If you’re looking for an adventure out into the outstandingly beautiful Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs, AR has some fantastic state parks to enjoy. In these stunning natural areas, you can go hiking, biking, camping, boating, fishing, and climbing. And of course, you can also enjoy a world-class spa experience in the area’s many natural hot springs. Here are the three best state and national parks to visit near the town of Hot Springs.
Hot Springs National Park
This wonderful urban park is right beside the town and is famed far and wide for its naturally occurring hot springs. Once known by the Native Americans as “The Valley of the Vapors,” Hot Springs National Park today offers many wonderful bathhouses that seem frozen in time and a museum showcasing artifacts, pictures, and stories from the region’s storied past.
There’s also a campground and many great, well-marked hiking trails through attractive wooded and rocky terrain. If you’d like to visit this rather unique and richly historic park, you’ll find it on Central Avenue in downtown Hot Springs.
Lake Catherine State Park
Just to the southeast of town, you’ll find this magnificent 2,240-acre lakeside state park with pretty waterfalls, fantastic boating, kayaking, and fishing spots, well-organized hiking trails, and endless breathtaking scenery. One of the major attractions in this lovely park is the charming waterfront cabins that were built in the 1930s. As you explore this blissfully peaceful park, you’re likely to see fields of flowers, interesting rock formations, trickling streams, butterflies, deer, rucks, and all kinds of other wildlife.
There’s an excellent visitor center and gift shop too, with cheerful staff who can help you plan your day. You can find Lake Catherine State Park at 1200 Catherine Park Road. It’s a very pleasant drive there, taking you over plenty of waterways. Slide down the power windows of your new 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and enjoy the fresh breeze as you drive.
Lake Ouachita State Park
If you love the sight of wide open water stretching for miles, head to the north of town to Lake Ouachita State Park. This state park surrounds an immense, glistening 40,000-acre lake. There’s a well-equipped campground and miles of wonderful leaf-shrouded trails to explore. You can even enjoy a guided sunset cruise out onto the waters, with a friendly, knowledgeable guide to entertain you and bring the park’s history to life. Visit Lake Ouachita State Park at 5451 Mountain Pine Road, Mountain Pine.
When you’ve visited one or all three of these superb parks, also visit Allen Tillery Auto. Since 1967, we’ve been striving to treat every customer like family, with friendly service, fair deals, and top-notch vehicles.
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