Natural Outdoor Springs

The outdoor Arkansas hot springs are the most beautiful variety of thermal pools in the state and allow visitors to enjoy the warm, soothing waters while admiring the picturesque beauty of the surrounding environments.

Unfortunately, most of these outdoor pools feature water far warmer than the human body can bear, with temperatures averaging about 147°F. In fact, of Hot Springs National Park’s 47 naturally occurring pools, visitors are only permitted to physically touch two, and even these are considered unswimmable.

Luckily, a few locations are scattered throughout Garland County where the water is slightly more manageable. Around the national park, rivers such as the Caddo River feature confined areas where the hot spring water feeds into the cooler stream, producing warm waters comfortable for lounging in Arkansas's idyllic terrain.

However, since these limited areas are tucked away and typically require a small journey to reach, most visitors instead opt to visit one of Hot Spring's onsite bathhouses.

Community Bathhouses

While the natural pools of the region may not be swimmable, the water's healing properties have attracted visitors for centuries and were even heavily featured in many legends of local indigenous tribes.

The hot springs began to attract European settlers in 1804, and by 1832 they were officially protected as the Hot Springs Reserve. Soon after, several bathhouses were established, combining hot and cold water for a pleasant soaking experience.

Of the nine historic bathhouses, only three remain open today, and just two are still operational: the Fordyce Bathhouse (visitor center) and the Buckstaff Baths. Additionally, the renovated Quapaw Bathhouse reopened in 2004 and now offers full spa services.

Hot Spring Fountains

Thanks to the water's high temperatures and natural purification process, the hot spring waters in Hot Springs, Arkansas, are entirely safe to drink. They’re also rich in minerals, making them more nutritionally beneficial than purified water.

The town makes this natural resource widely available through public fountains. Visitors are even encouraged to bottle the mineral water and take it home.

Thermal spring fountains dispensing warm water can be found in seven locations across the community, with additional cold spring fountains located at Happy Hollow and Whittington Spring.