History & Culture

Hot Springs National Park

Hot Springs National Park protects ancient thermal waters long revered for healing, where Indigenous tradition, early American health culture, and preserved historic architecture converge.

History of the Park

For thousands of years, the lands and thermal springs now protected as Hot Springs National Park were used by Indigenous peoples, including the Caddo and Quapaw. The naturally heated springs were widely regarded as sacred and restorative, drawing tribes from across the region for healing, diplomacy, and spiritual renewal. Oral traditions describe the area as neutral ground—a place of peace centered on the waters.

European-American settlement began in the early 19th century, and the springs quickly gained fame as a health destination. Recognizing their national importance, Congress set aside the area as the Hot Springs Reservation in 1832—making it the oldest federally protected land in the National Park System. In 1921, President Theodore Roosevelt officially designated Hot Springs as a national park, preserving both the springs and the historic bathhouses built around them.

National Park Sign

Park Culture

Learn about the local culture surrounding this park.

Culture at Hot Springs blends nature with human design. Bathhouse Row reflects an era when hydrotherapy, architecture, and social life were deeply intertwined, attracting visitors from across the country seeking health, leisure, and prestige. The park stands apart from others in the system for its urban setting and focus on built heritage alongside natural resources.

Today, Hot Springs National Park represents a rare continuity—from Indigenous reverence of the springs to modern preservation of historic structures and living thermal systems. Visitors experience not just a landscape, but a tradition of healing and gathering that has endured for centuries, shaped by water, belief, and community.

Back to National Park

Join the Explorer's List

!
!
Subscribe
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Start typing and press enter to search