Arkansas: Where Steaming Oasis Meets Southern Charm

Feb 13

Arkansas isn't just about rolling hills and vibrant blues music. Nestled amidst its verdant valleys and soaring peaks lies a secret world of bubbling springs and cascading waterfalls, whispering tales of volcanic whispers and mineral magic.

While not boasting Yellowstone's geysers or Nevada's desert oasis, Arkansas' hot springs offer a unique symphony of natural wonders, promising a soak unlike any other. From historic bathhouses echoing with laughter to secluded havens shrouded in ancient moss, Arkansas' springs invite you to reconnect with the raw beauty of the land and experience the healing whispers of geothermal waters.

Let’s not forget that Arkansas hot springs was a haven for mobsters such as like Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, and Bugsy Siegel in the 1920s and 1930s.

Top Tips for Arkansas Hot Springs

Embrace the hidden gems: Popular spots like Hot Springs National Park are great, but venture beyond the beaten path to discover secluded havens like Buckstaff Bathhouse and Quapaw Bathhouse for a truly tranquil experience.

Go beyond the bathhouse: While historic resorts offer charm, many springs offer a natural experience. Pack a swimsuit and a towel for a dip in the raw beauty of the outdoors.

Respect the locals and environment: Minimize noise and avoid littering. Be mindful of wildlife and leave no trace.

Pack for the season: Arkansas springs can be enjoyed year-round, but be prepared for changing temperatures. Dress in layers and pack rain gear in spring and fall, and don't forget winter gear for snow-covered hikes.

Check regulations: Some springs have limitations on access, group size, and activities. Be prepared and respectful of local regulations.

The Best Time to Visit

Each season offers its own unique charm at Arkansas' natural hot springs:

Spring and fall: Enjoy mild temperatures, vibrant landscapes, and fewer crowds. Perfect for a refreshing dip and nature walks.
Summer: Escape the heat with a cool soak, especially near waterfalls. Be prepared for larger crowds, especially on weekends.
Winter: Experience the magic of frozen landscapes and steamy bathhouses. Some springs, like Hot Springs National Park, remain accessible year-round for the adventurous.

Health Benefits

Arkansas' natural hot springs are as diverse in their mineral content as they are in their settings. Here's a glimpse into the magic of their waters:

Silica: The smooth, silky feeling of some springs like Bathhouse Row comes from silica, which is beneficial for skin health and hair growth.
Magnesium: This "relaxation mineral" found in springs like Quapaw Bathhouse can ease muscle tension and promote stress relief.
Calcium: Trace amounts of calcium in springs like Buckstaff Bathhouse can be beneficial for bone health and muscle function.

Depending on the spring, you might find trace amounts of lithium, sulfur, iron, and other minerals, each contributing to the unique properties and potential benefits of the water.

Buckstaff Spring

At the Buckstaff springs, you’ll experience the charm of the early 1900s, with original tubs and equipment that bring the elegance of a bygone era to life.

Its history dates back over a century, making it one of the oldest bathhouses in Hot Springs National Park. The Buckstaff was established in 1912 by John F. Buckstaff, a prominent businessman from Iowa, and was designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style.

Nestled on historic Bathhouse Row in the heart of downtown Hot Springs, the Buckstaff is surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the National Park. Stay nearby at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, which has been providing guests a spa experience with natural spring water since 1875.

You will be guided to a dressing room where an attendant will wrap you in a bathsheet (a bathing suit is optional). We offer secure lockers where visitors can safely store personal belongings like clothing and shoes.

All hydrotherapy treatments are chemical-free and do not contain any additives. Only water from a collection of 47 protected mineral-rich hot springs is used to maximize therapeutic benefits.

Note: Services are available to persons 10 years old or older. Individuals with heart conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid conditions should consult with a physician regarding any concerns.

Water Quality: 4 stars - Minor sediment, but clean and refreshing.
Ease of Access: 3 stars - Short hike through Ouachita Mountains, scenic but requires effort.
Ability to be Alone: 5 stars - Secluded pools with minimal crowds, perfect for solitude.
Water Temperature: 4 stars - Comfortable soaking temperature, slightly adjustable with different pools.
Health Benefits: 4 stars - Moderate mineral content, believed to benefit skin and joint health.
Nearby Amenities: 2 stars - Remote location, camping available but limited other amenities.

Quapaw Baths

The Quapaw was built in a Spanish Colonial Revival style and sits on the site of two previous bathhouses, the Horseshoe and Magnesia. It was established in 1922 and named after a Native American tribe that once held land in the area.

Hot Springs water has been Carbon-14 dated at 4,000 years old and is high in silica, calcium, magnesium, free carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and sulfate.

Quapaw Thermal Water guests must wear proper swim attire and all plastic or rubber slip-on shoes on all tile floors. Cut-offs, t-shirts, tank tops, athletic shorts, athletic tops, thongs, and undergarments are not permitted.

All private baths are available for couples or individuals! Clothing is optional in our private baths! Private baths are a 20 minute soak with a 10 minute cooldown.

Stay nearby at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, which has been providing guests a spa experience with natural spring water since 1875.

The Quapaw Bathhouse was built in the early 1920s over a natural thermal spring. This particular spring contains one of the highest mineral contents of all of the area springs. A small "man-built" cave created during the construction of the building surrounds the spring today and allows the radiant heat from the naturally flowing 143° water to gather in the room. We believe this small, intimate space will provide a healthy and relaxing addition to your Quapaw experience. Swimsuits are required for this service! The Steam Cave fits up to six people at a time and is an add-on to either one our Private Baths or Public Thermal Pools.

Lockers and towels are provided for all services. A robe and slippers will be provided for spa services.

Note: Individuals who have a pacemaker, defibrillator, or are pregnant will not be permitted in the public pools, private baths, or steam cave. For all services, individuals must be 14 and older. Youths between the ages of 14 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Water Quality: 4 stars - Noticeable sulfur smell, but clean and well-maintained.
Ease of Access: 5 stars - Located in downtown Hot Springs, easily accessible by foot or car.
Ability to be Alone: 3 stars - Large pools with designated quiet areas, moderate crowds.
Water Temperature: 4 stars - Comfortable soaking temperature, slight variation between pools.
Health Benefits: 4 stars - Rich mineral content, potentially beneficial for arthritis and muscle tension.
Nearby Amenities: 5 stars - Spas, restaurants, shops, and other attractions within walking distance.

Arlington Hotel Bathhouse

There’s no reason you have to stop relaxing when the hot springs close. Keep enjoying the health benefits of the spring water nearby at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, which has been providing guests a spa experience with natural spring water since 1875.

Politicians, dignitaries, actors, gangsters and entertainment and sports legends bathed in the bath house, danced to music and enjoyed the splendor and charm.

The Arlington’s luxurious accommodations and location in America’s Spa City have attracted many famous guests including U.S. presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, George H.W. Bush, and native son Bill Clinton. Many baseball greats such as Babe Ruth as well as championship boxers have relaxed and enjoyed the thermal baths at the Arlington. Stars such as Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand and Yoko Ono have all luxuriated at the hotel.

Al Capone, whose favorite room was 443, had the whole floor for his staff and bodyguards. He could look across the street from his window and see the activities at the Southern Club, now the Wax Museum.

Stay in the Mineral Water Rooms at The Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa which feature a spacious room with one king or two double beds, a bathtub with hot springs mineral water piped directly into a tub and a shower.

Water Quality: 5 stars - Crystal clear and naturally filtered, no unpleasant odors.
Ease of Access: 5 stars - Located on Bathhouse Row, easily accessible by car or foot.
Ability to be Alone: 2 stars - Large communal pool with limited privacy, often bustling.
Water Temperature: 4 stars - Comfortable soaking temperature, slight variation depending on location.
Health Benefits: 5 stars - High calcium content, beneficial for bone health and muscle function.
Nearby Amenities: 5 stars - Restaurants, shops, and historical attractions within walking distance.

Fordyce Bathhouse (Hot Springs National Park)

Totaling approximately 28,000 square feet, the Fordyce is the largest bathhouse on the Row. It has three main floors, two courtyards, and a basement under most of the building.

Today, the Fordyce Bathhouse today functions as the park’s visitor center. Today, rangers and volunteers staff the front desk and provide orientation and information about Hot Springs National Park. Visitors are welcome to take a free, self-guided tour of each of the 3 floors (and basement) of the building which are filled with historic furnishings and informative exhibits that explore the history of bathhouses, the use of water as medicine, and the role of the thermal water in making this place a national park.

Water Quality: 4 stars - Clean and clear, but a slight sulfur smell noticeable at times.
Ease of Access: 5 stars - Located on Bathhouse Row, parking and access are convenient.
Ability to be Alone: 3 stars - Moderate crowds, some secluded areas available but not guaranteed.
Water Temperature: 4 stars - Comfortable soaking temperature, varies slightly between different pools.
Health Benefits: 3 stars - Moderate mineral content, primarily offers relaxation benefits.
Nearby Amenities: 5 stars - Part of Hot Springs National Park, surrounded by trails, museums, and other attractions.

Ozark Natural Falls

Natural Falls State Park features a stunning 77-foot waterfall cascading through rock formations and creating a hidden, serene atmosphere at the bottom of a narrow V-shaped valley.

The beautiful scenery looks familiar to many visitors because scenes from the 1974 movie, "Where the Red Fern Grows" were filmed in the park.

Make your trip even better with an overnight stay in one of the park's five yurts, which can be reserved online. Each yurt sleeps between four and six people and comes with a microwave, dorm fridge, ac/heat, ceiling fan, light, electrical outlets, dining table and four chairs, k-cup coffee maker, and a broom/dustpan.

Although swimming is not allowed in the park, there are several public swimming areas available within a short distance of the park.

Water Quality: 5 stars - Crystal-clear waterfall pool, naturally filtered and pristine.
Ease of Access: 2 stars - Requires moderate hike and climbing over rocks, good physical fitness needed.
Ability to be Alone: 4 stars - Secluded location with few visitors, offering solitude and natural beauty.
Water Temperature: 4 stars - Varies depending on season and weather, generally refreshing and comfortable.
Health Benefits: 3 stars - Moderate mineral content, primarily a refreshing natural experience.
Nearby Amenities: 1 star - Remote location, camping available but limited other amenities.

Superior Bathhouse (Hot Springs National Park)

The first Superior was constructed on portions of the old Hale and Big Iron bathhouse sites. The smallest bathhouse on the Row, the Superior also had the lowest rates; it offered only the basic hydrotherapy, mercury, and massage services. But it closed in 1983.

Enter professional tuba player and homebrew hobbyist Rose Schweikhart. When she moved to Hot Springs in 2011, she decided it was time to take a chance at turning her hobby into a new career. Hot Springs, she decided, needed a microbrewery.

The Superior Bathhouse is now home to the only brewery in a United States National Park, and the only brewery in the world to utilize thermal spring water to make their beer.

Water Quality: 4 stars - Clean and clear, with a faint sulfur smell occasionally present.
Ease of Access: 5 stars - Located on Bathhouse Row, walking distance from parking and other attractions.
Ability to be Alone: 2 stars - Large communal pool with limited privacy, often crowded during peak season.
Water Temperature: 4 stars - Comfortable soaking temperature, with slight variation depending on location.
Health Benefits: 3 stars - Moderate mineral content, primarily offers relaxation benefits.
Nearby Amenities: 5 stars - Part of Hot Springs National Park, surrounded by trails, museums, and other attractions.

Marcus Griswold