National parks often span hundreds of miles and feel removed from cities and an industrial lifestyle, but Hot Springs National Park challenges the status quo. The smallest of the national parks at only 5,550 acres (2246 hectares), Hot Springs National Park borders the city that has benefited from harnessing and distributing the park’s main resource: mineral-rich waters.
The “therapeutic waters” of Hot Springs have attracted visitors for hundreds and possibly thousands of years. The extraordinarily pure water heats up thousands of meters below the earth’s surface and bounces up through fissures in the sandstone at a constant temperature of 145ºF (63ºC). The water gushes from forty-seven springs generating an average of 3.2 million liters per day.
Many Native American tribes had settled on these lands for countless years before any European settlement was established. What attracted them to the area was the natural healing power of the water. They called the land the “place of hot waters,” a name that has been preserved over time.
The lands were settled by many Native American tribes who believed in the water’s natural healing powers. The federal land was finally designated a national park in 1921. At the time, Hot Springs was a spa where people sought relief from their pain in the mineral-rich waters. Promoters covered, funneled, and diverted springs to restrooms along Central Avenue, Hot Springs’ main street.
Hot Springs National Park is situated in central Garland County, Arkansas, adjacent to the city of Hot Springs. The address of the park is at 369 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901, United States.
The park is open throughout the year, but the fall might be the most spectacular time to visit. That’s when the surrounding mountains reveal impressive fall foliage. The summer can be a great time for vacations, but keep in mind that July is scorching and more crowded.
Winter may be another option; the season is generally short and mild. If you’re looking for wildflowers, plan your visit for February.
Hikers traverse the dense forest, vast meadows, grazing cattle, gorgeous viewpoints, and—during a wet year—a pond and several large lakes on the Sunset Trail, a trail that is truly a gem of the Laguna Mountain and Cleveland National Forest. This trail offers spectacular panoramic views of mountain ranges, the Pacific Ocean, and downtown San Diego on a clear day.
Sunset Trail is a moderately trafficked out-and-back trail near Flagstaff, Arizona, that features beautiful wildflowers. The trail is mostly used from May to November and is primarily popular for hiking and mountain biking.
Sunset Trail, is the longest trail in Hot Springs National Park. The trail winds its way through the park’s most remote areas, crossing all types of terrain. West Mountain (2.8 miles), Sugarloaf Mountain (2.6 miles), and Stonebridge Road (3.8 miles) are the three sections of this trail. Sunset Trail can be combined with the Hot Springs and North Mountain trails and the West Mountain trails to form a challenging loop hike totaling 15 to 17 miles.
Many false trails, also known as trail spurs, diverge from Sunset Trail and lead to private property outside the park’s boundaries. Always stay on the Sunset Trail, which is well-maintained. Follow the orange blazes and pay attention to the signage. Please be considerate of neighbors to the park and refrain from entering private property.
This trail is also suitable for dogs.
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