Hot Springs National Park parking depends on where you plan to go: visitors heading to Bathhouse Row should use city parking, while the park’s scenic drives have designated parking at picnic areas, viewpoints and trailheads. In Hot Springs, Arkansas, the park is about a five-minute drive from this motel in Hot Springs.
- Bathhouse Row: Use city parking areas, including a garage at 128 Exchange Street.
- Scenic drives: The National Park Service provides designated parking areas along park roads.
- Park road hours: Roads are open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; summit roads have a later morning opening.
- Vehicle limit: Park roads have a vehicle length limit of 30 feet.
Where do visitors commonly enter Hot Springs National Park?
Bathhouse Row and the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center are central access points for the park’s downtown area. The visitor center is at 369 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901; for Bathhouse Row and the visitor center, the National Park Service directs visitors to city parking areas.
Arkansas Highway 7 is the main route through the park and town. Through central Hot Springs, it is called Central Avenue and runs alongside Bathhouse Row. If you’re mapping a visit, a visitor guide to Hot Springs National Park can help put the downtown area and park features in context.
Where can you park near Bathhouse Row?
For Bathhouse Row, look for city parking rather than expecting to park directly at the visitor center. The City of Hot Springs maintains a garage at 128 Exchange Street, one block west of the Hot Springs National Park visitor center.
Paid parking applies on major thoroughfares, adjacent side streets and in parking garages. For a different kind of visit, designated parking areas along the park’s scenic drives serve picnic areas, viewpoints and trailheads. Parking arrangements and charges can change, so check the official site before you go.
How do you get around the park on foot?
Sidewalks and walking routes connect the Bathhouse Row area with nearby park features. The National Park Service map shows parking lots, walkways, paved trails and unpaved trails in this area, so you can choose a route based on where you park and what you plan to see.
Sidewalks on Bathhouse Row, Arlington Lawn, the Grand Promenade, Reserve Street and Fountain Street are open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., except for walk-through traffic. For a day that combines downtown stops with park walks, the one-day Hot Springs itinerary offers a related way to plan your time.
How do you drive through Hot Springs National Park?
Park roads provide access to overlooks, trailheads and other destinations. Hot Springs Mountain Drive and West Mountain Drive lead to lookouts and trailheads. Blacksnake Road, Cedarglades Road and Park Avenue cross through the park, while Gorge Road leads to Gulpha Gorge Campground and Picnic Area.
From Little Rock, the National Park Service route uses I-30 West toward Texarkana, exit 111 for US 70 West/Hot Springs, then Spring Street and Central Avenue; the park is on the right after Reserve Street.
From Texarkana, take I-30 East to exit 78 for AR-7, turn left under the highway and follow AR-7 North for 31 miles. It becomes Central Avenue, and the park is on the right after Reserve Street.
What should you check before leaving?
Park roads are open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Roads to the Hot Springs Mountain, North Mountain and West Mountain summits are open to vehicle traffic from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Keep the 30-foot vehicle length limit in mind when choosing a route.
Hours can change, so check the National Park Service site before you go. The Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
FAQs
Is parking free at Hot Springs National Park?
City parking near Bathhouse Row is paid in major thoroughfares, adjacent side streets and parking garages. The National Park Service also maintains designated parking areas along scenic drives.
Where is the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center?
It is at 369 Central Avenue in Hot Springs. The National Park Service directs visitors to city parking for the visitor center and Bathhouse Row.
Are park roads open at night?
Park roads are open daily until 10:00 p.m. Summit roads open to vehicle traffic at 8:00 a.m.
Can large vehicles use the park roads?
The vehicle length limit on park roads is 30 feet. Check the National Park Service site for current access details before setting out.