This is part of a series of articles written by the Department of Arkansas Heritage to celebrate the Semiquincentennial of the United States. While Arkansas was not yet a territory or a state in 1776, the region that would become the state of Arkansas in 1836 played an important part in the evolution of the United States over the past 250 years.

Long before the first Europeans arrived in the area that would become Arkansas, Hot Springs waters were legendary. Native Americans recognized the importance of the waters and called the area the “valley of the vapors.” The Cherokee, Osage, Choctaw, Quapaw, Tunica and Caddo all used the thermal waters that flowed from over 40 springs.

Some scholars believe Hernando de Soto and his men reached the springs in late 1541 during his exploration of the area in search of gold. Others believe that de Soto himself never made it, but that his troops may have visited. Regardless, the next documented visit to the area was by French explorers Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette during their 1673 expedition to explore and map the Mississippi River.

In 1804, President Thomas Jefferson sent William Dunbar and Dr. George Hunter to survey the southern portion of the historic 1803 Louisiana Purchase, a land deal that literally doubled the size of the United States. Hunter and Dunbar’s survey provided the first English accounts of modern-day Arkansas and Louisiana, including thorough information on the hot springs.

As part of the purchase, the thermal springs first became part of the District of Louisiana, then later part of the Territory of Missouri in 1812, until Missouri petitioned for statehood in 1819. The Arkansas Territory was created in 1819, and statehood would be granted on July 4, 1836.

Permanent settlers made homes in the area within five years of the Hunter-Dunbar survey, and the thermal springs quickly became an attraction for both the residents and visitors. By 1820, the Arkansas Territorial legislature had recognized the importance of the thermal waters and petitioned the federal government to set aside the springs as public lands, to no avail. Eager to protect the springs, they tried again in 1832, asking the U.S. House of Representatives to build and maintain a hospital at the springs. Instead, Congress set aside the hot springs and the adjoining 2,529.1 acres as a protected area. On April 20, 1832, President Andrew Jackson signed legislation that created the Hot Springs Reservation, the first land set aside for federal protection. Yellowstone National Park would not be established until March 1, 1872, thus making Hot Springs National Park the first protected land within what eventually would become the National Park Service.

By the time the community of Hot Springs was incorporated in 1851, the town was a well-established tourist destination, complete with hotels and bathhouses catering to those wanting to experience the healing waters. Although the springs and adjacent lands were federally protected, various people would claim ownership rights (including a sitting governor of Arkansas) tied to a survey of the land in 1819. Each claim was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court. The federal government created new boundaries for the protected lands in 1877 and named the first Hot Springs Reservation superintendent, General Benjamin F. Kelly. The springs were now completely under federal government protection and the Department of Interior dedicated funding to numerous projects.

In 1916, Congress created the National Park Service, and Hot Springs Reservation was placed under the supervision of the agency. In 1921, the name was officially changed to Hot Springs National Park.

The healing waters of the hot springs became a draw for people from all walks of life, including the wealthy, the sick, and the famous. In 1886, the Chicago White Stockings came to Hot Springs for what would eventually become known as the first spring baseball training event for professional baseball. Over the next forty years, many of professional baseball’s most famous players trekked to Hot Springs each year for spring training, including George “Babe” Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle, Leroy “Satchel” Paige, Hank Aaron and Joe DiMaggio.

The infamous were also drawn to Hot Springs. Throughout the first half of the 20^th century, gangsters often vacationed there. Al Capone, for example, was a frequent visitor. It’s said he was a fan of the thermal baths, the speakeasies, and thoroughbred racing at Oaklawn. Capone was known to stay in room 443 (complete with a secret escape door and a private dining room) at the Arlington Hotel. Many of his “colleagues” were also frequent visitors. Charles “Lucky” Luciano, John Dillinger, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, Owney Madden and even Bonnie and Clyde all frequently spent time in Hot Springs.

In 2021, Hot Springs National Park celebrated its 100^th anniversary as a national park. It remains a favorite destination in the Natural State for residents and visitors alike.

More to See and Do Near Hot Springs National Park

A visit to Hot Springs and Hot Springs National Park offers something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for a relaxing massage and thermal bath or a challenging, fast-paced mountain bike ride in the Ouachita Mountains, you’ll find it here. Two Arkansas State Parks are located only a few miles from the Hot Springs National Park – Lake Ouachita and Lake Catherine. Both offer great options for outdoor adventure, like hiking, biking, fishing, and birdwatching. Both parks also offer great rental options, including full-service cabins, boats, pontoons, kayaks, canoes and pedal boats. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a day of outdoor fun, Lake Ouachita and Lake Catherine State Parks have you covered.

Additionally, Hot Springs is a great foodie town! Plan a visit to The Ohio Club, Arkansas’ oldest bar and a 2025 inductee of the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame (it was a favorite spot of both Al Capone and Babe Ruth). If you’re in the mood for some barbecue or tamales, head to McClard's Bar-B-Q Restaurant, also a member of the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame (and a one-time-favorite spot of Arkansas native William Jefferson Clinton).

To learn more about all the things to do in Hot Springs, visit hotsprings.org.