Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park, National Park in Arkansas, United States
Description
This protected area includes several spring sites at the base of a forested mountain and a historic early 20th-century row of eight ornately decorated bathhouses. Narrow trails wind up the slopes above the bathing facilities and pass through dense forest to overlooks above the town.
History
The government placed this area under federal protection in 1832 to prevent anyone from claiming or building on the springs privately. The modern system for distributing thermal water was completed in 1902 to feed the springs evenly to the various bathhouses.
Culture
Indigenous peoples called this place Valley of the Vapors because of the rising steam clouds above the springs. Visitors today can still see thermal water bubbling up through open fountains along the promenade, sending small wisps of steam into the air.
Practical
Several hiking trails access the slopes above the bathhouse row and offer easy to moderate climbs through shaded forest. Those who want to see the historic bathhouses from inside should note that only a few of the buildings are open for viewing.
Did you know?
The spring water takes about one year to rise from great depth after entering the ground as rainwater. A drop that surfaces today fell as precipitation in the surrounding mountains roughly twelve months ago.
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Bathhouse Row
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Arlington Hotel
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Hot Springs High School
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Bill Clinton Boyhood Home
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Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo
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Hot Springs Mountain Tower
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Medical Arts Building
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Malco Theatre
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Aristocrat Motor Inn
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Park Hotel
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Wade Building
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Mountainaire Hotel Historic District
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First Presbyterian Church
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Hamp Williams Building
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St. Luke's Episcopal Church
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Hot Springs Confederate Monument
639 m
Woodmen of Union Building
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Stitt House
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Federal Building-U.S. Post Office and Court House
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Riviera Hotel
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Ouachita Avenue Historic District
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Orange Street Presbyterian Church
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Hill Wheatley Downtowner Motor Inn
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Parkway Courts Historic District
1.4 km
Bellaire Court Historic District
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Passmore House
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Doherty House
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