Overview

The only national park embedded in a city, Hot Springs delivers 143°F thermal water through historic 1920s bathhouses on Bathhouse Row—still operational today. The 26 miles of mountain trails offer surprising solitude despite the urban setting, with Hot Springs Mountain Trail climbing 1,400 feet through oak-hickory forest. The trade-off: with a 9.8/10 congestion index and 2.5 million annual visitors crammed into 8.7 square miles, this is America's most crowded national park. Free entry softens the blow, but expect shoulder-to-shoulder tourism in downtown bathhouse areas, especially June through August.

Trail Tip

Skip the tourist-packed Fordyce Bathhouse tour and book a 30-minute soak at Quapaw Baths ($25) before 10 AM—you'll have the thermal pools nearly to yourself. Afterward, hike the lesser-known Gulpha Gorge Trail (2.3 miles) where the creek-side trail sees 90% fewer visitors than the main mountain routes.

When to Go

The sweet spot is October — good weather meets manageable crowds. Peak season hits in June.

The ideal month with crisp air and peak fall color. Light crowds and comfortable temps make every trail accessible all day.

Monthly crowd levels — click a month for details

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Low Moderate High Peak

How Busy Is It?

How Hot Springs compares to all 62 national parks

Busier than 98% of national parks

QuietBusy
Very Busy

More crowded trails than 95% of parks

QuietBusy
Very Busy

Higher campsite pressure than 92% of parks

EasyTough
Very Busy
61,545 Visitors / Trail Mile
9,071 Campsite Pressure

Notable Trails

Hot Springs has more trail mileage than 24% of national parks, with 40 miles across 26 maintained trails.

The difficulty split leans moderate to strenuous — only 38% of trails are rated easy.

Easy 38% Moderate 46% Strenuous 16%
Hiking trail through a dense forest with the sun setting through the trees.

Sunset Trail

strenuous
10 mi ·6-9 hours hrs
A mossy stone wall lines a paved dirt pathway through the woods.

Oak Trail

Moderate
0 mi ·45 min hrs
A stone shelter built in a 1930s style sits alongside a gravel trail.

Honeysuckle Trail

Moderate
0 mi ·45 min hrs
A picnic area with many tables sit beneath the shade of the trees.

Short Cut Trail

Moderate
0 mi ·25 min hrs
View all 26 trails
Trail Tip

Start early — Hot Springs's most popular trailheads fill up by mid-morning in peak season.

Camping

1 campgrounds with 40 total sites. All sites require reservations.

Lawn chairs posted beside a calming creek

Gulpha Gorge Campground Reservable

40 sites ·$34/night ·Seasonal

Top Activities

Hot Springs excels at 5 of 17 activity types — here are the standouts rated 7/10 or higher.

Hiking

7/10

26 trails ranging from easy urban walks to challenging mountain hikes

Swimming

7/10

Thermal spring bathing in historic bathhouses

Bird Watching

7/10

Over 100 bird species in varied habitats

Photography

7/10

Historic bathhouses, mountain scenery, and urban park setting

Ranger Programs

7/10

Bathhouse tours, historical talks, and nature walks

Who It's For

Seniors 8/10 Couples 8/10 First Time Park Visitors 8/10 International Visitors 8/10

Planning Your Trip

Getting There

Nearest city: Little Rock, AR (50 mi). Fly into LIT.

In-Park Services

No gas in park · Lodging available · Cell: good

Gateway Town

Hot Springs, AR — full amenities

Featured In ?Rankings based on data-driven scoring across all 62 national parks.

#6 Best National Parks for Dogs #6 Best National Parks for Seniors #8 Most Accessible National Parks

Stories

The 8 Most Crowded National Parks (and When to Go Instead) The eight most crowded national parks, ranked by density, and the exact month to visit each one without the bottleneck 8 National Parks Built for a Slower Pace Eight national parks where paved paths, gentle grades, and accessible infrastructure deliver views without the scramble 8 Most Dog-Friendly National Parks Eight national parks where your dog can actually hike trails, not just walk pavement. Miles matter more than gestures The 8 Smallest National Parks (and Why They're Worth It) The eight smallest national parks measure anywhere from a city block to the size of D.C., and they're worth every square foot 10 Best Lake Hikes in the National Parks Glacier National Park dominates this ranking for a reason: glacier-carved basins, alpine lakes, and water so cold it hurts to touch

Gateway Cities

Dallas, TX 320 mi / 5.8h drive Houston, TX 462 mi / 8.4h drive

Compare Hot Springs

See how Hot Springs stacks up against other national parks — crowds, trails, and more.

Compare Hot Springs

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Hot Springs National Park?

The best month to visit Hot Springs is October, based on a balance of weather, crowds, and accessibility. Peak visitation is in June. The park has 5 comfortable months for visiting.

How crowded is Hot Springs National Park?

Hot Springs is very crowded, with a congestion index of 9.8/10. The park receives 2.5M visitors annually across 8.7 square miles.

How many trails does Hot Springs National Park have?

Hot Springs has 40 miles of trails across 10 easy, 12 moderate, and 4 strenuous routes. Popular trails include Hot Springs Mountain Trail, Bathhouse Row, Promenade.

Can you camp at Hot Springs National Park?

Yes, Hot Springs has 1 campground with 40 total sites. Some sites are available first-come, first-served.

Is Hot Springs National Park open year-round?

Yes, Hot Springs is open year-round, though some roads and facilities may close seasonally. The park's climate is classified as subtropical.

Nearby Parks

Gateway Arch National Park 325 mi away
Mammoth Cave National Park 430 mi away
Great Smoky Mountains National Park 545 mi away