Hot Springs National Park: Planning a Day Trip from Little Rock

From El Rancho Motel, Little Rock city centre is about a 10-minute drive. From Little Rock, the drive to Hot Springs National Park takes approximately 1 hour and covers 54 miles, according to the National Park Service.

Take I-30 West toward Texarkana, then US 70 West via Exit 111. Continue on US 70 Business/East Grand Avenue, turn onto Spring Street, which becomes Reserve Street, and follow it to Central Avenue.

If you’re planning another outing during your trip, the Pinnacle Mountain State Park day trip offers a separate park-focused option.

Bathhouse Row brings the park’s historic bathhouse district together with the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum. The Fordyce is at 369 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901, and its museum is a useful first stop for orienting yourself before a walk along the row.

The Lamar Bathhouse Emporium serves as the park bookstore and operates seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bathhouses along the row are run by private and nonprofit businesses, each of which sets its own hours. Check the business you plan to visit for its current schedule.

For a short walk beside Bathhouse Row, take the Grand Promenade; for a longer outing, connect trails in the Hot Springs and North Mountain areas or head toward the more remote Sunset Trail.

Grand Promenade

The fully paved Grand Promenade is 0.5 mile one way, with a typical grade of 3.7%. Ramp access is available behind the Fordyce Bathhouse and at the north end of the block by Fountain Street.

There is no ramp access at the south end near Reserve Street. The National Park Service says the walk can take as little as 30 minutes.

Whittington Trail

The Whittington Trail is a flat, unpaved gravel loop, 1.2 miles one way, with a typical grade of 0.6%. There are no restrooms at Whittington Park, so plan accordingly before starting the walk.

The park’s Hot Springs and North Mountain trails and West Mountain trails form short, interconnected areas, while the Sunset Trail crosses more remote parts of the park.

Combining trails can turn a walk into a 4- to 5-hour outing. 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.

The park grounds are open every day from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Arlington Lawn, the Grand Promenade and Bathhouse Row sidewalks share those hours. 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. Check the official site before you go.

The Fordyce Visitor Center has an operational elevator serving all floors, and its hallways are 31 to 38 inches wide. Two wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge for use inside the visitor center and museum. The Grand Promenade’s ramp access is at the locations described above; its south end near Reserve Street does not have a ramp.

Hot Springs Intracity Transit buses run Monday through Friday from 6:10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They do not run on Sundays or the listed holidays.

Adult and youth fares for ages 19–61 are $1.25; seniors age 62 and over and disabled passengers with ID pay $0.50. Children ages 0–6 ride free, and you can request a free transfer from the driver. A room at El Rancho Motel gives you a place to stay in Little Rock during your trip.

Start with the drive from Little Rock, then visit the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum while it is open. From there, spend time on Bathhouse Row and walk the Grand Promenade. Its short duration leaves room to add another trail, while combining trails can fill 4 to 5 hours.

If you’d rather focus on an outdoor outing, choose a trail area or drive to one of the mountain summits during the roads’ vehicle-access hours.

Keep the museum’s holiday exceptions and the bus schedule in mind when planning your timing. For a different day in the city, a one-day Little Rock route for history and riverfront stops can help you plan time back in town.