Hot Springs is one of the smallest national parks in the system and also the oldest - it was protected by the federal government in 1832 before the concept of a national park existed. The park includes two downtown bathhouses on Bathhouse Row, the Promenade, a park, a small campground, some drive accessible mountains, and about 30 miles of hiking trails. The NPS manages the hot springs regulating temperature and protecting the springs.
Lots of cool things to see and learn in the National Historic Landmark District of the town in addition to the National Park. Gangsters of the early 20th century declared the resort neutral ground where they could hang out without war between rival groups. Baseball spring training originated here about the same time.
We throughly enjoyed this area - the walking tour, park, shops and Promenade in town, the drives to West Mountain for a sunset and Hot Springs Mountain, the Gulpha Gorge, Sunset, and Goat Rock Trails. The Gulpha Gorge NP Campground was very nice - no reservations but auto check-in worked well. We needed to replace the sail switch on our furnace and received exceptional service from Livingston RV on the edge of town.
We filled water bottles at the free hot spring where the water was over 110 degrees. It was fantastic, and the coffee we made with it was absolutely the best. We had super root beer (made from the local water) floats at the Superior Bath House Brewery. We liked it so much we went back for dinner - good food and interesting historic setting. We enjoyed peanut butter and cafe latte ice cream at Scoops, better than ok but not quite a top ten contender.
Cadillac’s Viewpoint: Now this is a National Park! Nice woodlands, streams and ponds yet close to lattes (the motherlode of lattes) and ice cream. They also have INDOOR hot and steamy ponds. That you can soak in! And I have discovered an elixir called Root Beer. Spectacular with ice cream. So, how long do you think we spent in paradise? Three days! That is days not months. Three. Here. I know who sets this crazy schedule and I think his poll numbers are awful right now. Cadillac’s Elevation 5 Antlers
The Promenade
One of the few “open” hot springs so one might see what the pools were once like
Moonrise over Hot Springs. The enormous building is the military hospital
View from Goat Rock
Cadillac’s Heaven