DESCRIPTION OF HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK

Hot Springs National Park is a 5,500-acre park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, that preserves geothermal spring water and resources related to therapeutic bathing. Congress created the park in 1832 when it designated the land as Hot Springs Reservation, making it the first area nationwide to be set aside for protection by the federal government. In 1921, the reservation’s name changed to Hot Springs National Park. Today, Hot Springs National Park preserves and manages its natural and cultural resources for over 1.5 million annual visitors. Located about 55 miles southwest of Little Rock, Hot Springs National Park encompasses mostly forested mountains, but includes a developed urban edge formed by Bathhouse Row, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

Bathhouse Row is a ¼-mile-long row of eight bathhouse buildings along Central Avenue. It is the most heavily visited part of the park. This area encompasses six acres formally landscaped with open lawns, trees, shrubs, fountains, a formal staircase entrance, a promenade in front of the bathhouses, and a Grand Promenade behind the bathhouses. The Buckstaff Bathhouse and the Administration Building, located at the southern end of the row, are the only structures used for their original purposes. All other bathhouses have been adapted for other uses by either the NPS or private sector partners.

Hot Springs National Park collects and distributes thermal water for use in park buildings and public fountains as well as by area hotels and a local hospital. The park uses an extensive underground collection system that is largely concealed from public view as most of the 47 springs are capped to prevent contamination. Recent studies have shown that the greatest threat to the health of the thermal springs may be from development outside the park as most of the water recharge zone is beyond the park boundary.

1405ft428m

1120ft341m

1100ft335m

1060ft323m

1179ft359m

1209ft369m

70B

7

7s

7

7

70B

270B

270B0.5

0.5

0

0

1 Mile

1 Kilometer

North

Dangerous curvesDrive with caution

Bull

Creek

Bayou

Whittington

Hot S

prin

gs

Cre

ek

Hot Sp

ring

s Creek

Gulpha Creek

Gulpha Creek

Cedar Glades

Road

Cedar Glades Road

Cedar Street

Whittington Avenue

Sunse

t

Trai

l

Sunset Trail

Sunset Trail

CityPark

LindenStreetPark

DeSotoPark

SUGARLOAF M

OUNTAIN

WEST MOUNTAIN

H

OT

SPR

ING

S M

OU

NT

AIN

NORTH

M

OUNTAIN

MUSIC

MOUNTAIN

INDIANMOUNTAIN

BalancedRock

SeeBathhouseRow Map

LeviHospital

Hot Springs Civic andConvention Center andSummit Arena

Hot SpringsMountain Tower

Thermal WaterJug Fountain

HappyHollowSpring

ThermalWater Jug

Fountain

FederalBuilding

Post Office

City VisitorInformation

BusDepot

Libbey MemorialPhysical Medicine Center(closed)

Highest Point in Park

WhittingtonSpring

Park MaintenanceArea

Amphitheater

Shelter

Shelter

Pavilion

Gulpha GorgeCampground

Gulpha GorgePicnic Area

GoatRock

Park

A

venu

e

Cen

tral

A

ven

ue

Ouachita

Ave

nue

Quapaw Ave

nue

Gra

nd

Ave

nue

Grand Avenue

West Mountain

Drive

West Mountain Summit

Drive

Prosp

ect

Avenue

Whitt

ington

Avenue

To

p

Trai

l

Mountain Top Trail

Mou

ntai

n

Gulph

a Gorge Trail

Su

nset T

rail

Broadway

M

alvern Avenue

Spring St

Spring Street

Reserv e St

CITY OFHOT SPRINGS

CITY OFHOT SPRINGS

Hot Springs Creek flows in atunnel under Bathhouse Row

Rese

rv

e Trail

Dead Chief Trail

Short

Cut Tr

ail

Peak

Tra

il

Hot

Spr

ings

Hon

eysu

ckle

Tr

ail

Hot Sp

rings

Mou

ntain

T

rail

Hot Springs M

ou

ntain Drive

Mou

ntai

n T

rail

FountainTrail

FloralTrail

GrandAvenueTrail

ArlingtonTrail

Dogwood Tr

ail (

low

er lo

op)

Dogw

ood

Tra

il

(low

er l

oop)

Gorge Road

To Russellville116km 72mi Stonebridge Road

To Little Rock87km 54mi

To Lake Catherine State Park19km 12mi

ToRace Track 3km 2mi

Lake Hamilton 10km 6mi

ToAirport 3.2km 2mi

Lake Hamilton 8km 5miLake Ouachita State Park 26km 16mi

ToLake Ouachita State Park

West

Mou

ntai

n D

rive

Sunse

t T

rail

Black Snake Road

CanyonTrail

1260ft384m

Goat Rock

Tra

il

(upper loop)

Dogwood Trail

Dogwood Tra

il (upper l

oop)

Dea

d C

hie

f T

rail

West Mountain Trail

West Mountain

Trai

l

Park

Avenue

Oak

T

rail

Nor

th M

tn L

oo

p

National Park Visitor Center

Picnic area

Restrooms

Ranger stationParking areas

Cold springHiking trail

NPS property

Overlook Off street parking is abundant; privately owned parking lots are located across from and to the south of Bathhouse Row.

Wheelchair-accessible

Foundation DocumentHot Springs National Park

CONTACT INFORmATION or write to:Superintendent Hot Springs National Park 101 Reserve StreetHot Springs, AR 71901

For more information about the Hot Springs National Park Foundation Document, contact: hosp_superintendent@nps.gov or 501-623-2824

National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior

Hot Springs National ParkArkansas

Fundamental resources and values are closely related to a park’s designated purpose and warrant primary consideration in planning and management because they are critical to maintaining the park’s purpose and significance. If these resources are allowed to deteriorate, the purpose and/or significance of the park could be jeopardized.

The fundamental resources and values of Hot Springs National Park are

•  Thermal water and all components

•  Water collection and distribution system

•  Public interaction with geothermal water and the natural environment for the promotion of holistic human health

•  Cultural landscape, including the Bathhouse Row National Historic Landmark

•  Museum collection

Purpose Significance Fundamental Resources and Values Interpretive Themes

Park significance statements are directly linked to the purpose of the park and express why the park’s resources and values are important enough to warrant national park designation.

•  Hot Springs National Park is the only national park that protects a unique combination of lithology, geologic structure, and water sources that produce the only nonvolcanic geothermal springs of such high quality (temperature, taste, color, odorless) in the United States.

•  Hot Springs National Park is the only national park in the United States established to promote a holistic approach to health by ensuring public access to geothermal water, the surrounding natural environment, and other public recreational landscapes.

•  Hot Springs National Park offers unparalleled opportunities for research of a geothermal hydrologic system that has been geologically stable for 200 million years such as the study of the recently discovered globally unique thermophilic life forms and other yet-to-be-discovered resources.

•  The Bathhouse Row National Historic Landmark, which contains the largest collection of early 20th century bathhouses in the United States and the Grand Promenade, showcases the evolving approach to the architectural and landscape design of spa resorts.

•  The thermal springs in Hot Springs National Park were the first, and continue to be, the only federally controlled hot springs in the United States to be managed for both public health and consumptive use. Hot Springs National Park is the only unit of the national park system that is mandated to give away its primary natural resource to the general public in an unending and unaltered state.

The purpose of Hot Springs National Park is to protect its

unique geothermal spring water and associated lands for public

health, wellness, and enjoyment.

Interpretive themes are ideas or concepts about Hot Springs National Park that are key to helping visitors gain an understanding of park significance and resources. The themes, which are based on park purpose and significance, provide the basis for interpretive programs and media in the park.

•  While Hot Springs National Park protects the quality of the geothermal spring water, it is up to us all to preserve the quantity of the water.

•  The thermal water and experiences in the natural environment that originally drew people to the area continue to be key elements to a holistic approach to life, health, and wellness.

•  For over 200 years, the mystery of these hot springs has lured people to conduct research and make scientific discoveries that provide a greater understanding of the geothermal system. This fascination with the spring water may also inspire future scientific breakthroughs.

•  The impressive cultural landscape of Bathhouse Row evokes the continuum of the American spa experience through history, anchored in the methods and beliefs of the past, yet ever-evolving to meet the needs of modern times.

•  The perceived healing value of the geothermal spring water prompted the U.S. government to take unprecedented action that ultimately provided equal access to the water for everyone.

Fundamental resources and values are closely related to a park’s designated purpose and warrant primary consideration in planning and management because they are critical to maintaining the park’s purpose and significance. If these resources are allowed to deteriorate, the purpose and/or significance of the park could be jeopardized.

The fundamental resources and values of Hot Springs National Park are

•  Thermal water and all components

•  Water collection and distribution system

•  Public interaction with geothermal water and the natural environment for the promotion of holistic human health

•  Cultural landscape, including the Bathhouse Row National Historic Landmark

•  Museum collection

Purpose Significance Fundamental Resources and Values Interpretive Themes

Park significance statements are directly linked to the purpose of the park and express why the park’s resources and values are important enough to warrant national park designation.

•  Hot Springs National Park is the only national park that protects a unique combination of lithology, geologic structure, and water sources that produce the only nonvolcanic geothermal springs of such high quality (temperature, taste, color, odorless) in the United States.

•  Hot Springs National Park is the only national park in the United States established to promote a holistic approach to health by ensuring public access to geothermal water, the surrounding natural environment, and other public recreational landscapes.

•  Hot Springs National Park offers unparalleled opportunities for research of a geothermal hydrologic system that has been geologically stable for 200 million years such as the study of the recently discovered globally unique thermophilic life forms and other yet-to-be-discovered resources.

•  The Bathhouse Row National Historic Landmark, which contains the largest collection of early 20th century bathhouses in the United States and the Grand Promenade, showcases the evolving approach to the architectural and landscape design of spa resorts.

•  The thermal springs in Hot Springs National Park were the first, and continue to be, the only federally controlled hot springs in the United States to be managed for both public health and consumptive use. Hot Springs National Park is the only unit of the national park system that is mandated to give away its primary natural resource to the general public in an unending and unaltered state.

The purpose of Hot Springs National Park is to protect its

unique geothermal spring water and associated lands for public

health, wellness, and enjoyment.

Interpretive themes are ideas or concepts about Hot Springs National Park that are key to helping visitors gain an understanding of park significance and resources. The themes, which are based on park purpose and significance, provide the basis for interpretive programs and media in the park.

•  While Hot Springs National Park protects the quality of the geothermal spring water, it is up to us all to preserve the quantity of the water.

•  The thermal water and experiences in the natural environment that originally drew people to the area continue to be key elements to a holistic approach to life, health, and wellness.

•  For over 200 years, the mystery of these hot springs has lured people to conduct research and make scientific discoveries that provide a greater understanding of the geothermal system. This fascination with the spring water may also inspire future scientific breakthroughs.

•  The impressive cultural landscape of Bathhouse Row evokes the continuum of the American spa experience through history, anchored in the methods and beliefs of the past, yet ever-evolving to meet the needs of modern times.

•  The perceived healing value of the geothermal spring water prompted the U.S. government to take unprecedented action that ultimately provided equal access to the water for everyone.

DESCRIPTION OF HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK

Hot Springs National Park is a 5,500-acre park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, that preserves geothermal spring water and resources related to therapeutic bathing. Congress created the park in 1832 when it designated the land as Hot Springs Reservation, making it the first area nationwide to be set aside for protection by the federal government. In 1921, the reservation’s name changed to Hot Springs National Park. Today, Hot Springs National Park preserves and manages its natural and cultural resources for over 1.5 million annual visitors. Located about 55 miles southwest of Little Rock, Hot Springs National Park encompasses mostly forested mountains, but includes a developed urban edge formed by Bathhouse Row, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

Bathhouse Row is a ¼-mile-long row of eight bathhouse buildings along Central Avenue. It is the most heavily visited part of the park. This area encompasses six acres formally landscaped with open lawns, trees, shrubs, fountains, a formal staircase entrance, a promenade in front of the bathhouses, and a Grand Promenade behind the bathhouses. The Buckstaff Bathhouse and the Administration Building, located at the southern end of the row, are the only structures used for their original purposes. All other bathhouses have been adapted for other uses by either the NPS or private sector partners.

Hot Springs National Park collects and distributes thermal water for use in park buildings and public fountains as well as by area hotels and a local hospital. The park uses an extensive underground collection system that is largely concealed from public view as most of the 47 springs are capped to prevent contamination. Recent studies have shown that the greatest threat to the health of the thermal springs may be from development outside the park as most of the water recharge zone is beyond the park boundary.

1405ft428m

1120ft341m

1100ft335m

1060ft323m

1179ft359m

1209ft369m

70B

7

7s

7

7

70B

270B

270B0.5

0.5

0

0

1 Mile

1 Kilometer

North

Dangerous curvesDrive with caution

Bull

Creek

Bayou

Whittington

Hot S

prin

gs

Cre

ek

Hot Sp

ring

s Creek

Gulpha Creek

Gulpha Creek

Cedar Glades

Road

Cedar Glades Road

Cedar Street

Whittington Avenue

Sunse

t

Trai

l

Sunset Trail

Sunset Trail

CityPark

LindenStreetPark

DeSotoPark

SUGARLOAF M

OUNTAIN

WEST MOUNTAIN

H

OT

SPR

ING

S M

OU

NT

AIN

NORTH

M

OUNTAIN

MUSIC

MOUNTAIN

INDIANMOUNTAIN

BalancedRock

SeeBathhouseRow Map

LeviHospital

Hot Springs Civic andConvention Center andSummit Arena

Hot SpringsMountain Tower

Thermal WaterJug Fountain

HappyHollowSpring

ThermalWater Jug

Fountain

FederalBuilding

Post Office

City VisitorInformation

BusDepot

Libbey MemorialPhysical Medicine Center(closed)

Highest Point in Park

WhittingtonSpring

Park MaintenanceArea

Amphitheater

Shelter

Shelter

Pavilion

Gulpha GorgeCampground

Gulpha GorgePicnic Area

GoatRock

Park

A

venu

e

Cen

tral

A

ven

ue

Ouachita

Ave

nue

Quapaw Ave

nue

Gra

nd

Ave

nue

Grand Avenue

West Mountain

Drive

West Mountain Summit

Drive

Prosp

ect

Avenue

Whitt

ington

Avenue

To

p

Trai

l

Mountain Top Trail

Mou

ntai

n

Gulph

a Gorge Trail

Su

nset T

rail

Broadway

M

alvern Avenue

Spring St

Spring Street

Reserv e St

CITY OFHOT SPRINGS

CITY OFHOT SPRINGS

Hot Springs Creek flows in atunnel under Bathhouse Row

Rese

rv

e Trail

Dead Chief Trail

Short

Cut Tr

ail

Peak

Tra

il

Hot

Spr

ings

Hon

eysu

ckle

Tr

ail

Hot Sp

rings

Mou

ntain

T

rail

Hot Springs M

ou

ntain Drive

Mou

ntai

n T

rail

FountainTrail

FloralTrail

GrandAvenueTrail

ArlingtonTrail

Dogwood Tr

ail (

low

er lo

op)

Dogw

ood

Tra

il

(low

er l

oop)

Gorge Road

To Russellville116km 72mi Stonebridge Road

To Little Rock87km 54mi

To Lake Catherine State Park19km 12mi

ToRace Track 3km 2mi

Lake Hamilton 10km 6mi

ToAirport 3.2km 2mi

Lake Hamilton 8km 5miLake Ouachita State Park 26km 16mi

ToLake Ouachita State Park

West

Mou

ntai

n D

rive

Sunse

t T

rail

Black Snake Road

CanyonTrail

1260ft384m

Goat Rock

Tra

il

(upper loop)

Dogwood Trail

Dogwood Tra

il (upper l

oop)

Dea

d C

hie

f T

rail

West Mountain Trail

West Mountain

Trai

l

Park

Avenue

Oak

T

rail

Nor

th M

tn L

oo

p

National Park Visitor Center

Picnic area

Restrooms

Ranger stationParking areas

Cold springHiking trail

NPS property

Overlook Off street parking is abundant; privately owned parking lots are located across from and to the south of Bathhouse Row.

Wheelchair-accessible

Foundation DocumentHot Springs National Park

CONTACT INFORmATION or write to:Superintendent Hot Springs National Park 101 Reserve StreetHot Springs, AR 71901

For more information about the Hot Springs National Park Foundation Document, contact: hosp_superintendent@nps.gov or 501-623-2824

National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior

Hot Springs National ParkArkansas