Hot Springs National Park Hiking

Visitors have been flocking to Hot Springs National Park for decades for its healing waters. What surprises many park visitors is that there are a staggering 26 miles of trails packed in America's second smallest National Park. We hope this Hot Springs National Park hiking guide helps you plan your time in the park. 

Hot Springs National Park Hiking

This is a pretty good feat as the smallest (Gateway Arch National Park) is more of an urban park in a city without any hiking trails, well except hiking to and from your car. 

The best way to describe hiking at Hot Springs National Park is that there are numerous small interconnected trails. This means that hikers should definitely carry a map and their 10 essentials with them on their hike. There are also several steep grades so you should also wear appropriate clothing and shoes, stay on established trails, and remember that wildlife is often seen on trails including bears.

The Park and its trails are separated into two different sections by downtown Hot Springs. The Core of the park is "Bathhouse row". This is where you will find the parks visitor center at the Fordyce bathhouse, The Superior Bathhouse Brewery at the Superior Bathhouse, and you can take a bath at the Buckstaff Bathhouse. 

After visiting Bathhouse Row, I highly suggest visitors explore the North Mountain Area. This is where you will find the scenic Hot Springs Mountain Drive, the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, the Gulpha Gorge Campground, and the majority of the parks trails including the breathtaking Grand Promenade. 

The West Mountain Hiking Trails are easily accessible on the scenic West Mountain Scenic Drive or by taking the canyon trail off of Central Avenue. 

Hot Springs National Park and North Mountain Hiking Trails

Fountain Trail

Distance: 528 ft

Grade: 9.8%

This short trail begins on Fountain Street with a steep ascent and takes you to the Honeysuckle Trail.

 

Arlington Trail

Distance: 0.1 mile

Grade: 2.5%

This short trail starts at the seventh-floor pool area of the Arlington hotel and takes you to the Lower Dogwood Trail. 

Grand Avenue Trail

Distance: 0.2 mi

Grade: 4.7%

This is a connector trail from Grand Avenue just south of a local motel to the Oertel Trail

Shortcut Trail

Distance: 0.2 mile

Grade: 21.1%

The Short Cut Trail is a short cut between Oertel Trail and the Hot Springs Mountain picnic area.

 

Tufa Terrace Trail

Distance: .3 mile

Grade: 6%

This trail starts at the Arlington lawn near the corner of Bathhouse Row and Fountain Street near the hot water cascade and ends above the Grand Promenade at Stevens Balustrade.

 

Reserve Trail

Distance: .3 mile

Grade: 5.7%

This trail begins at Reserve Street, just beyond a series of duplexes and a stately white building and connects the Oertel Trail with Spring Street with Reserve Street.

Grand Promenade

Distance: .5 mile

Grade: 3.7% 

If you only take one trail in Hot Springs, make it the Grand Promenade. It's not your typical walk in the woods but will most certainly be a trail you always remember! This beautiful brick trail runs parallel with Central Avenue behind Bathhouse Row and goes from Reserve Street to Fountain Street. There are also several other trails you can access from here.

Park Ranger John Pro Tip: 

The Grand Promenade is a trail to enjoy. Stop at one of the several park benches or bring your checkers and stop at one of the checkers tables and just enjoy a few games outdoors! The trail also offers several overlooks that have great views of Bathhouse Row. 

If you like fall colors, you will fall in love with Hot Springs! Taking a hike will put you in the middle of nature's magic in the fall.

Honeysuckle Trail

Distance: .5 mile

Grade: 5.4%

The Honeysuckle Trail connects Peak Trail with Hot Springs Mountain Trail.

 

Peak Trail

Distance: .6 mile

Grade: 12.6%

The Peak Trail begins at Tufa Terrace Trail above the Grand Promenade and steeply ascends Hot Springs Mountain to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower.

Floral Trail

Distance: .7 mile

Grade: 4.1%

The trailhead starts on Hot Springs Mountain Drive, 50 yards past Happy Hollow jug fountain. Floral Trail connects Lower Dogwood Trail and Honeysuckle Trail.

 

Lower Dogwood Trail

Distance: .7 mile

Grade: 4.6%

The trailhead for the Lower Dogwood Trail starts by taking a left at the east end of Arlington Trail. Lower Dogwood Trail climbs North Mountain.

Gulpha Gorge Trail

Distance: .8 mile

Grade: 13.8%

The trailhead starts at the Gulpha Gorge Campground and connects to many of the park trails. This trail starts off steep heading west from the campground.

Upper Dogwood Trail

Distance: 1.0 mile

Grade: 4.8%

The Upper Dogwood Trail starts at the overlook on North Mountain.

Goat Rock Trail

Distance: 1.1 mile

Grade: 3.2%

This is a nice trail leading out to a beautiful lookout at Goat Rock. The trail had some shade but also a lot of sun. Limited parking is available at the overlook on North Mountain

 

Dead Chief Trail

Distance: 1.4 mile

Grade: 7%

The Dead Chief Trailhead starts at the Army-Navy gate above the Stevens Balustrade. This trail eventually intersects with Gulpha Gorge Trail for the easiest walk (1.6miles) from Bathhouse Row to the park campground. At first quite steep, the trail levels off and follows the contour of Hot Springs Mountain towards Gulpha Gorge. 

Hot Springs Mountain Trail

Distance: 1.7 mile

Grade: .5% 

The Hot Springs Mountain Trail walk begins at the Pagoda shelter just below the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. Here you will find several scenic overlooks as you take a hike around the top of the mountain. 

Hot Springs National Park West Mountain Hiking Trails

Hiking trails are sorted by distance

Canyon Trail

Distance: .7 mile

Grade: 10%

The Canyon Trail trailhead is behind the Mountain Valley Water building. The section between West Mountain Drive and West Mountain Trail is very steep.

Oak Trail

Distance: 1.0 mile

Average grade - 4.2%

The Northeastern end of Oak Tail is mainly flat, the trail is fairly steep for a short distance between West Mountain Trail and West Mountain Drive.

West Mountain Trail

Distance: 1.2 mile 

Grade - 1.1%

You can turn West Mountain Trail into a loop by using the Mountain Top Trail

Whittington Trail

Distance: 1.2 mile

Grade .6%

This trail is a flat gravel trail that loops around Whittington Park right before turning up the hill of West Mountain Summit Drive.

Mountain Top Trail

Distance: 1.5 mile

Grade - 5.4%

If hiking southward, the trail is strenuous, as it gains elevation quickly. If hiking northward, there is a steady rise in elevation until you cross Sunset Trail; the trail descends steeply to the trailhead at Whittington Park.

Sunset Trail

Distance - 10 miles

Sunset Trail is the longest trail in Hot Springs National Park, covering approximately 10 miles one-way.  The Sunset trail is divided into three sections: West Mountain section is 2.8 miles, the Sugarloaf Mountain section is 2.6 miles, and the Stonebridge Road section is 3.8 miles. Sunset Trail can be combined with Hot Springs and North Mountain trails and West Mountain trails to complete a strenuous 15-17-mile loop hike.

Directions to popular trails  - Here are road directions for popular spots in the park. 

Additional Resources

Things to do Hot Springs National Park - Check out all of the great things to do in Hot Springs NP

Superior Bathhouse Brewery - Learn more about the brewery located inside the National Park

Hot Springs National Park Camping - Learn more about the Gulpha Gorge Campground

Most Visited National Parks - See where Hot Springs lands on the Most Visited National Park Site list. 

Arkansas National Parks - Check out all of the National Parks in Arkansas you can visit 

Things to do in Hot Springs Arkansas - all of the epic things to do in town.