Hot Springs National Park
Arlington Trail
FamiliesWheelchair UsersHotel Guests
0 mi Distance
10 min Estimated Time
Out & Back Trail Type
What to Expect
This is less a hike and more a stroll with historical bragging rights. You start right from the lobby of the Arlington Hotel — one of the grand old bathhouse-era landmarks — and within a few minutes you're on a gentle, paved connector that links you to the Lower Dogwood Trail system on the hillside above Bathhouse Row. The grade is barely noticeable, gaining maybe a dozen feet over the entire stretch. The path is shaded by hardwoods and feels surprisingly woodsy for something that begins inside a hotel. Think of it as the palate cleanser before the real hiking starts on the Dogwood trails, or as a dignified after-dinner walk when you want fresh air without breaking a sweat. Perfect for families with strollers, anyone using a wheelchair, or visitors who want to say they hit a trail in Hot Springs without changing out of their nice shoes.
Trail Details
Estimated Time 10 min
Trail Type Out & Back
Pets Dogs allowed (leash required)
Season Year-round
Trailhead Arlington Trail
Pro Tips
Trail Tip
Ask the front desk staff at the Arlington Hotel for the trailhead — it's not immediately obvious from the street, and they'll point you right to it.
Trail Tip
Use this as your on-ramp to the Lower Dogwood Trail loop rather than treating it as a standalone hike. The Dogwood trails give you actual forest immersion and better views of the thermal springs area.
Trail Tip
Walk it in the early evening when the hotel's facade catches the golden light — it makes for a surprisingly photogenic start to a short walk through the woods.
Photos
NPS Photo/Mitch Smith
