Since we have started our adventures, we've only been to a few National Parks. Most of the ones we have visited were the ones in Utah. Maybe I would blog about those eventually. We mostly go to State Parks because National Parks rarely allow dogs on their trails. Whenever we can, we try to bring our four-legged adventure buddy on our trips.
This time we went to Hot Springs National Park! Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, fascinating history, and modern amenities. Let's dive into everything you need to know for an unforgettable travel trailer camping and hiking adventure in this hidden gem of a park.
History of Hot Springs National Park
Nestled in the heart of Arkansas, Hot Springs National Park has been a sought-after destination long before it became a national park. Known for its thermal springs, the area has drawn visitors for centuries. Native American tribes revered the springs for their healing properties, and by the 19th century, European settlers turned Hot Springs into a bustling spa town.
In 1832, Hot Springs became the first piece of land to be set aside by the federal government for its natural resources, predating even Yellowstone. Officially designated as a national park in 1921, it now preserves both the natural thermal waters and the rich history of bathhouses that once catered to the elite.
Travel Trailer Camping in Hot Springs National Park
Before embarking on your adventure, it's crucial to prepare adequately. Here are some essential tips:
Essential Gear and Supplies: Make sure to pack all the essentials for both you and your dog, including plenty of water, food, and a first aid kit. Don’t forget extra leashes, doggy bags, and a portable water bowl for your pup.
Planning Your Trip: The best time to visit Hot Springs National Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the scenery is breathtaking. Be sure to book your campsite in advance, especially during peak seasons.
Campsite Options
Hot Springs National Park offers several campsites that cater to travel trailers. Gulpha Gorge Campground is a popular choice, offering 40 sites with full hookups. The campground provides modern amenities, including restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings, making it a comfortable base for your adventures.
We really liked the campground because most of the sites are shaded which helps with keeping our travel trailer cool.
Traveling with a Travel Trailer
The Gulpha Gorge campground is about 6 hours away according to Google Maps but it was windy when we left Thursday so we had to slow down a lot more because the wind was so strong. We also had to make stops every 2 hours because our gas mileage was shot because of the wind.
We are towing a 6,000 lbs travel trailer, our Toyota Tundra's tank capacity is 38 gallons, we can only go up to a maximum of 65 mph with a wind resistance of 14 mph.
If we want to play it safe and have to put gas on our tank every time we are half empty, how long before we fill up if we start with a full tank??
Kevin doing the math of this logistical math problem:
After doing the math it might be slightly understandable that Kevin no longer gives a F*** where we park on some of our stops. Never mind that we do not know anyone here and jail is an option. I didn't say anything because I at least did not have to do the math. No one was comfortable stretching their legs on this pit stop
But we made it to camp around 8 pm, again Kevin got the short end of the stick because he had to set up camp at night while I got to set up the inside and get human and doggo dinner prepped.
Setting Up Camp
Arriving at your campsite is an exciting moment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up your travel trailer:
Park and Level Your Trailer: Find a level spot and use leveling blocks if necessary.
Connect Utilities: Hook up your trailer to the campsite’s electricity, water, and sewer connections.
Set Up Your Outdoor Area: Arrange your camping chairs, table, and outdoor rug. Create a cozy space for relaxing after a day of exploring.
Hiking and Camping with your Dog
Traveling with your dog? You’re in luck! Hot Springs National Park is dog-friendly, and many trails welcome your four-legged friend. Here are some tips for hiking with your dog:
Pack for Your Dog: Bring water, treats, and waste bags. Consider booties to protect your dog’s paws on rough terrain.
Monitor Your Dog’s Health: Watch for signs of overheating or fatigue, especially during warmer months.
Get your dog a good harness. Sometimes you would have to suitcase carry your dog because the trail might hurt their paws or whatever else they cannot put all four paws on the ground. We like the Ruffwear Harness
Bring plenty of water and a portable dog bowl to keep your pup hydrated.
Take breaks in shaded areas to prevent overheating, especially during the warmer parts of the day.
Check your dog’s paws regularly for any signs of wear or injury, particularly after hiking on rocky or uneven terrain.
Treat your dog's paws with Musher's Secret Dog Paw Wax to prevent her paws from cracking since you will be hiking every day
Carry a pet first aid kit for any minor injuries or emergencies.
We also like putting Georgia on a biothane long lead that we can easily wipe and gives her a little bit of freedom without actually letting her off-leash
Ultimate Hiking Guide to Hot Springs National Park
There are a lot of trails in Hot Springs National Park that are divided into different sections. For this trip, we did the Hot Springs North and Mountain Trail and the West Mountain Trails.
Hot Springs North and Mountain Trail
We combined several trails so we could explore different sections of the park and at the same time get a good hike in.
The trails are fairly easy. We liked the trails because they are well maintained and there are not a whole lot of giant rocks that can trip or roll your ankle. This is KEY to old-age hiking
Of course, we were not disappointed when we got to the top
It also provided us with a good rest stop for humans... Georgia is annoyed because she doesn't need rest... she is ready!
Since she was patient when we needed a break we let her traipse in water. Georgia doesn't swim but she enjoys her water splashes.
You know it is a good hike when you see a tired but happy doggo
We had to remove ticks from her of course but she had fun nonetheless
After some breakfast and a good nap, we decided to head to downtown Hot Springs where we can see the bathhouses. All of them are spas now but have kept the facade of old-world Hot Springs. You can read about them here
After our downtown exploration, Kevin started to feel a little iffy so we wrapped up our adventure for the day so Kevin could rest up and hopefully get to feeling better. We had to rely on Georgia's nursing skills to see us through.
She doesn't know how to administer any type of first aid but cuteness helps I suppose.
The next day Kevin insisted that he was feeling better we had set on hiking all of the trails in the West Mountain Section of Hot Springs National Park
We skipped one trail because it was mostly a park in the middle of downtown but the total trail length was around 4 miles. Armed with this knowledge, we got some donuts to make up for the lost calories as we were all weak and disoriented :)
YES this is just for 2 people and NO we were not really disoriented and weak.
We just wanted donuts.. there... you now know the truth!
After some breakfast and a nap (naps are key to any adventure), we drove on to Garvan Woodland Gardens. It was about 20-25 minutes from our campground.
I've been wanting to see the chapel since I've seen it in a Pinterest post somewhere but unfortunately, there is a wedding going on so this is the closest I can get to it.
The chapel is free to see but the gardens have an entrance fee of $20 per person and $5 per dog. The garden was surprisingly nice. It was not the intended destination of going here but I was glad to have walked through it anyway.
If you have more energy left we suggest that you should check out the Hot Springs Mountain Tower to check out the 360 views of the park
That night we had attempted to do some star gazing at Lake Ouachita State Park but we couldn't find a spot to set up some chairs. When I also attempted to take pictures it was a fail. I couldn't get my camera to capture the little bit that we could see on the side of the road.
Going Home
The checkout time at camp is noon which is a bit earlier than most parks that we have been to but we still managed to squeeze in a couple more hikes. We usually mail postcards to ourselves as souvenirs and Kevin said we could take a trail to the post office so we did.
Kevin tried to teach Georgia some chess basics but she has no interest in such matters
There are a lot of water stations around the park and you can get water from the springs. All of them are hot and I have seen people take jugs out of their car and fill it up.
It was believed to have some medicinal properties. Since Kevin had been sick off and on this trip, I told him to chug it down and bathe on it if he had to. He didn't want to.
We headed back to our campsite for some breakfast and to pack up. There is nothing too exciting about the pack-up. The most work is around the emptying of black and gray tanks. Kevin is the expert on that so Georgia and I just hung back.
We really shouldn't be in the way of a master at work!
Thanks for joining us on this adventure! Hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day Weekend. Let me know if you found this Ultimate Guide to Camping and hiking to Hot Springs National Park helpful or if you have any tips for us.
TTYL!
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