on Expedia.
- Hampton Inn Hot Springs – a short drive from Hot Springs National Park and downtown attractions, this location offers comfortable rooms with free breakfast, Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, fitness center, EV charging, and free parking. Reserve your stay on Expedia or Booking.com
Hot Springs National Park Itinerary
From short hikes and historical bathhouses to scenic overlooks and great restaurants, there are many things to do here at the park. You really don’t need a lot of time here. We spent about 2-3 days total, with travel time included.
Day 1 – Travel Day, Garvan Woodland Gardens & Anthony Chapel
Time to head to Arkansas! For us, this was a nice, long road trip, but it might be farther away for you. In that case, you will want to fly into Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport in Little Rock, AR. From there, it’s just a quick 1-hour drive to Hot Springs. Not bad at all! When you arrive in Hot Springs, head to Garvan Woodland Gardens first.
Garvan Woodland Gardens
So, this destination is not technically part of Hot Springs National Park, but you have to put it on your list. It’s a beautiful place to visit! Online admission to experience this amazing garden is $22 for adults and $10 for children ages 4–12, with little ones under three entering for free.
Within the grounds, you will find winding trails lined with gorgeous flowers, water features, and other plants under a tall canopy of pines. With the scenic Ouachita River and mountains surrounding the garden, you can’t go wrong here. Pick up a map when you enter the gardens and wander around as much as you want.
During our time here, the flowers were in bloom, and it was amazing! The colorful Dutch tulips were up, and the azaleas were out in all their glory. Should you need a bite to eat, just pay a visit to the Chipmunk Cafe. You will find restrooms inside as well.
🛎️ Want to stay right near Bathhouse Row? Book your stay at The Waters Hot Springs, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
Anthony Chapel
Okay, now this place is a must-visit! Just hope there are no weddings scheduled when you plan to visit, because you’ll really want to see the inside of this amazing chapel. Located outside the entrance to Garvan Woodland Gardens, you technically don’t need to pay the entrance fee to check it out.
The chapel was designed by E. Fay Jones, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. It features a soaring structure of native wood and glass, standing in the middle of the forest. Floor-to-ceiling windows invite the surrounding scenery inside, which allows for a unique scene based on the season and weather.
When we visited during the afternoon, there was a wedding occurring that day, and the chapel was closed off by security guards who would not let us go near the chapel. Talk about a bummer!
We really wanted to see the chapel, so we actually came back first thing in the morning on our last day, right when the gates to the garden opened.
We totally lucked out and pretty much had the entire chapel to ourselves. It was so cool! So, our best tip to see this location without people is to go first thing in the morning.
Day 2 – Bathhouse Row, Hiking & the Superior Bathhouse Brewery
Day 2 is a full day in the heart of Hot Springs National Park. Visit Bathhouse Row, go on a hike or two, enjoy some time in the thermal hot spring water, and even have a drink at the only brewery located in a national park.
🥾 Looking for our hiking guide for Hot Springs National Park? Get it here.
Visit Bathhouse Row
First up is Bathhouse Row. This is the main promenade in Hot Springs National Park. Right along Central Avenue, you will find all of the historic bathhouses. Some you can visit, and others you can’t. Let’s discuss more about them below. Before you arrive, we recommend parking here, unless you are staying downtown.
Starting on the south end of Central Avenue, the first bathhouse you will encounter when walking north is Lamar Bathhouse.
Lamar Bathhouse
Lamar Bathhouse opened in 1923. This bathhouse remained in operation until 1985 and is no longer in service. Today, it serves as the Hot Springs National Park store. So, head here for all of your souvenirs and goodies.
Buckstaff Bathhouse
This bathhouse opened in 1912 and is one of the 2 locations where you can soak in the water. At Buckstaff Baths, you can get a traditional bathing experience just like they did in the early 1900s. Attendants will guide you through the different options, depending on what bathing experience you choose.
There are separate floors for men’s and women’s baths. The traditional experience takes about 1.5 hours. No reservations are accepted here, so you can just walk in if you want to have the traditional experience. Check out more information on their website.
🚙 Still need a rental car? Now is the perfect time to book. Check out your options at Booking.com or Expedia!
Ozark Bathhouse
The Ozark opened in 1922. It catered to patrons unwilling to pay for frills and ended up closing in 1977. Today, it serves as the Hot Springs National Park Cultural Center, featuring artwork and exhibitions.
Quapaw Bathhouse
If you are looking for a more modern bathhouse experience, the Quapaw Bathhouse is where it’s at. Opening in 1922, this bathhouse has been offering services with a “healing touch” for quite some time.
Today, you can soak in several thermal pools, treat yourself to massages and facials, enjoy the steam cave, and just unwind. The Quapaw has public and private baths, spa treatments, and even a cafe to enjoy a bite to eat. Reservations are needed for some services, so check out the website for additional details.
Fordyce Bathhouse
The Fordyce Bathhouse is the place to go to learn about the history of Hot Springs National Park. Now serving as the visitor center and museum, this location opened in 1915. It is the largest bathhouse on the row with 3 floors and an indoor gymnasium.
Head here and take a self-guided walking tour of the building, which includes plenty of history on Bathhouse Row, the thermal hot spring water, and more.
Maurice Bathhouse
Right next to Quapaw is the Maurice Bathhouse. Believe it or not, it is currently unoccupied, but may soon become available for commercial leasing. This location was built in 1912
Hale Bathhouse/Hotel Hale
The Hale Bathhouse was originally built in 1892 and holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving structure on Hot Springs’ iconic Bathhouse Row!
Today, this location houses the luxurious Hotel Hale. Opening in 2019, the hotel has 9 suites featuring a large tub plumbed with Hot Springs’ famous mineral water! If you stay here, you can literally soak in the thermal spring water right in your room.
With Eden Restaurant on site, you can dine on some great food underneath the skylight and “living wall.” Reservations for dining here are recommended.
🛌🏽 Book your stay at the luxurious Hotel Hale right here!
Superior Bathhouse
Opening in 1916, and the 8th bathhouse to be built, it was the smallest and most affordable bathhouse during its time, offering hydrotherapy, mercury treatments (yup!), and massages. Closing in 1983, it has now reopened as Superior Bathhouse Brewery! More on that below.
Hiking in Hot Springs National Park
After a visit to Bathhouse Row, we recommend checking out some of the trails. Now, we won’t lie, these aren’t the amazing trails you see in Yosemite or the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, but they are still worth it to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery.
Within the park, there are trails located in the Hot Springs & North Mountains as well as the West Mountains. The Hot Springs & North Mountains are located behind Bathhouse Row. Many of the trails start behind the bathhouses and lead up to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower.
The West Mountain trails start at the northern end of Central Avenue and Canyon Court. The trails here are a bit less traveled, but lead to the middle of West Mountain, providing a nice view of Hot Springs.
🌳 As part of our Hot Springs National Park itinerary, we hiked in both areas of the park. Check out the full guide on all of the hiking areas in Hot Springs National Park.
Where to Eat and Drink in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Being touted as an “urban national park”, you can bet that the area has some excellent choices for dining and drinks. After a great hike in the park, is there anything better than enjoying a refreshing drink on the patio?
You saw above that the Superior Bathhouse now operates as the Superior Bathhouse Brewery, and you really can’t miss this spot!
🎰 Here’s something most visitors don’t know: Hot Springs wasn’t always a quiet national park town. For much of the early 20th century, it was essentially an open city with gambling, illegal bathhouses, and organized crime operated openly under the protection of a notoriously corrupt local government. The city was nicknamed “the Monte Carlo of America” and attracted some of the most infamous figures of the gangster era. The Ohio Club was right in the middle of all of it. Walking through its doors feels like stepping into a chapter of American history that most people have never learned about.
Superior Bathhouse Brewery
This is the only brewery in a U.S. National Park and the only one in the world that uses natural thermal spring water from the hot springs to brew its beer. How cool is that?!
Enjoy some time on the patio with a flight of 4, 4-oz beers, or if you are really feeling adventurous, get the “Beer Bath”, which is 4-oz samples of all 18 beers on tap. Or, maybe you want to split that one with someone else? If you aren’t into beer, they also offer wine, seltzers, and non-alcoholic beers.
They’ve also got a full kitchen with starters, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and more. Speaking of burgers…you really might want to head to The Ohio Club for those. 🤤
The Ohio Club
The Ohio Club is the oldest continuously operating bar in Arkansas. Back in the day, it was also a casino and speakeasy that drew some of the most infamous figures of the early 20th century, including gangsters like Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, Lucky Luciano, and Bugs Moran.
It’s a popular spot for cold drinks, great pub food, and they do have live music most nights of the week. Their burgers have earned a reputation around Hot Springs as some of the best you’ll find. After throwing back a few at Superior Bathhouse Brewing, we headed here and enjoyed some great burgers and live music to end the day.
If beer and burgers aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other options to choose from. Some other great picks are:
Day 3 – Sunset Trail to Balanced Rock & Travel Home
Day 3 on your Hot Springs National Park itinerary is really a free day to pick and choose from something you may have missed at this point.
Depending on your travel plans, you could go on another short hike, visit one of the bathhouses for a bathing experience, or walk down the Bathhouse Row Promenade one last time.
We decided to enjoy one last hike before heading out. We chose the Sunset Trail to Balanced Rock. This trail is a bit out of town and starts here. There are a few spots to park, but it’s best to get there early if you really want to hike this trail.
Sunset Trail to Balanced Rock
The trail starts across the road, and it’s pretty strenuous for the first quarter/half-mile or so. That being said, it’s about 1 mile to Balanced Rock, making this an 2 mile out and back trail.
With an elevation gain of about 300 feet, you can expect some huffing and puffing on the way to Balanced Rock. At the end of the trail, you’ll be rewarded with a nice view of the surrounding mountains.
🧭 Looking for more fun in the national parks and beyond? Check out all of our itineraries here!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Hot Springs National Park?
Two full days are genuinely enough to cover the highlights. Bathhouse Row, a hike or two, Superior Bathhouse Brewery, and the Ohio Club. Add a travel day on each end, and you’re looking at a 4-day trip total. If you’re driving from Little Rock or Dallas, Hot Springs also makes a surprisingly satisfying 1-day trip. A visit to Bathhouse Row, the Fordyce Bathhouse tour, one hike, and dinner at the brewery is very doable.
Is Hot Springs National Park free?
Yes, and it’s one of the few national parks with no entrance fee. You’ll pay for parking (street meters or nearby garages), and the bathhouse experiences at Buckstaff and Quapaw have their own pricing, but simply visiting, hiking, and walking Bathhouse Row costs nothing. The America the Beautiful Pass isn’t needed here.
Can you actually bathe in the hot springs at Hot Springs National Park?
Not in the outdoor springs, as those are off-limits. However, two bathhouses offer the full thermal bathing experience: Buckstaff Baths for the traditional early 1900s-style treatment (no reservations needed, about 1.5 hours), and Quapaw Bathhouse for a more modern spa experience with thermal pools, massages, and steam caves. Hotel Hale goes one step further. The mineral spring water is plumbed directly into your room’s soaking tub if you stay there!
What is the best time to visit Hot Springs National Park?
Spring is our top recommendation. March through May brings mild temperatures in the 40s-60s, lower humidity than summer, blooming flowers, and the best conditions for hiking. Fall is equally pleasant. Summer gets hot, humid, and stormy, and winter is cold but has a quiet charm, especially if you plan to soak in the thermal baths, which feel a lot more appealing when it’s 20°F outside!
Is Garvan Woodland Gardens worth visiting?
Absolutely, and it’s the most overlooked stop on any Hot Springs itinerary. The botanical gardens sit on the shores of Lake Hamilton, surrounded by the Ouachita Mountains, and the Anthony Chapel alone is worth the visit. The chapel was designed by E. Fay Jones, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, and the floor-to-ceiling glass and native wood structure is unlike anything else you’ll see in Arkansas. One key tip: go first thing in the morning. We got turned away by a wedding on our first attempt and came back at opening the next day and we had the chapel almost entirely to ourselves.
Is A Hot Springs National Park Trip Worth It?
Yes it is! We really enjoyed our short 2-3 day visit to Hot Springs National Park. We have heard that it’s boring or not worth it, but we really didn’t think so. It’s a very unique park with some different experiences offered, compared to other larger national parks.
We spent most of our time hiking the trails around the area and did not bathe in any of the Bathhouses. I guess you could say that is not really our thing, as we would rather go hiking. That being said, folks who have done the traditional bathing experience at Buckstaff or the modern experience at Quapaw have said that they enjoyed them.
The Fordyce Bathhouse tour was fascinating, and we enjoyed learning about the history of the area. We couldn’t believe that they used to give mercury treatments! 👀
Two spots that you really can’t miss on your Hot Springs National Park itinerary are The Ohio Club and Superior Bathhouse Brewery – these were such cool, unique spots that we really enjoyed. Well, that and the hiking, of course.
We know your Hot Springs National Park itinerary may look a little different from ours, but we hope this gives you some great ideas for a visit of your own!
🛏️ Don’t forget to book your stay in Hot Springs National Park. Find the best place for you on Expedia!
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