Legends tell us warring tribes would lay down their arms to bathe in the healing waters in the Valley of the Vapors.
For centuries, this misty Ouachita mountain valley was revered by Native Americans as a place of neutrality where all tribes could bathe in peace. In 1832 Congress set aside the natural hot springs site as a federal reservation, making Hot Springs National Park the first federally protected area in the national park system.
Until the advent of modern medicine in the late 1940's, visitors from around the world flocked to the natural hot springs to bathe in its healing thermal waters. Modern generations have carefully preserved the rich history of the springs and the bathing rituals that made the springs a world attraction. Find answers to questions about taking a Hot Springs bath.
Cool mineral water also flows from these magical springs, and when you visit Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs National Park, you'll probably see folks driving up in their cars, hopping out and filling up their water jugs. Take a sip and see how delicious Hot Springs' hot or cold water can be.
Take a step back in time and visit the faithfully-restored historic Fordyce Bathhouse, now open by the National Park Service as a museum and visitors center on Bathhouse Row. Relax and bathe your tensions away in the thermal waters and enjoy the Hot Springs spa salons.
