Traditional Mineral Baths in the United States
Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Traditional Mineral Bathing
People have used hot spring water in therapeutic baths for more than two hundred years as a natural treatment for various ailments.
It was originally believed the waters benefited diseases of the skin and blood, nervous affections, rheumatism. Modern medical practices no longer believe in treatment of disease with thermal spring waters, instead the hot waters are used to facilitate relaxation.
Drinking water is dispensed from several hot water jug fountains along the park. The hot water is naturally potable. Regulations prohibit individuals from selling the park's waters.
The traditional service consists of:
- Tub Bath for 20 minutes at a maximum temperature of 100°
- Hot Packs for a maximum of 20 minutes
- Sitz Bath for 10 minutes
- Vapor Cabinet (steam cabinet) for a maximum of 2 minutes with your head in cabinet or 5 minutes in the cabinet that keeps your head out
- Vichy Shower (needle shower) for 2 minute maximum rinse
- Optional add-on following the Vichy Shower is a Swedish style massage
Buckstaff Bath House
The Buckstaff Bath House website has basic information about the services offered, dates and time of operation, and their menu of individual services with pricing. Reservations aren't accepted or required for the traditional mineral bath procedure, which lasts approximately one hour. The bathing ritual is a private service, but you will have an attendant for assistance. Reservations required for treatments such as facial, manicure, or pedicure.
Buckstaff Bath House has been in business since 1912. It offers the traditional bath as described above. The facility is very basic and is reminiscent of the days when the mineral springs were considered healing and medicinally therapeutic.
Location
509 Central Avenue
Hot Springs National Park
Quapaw Baths and Spa House
The Quapaw Baths and Spa website has comprehensive information about the newly opened facility, including services, and dates and time of operation. A visit to Quapaw can include the traditional private bath experience, and/or use of the large shared pools filled with water from the hot springs. This facility reopened with modern amenities, a cafe, and boutique, for a inviting experience. Reservations required for treatments.
According the the United States National Park service, Quapaw Bath House is the only modern spa using the hot spring mineral water. At Quapaw Bath House you can have the traditional private bath, or use the modern spa hot tub pools that look like your health club, but are filled with the thermal mineral spring water.
Location
513 Central Avenue
Hot Springs National Park
Historical Bath House Row
The entire Bathhouse Row area is a National Landmark District and contains the grandest collection of bathhouses of its kind in North America. Buckstaff Bath House and Quapaw Bath House are the currently operating facilities. Fordyce Bath House served as the Visitor Center for the National Park until it closed for renovations. Fordyce is expected to reopen as the Visitor Center in Fall 2013. In the meantime, the Lamar Bath House is serving as the National Park Visitor Center.
Recreational Options
Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park is the smallest national park in the United States and is the oldest federal reserve. The hot springs flow from the Ouachita Mountain range and are managed to conserve production of uncontaminated hot water for public use.
The hot springs flow well over 500,000 gallons per day and the water is supplied to the various bath houses with income going to the US Treasury. While the two traditional bath houses use the thermal springs as their water supply, several nearby modern hotels also have the water piped to their spas.
The park has 26 miles of trails to explore. You will see wildflowers, rock formations, and beautiful scenary. The trails are of varying lengths and difficulty, and all are well-marked. Guided outdoor tours are offered twice per day beginning and ending at the Visitor Center. The tours travel Bath House Row, and the Grand Promenade behind the bathhouses. During the tour you learn about how hot spring water is developed and how it has been used for therapeutic baths in Hot Springs National Park.
My Visit to Hot Springs National Park
I visited nearly 10 years ago when the only Bath Houses open were Buckstaff (for the traditional bath) and Fordyce (as the Visitor Center). Even then, I found the buildings beautiful and I could easily imagine the old-style opulence of years past. I am eager to revisit this summer to see the restored bath houses, and explore more of the hiking trails.
Surrounding Areas
The Museum of Contemporary Art is located in the Ozark Bath House, which is located along Bath House Row.
When you're ready to explore the beautiful outdoors, the Hot Springs Mountain Tower is an invigorating hike on marked paths up the mountain behind Bath House Row. On a clear day you can see 140 miles of Arkansas countryside from the top of this mountain tower. Of course you can drive up to the tower if a hike doesn't work for you.
Garvan Woodland Gardens are the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas, and make a lovely side trip when you are in the Hot Springs area.