What to Expect at a Bathhouse in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Most visitors to Hot Springs National Park come for some level of interaction with the thermal springs.

These mineral-rich waters have been exploited for their soothing properties for centuries, well before white folks turned Hot Springs, Arkansas, into a spa town.

Today, visitors can spend a few hours at one of two bathhouses still operating in the park, the Buckstaff Bathhouse and Quapaw Baths & Spa. I’ll get into the differences between the two and why we chose the one we did for our bathhouse experience.

I’ll also detail what it’s like to do as visitors 100 years ago did, complete our pick for the best bathhouse in Hot Springs for that classic experience. I’ll also include how comfortable the experience was for someone who’s definitely a bit more shy than most.

You have two options for bathhouses in Hot Springs.

The Buckstaff Bathhouse does things the traditional way, which is why that was our pick for our bathhouse experience.

If you want more of a modern, spa-like experience, visit the Quapaw Baths & Spa. There’s no shame in going that route. In fact, trying that one out would likely be the only reason I’d return to Hot Springs.

I’m not saying we had a bad time there. We had a fine time. There is just so much to see around the world. Heck, there’s so much to see just within the United States!

A Brief History of the Bathhouses in Hot Springs

The bathhouses in Hot Springs date back to the mid-1830s when settlers recognized the therapeutic potential of the natural hot springs in town. What they constructed back then were modest, temporary structures.

From there, the area quickly developed into a wellness retreat, attracting visitors seeking health benefits from the mineral-rich thermal waters.

By the early 1920s, the eight bathhouses of Bathhouse Row were complete. The buildings along this stretch were all unique in their own way and featured perks like hydrotherapy, longer tubs, and thermal caves.

I imagine folks who patronized these places all had a favorite during their heyday, especially the really tall people.

By the 1960s, the bathhouses went into decline. Some of that was thanks to advancements in modern medicine. Running a bathhouse was also labor-intensive, and there wasn’t the demand to justify eight of the same business in one small footprint.

The Fordyce Bathhouse, now the park’s visitor, was the first to shut its doors. By the 1980s, the Buckstaff was the only one that remained.

The Quapaw Bathhouse, the only other facility to offer spa services today, shut down twice, once in 1968 and then again in 1984. After extensive remodeling, it reopened in 2008 with the kinds of amenities you’d expect in a modern spa.

READ MORE: Want to see more of Hot Springs National Park? Check out my one-day itinerary to help you plan.

What to Expect During Your Bathhouse Experience

What happens in a traditional bathhouse in Hot Springs looks like this: You move through stations just as visitors did 100 years ago. That typically involves a hot bath, hot towels, a sitz bath, a steam, and a needle shower.

Visiting Hot Springs National Park just isn’t the same without the bathhouse experience. Despite some initial discomfort, I’m glad I made it happen. I’m glad we chose the more historic location, too.

While it was very no-frills, it also felt like what I’d expect when the bathhouses first opened so many decades ago. It was also just $40 for the classic experience. That’s a bargain if you’ve ever been to a big-city spa in the United States.

Let’s get steamy.

Note: Any photos you’ll see here aren’t from my experience but from our visit to the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum. There’s a lot less rust and dust in the real deal. Understandably, there are no photos allowed inside the bathhouses.

The Initial Prep

Before you get to the goods, you’ll have to show an attendant your goods. You’ll need to disrobe and allow your attendant for the duration of your bathhouse experience to cover your bare behind with a long sheet.

Fun fact: They will see your butt at this point for starters.

Any personal items go in a tall locker, the key dangling around your neck as you move from indignity to indignity.

I’m mostly kidding. It’s all a very professional experience that somehow didn’t make me feel as uncomfortable as the thermal spring experiences in Iceland. I think it’s because there wasn’t a group shower expected of me ahead of my hot bath.

If you have any nudity issues, though, let them go. (I’m talking to myself here as much as to you all.) Your shower attendant will see all of your bits, so make sure those bits are ready.

Now, I didn’t see any other naked ladies but I also wasn’t looking for a good view. If someone happens to look, even by accident, make it all worth the look.

I’m not even sure what I mean by any of this. This is likely nervous energy talking.

The Hot Bath

Your hot bath is the first stop on your bathhouse experience at the Buckstaff.

You get about 20 minutes to soak in a hot bath complete with whirlpool jets and two little cups of thermal mineral water to drink. You will be naked in the tub, obviously. Your attendant will see to that, and see your butt again at the very least.

The tub itself was enjoyable for about the first 15 minutes, after which I started working through my mental to-do list. I don’t know how to relax, though, so I’m sure you’ll love it.

READ MORE: Love a good water feature? Check out my guide to Natural Falls State Park in nearby Oklahoma.

The Hot Packs

This station isn’t really hot packs but hot towels draped over your body on what resembles a massage table. This was my favorite part. If I had a little more time, I could have seen myself dozing off.

Before you know it, it’s time to move on to a decidedly less relaxing part of your day, but it’s all for your health. That’s what I hear, at least.

The Sitz Bath

Soak your nethers in a little tub while reading gossip magazines at your third stop. This is supposed to reduce hemorrhoids and relieve any pain in that region down below.

Fun fact: I’m not making this up. Sitz baths are often used to relieve pain, itching, and inflammation down below. The treatment relaxes the ol’ anal sphincter and increases blood flow in the area.

You’ll get some ice water here to cool you off during all of this hot water action. I draped the sheet I was moving from station to station with over my body in the tub. There wasn’t a point where I felt exposed here.

The girlfriend I was with actually sat inside the tub with her sheet wrapped around her body. Follow the prompt of your attendant.

This seems to be a different experience on the men’s side.

Note: The men and women are separated during the bathhouse experiences, which definitely feels like the right thing to do.

Brian was full frontal in the little butt tub with no sheet covering him and no water offered. He was just letting it all hang out.

While the tubs are in a stall formation, you can still see inside them as you walk past. Every other dude in there could see what he was packing. I mean, he was fine with that, but would you be? You can cover yourself up, people.

That’s what the sheet is for, or the towel if you’re on the men’s side.

The Vapor Cabinet

The hot box portion of the afternoon was a little claustrophobic, but you can get out at any time. My attendant made sure I was comfortable getting in there, so I assume that’s something they ask of all patrons.

You sit in this contraption with just your head sticking out of the top for about five minutes or so.

It’s a little awkward because unless you close your eyes, you’re essentially people-watching while you’re in there. Depending on how free the ladies at the spa are feeling at that moment, you may get a show.

Again, this one is optional if you can’t stand the heat.

The Needle Cabinet

We got no needle shower on our visit because they found Legionnaires’ disease circulating in the showers before our arrival and had to shut them down.

I was bummed at first because a shower would have been nice after the hot box, but then I Googled Legionnaires’ disease. I do appreciate them watching for these kinds of things.

They’re actually pretty common in bathhouse environments.

We were all done after our steam. Your attendant wraps you in a fresh sheet and then you’re on your way, perhaps just a little more relaxed. If you want an upgrade, a massage after that last station is an option.

If you stick to the classic experience, you’ll be done in about 90 minutes. It’s all very much timed no matter how much you sweet talk your attendant.

Tips for Visiting Bathhouses in Hot Springs

I’ve given you a rundown of the experience, but I do have a few more tips to make your visit even better:

• Start your visit to Hot Springs with a bathhouse. If you want to visit the Buckstaff, arrive before lunch. They’re walk-in only and get quite busy by mid-afternoon. Quapaw’s public thermal pool is also first come, first served.
• Make a reservation for extra services. You can book additional spa services like massages and facials in advance at either bathhouse. You can also reserve private baths at Quapaw in advance. That includes a shared tub for you and your honey.
• It doesn’t really matter what you wear. You’ll need to take it all off anyway. We came in athleisure because we knew we’d have to undress and dress quickly. Bring sandals to move from station to station and dress for the weather otherwise.
• Common rules about exposure to heat apply. You won’t be able to make an appointment if you’re pregnant or have a pacemaker or other heart condition. Treatments aren’t recommended for those with high or low blood pressure.
• Arrive hydrated. The heat of the baths can be intense, so drink plenty of water before you arrive. You’ll get a few cups of water here and there over the course of your visit, but speak up if you need more.

Visiting a bathhouse in Hot Springs is worth your time.

Despite the persistent commentary about moments that pulled me way out of my comfort zone, this was the highlight of our experience in Hot Springs.

The termal waters and historic buildings constructed to exploit them are why this place is a national park site in the first place. It’d be a shame for you to visit without checking out what all the fuss was about back in the day.

You may even leave with less muscle tension. Maybe the whole deal will do wonders for your perineum, too. I don’t know what you’re dealing with, and I certainly won’t judge.

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