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Spa City offers an assortment of scenic outdoor attractions
Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs is a Natural State gem. Scenery begins before entering the city for those who take Scenic Byway 7 into town. During its trek from Arkadelphia to Russellville, the route passes through historic downtown Hot Springs, revealing that the heart of the city is every bit as beautiful as the surrounding lakes and mountains. “That natural beauty of Hot Springs is astounding,” said Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs. “What makes it more incredible is that to enjoy it, you don’t have to drive hours away from our city. It’s just in your backyard, minutes away from hotels, restaurants and downtown.” HEART OF THE CITY Fresh air is never far, with Hot Springs National Park surrounding the northern part of the city. According to the National Parks Foundation, the park includes more than 40 hot springs, Bathhouse Row and Gulpha Gorge Campground, which offers rustic accommodations minutes from downtown attractions. After browsing the bathhouses and seeking out the springs, visitors can see the city by land and water with National Park Duck Tours, then visit Hot Springs Mountain Tower for a birds-eye view of the area. HAPPY TRAILS Most folks can find a trail that suits them at the national park, which offers 17 hikes, ranging from easy to strenuous, Arrison said. The paved Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail offers a leisurely stroll or bike ride from the downtown Transportation Depot along Hot Springs Creek. Mountain bikers can conquer 16 miles of terrain just 1 mile from downtown on the Northwoods Trails, Arrison said, adding that the newly opened trails have received early reviews as some of the best in the nation. PICK YOUR PONY Horse-racing fans can find outdoor excitement at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, which has races scheduled Thursday through Sunday until May 4. Early birds can visit the track from 7-9 a.m. Saturdays to tour the stables and watch the horses train during Dawn at Oaklawn. PLENTY OF FISH Oaklawn is not the only place to win big in the great outdoors. The $101,000 Hot Springs Fishing Challenge will return to Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine this year, Arrison said, adding that anglers can try their luck at catching 63 tagged fish in the lakes. One fish, Big Al, is worth $15,000 in prize money, while other fish range from $500 to $5,000 each. The lakes are also popular places for boating and swimming. Visitors to Lake Hamilton can add Garvan Woodland Gardens to their itineraries. Located on the eastern side of the lake, the gardens are accessible by boat or car, the lake’s website states. LAKE OUACHITA Nature lovers will find no shortage of outdoor pastimes at Lake Ouachita State Park, described by Superintendent Lee Howard as “an oasis of clean, clear, inviting water with pristine shoreline that beckons you to explore and to look and listen.” Boating, paddling, scuba diving and swimming are some of the lake’s top activities, he said, adding that the park also offers the half-mile Dogwood Trail, the 4-mile Caddo Bend Trail and Three Sisters Springs, which once drew visitors with their purported healing qualities. The park also offers cabins, campsites and interpretive programs, such as guided hikes and boat tours. “In all of us, we have this need to connect with nature,” Howard said. “We all have this sense of getting to nature and getting to touch nature and be around nature because it is so fulfilling to us, and Lake Ouachita is one of the best resources to do that.” Two other lakes are accessible from Hot Springs. According to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism website, DeGray Lake Resort State Park is about 30 miles away, and Lake Greeson is 50 miles away at Daisy State Park. UNDER THE SUN Hot Springs also offers a number of other outdoor attractions, including roller coasters and water slides at Magic Springs Theme and Water Park, treetop adventures at Adventure Works, animal encounters at the Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo, digging for quartz at local crystal mines, and aquatic education at National Park Aquarium. “With five lakes in our part of the state, a national park and new mountain-bike trails, there is no shortage of outdoor activities in Hot Springs, Arrison added.