Hot Springs National Park charges no entrance fee. President Andrew Jackson signed legislation protecting this land in 1832, making it the oldest federally protected area in the National Park System, though it didn't officially become a national park by name until 1921, so Yellowstone (1872) still holds the 'first national park' title. Bathhouse Row's two operating bathhouses charge separate fees: Buckstaff, running continuously since 1912, walk-in only with no online reservations, costs roughly $35-45 for a traditional bathing ritual; Quapaw Baths & Spa costs $20-30 for its modern pool experience.
Hot Springs earned federal protection in 1832, four decades before Yellowstone's 1872 national park designation. Hot Springs is the older protected area, but Yellowstone still holds the specific "first national park" title since Hot Springs wasn't renamed a national park until 1921.
With no online reservations accepted and the bathhouse able to fill up, particularly during Oaklawn's spring horse racing season, arrive early rather than assuming a spot can be booked in advance the way many other landmarks in this build allow.
Park entrance costs nothing, but the historic bathing experience itself carries separate fees at Buckstaff and Quapaw, so budget for the bathhouse specifically as its own purchase, distinct from simply visiting the park grounds.
Hot Springs National Park sits in the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas, roughly an hour southwest of Little Rock.
Hot Springs rewards understanding its genuinely nuanced "oldest protected land" distinction and planning specifically around Buckstaff's walk-in-only bathing tradition. Bathhouse Row's full history is covered in full below.
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