Best Bathhouse in Hot Springs, AR (Why Quapaw Is Our Top Pick)

Last updated on May 31, 2026

The number one thing we wanted to do when visiting Hot Springs National Park was to soak in hot springs. People have been coming to Hot Springs, AR for centuries to relax in its mineral-rich waters. Honestly, I could argue that you didn’t even visit this National Park if you didn’t go to a bathhouse.

But what’s the best bathhouse in Hot Springs, Arkansas, you ask?

After doing loads of research and comparing the experiences at the two operating historic bathhouses in Hot Springs, we’re sharing why we think Quapaw Baths and Spa is the best bathhouse in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Plus, all the helpful things you’d want to know about visiting, like entry times, what to bring, restrictions, and how it compares to other hot springs like Buckstaff Bathhouse.

What Is the Best Bathhouse in Hot Springs?

If you’re visiting Hot Springs, AR for the first time and looking for a nice soaking experience, I recommend Quapaw Baths. It has the historic charm of a traditional bathhouse with affordable prices for group soaking.

They also have spa treatments and private rooms if you want a more upscale experience, but overall it provides a more flexible experience than Buckstaff.

The historic Arlington Hotel, a short walk from Bathhouse Row, also has a traditional historic bath to soak in. It is available to non-hotel guests as walk-ins, but is used mostly by hotel guests. For most visitors, you’ll want to visit either Quapaw or Buckstaff for the quintessential soaking experience.

Which Hot Springs Bathhouse Is Right for You?

Bathhouse	Best For
Quapaw	– First-time visitors who want historic charm but a modern soaking experience. – Men and women who want to soak together.
Buckstaff	– Historic traditional experience with private tubs and extra add-ons to your experience. – Men and women separated.
Arlington	– Hotel guests looking for a traditional experience at the convenience of their hotel.

Quapaw vs Buckstaff Bathhouse

The two most popular bathhouses to visit in Hot Springs, Arkansas are Quapaw and Buckstaff. They are the only two original bathhouses on Bathhouse Row available to the public for soaking. Both date back to the early 1900s with lots of original charm and character.

Buckstaff Baths and Quapaw Baths & Spa receive the same natural spring water for their pools, so you are not getting a different treatment or benefit from going to one of the other. What you are getting is different soaking experiences.

Buckstaff offers visitors a very traditional, private soaking experience with an attendant and loads of additional add-ons. Clothing is optional at Buckstaff, offering an experience similar to what you would have received in the 1920s.

Men and women are separate during your treatment, receiving services on different floors. You start in a private clawfoot tub with the mineral water. Then move to a steam cabinet, sitz bath, and receive hot towel packs and a massage.

Quapaw offers private services that mimic a more traditional bathhouse experience, but with a modern approach to soaking. There is a communal soaking area where men and women can soak together. You can add on spa services, like a steam room, private mineral jet tub, or massage if desired, but it’s not a part of the experience automatically.

I think a visit to Buckstaff is super unique and a memorable experience; I think most visitors prefer the affordability and more modern experience at Quapaw Baths & Spa, which is why I feel it’s the best bathhouse in Hot Springs.

Bathhouse	Cost	Group Soaking	Private Rooms	Extras included	Spa Services available for add-on	Clothing
Buckstaff	$45	❌	✅ (included)	✅	✅	Optional
Quapaw	$30	✅	✅ (extra)	❌	✅	Required (no thongs allowed)

Quapaw Baths & Spa Quick Guide

Since I think Quapaw Baths & Spa is the best bathhouse in Hot Springs, AR, for most visitors, here is some important information to plan your visit.

• Its name relates to the Quapaw tribe, one of the three Native American tribes who lived here.
• 🏫 Built and established: 1922
• ⏰ Hours: Wed. – Mon. 10 am – 6 pm. The last entry for soaking is 5:00 pm. Closed Tuesday.
• 📞 Booking: All spa services (like massages, hot stone treatments, facials, foot scrubs, etc) must be pre-booked. Private baths can be pre-booked. Public soaking is first-come, first-served.
• 💵 Entrance Fee: Public soaking is $30 + tax per person with no time limit for soaking. Spa services start at $40+ with a 20-minute soaking time limit.
• 🚫 Restrictions: No photography or videos in the public bathhouse. Only people aged 14 and up can soak here (sorry, no kids)! Thongs are not allowed. Also, you cannot visit if you:
  • have a pacemaker or defibrillator
  • are menstruating
  • are pregnant
  • are incontinent
  • or are under the influence of alcohol
  • Those with low blood pressure or heart conditions should ask a doctor before visiting.
• 💳 Payments accepted: Credit cards, debit cards, or cash.
• 🥪 Food and refreshments: A cafe has coffee, drinks, and food to order on-site.
• 🩴 Items to bring: Slip-on shoes (like shower or water shoes) and a bathing suit (no thong suits). If you don’t have slip-on shoes, you can buy some at the front for $7.

What is Quapaw Baths Like?

Quapaw Bath & Spa’s communal pools operate on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you want to soak in a private tub or add on any of the spa services, you will need to book ahead. There is a chance they will have a private room available, but spa services require booking and cannot be added upon arrival.

We did not personally do any spa services. So, this post will share what to expect for soaking in the public pools at Quapaw Baths.

When you arrive, you’ll check in at the front desk to pay the entrance fee and get your locker key and towel. If it’s busy, you will be given a number for the waitlist. You can wait in the cafe or outside on their beautiful covered porch. Most summers are busy at this National Park, so don’t be surprised to wait 20 – 40 minutes to get in.

There are men’s and women’s changing rooms with lockers for your things. Quapaw Baths requires you to shower before entering the pools. Don’t just rinse your body with water. You should remove any clothing and use soap and water to remove makeup, perfumes, deodorants, or other contaminants that could negatively impact the water quality.

Once you’re showered, you can exit the changing rooms with your towel and water shoes and enter the baths. A bathhouse attendant will greet you and explain where you can put your towel. There is a row of towel hooks on the back wall when you enter. Hang your towel on the corresponding number of your locker.

We were told to keep our shoes on when walking from pool to pool. It seemed annoying at first, but the old tile is extremely slippery, and you’ll want your shoes!

Room temperature and chilled mineral water with cups is available for drinking. Make sure to drink water often. It’s easy to become dehydrated while soaking in the warm water. We must have drunk 10 glasses each while we were soaking.

The water comes from the springs around 140° Fahrenheit (60° Celcius). The bathhouses mix the mineral water with cooler water to soakable temperatures. There were four pools ranging from 98°F to 104°F (36°C to 40°C). There were cold showers available if you wanted to cool down quicker or create a hot-to-cold experience, but we loved just going back and forth between the hot and cooler pools to keep our body temperature regulated.

The public pool area is beautiful. There is historic tile throughout and gorgeous stained glass ceilings. If you want to rest between, there are a few lounge chairs available as first-come-first-serve.

The charm of the bathhouse is one of the reasons we loved it so much, but the real reason we gave it the title of the best bathhouse in Hot Springs is that there is no time limit for soaking! We stayed in the pools for about 2 hours before heading to the changing rooms to take a shower.

The showers have soap dispensers but no shampoo, so I recommend bringing your own along with deodorant and a brush. They did have blow dryers there, which was nice to dry my hair before leaving!

Also, it’s great to have a change of undergarments if you don’t want to put on the same ones you had on beforehand. If you need a plastic bag to put your wet clothes in, they have some at the bathhouse attendant stations.

What to Bring to Quapaw Baths & Spa

• Flip flops or slide-on shoes. If you don’t have them, they will make you buy some for $7.
• Bathing suit (no thongs allowed)
• Change of undergarments for after soaking.
• Brush and shampoo (there are showers but no shampoo).
• Bag to put your wet suits.

History of Hot Springs, Arkansas

Hot Springs became a nationally protected area in 1832 to ensure equal access to the hot mineral-rich waters believed to have healing benefits. For nearly two centuries, Doctors have prescribed treatment in the hot pools for illnesses like Polio, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and even certain venereal diseases.

Despite being a challenging area to reach in the “olden days,” people would come from all over the country to complete different regimens of soaking, massages, steam rooms, and other treatments.

Many hydropathy treatments are controversial by today’s standards. For example, they had an electric tub to deliver a mild shock while you were soaking. 😳 Understandably, these practices have been discontinued. However, many spa treatments like a relaxing, therapeutic massage, or a steam room, can be added to your soaking experience.

Do the hot springs really have healing benefits?

Mineral-rich hot springs like those in Hot Springs, AR, are known for certain health benefits. While there is no claim to healing a particular ailment, it can help relax sore muscles and reduce tension, inflammation, or joint issues.

The water that feeds the bathhouses in Hot Springs is heated in the earth. Although not from volcanic activity. The water in the 47 springs sprinkled around this area passes by a mass of hot rock. This means you won’t experience the off-putting odor of rotten eggshells from sulfur, which is often linked to volcanically heated hot springs.

Dennis and I felt fantastic after soaking at Quapaw Baths and definitely felt a noticeable difference in our joints. You can see the exact mineral breakdown of the water when you visit, posted at Quapaw Baths and inside the National Park visitor center.

We absolutely loved our experience here and felt fantastic after visiting. I see why Hot Springs, AR has been an alluring place for visitors for centuries. What do you think? Are you ready to visit Quapaw? If you’ve been, do you agree it’s the best bathhouse in Hot Springs, AR?

➡ Read Next: 10 Essential Things To Do in Hot Springs National Park

FAQ About Quapaw Bathhouse