Valley of Vapors

Currently In: Hot Springs, AR
Next Up: Memphis, Bull Shoals, Branson

Before we toured the National Park here in Hot Springs, we started out with a hardy breakfast at the famous Pancake Shop dating back to 1940.  The cafe had a throwback feel and the pancakes were delicious!

This National Park is unique in that it is located in the heart of a town.  The west side of Central Avenue is the city and the east side is the National Park.
The entrance to the National Park is unique dating back from 1832 when it was known as Hot Springs Reservation. It became the 18th National Park in 1921.

Due to the hot mineral water located in this area, the main attraction of the National Park is the bathhouses.  Here is Bathhouse Row, although only a couple of these buildings are still operating as spas.

Our first stop in the National Park was the Visitor Center.  It used to be the Fordyce Bathhouse that has been restored to look the spa in its heyday.

Folks believed soaking in the hot mineral water was therapeutic.  Many doctors recommended soaks giving rise to the bathhouses.  Each tub was in a private bathing area and had an attendant.

The Hubbard Tub was for people who couldn't walk.  Folks were lowered into the tub by the wooden stretcher overhead.

There were separate locker rooms for men and women.

The accommodations were luxurious for the well to do.

The ceiling in this hallway was spectacular.

Some bathhouses also had gymnasiums.

The Army/Navy Hospital used hot spring water for treatment and was popular after WWII.  But during the 1950's changes in medicine made the use of water therapy less popular.  Many of the bathhouses closed.

Johnny and I hiked a couple of trails behind Bathhouse Row.  The Grand Promenade is popular.

We saw an open spring along the way.

But most springs have been closed off by the National Park Service.  The NPS was doing some testing of this spring.

We continued up the Peak Trail.

Hot Springs Mountain Tower was waiting for us at the top.

We took the elevator up to get some views of the town and the mountains.

After we hiked back down, we stopped at DeSoto Rock, name for Hernando deSoto who first bathed in these hot springs in 1541.

Next to DeSoto Rock is the Hot Water Cascade.   The water here started its journey 4,000 years ago as rain.  It seeped through fractures deep in the earth where it is heated.  The water returns through faults in the mountain but doesn't have time to cool off, creating the hot springs.   You can see the steam coming from the 143 degree water giving this area the name Valley of the Vapors.

I tried to stick my toes in the pool at the bottom of the Cascade.  Too hot!

The Arlington Hotel is right across the street from the Cascade and is part of the National Park.

It was completed in 1924.  The lobby was huge and had such interesting details.  The art deco painting, the architecture and the lighting were very attractive.

I liked this water fountain too.

The dining room was really beautiful.

Ready for refreshments!  Superior Bathhouse, along the row, is now a brewery.

 The Superior was built in 1916 and was the smallest and simplest of the row.

Superior is the only brewery located in a National Park.  And it uses the thermal water to create their craft beer.

Cheers!