Are there outdoor springs to soak in? No, there are not. However, since the mid-19th century, bathhouses have been a staple of Hot Springs, Arkansas, as a way for visitors to experience the region's famous spring water. This tradition still carries on today in Hot Springs National Park.
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Entrance PassesThe Assembly Room on the 3rd floor of the Fordyce Bathhouse and Museum. Hot Springs National Park is a fee-free park! There is no entrance free nor are there any additional charges for the park's brochure, junior ranger program, or ranger-led tours.
Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Hot Springs National Park owe their existence to an array of springs that still supply naturally heated water for thermal baths. The historic Fordyce Bathhouse, located on famous Bathhouse Row, serves as the park's visitor center.
The only national park with a brewerySuperior Bathhouse Brewery, which opened in 2014, is the only brewery in a U.S. national park and the only brewery in the world using thermal spring water as its main ingredient.
They will list the current temperature of the water as well as the maximum amount of minutes to stay in at a time. For the most part, almost all commercial hot springs in North America require swimsuits so always err on the side of caution and keep that suit on. Even if you see someone remove their suit – wait.
A unique chance to stay on Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs National Park is now available. The Hale Bathhouse, one of the former bathhouses on the famous row, has been remodeled into the Hotel Hale.
Unfortunately, this means not all primitive hot springs are safe to swim in, with many boasting dangerous levels of algae or bacteria. Luckily, these dangerous conditions are rare, and most primitive hot springs undergo natural purifying processes that ensure their clean and safe swimming conditions for visitors.
Local legend speaks of the thermal springs as constituting a neutral ground in which various tribes, even at war, could co-exist in peace, at least temporarily.