Entry 78: What Exactly Are Hot Springs? MikeIsOutside: Hot springs are natural pools of water heated by geothermal energy. Water seeps deep into the earth, gets warmed by the planet’s inner heat, and rises back to the surface—voilà, a hot spring is born!
There’s something special about finally getting the chance to explore a place with as much charm and history as Hot Springs, Arkansas . Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, this small city has a big reputation—known for its namesake natural hot springs, beautiful trails, historic architecture, and therapeutic bathhouses. Hot Springs has been drawing visitors for nearly two centuries. In 1832 , President Andrew Jackson set aside the land to protect the area’s natural thermal springs—marking the first time in U.S. history that federal land was preserved for public recreation. Later, in 1921 , it officially became Hot Springs National Park , earning its place as the oldest area managed by the National Park Service. The springs themselves are fascinating geological wonders. Rainwater seeps deep into the earth, where it's naturally heated by geothermal energy before rising back to the surface—hot and mineral-rich. Visitors come from all over to soak in the thermal baths, which many be...