Hot Springs National Park

Dec 3, 2021

We had half a day in Hot Springs, Arkansas while Josh worked so the girls and I headed for Hot Springs National Park to check out Bath House Row and the thermal springs that bring water to this town. We found a town with a rich culture and history, in incredible surroundings. This may be one of the smallest national parks but it history runs deep and it is one of the first federal protected resources (water!) in our nations history. The thermal waters from the hot springs not only provide for the entire town but have a rich history in uses including in the historic bathhouses. Several of the historic bathhouses have been preserved, while some have become cafes or stores, a couple remain bath houses open to the public for healing baths and spa services.

The girls and I loved touring one of the old bathhouses and learning about it’s cultural history and how bath houses evolved over time. If you have a chance to visit be sure to go through Fordyce Visitors Center and see how bath houses were set up in the early 1900s. Once you’ve gone through the bathhouse tour continue down the street where you can experience the thermal waters for yourself! Then with a short hike down the Grand Promenade we made our way back to our car so that we could head up the mountain trail and check out the stunning views of the entire town from 185 ft above the ground.

Here’s Makinsley to tell you more about the thermal waters

I mentioned before that we are using the National Parks as a resource for our homeschool curriculum. This park has plenty to study! For those of you that have been interested in our road school curriculum here are some of what we are diving into in our studies related to Hot Springs –

• Science – Geologic features and Thermal Springs
• Social Studies – Civil War History
• Culture – Bathhouse Era
• Science – Physical Therapy Developments and Inventions