We thought we would spend one week in Arkansas.  It was so beautiful that we decided to stay a little over two weeks.  I was excited that we were close to the smallest of the 59 parks.  Hot Springs is a beautiful town.  The springs are warm.  You could feel the history all around you.

When I visit a park I like to know the impact of on Black people who lived in the area.  Black folks were not allowed to use the springs except for the Government Free Bathhouse.  They were allowed to work in the bathhouse as workers.  There were a few bathhouses owned and operated for blacks by blacks during segregation.

The springs are mostly covered over so that the hotels and bathhouses could harness the power of the hot water.  You can tell this town was built on tourism.  Beautiful buildings that reminded me of Newport, RI that served the rich during the Gilded Age.  The bathhouses are beautiful.

We were able to dip our hands in the few of the open springs.  We did not bath at the springs though.  There is a campground (with picnic area) that is about 5 miles from the historic spot. This park has full hook ups.  We ate at the picnic area.  It’s between two mountains.  Very pretty. Very quiet.