Quapaw Bathhouse

## Overview The Quapaw Bathhouse is a historic thermal bathing facility located at 411 Central Avenue along the iconic Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. It is one of the few bathhouses on the Row that still offers public bathing, allowing visitors to soak in the naturally heated spring water that has drawn people to this valley for thousands of years. The thermal springs of Hot Springs emerge from the western slope of Hot Springs Mountain at temperatures averaging around 143°F (62°C). The water has been Carbon-14-dated at approximately 4,000 years old, meaning it fell as rain millennia ago before percolating deep into the earth, being geothermally heated, and rising back to the surface. The water is notably high in silica and dissolved minerals, giving it a smooth, silky feel prized by bathers. Long before European settlers arrived, Native American tribes regarded the Hot Springs valley as sacred neutral ground — a place of peace and healing where even rival nations could gather without conflict. This tradition of communal wellness stretches back an estimated 10,000 years or more, making it one of the oldest known sites of continuous human use of thermal waters in North America. The original Quapaw Bathhouse was built in 1922 in a striking Spanish Colonial Revival style, featuring a colorful mosaic dome that remains one of the most recognizable landmarks on Bathhouse Row. After a period of closure, the bathhouse was beautifully restored and reopened in 2008, blending its historic architecture with modern spa amenities. Today, visitors can enjoy thermal pools, private baths, and a range of spa services — all fed by the same ancient hot springs. Bathhouse Row, including the Quapaw, is a National Historic Landmark District and is managed as part of Hot Springs National Park, the oldest area in the National Park system (established as a federal reservation in 1832). ## Directions 1. From Interstate 30, take Exit 111 toward Hot Springs and follow US-70 West / US-270 West into the city. 2. Continue on Central Avenue (US-321 / AR-7) heading south through downtown Hot Springs. 3. The Quapaw Bathhouse is located at **411 Central Avenue**, on the east side of the street along Bathhouse Row, directly across from the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa. 4. Look for the distinctive colorful mosaic dome on the building's roof — it's hard to miss. 5. Metered street parking is available along Central Avenue, and there are public parking garages nearby on Exchange Street and Convention Boulevard. **GPS Coordinates:** 34.513276, -93.053787 ## What to Expect The Quapaw Bathhouse offers a modern spa experience within a beautifully restored 1920s building. The main attraction is the large communal thermal pools, which are maintained at varying temperatures and fed by the park's natural hot spring water. Private bathing rooms and full spa services — including massages, body wraps, and facials — are also available. This is a **paid facility**; admission fees apply for pool access and spa services. Current pricing and hours can be found at [quapawbaths.com](http://quapawbaths.com/spa-services/). Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and during peak tourist seasons. The surrounding Bathhouse Row is a wonderful area to explore on foot. The half-mile promenade features eight historic bathhouses, lush magnolia trees, and access to the Hot Springs National Park visitor center (located in the Fordyce Bathhouse next door). Several of the park's natural hot spring display areas, where you can see and touch the thermal water flowing freely, are within easy walking distance along the Grand Promenade trail. The water temperature at the source springs averages around 143°F (62°C), though the pools at the Quapaw are cooled to comfortable soaking temperatures. The thermal water has historically been celebrated for its reported therapeutic properties, and the tradition of "taking the waters" here dates back centuries.