We visited Arkansas for the first time today...another state to check off on our pursuit to visit all 50 one day. We drove east from Oklahoma toward Little Rock to the Zig Zag Mountains that are on the eastern edge of the Ouachita Mountains where we visited Hot Springs National Park located in a city of the same name, Hot Springs. The hot springs are located on the western and lower side of Hot Springs Mountain.
We were so surprised to stumble into this National Park that was actually a town. We even had to ask where it was at a gas station as we expected green space and trails. Hot Springs was a nice town with a row of bathhouses. The visitor center was in Fordyce Bathhouse where we toured 23 rooms furnished as they originally appeared during the peak of the spa popularity.
Inside the Fordyce Bathhouse...
fitness facility
People would receive many other treatments as well like massage.
Hot springs came to be called "The American Spa". This place was popular with people that wanted or were prescribed health remedies or people that would come to vacation and receive the benefits from bathing and spa.
Steam Cabinet Room
Displaying what attendants would wear as they attended to the guests.
In 1832 the federal government took the initiative and set aside land to protect this natural resource.
American Indians were actually documented that they used and knew about the hot springs in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The average temperature is 143 degrees with minerals and were used for therapeutic purposes.
Per our National Park guide, scientist have determined that the water coming from the hot springs is over 4,000 years old. The park also collects 700,000 gallons a day for use in the fountains and bathhouses.
"Hot Springs National Park is not in a volcanic region. The water is heated by a different process. outcroppings of Bigfork Chert and Arkansas Novaculite absorb rainfall in an arc from the northeast around to the east. Pores and fractures in the rock conduct the water deep into the Earth. As the water percolates downward, increasingly warmer rock heats it at a rate of about 4 degrees F every 300 feet. Eventually the water meets faults and joints leading up to the lower west slope of Hot Springs Mountain where it surfaces." --Hot Springs Guide
We were able to see locals filling up their glass jugs for their own personal use. They said it is the best water and perfect out of the spout for tea. We took a bottle and filled it up. After it cooled we all
agreed that it was pure and with little after taste.
Allie proudly displays her Hot Springs Junior Ranger badge. She was very dedicated to getting her booklet finished and was officially "sworn" in to office right before the office closed!
