[$] No outdoor soaking
You cannot soak in the springs outdoors. Thermal baths are only at Buckstaff Bathhouse and Quapaw Bathhouse. Their hours and fees are set by those businesses.
FIELD GUIDE / SUMMER 2026
Hot Springs National Park
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Conditions change. Follow signs and ranger orders.
Current conditions
Outdoor soaking is not allowed, and the Maurice Bathhouse is closed for renovations. Reserve campsites in advance on Recreation.gov and carry drinking water to prepare for high summer heat and thunderstorms.
[HEAT] Summer heat
July and August are often 80–90°F or hotter, with high humidity. Carry drinking water. Thunderstorms can start quickly. Leave ridges if you hear thunder.
[X] Maurice Bathhouse closed
The Maurice Bathhouse is closed for renovations. Other bathhouses on the row remain in use.
[CAMP] Campground reservation required
All 40 Gulpha Gorge campsites must be reserved in advance on Recreation.gov. The fee is $34 per night.
[PARK] Downtown parking is paid
City street parking and the Exchange Street garage use paid parking. Park roads have a 30-foot vehicle length limit.
NPS conditions (large page)
Services by place
Major places list all five services. Seasonal services may be closed.
- Bathhouse Row / Central Avenue
Food: Yes Water: Yes Toilets: Yes Fuel: No Signal: Strong - Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center
Food: No Water: Yes Toilets: Yes Fuel: No Signal: Strong - Downtown Hot Springs
Food: Yes Water: Yes Toilets: Yes Fuel: Yes Signal: Strong - Hot Springs Mountain
Food: Seasonal Water: Unknown Toilets: Unknown Fuel: No Signal: Limited
Bathhouse Row / Central Avenue ↑
Do this: Start here for water fountains, restrooms, and baths. Buy fuel in town, not on the row.
- Food: Yes nearby. Superior Bathhouse, Hotel Hale, and Quapaw Cafe serve food. More restaurants are on Central Avenue.
- Water: Yes. Thermal and other park fountains are on the row and on Reserve Street.
- Toilets: Yes on Bathhouse Row, between the Fordyce and the Quapaw.
- Fuel: No on the row. Fuel is in the city.
- Signal: Usually available downtown.
The row is in downtown Hot Springs. City parking is paid. There is no park entrance fee.
Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center ↑
Do this: Get maps and current conditions here before you hike.
- Food: No food in the visitor center. The Lamar Bathhouse Emporium is nearby, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
- Water: Yes. Restrooms and water are in the basement.
- Toilets: Yes in the basement.
- Signal: Usually available downtown.
369 Central Avenue. Free self-guided tour of the historic bathhouse. Visitor-center hours were not listed on the park hours page.
Downtown Hot Springs ↑
Do this: Buy food, fuel, and supplies in town. The park sits inside the city.
- Food: Yes. Many restaurants and stores are outside park buildings.
- Water: Yes in town. Park jug fountains are also on Reserve Street and at Hill Wheatley Plaza.
- Toilets: Yes in businesses and at the visitor center.
- Fuel: Yes in the city.
- Signal: Usually available.
Use city parking. The Exchange Street garage is one block west of the visitor center at 128 Exchange Street.
Hot Springs Mountain ↑
Do this: Carry water. Do not depend on the tower for a meal or a restroom.
- Food: Limited seasonal snacks at the tower gift shop when open.
- Water: Unknown at the picnic area. Bring water from town.
- Toilets: Unknown. Bring a plan before you leave downtown.
- Signal: Limited or unknown on the mountain road and trails.
Scenic drive, picnic area, pagoda overlook, and the 216-foot concession tower. Tower hours change by season.
Other places
- Gulpha Gorge Campground — Reserve a site before you arrive. Bring food. There is no camp store. Food: No dependable food. Bring all food. · Water: Yes at campsites and restrooms. · Toilets: Yes. Flush toilets and running water. Showers are for campers with a reservation code. · Signal: Unknown. Do not depend on it. 305 Gorge Road. 40 reserved sites with hookups, $34 per night. Trails start here. Day-use picnic area is available.
- West Mountain — Fill water in town. This side is quieter and has fewer services. Water: No dependable water at the overlooks. Bring water. · Signal: Limited or unknown. West Mountain Drive has overlooks and a picnic shelter. Trails from Whittington Park and the Canyon Trailhead are less used.
- Whittington Park — Use the jug fountain if you need water. There are no restrooms here. Water: Yes at the Whittington Spring jug station, across the street below the maintenance building. · Signal: Usually available near the street; unknown on the loop. Flat 1.2-mile gravel loop. This is a quieter city-edge stop, not a full service hub.
- Sunset Trail / Sugarloaf Mountain — Carry all water and food. This is the most remote trail in the park. Water: No. Bring water. · Signal: Unreliable or unavailable. The Sunset Trail is about 10 miles one way. Balanced Rock is a spur that does not loop. Losing water or daylight here changes the trip.
Drive times
Summer estimates without long stops. Traffic, wildlife, weather, and road work can cause delays.
Bathhouse Row walk
Fordyce Visitor Center → Bathhouse Row → Grand Promenade → Hot Water Cascade
This is the main downtown loop. Restrooms are on Bathhouse Row. Water fountains are on the row and on Reserve Street.
Visitor center to Hot Springs Mountain
Fordyce Visitor Center → Fountain Street → Hot Springs Mountain Drive → picnic area and tower
The mountain road is winding. Vehicles over 30 ft are not allowed. The tower is a concession and charges a fee.
Visitor center to Gulpha Gorge
Fordyce Visitor Center → Central Avenue → Park Avenue 2.1 mi → Gorge Road → campground
This is the park campground. Buy food and fuel in town first.
Visitor center to West Mountain
Fordyce Visitor Center → Whittington Avenue → West Mountain Drive → summit loop
West Mountain is quieter than Hot Springs Mountain. Overlooks and picnic tables are at the top.
Visitor center to Sunset Trail / Balanced Rock
Fordyce Visitor Center → Whittington Avenue → Cedar Street → Cedarglades Road → Sunset Trail parking
This is the longer, more remote trail system. Carry water. The Balanced Rock spur does not loop.
Help
Emergency: call 911. Tell the dispatcher your location, direction of travel, vehicle, and problem.
Park information: 501-620-6715
This independent guide is not the National Park Service and is not an emergency service.
Permits
Entrance pass
There is no entrance fee. You may walk through the park without a pass.
Gulpha Gorge camping
Reserve all 40 campsites on Recreation.gov. The fee is $34 per night. Accessible sites open one week ahead unless you call the visitor center.
Thermal baths
Outdoor soaking is not allowed. Book Buckstaff or Quapaw directly. Those businesses set hours, age limits, and fees.
Special park use
Weddings, races, public assemblies, and some photography need a special-use permit.
Research and commercial use
Research collection and some commercial activities need a park permit or commercial-use authorization.
Short hikes
Distances are one way unless marked as a loop. Check trail closures.
- Bathhouse Row / Central Avenue / Grand Promenade: 0.5 mi one way. Paved path above Bathhouse Row. Water is not easy to find on the path. Restrooms are on the row.
- Whittington Park / Whittington Trail: 1.2 mi loop. Flat gravel loop. No restrooms. Cold-spring water is at the Whittington jug station.
- West Mountain / Sunset Trail, West Mountain section: 2.8 mi. Quieter forest trail. Carry water. This is one part of the longer Sunset Trail.
- Sunset Trail / Sugarloaf Mountain / Sunset Trail, Sugarloaf Mountain section: 2.6 mi. More remote. Balanced Rock is a spur that does not loop.
- Sunset Trail / Sugarloaf Mountain / Sunset Trail: 10 mi one way. Longest trail in the park. The full loop with other trails is 15–17 miles. Carry water.
- Bathhouse Row / Central Avenue / Tufa Terrace to Hot Water Cascade: Short walk. From Arlington Lawn, the cascade is the largest visible spring. Do not soak.