Allen Tillery Auto Chevrolet Buick GMC

May 12, 2025

Hot Springs, Arkansas, offers a wealth of scenic landscapes, historic sites and outdoor adventures, making it a perfect starting point for day trips. Whether you’re venturing into the Ouachita Mountains, exploring local lakes, or discovering charming small towns, you’ll want a vehicle that provides comfort, reliability, and great gas mileage. Fortunately, the Chevrolet Tahoe, Buick Enclave, GMC Yukon, and GMC Acadia offer just that. These vehicles are ideal for long drives and offer spacious interiors with ample leg room to ensure everyone enjoys the journey. Let’s take a look at some of the best day trips from Hot Springs and why these SUVs are your best choice for the adventure.

2025 GMC Acadia

Top Day Trips from Hot Springs

1. Lake Ouachita

Located just outside Hot Springs, Lake Ouachita is one of the largest and cleanest lakes in Arkansas. Known for its crystal-clear waters and stunning views, it offers a variety of recreational activities, from boating and fishing to hiking and wildlife spotting. Whether you’re making a quick getaway or planning a full-day excursion, the lake is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Why the Chevrolet Tahoe is Perfect:
The Chevrolet Tahoe is built for adventure. With up to 122.9 cubic feet of cargo space and seating for up to nine passengers, it’s perfect for a day trip to Lake Ouachita, offering both spaciousness and comfort. You’ll appreciate the Tahoe’s best-in-class max cargo space, which provides ample room for gear like fishing rods, camping supplies, and picnic baskets. Additionally, the Tahoe offers a powerful 5.3L V8 engine, delivering 355 horsepower to make tackling steep mountain roads a breeze. With a highway fuel efficiency rating of 20 mpg, the Chevy Tahoe offers solid gas mileage for long road trips.

2. Petit Jean State Park

Petit Jean State Park is a great option for nature lovers, with beautiful hiking trails, stunning waterfalls, and historic sites such as the Petit Jean Grave. It’s an ideal destination for a day of exploring the natural beauty of Arkansas.

Why the Buick Enclave is Perfect:
The Buick Enclave is the epitome of luxury and spaciousness. With three rows of seating for up to eight passengers, the Enclave boasts total passenger volume of 157.3 cubic feet, ensuring that everyone can stretch out and enjoy the ride. It also offers up to 97.4 cubic feet of cargo space to accommodate your hiking and camping gear. The 3.6L V6 engine provides a solid 310 horsepower, while the Enclave’s 21 mpg highway fuel efficiency ensures fewer stops for gas. Whether navigating winding park roads or tackling an adventurous day on the trails, the Enclave offers a smooth, comfortable ride for your journey.

3. Hot Springs National Park

For those who prefer staying local, the Hot Springs National Park offers thermal baths, hiking trails and a rich history to explore. Whether you want to visit the historic bathhouses or take a leisurely walk along the park’s scenic trails, Hot Springs National Park is an ideal destination for a relaxing day trip.

Why the GMC Yukon is Perfect:
The GMC Yukon is an excellent vehicle for exploring Hot Springs National Park with its luxurious and spacious interior. The Yukon offers up to 122.9 cubic feet of cargo space and comfortably seats up to nine passengers, ensuring everyone has plenty of legroom for the journey. With a 5.3L V8 engine producing 355 horsepower, it provides ample power for both city driving and rugged terrain. The Yukon’s EPA-estimated highway fuel efficiency of 20 mpg makes it an efficient choice for longer trips, while its high-end technology features, like ProGrade Trailering System, ensure a smooth, safe ride.

4. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Why the GMC Acadia is Perfect:
The GMC Acadia is perfect for a cultural day trip to the Crystal Bridges Museum, offering a blend of style and practicality. With seating for up to seven passengers, the Acadia features 141.4 cubic feet of passenger volume and 79 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, making it easy to bring along the family or friends for a fun day out. Powered by a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine or an optional 3.6L V6 engine with 310 horsepower, the Acadia ensures a smooth drive on any road, whether you’re navigating city streets or highway stretches. With 26 mpg on the highway, this vehicle also helps you save on fuel during your long journey.

Why the GMC Acadia is Perfect:
The GMC Acadia is ideal for this cultural day trip, with a spacious interior that allows you to bring along family or friends. The Acadia’s advanced safety features and impressive fuel efficiency make it a smart choice for a long journey. Its comfortable ride and ample legroom will ensure everyone is relaxed and ready to take in the museum’s exhibitions.

Why These Vehicles Are Ideal for Day Trips

Advanced Safety Features: All of these models come equipped with the latest safety technologies. From adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist to blind-spot monitoring, you can rest assured that you’re driving one of the safest vehicles on the road.

Comfort and Spaciousness: These vehicles excel in providing expansive interiors, whether it’s the Chevy Tahoe’s ample cargo capacity, the Buick Enclave’s luxurious seating options, the GMC Yukon’s roomy cabin, or the GMC Acadia’s all-around design. Each model ensures you’ll travel in comfort, regardless of the size of your group.

Great Gas Mileage: Whether you’re driving the Chevrolet Tahoe, Buick Enclave, GMC Yukon, or GMC Acadia, all of these vehicles offer excellent gas mileage. The Tahoe’s 20 mpg, the Enclave’s 21 mpg, the Yukon’s 20 mpg, and the Acadia’s 26 mpg ensure that you can go the distance without constantly stopping for fuel.

When planning a day trip from Hot Springs, Arkansas, having the right vehicle makes all the difference.