• Hot Springs Village Area Visitor Center - This should not be mistaken for the National Park Visitor Center located further along Bathhouse Row. When the City Visitor Center is open, visitors can enter to obtain a map of the historic downtown Hot Springs. The center also offers restrooms, brochures on local activities, and friendly staff ready to assist with any inquiries.
• Hill Wheatley Plaza Thermal Water - Hill Wheatley Plaza includes the City of Hot Springs Visitor Center, a water jug fountain, and Bill Clinton Park, which features two display fountains. The plaza’s land was donated by local businessman Hill Wheatley, whose statue is prominently displayed above one of the fountains in Bill Clinton Park.
• Bill Clinton Park - Named after the notable Hot Springs resident and former US President Bill Clinton, this park offers a serene spot to relax under the trees and enjoy the tranquil fountains.
• Administration Building - Situated at the corner of Central Avenue and Reserve Street, the National Park Administration Building was constructed by the National Park in 1936, making it a newer addition compared to the original bathhouses. In front of the building on Reserve Street, there are two fountains: a decorative one and a water jug fountain, from which visitors are welcome to drink.
• Bathhouse Row - The Lamar Bathhouse, built in 1923, now functions as the National Park Emporium gift shop. Visitors can taste the spring water, take photos in an old bathtub, and shop for souvenirs. Additionally, the building houses offices for the park’s Resource Management team, park archives, museum collection storage, and a small research library.
• Buckstaff Bathhouse - Established in 1911, the Buckstaff has been continuously operating since its inception. Visitors can book a hot mineral water soak, a soothing massage, and other spa treatments. The services offered at Buckstaff have remained largely unchanged since the peak of Bathhouse Row a century ago.
• Ozark Bathhouse - Currently home to the Hot Springs National Park Cultural Center, the Ozark Bathhouse is open primarily on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer. Entry is free, and inside, visitors can explore gallery spaces for the National Park’s Artist in Residency and other temporary exhibits.
• Quapaw Baths & Spa - Named after the Native Quapaw Tribe, the Quapaw Bathhouse, along with the Buckstaff, is one of the two bathhouses still in operation. Unlike the Buckstaff, the Quapaw was vacant for over 20 years, from 1984 until its renovation in 2007. It features a gift shop and a simple café offering light snacks.
• Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center And Museum - Opened in 1915, the Fordyce Bathhouse was the first to close in the 1960s due to advancements in modern medicine. Built by railroad tycoon Samuel Fordyce, who moved to Hot Springs in 1876, he was a significant investor in the town, contributing to the construction of hotels, an opera house, infrastructure, and utilities.
• Thermal Spring Fountain - Located between the Fordyce and Maurice Bathhouses, visitors can find the Grand Staircase of the Hot Springs Grand Promenade. At the base of the stairs is the Stevens Balustrade Shell Fountain, fed by the Maurice thermal spring. Nearby, behind the Maurice Bathhouse, is the Display Spring, where visitors can watch the water emerge from the mountain.
• The Maurice Bathhouse - Built in 1911 in a Mediterranean style, the Maurice Bathhouse set the architectural standard for subsequent bathhouses. As of 2024, it remains the only vacant building on Bathhouse Row.
• Display Springs - Situated between the Maurice and Hale Bathhouses, the Maurice Historical Display Springs feature the Dripping Spring set into natural tufa rock. Up the stairs to the left is the Tunnel Spring. These were the first display springs in the National Park, with stonework completed in 1903 to showcase the springs to visitors.
• Hotel Hale - The current Hale Bathhouse, built in 1892, is the fourth structure to bear the name on this site. It survived the major fires of 1905 and 1913, making it the oldest building on Bathhouse Row. Today, it operates as the luxurious Hotel Hale, featuring a restaurant called Eden, which offers delightful meals in a garden-like setting.
• Superior Bathhouse Brewery - Constructed of brick, the Superior Bathhouse stands out among the others. Despite its name, it was the smallest bathhouse on the row, offering limited services such as basic hydrotherapy and massages. The name “Superior” was perhaps its most notable feature.
• Arlington Lawn - The Arlington Lawn Hot Water Cascade is the largest visible spring in the park. Hot water flows from the hillside near the Grand Promenade, under the path, and down a steep cliff into two pools. Although the spring water emerges hot enough to scald, it cools down enough to touch by the time it reaches the pools.
• Grand Promenade - This serves as a shortcut to the Grand Promenade. For those wishing to avoid stairs, the northern end of the Hot Springs Grand Promenade is approximately 500 feet further along Fountain Street, past the Arlington Hotel.
• Hot Spring above Ground in Park - This is the source of water for the Arlington Lawn Hot Water Cascade Pools. Visitors can observe the water trickling down the hill toward the lawn and see some of the unique plants that thrive near the mountain’s hot springs.
• Tufa Terrace Trail - This is one of the entry points to the Tufa Terrace Trail. The northern end begins on the Arlington Lawn, near the hot water cascade pools. Visitors are encouraged to explore the trail and observe the natural tufa rock.
• Grand Promenade - At the top of the Grand Staircase, there once stood a Bandstand. Although it no longer exists, visitors can imagine a big band playing music with crowds gathered below. This is also the southern end of the Tufa Terrace Trail. At the bottom of the Grand Staircase, visitors can access the Fordyce Visitor Center.
• Former Army Navy Hospital - The former Army Navy Hospital in Hot Springs is an impressive structure. Originally built in 1887, it was replaced in 1933 by the current building. The hospital witnessed Hot Springs’ decline as modern medical treatments replaced thermal water. After the military vacated the building in 1955, it was transferred to the state and became a rehabilitation center for individuals with physical disabilities. It later transitioned into a career training institute before closing in 2019.
• Hot Springs Mountain Pagoda - The first stop on Hot Springs Mountain features a peaceful picnic area with restrooms and a trailhead. The trailhead provides access to the Shortcut Trail, leading down the mountain to the Oertal Trail and the Grand Promenade. From the same trailhead, visitors can embark on the one-and-a-half-mile Hot Springs Mountain Trail, offering an easy walk around the mountain’s summit with several scenic overlooks. The Hot Springs Mountain Pagoda, originally built in 1910 to house a fountain, now serves as a unique spot to enjoy the views.
• Hot Springs Mountain Tower - The Hot Springs Observation Tower, a 216-foot tall structure, opened in 1983 and is the third observation tower at this location. The views of Hot Springs and the Zig-Zag mountains from the tower’s top are breathtaking, and it’s an excellent place to learn interesting facts and trivia about Hot Springs. The tower’s peak has two levels: the lower level is enclosed with informative displays about the city’s history, while the upper level offers outdoor views, which can be quite windy depending on the weather. There is a small fee to ride the elevator to the top, and the ground floor features a gift shop for souvenir shopping.
• North Mountain - From the North Mountain Scenic Viewpoint, visitors can enjoy views of the Ouachita Mountains. The trailhead for Goat Rock Trail is also located here. Goat Rock Trail is a little over two miles round trip and descends the mountain to a viewpoint atop Goat Rock. Legend has it that a large goat once lived on the rock, giving it its name. While the view is lovely, the vistas from the parking area are slightly better.
• Happy Hollow Fountain - The Happy Hollow Jug Fountain is one of the few cool water springs in the park. From the late 1800s to the 1940s, the Happy Hollow spring was part of McLeod’s Amusement Park, which included a photography studio, shooting gallery, zoo, and souvenir shop. Today, only the jug fountain remains. Previously known as the Magnesia Spring, a pitcher of water once cost a nickel. Now, visitors can fill their water bottles for free with cool, refreshing spring water.
• Babe Ruth Home Plate - On March 17th, 1918, Babe Ruth hit a record-setting home run at this location, forever changing his career and the sport of baseball. The ball landed over 500 feet away in an alligator farm that still exists today.
• Whittington Spring Fountain - The second of two cold water fountains in the National Park, the Whittington Park fountain is near the entrance to the West Mountain Scenic Drive. Like at Happy Hollow, visitors can fill their water bottles for free.
• West Mountain Overlook - From the West Mountain Lower Overlook, visitors can see downtown Hot Springs, the Army Navy Hospital, and the Hot Springs Mountain Tower.
• West Mountain Trail - This is the starting point for the West Mountain Trail. Taking the trail across the street leads uphill, north of the Loop Overlook. Alternatively, the trail can be taken southwest, also going uphill, ending south of the Loop Overlook. The trail can be turned into a loop by connecting both ends via the Mountain Top Trail, with a total roundtrip distance of about 2 miles.
• West Mountain Overlook - At the Loop Overlook, visitors can view the southwestern part of Hot Springs and the Ouachita River Valley. Behind the Loop Overlook, there is a large outcropping of Arkansas Novaculite, showcasing the fractured and angled rock layers that form the mountain. These fractures and steep angles result from tectonic activity that created the mountains and allow water to seep into the mountain, emerging later as spring water. The Loop Overlook is also the trailhead for the park’s longest trail, the Sunset Trail, which is 10 miles long one-way. Just half a mile up the trail, visitors can reach the forested peak of West Mountain.

• Tours never expire
• Freedom to explore at your own pace
• Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
• Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
• Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips, and music
• Audio narration plays automatically as you drive

• Private transportation
• Parking Fees
• Meals & Refreshments

Discover the historic allure of Hot Springs National Park with our captivating audio tour! Wander through Bathhouse Row, uncover the calming thermal springs, and delve into the park’s intriguing history as America’s inaugural federal reserve. Our guides narrate enthralling tales about the restorative waters, distinctive geology, and cultural importance of this renowned location. Ideal for families, history enthusiasts, and wellness aficionados, this tour provides a soothing and informative adventure. Just download, connect your headphones, and immerse yourself in the marvels of Hot Springs National Park!

Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours

• Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
• The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
• Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
• Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
• Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
• Quapaw Bathhouse requires reservations, but Buckstaff accepts walk-ins.
• If you’d rather avoid the crowds, visit the park during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall.
• Some local activities, like Duck Boat Rides, may not be available in the winter.
• The hot spring water comes out of the ground at 143 degrees Fahrenheit.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.