Hot Springs National Park - Arkansas

Join me on a two-day adventure to explore the unique surroundings and magical waters of Hot Springs National Park. I give you tips and fun facts as I visit the Bathhouse Row, Mountain Tower, Gulpher Creek Campground and many trails on the West and North Mountains of this 5,500 acre urban park. This video was captured in November 2023 and it was my 39th National Park.
In this video, I take you along with me and share with you my amazing trip to Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. Also, while educating you of its past. I include fun trivia type fun facts in this video and give you a map of the locations in the park that I am visiting. This park is one of the most unique and beautiful places, especially during the fall months when the leaves are turning colors.
Hot Springs National Park is not your typical national park. It's actually the 2nd smallest one in the country, but it has so much to offer. The main attraction is, of course, the hot springs. These are natural springs that flow out of the ground at a temperature of about 143°F (62°C). They have been used for centuries by Native Americans and later by European settlers for their healing and therapeutic properties. You can experience the hot springs in different ways, such as soaking in a historic bathhouse, taking a dip in a modern spa, or even drinking the water from one of the many free public fountains in the park.
But there's more to this park than just the hot springs. There's also a rich history and culture that you can explore. The park is home to Bathhouse Row, a collection of eight elegant buildings that date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These bathhouses were once the center of a booming bathing industry that attracted people from all walks of life, including celebrities, politicians, and gangsters. You can learn more about the history and stories by watching the tour that I take you on of the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center in this video.
If you're looking for some outdoor adventure, you won't be disappointed either. The park is surrounded by the Ouachita Mountains, which offer some stunning scenery and wildlife. I take you on several hikes of the over 26 miles of trails that range from easy to challenging. I visit the only campground inside the park called Gulpha Gorge Campground. The park also has some amazing geological features, such as quartz crystals, novaculite rocks, and fault lines.
I explain the story of how Hot Springs was once a haven for notorious criminals like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano. I go up in the Mountain Tower, which offers a panoramic view of the park and the town from 216 feet above the ground.
Hot Springs National Park is a place that actually surprised me of it's beauty and intrigued me of his historical significance. This park has something for everyone, it is a place where you can relax, learn, explore, and have fun.
Jeff and I hope you enjoy this video and found it helpful. If you did, please give it a thumbs up and leave a comment below. And don't forget to subscribe to our channel at "Adventures with Wes and Jeff" for more travel videos like this one. Thank you so much for watching and get out to the great outdoors and do something that makes you smile!