Best Hikes in Hot Springs National Park: A Complete Trail Guide
I’ve hiked a lot of national parks, but Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas still surprises people. It’s tiny compared to giants like Yellowstone, yet it packs 26 miles of trail into a forested ridge behind a working downtown. If you’re searching for the best hikes in Hot Springs National Park, this guide walks you through every trail worth your time, plus what to pack and when to go.
The best hikes in Hot Springs National Park are the Sunset Trail for a full day loop, Goat Rock Trail for the best overlook, and the North Mountain Loop for an easy family walk. Each trail connects to others, so you can mix and match based on your time and fitness level.
Why Hot Springs National Park Is Worth Hiking
Hot Springs National Park is the second smallest national park in the country, behind only Gateway Arch. According to Wikipedia, Hot Springs National Park protects 47 thermal springs and sits within the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas. That small size works in your favor when you’re picking the best hikes in Hot Springs National Park, since everything sits close together and you can start a hike right from Bathhouse Row.
Two main hiking zones make up the park. Hiking happens mainly in the West Mountain area and the Hot Springs and North Mountain area, and both zones are covered in thick stands of oak, hickory, and pine. Because these zones connect, finding the hikes in Hot Springs National Park often means linking two or three shorter trails into one longer route.
I always tell first-time visitors this: don’t judge the park by its size. So the trail network rewards people who explore beyond the main overlook near Bathhouse Row.
Best Hikes in Hot Springs National Park
Below are the best hikes in Hot Springs National Park, ranked by what they’re best for rather than just distance.
Sunset Trail: Best Hikes in Hot Springs National Park for a Full Day
If you want the most complete look at the park, the Sunset Trail is one of the hikes in Hot Springs National Park for serious hikers. This roughly 10 mile one way hike starts from the West Mountain Summit and loops around to West Mountain, Music Mountain, and Sugarloaf Mountain before returning to the city by way of North Mountain. Some hikers extend the loop further, and a full version of this route runs 13 to 18 miles depending on which connector trails you add.
I did this hike in early fall and budgeted a full day for it. So pack a lunch, bring extra water, and start early if you plan to finish before dark.
Goat Rock Trail: Best Hikes in Hot Springs National Park for Views
This is the trail I recommend most when people ask about the best hikes in Hot Springs National Park for scenery. Goat Rock Trail is a 1.1 mile trail through the eastern section of the park that leads to the Goat Rock Overlook, with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The climb is short but steep in sections, so it’s a great option if you want a workout without committing to a full day out.
Many hikers combine it with the Gulpha Gorge Trail for a longer loop. Parking at Gulpha Gorge Campground and taking the Gulpha Gorge Trail for 1.1 miles before connecting to the 0.6 mile Goat Rock Trail is one popular way to reach the overlook.
North Mountain Loop: Best Hikes in Hot Springs National Park for Families
If you’re hiking with kids or you’re new to trails in general, start here. This easy 1.4 mile trail with gentle slopes circles North Mountain, and it’s easily reached from downtown. Among the best hikes in Hot Springs National Park, this one is the most forgiving for beginners.
Peak Trail to Hot Springs Mountain Tower
This short climb rewards you with one of the best views in the park. From the Grand Promenade, the Peak Trail climbs about 0.6 miles to the top of North Mountain, starting on pavement before turning to gravel, and ends near the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. It’s a good pick if you only have an hour but still want a summit style payoff.
Because the trail is short and mostly maintained, good footwear still helps here since gravel sections can be loose. If your current boots feel stiff on inclines, it’s worth reading through my thoughts on whether Columbia hiking boots hold up on rocky terrain before your trip.
Gulpha Gorge and Upper Dogwood Loop
For a longer but still manageable day, this combo is one locals swear by. Starting on the steep Oertel Trail, the route climbs Hot Springs Mountain, then follows the Gulpha Gorge Trail until it meets Goat Rock Trail, continues onto the Upper Dogwood Trail, and drops down through the Hot Springs Mountain Trail before finishing on the Peak Trail back toward Bathhouse Row. This full loop runs a bit over 5 miles and mixes creek views with ridge scenery.
How Long Are the Best Hikes in Hot Springs National Park?
Trails in the park range from under a mile to about 13 miles for the full Sunset Trail loop. The park has 26 miles of hiking trails total, so you can piece together anything from a 20 minute stroll to a full day trek. Most day hikers combine two or three shorter routes, since the hikes in Hot Springs National Park work well strung together, while the Sunset Trail stays reserved for people wanting a real endurance test.
Best Time of Year to Hike
Spring and fall are my favorite seasons here. Temperatures stay mild, and the forest canopy puts on a good show in October and November. Summer works too, but it gets humid fast in Arkansas, so bringing plenty of water matters most between June and August.
Winter hiking is possible year round since the park stays open, though trails can get slick after rain. If you’re comparing regions for a winter trip, I’ve also put together a guide on some of the best hikes in the winter across different climates, which might help you decide where to go next.
What to Pack for the Best Hikes in Hot Springs National Park
Because the terrain shifts between forested paths and rocky ridgelines, your gear choices matter more than they might on a flat trail. Here’s what I bring every time I tackle the best hikes in Hot Springs National Park:
- Sturdy hiking shoes or boots with good traction, especially for Goat Rock and Sunset Trail
- At least one liter of water per hour of hiking, more in summer
- A paper map or downloaded GPS track, since cell service gets spotty on West Mountain
- Sun protection, even under tree cover
- Snacks or a packed lunch for anything over 5 miles
If you’re tackling the Sunset Trail or any of the steeper connector routes, trekking poles genuinely help with the descents. I go back and forth on bringing them depending on the trail, so I wrote a full breakdown on whether hiking poles are worth the extra weight if you’re deciding for yourself.
Hiking Safety Tips
Safety here is mostly common sense, but a few things catch people off guard. First, the park allows pets, so leash your dog and expect to share the trail with other hikers’ dogs too. You might also spot wildlife like chipmunks, white tailed deer, coyotes, and black bears, so store food properly if you’re camping at Gulpha Gorge.
Second, cell coverage drops in sections of West Mountain. Tell someone your planned route before you head out, especially for the longer routes among the hikes in Hot Springs National Park. Finally, some sections get muddy after rain, so check trail conditions before a big hike.
FAQs
Is Hot Springs National Park good for beginners?
Do I need a permit to hike in Hot Springs National Park?
Are dogs allowed on the trails?
What is the hardest hike in the park?
Final Thoughts
Hot Springs National Park punches above its size. Whether you have an hour for the Peak Trail or a full day for the Sunset Trail, one of the hikes in Hot Springs National Park will fit your schedule. Start small if you’re new, build up to the longer loops, and always check water and weather before you head out. This park rewards patience more than mileage, and that’s exactly why I keep coming back.
