A Bonus Park- Hot Springs, N.P

So, we’ve spent the night in Ft. Smith when we realize that we are only about 200 miles from Hot Springs, N.P. We know that this is on the way home and are thinking, BONUS PARK!

BONUS PARK!

We discussed the options and realized that any future visit to this park would we much further out of our way, so this is one to knock off.

Temporary park headquarters

We drove to Russellville, then got on an Ozark mountain road that would take us to Hot Springs. We enjoyed the ride as it was not as challenging as other mountain roads we’ve recently been on.

Remodeling a bathhouse

The only problem was that the two-lane road was also shared with a lot of RVs and boat trailers that made the going slow.

The Ozark Bathhouse

We arrived in Hot Springs and were immediately delighted with the park and surrounding community. Hot Springs, N.P. is the smallest national park in the park system.

Ouapaw Bathhouse

The park features are the restored bathhouses and the mineral springs which fuel everything.

That's some HOT water!

After parking the car we walked to the temporary visitor’s center, as the permanent one was undergoing some cosmetic work.  We collected our stamp and watched a couple of historical videos that described the park in its heyday.

Fordyce Bathhouse

What an architecturally impressive  display the bathhouses present.

Another bathhouse

We left the visitor’s center and walked up “Bathhouse Row,” viewing all of the magnificent bathhouses from yesteryear, before

The beautiful Arlington Hotel

endingt up at the grand old Arlington Hotel. We went inside to see what Hot Springs luxury is like. How impressive the old hotel was with its painted walls and superb architecture.

Inside the Arlington

Leaving the hotel, we made our way back to the car down “Bathhouse Row,” but this time focusing on the fantastic architecture on the private establishments opposite the bathhouses.

The Arlington bar

Back at the car we had lunch in a park next to the visitor’s center. Jane collected some hot springs water that we cooled and drank later.

Part of the Arlington lobby

We headed out of the park and made our way to the interstate that would take us to Texarkanna where we thought about spending the night.

Jane rejuvenates with spring water

However, when we arrived at Texarkanna around 1400, we realized that it was too early to check into a motel, so we opted to drive an additional 6 hours to our river home in Killian, LA. While we had some issues getting through Shreveport, LA, we breezed into Killian with no problem. And thus ended our “Great Alaskan Tour.”

Some more Hot Springs pics:

Main street architecture

Another neoclassic building

More beautiful buildings

Another hotel

Old veteran's hospital

Corinthian columns We are home!