#12: Hot Springs National Park

Hot Springs National Park was/is an anomaly in my mind when it comes to National Parks. I didn’t really understand what exactly it was. And, although now I understand what it is, to be honest, I’m still a little unclear how it’s a National Park. But, regardless, visiting this park was really quite an experience and I know so much more now than I did before. And that’s the point, right?

When I checked in to the campground, I met the campground hosts and they were able to provide me with some intel on the park. I was on the fence as to stay one night or two, and decided to stay two nights after speaking to them. There are over 26 miles of hiking trails, as well as an entire town that makes up the National Park. I found it odd that the town IS the national park, but I went with it. I was also advised to experience an iconic bathhouse treatment.

The largest attraction is Bathhouse Row, which is essentially a block of historic bathhouses. Hot Springs is known for the thermal water - filled with minerals known for healing and soothing. As early as the 1500’s, this area became known for its healing waters from the 143-degree Fahrenheit spring. Later, business people flocked here to build and ride the wave of the public’s demand for the water. Without going into too much history (you can find more here), the “bathhouse” concept came and went. Modern-day medicine caught up to and surpassed the healing powers of the water, and bathhouse treatments morphed into what we now know as spa treatments (in a sense).

I’m going to use the majority of this post to walk through the steps of treatment I had at Buckstaff Bathhouse in Hot Springs. It was fascinating, weird and amazing all at the same time.

Step #1: Get Ready

I undressed and the attendant wrapped a white sheet around me, “toga” style. I couldn’t take photos in the bathhouse once undressed (obviously!), but here is the dressing/locker room:

I was asked to turn my back to the attendant as she wrapped the sheet around me and led me into the baths.

It looks a little “sterile” and outdated, but I had to remember that I was getting the same experience that someone in the early 1900’s would have been getting. I kept an open mind and went with it - it was cool! The bathhouse looks as it did when it was at its peak.

Step #2: Tub Bath

I was let into a room where bath “stalls” were lined up along the wall. Each stall had a curtain for privacy. The room was large and open and a little loud from running water everywhere…not at all what you’d find in a spa today.

The bath temperature was a maximum of 102 Fahrenheit and the bath lasted for 15 minutes. The attendant could increase or decrease the temperature to your liking. She took a loofa mitt and scrubbed me down on my arms, legs, and back. I learned later that this was to get the blood flowing (not necessarily to “feel good”).

I arrived first thing in the morning so it was somewhat clear of other guests, but they started to trickle in as I was in the bath.

This photo is taken from a different bathhouse than the one I received my treatment, but it gives you an idea of what the bath “stall”/room looks like:

Step #3: Lay Down/Hot Packs

I was slowly escorted out of the bath to stainless steel tables in another section of the room. I was instructed to lay down (slowly) and the attendant wrapped me in steaming hot towels (literally wrapped me…they were tight around my body to keep the heat in), while at the same time put ice-cold towels on my face and head. I lied here for about ten minutes.

Also, the attendant kept giving me ice-cold water to drink - to stay hydrated, but also to reap the benefits of the vitamin and mineral-infused water from the inside my body.

*NOTE: I get really confused with lay vs. lie, so if I used the wrong words for this context, you know what I mean!

Step #4: Steam (Vapor) Cabinet

This was a weird one. I sat in a booth-type thing and a metal horizontal “door” enclosed my lower body (below the neck) into its own space to be steamed. My head remained out of the contraption. This lasted for five minutes.

After five minutes, she opened the metal doors so I could breathe in the steam and my face could reap the benefits of the vapor (two minutes for that).

Step #5: Sitz Tub

This was a weird one, too. I literally sat my butt in a tub. My feet, legs, and upper body were out of it. The water was very hot and this was to focus on your hips and lower back. Apparently, this was common for women to do after childbirth to reposition things back to where they were supposed to be (?).

As awkward as it was, it felt good!

Here is a photo of a steam cabinet (right) and sitz tub (left).

Step #6: Needle Shower

The looks of this shower hold true to its name. This is a shower stall with many different small water spouts all around the shower and top of the shower. The spouts are small, so the water comes out forcefully. I was in the needle shower for two minutes. At this stage in the treatment, lukewarm water is used and gets your body ready for a massage afterward.

Here is a photo to give you an idea. Again, this was not the actual shower I used, but mine looked similar. There are water holes all along the pipes you see.

Step #7: Swedish Massage

The last part of the treatment is a 20-minute Swedish massage. The massage was a full-body massage, but I was asked if I had any areas that needed more work than others. Of course, I said my neck and back because that is where most of my tension is these days from driving and sleeping in the Airstream.

This is Jennifer, my massage therapist (taken post-my treatment…). I gave her a Lyfe in Tow sticker. :)

Other than my treatment at Buckstaff Bathhouse, I took a tour of the Fordyce Bathhouse which is actually the park’s visitor center. All of the “inside” shots of a bathhouse that I have shown were taken from that location. Fordyce was a “first-class” bathhouse where the “who’s who” went to bathe, socialize and receive therapy. The cool thing is that there was a bathhouse for every individual’s social status. Even people who didn’t come from a wealthy background could reap the benefits of the water.

I also hit up a brewery on Bathhouse Row, filled up my water bottles from public spigots on the street (all the locals do this - they bring huge jugs and come once a week to get drinking water because the city water is not the same as the spring water) and went on a few hikes.

Also, I made friends with my campground neighbors, Denise and Dave, from Minnesota. Overall it was a great stop on my journey and I’m really glad I got to experience Arkansas and the infamous Hot Springs!

A few more photos are below.