Hot Springs National Park
West Mountain Trail
FamiliesWheelchair UsersDog Owners
0 mi Distance
60 min Estimated Time
Out & Back Trail Type
What to Expect
West Mountain Trail is one of Hot Springs' most forgiving walks — a gentle ramble through hardwood forest that barely asks your legs to work. The grade hovers around one percent, which means you're essentially strolling on a slight tilt through oak and hickory canopy with occasional glimpses of the Ouachita Mountains rolling off to the west. The trail surface is well-maintained and wheelchair accessible, making it one of the rare national park trails where everyone in your group can actually participate. At just over a mile one way, it's a quick out-and-back, but the smart move is linking it with Mountain Top Trail to create a loop that adds a modest climb — enough to feel like you did something without needing to ice your knees afterward. This trail is perfect for anyone who wants the 'national park hike' experience without the national park suffering.
Trail Details
Estimated Time 60 min
Trail Type Out & Back
Pets Dogs allowed (leash required)
Season Year-round
Trailhead West Mountain Trail
Pro Tips
Trail Tip
Connect West Mountain Trail with Mountain Top Trail for a loop — the Mountain Top section adds about 400 feet of elevation change, turning a flat stroll into something that actually registers as exercise. Go clockwise to get the climb out of the way first.
Trail Tip
Start from the Gulpha Gorge trailhead side for easier parking, especially on weekends when Bathhouse Row draws crowds. The West Mountain access from that direction is less trafficked and feels more like a proper forest walk.
Trail Tip
Bring your dog — this is one of the better leashed-pet trails in the park system since the gentle grade and smooth surface means even older dogs or short-legged breeds can handle it without struggling.
Photos
NPS Photo/Mitch Smith
