Hot Springs Arkansas

Most of you learned that Yosemite National park in California was the first area of land granted  the right to call itself a National Park back in 1872.


Well, we are never to old to learn something new.....The first effort by the government to protect lands in the United States was April 20, 1832, when President Andrew Jackson signed legislation that set aside four sections of land around what is now Hot Springs, Arkansas to protect the natural, thermal springs and adjoining mountainsides for the future disposal of the US government.  It was known as the Hot Springs Reservation.  However no legal authority was established and federal control of the area was not clearly established until 1877, which technically was after Yosemite was named a National Park.

Within the park, they created a nice campground with full hookups.  Something that you don't normally find in older National Parks.  We enjoyed Gulpha Creek flowing through the park, especially with the fall colors in all the foliage.



Natural open springs

Bath house Row

You could call Hot Springs the Calistoga of Arkansas.  It is famous for its thermal waters and bath houses that drew people from all over the world to them for their 'health properties'.  In the early 1900's famous people from actors, politicians and sports figures would travel to Hot Springs to rejuvenate themselves.    These natural waters did and still do flow out at 134 degrees.  Sadly, by the 1960s society's needs had changed.  Americans began participating more in various recreational activities.  Bathing practices in Hot Springs became identified with an older generation and fewer young people participated in any of the 21 baths.   By 1985 only one of the 8 bathhouses remained open. 

Water in the fountain is
just a little cooler than 134

When we toured the town, we found two bathhouses open and a third one was being turned into a Brewery and distillery to open soon, another one was an art gallery and another the visitors center for the park.












But Hot Springs Arkansas is also famous for its local resident who became our 42nd President, Bill Clinton.

We had lunch at a McClards BBQ that was recommended to us by friend Deb Barton who had lived in the area. This restaurant also happens to be Clinton's favorite place to eat when he is in town.  Stories are that he and Hillary stopped there on their way out of town for their honeymoon and that while in the White House, had ribs sent to him frequently.  Food was good......We recommend it if you are going through Hot Springs!

View of the town of Hot Springs

Besides the bathhouses to visit, you can visit the Hot Springs Mountain Tower.  A 21 story structure that sits atop Spring Mountain.  It offers you a 360 degree view of the area.  Day we were there it was cloudy and overcast.  Good thing we did the mountain in the morning because as we were walking the streets later, it started to rain and continued most of the day and night.



During our short stay here, we managed to find a couple of things to make us chuckle. 

Red neck camping..how they pull
a trailer

This speaks for itself