Hot Springs, Arkansas
N 34° 30.960 W 093° 03.158
15S E 495169 N 3819372
The hot springs at Hot Springs National Park are protected but still used in the community of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Waymark Code: WM19XH
Location: Arkansas, United States
Date Posted: 03/10/2007
Views: 222
Hot Springs Reservation, the first designation of Hot Springs National Park, was set aside by Congress in 1832. This makes the park the oldest unit in the national park system, 40 years older than Yellowstone National Park. The hot springs have been managed to conserve the production of uncontaminated hot water for public use. This is one area where you can not relax in a hot spring in the woods.
The hot spring waters become heated at a depth of about one mile before returning to the surface through a fault.
American Indians occupied this area for more then 3000 years. They quarried novaculite for stone tools in what is now the park boundries. In 1818 a treaty with the Quapaw conveyed territory containing the hot springs to the United States.
A busy town grew up around the hot spring to provide services for health seekers. Bath houses lined the streets near the hot springs and the hot spring water was piped to them. Some of the hotels are still in operation and offer spa services.