Hot Springs, Arkansas

After leaving Fort Smith, we drove to Hot Springs. Hot Springs has been a special place where people have gone to be healed by the thermal waters for many years. Native Americans knew of the healing power of the water and then Europeans took it over and built bath houses. It was declared a National Park in order to protect it. In fact, it was the very first National Park.

The water that bubbles to the surface is 143 degrees. Rainfall slowly flows underground to a superheated area and then shoots back to the surface. They say that what is bubbling to the surface now is rain from 4,000 years ago. There are over 40 places where the springs come up in the area. It is surrounded by the Ouachita Mountains and beautiful nature. Another wonder of Arkansas, the natural state.




Here you can see the steam rising from the spring:


Drew wanted to put his feet in. Too hot!


Bathhouse row is a street full of buildings designated as such. They butt up to the National Forrest and the thermal waters flow into them. Some are still open as relaxation centers, but some are used as art museums and other things. This one is the vistor center. It was neat to see how they enjoyed the springs.

Parts of the bathhouse seemed more like a torture center for psychiatric patients. Can you imagine sweating it out in one of these things with just your head sticking out?

This was the locker room for the men - it was much fancier than the one for women.

Although this looks creepy, it was used to lower people in the water that weren't able to step in themselves because of physical problems.

This is the rinse off where tiny streams of water would hit your body from all sides. They also experimented with water-electro therapy.

This is one that was turned into an art museum. Very cool.


We took a wonderful walk in the National Park after touring the bathhouse. After such a long winter of being stuck inside, this walk was heavenly. Thank you nature!