Hot Springs National Park: A Dog Friendly Version

We visited in June of 2022 on our way to North Carolina from California. Hot Springs National Park is a very different type of National Park. Its main attraction and visitor center are a row of bathhouses along the Grand Promenade. Dogs are not allows in majority of the bathhouses so you have to be strategic with your activities.

There is no entrance fee- Hot Springs National Park is in downtown Hot Spring right off the main road, so there’s no official entrance to the park. There is still a park sign at the beginning of Bathhouse Row, but no fee associated with the Park. I suggest at least one full day of visiting with your pup.

Hiking

There are 26 miles of hiking paths around the park. We took Peak Trail up to Hot Springs Mountain Trail. Hot Springs Mountain Trail is a 1.7 mile loop that passes the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. For a fee you can go up the Hot Springs Mountain Tower to have a view of the park from up above. This wasn’t dog friendly so we took the opportunity for a photo in the tub outside and continued on with our hike. We finished out hike with Turfa Terrace Trail, which is a 0.3 mile connecting trail right behind Bathhouse row, that allows you to hike right by hot spring water running down from Hot Spring Mountain.

Thermal Hot Springs

There are 3 thermal springs you can visit with your dog. Hot Water Cascade is the largest visible springs located on the far end of the Grand Promenade on Arlington Lawn. One spring is located behind Maurice Bathhouse and then the Fordyce Fountains are two Thermal Springs Fountains- they are located between Maurice and Fordyce Bathhouses. Your can see/feel the steam coming off these springs and its a nice spot to sit and enjoy nature.

Superior Bathhouse Brewery

This is the only brewery in a National Park and the only brewery in the world that uses thermal spring water. Dogs are allowed both inside and on the patio- they even gave Axel a Superior Bathhouse bandana! You can get the Beer Bath which is a flight of all 18 beers they have on top! Not feeling that crazy? They have a normal flight or pints as well. They had a seasonal peach sour while we were there which was so good we got a growler of it to go. They also have a large food menu, the patio has its own smaller food menu (but still a full page of options!).

Thermal Springs Fountain

There are 7 thermal springs fountains and 2 cold spring fountains throughout the park where you can stop and top off your water. All water is safe to drink, just remember the thermal springs fountains will be warm water, so if you're looking for ready to drink try for the cold spring fountains.

Where to Stay: Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa is right across from the National Park- cross one road and you’re there! Their 6th floor is a whole floor dedicated to dog friendly rooms- we had a $30 pet fee and there was a 65 lb weight limit. I can’t say I would recommend staying here longer than a night- the location was great, but it was clear the hotel was very old. We were given a legitimate door key and had to ask a handyman to help up get in our room because the door wouldn’t open. I was honestly waiting to see a ghost in the corner of our room halfway through the night- it felt like we were in the Tower of Terror Hotel. Currently on their website it says they are undergoing restoration, so the hope is it is they will be putting guest in the newly restored rooms first. But with the restoration I would check to make sure the pet policy hasn’t changed. I would stay here for a single night again, mainly because it was just too conveniently close to the park, but not for more than a night unless there were some serious upgrades.

Where to Eat: Superior Bathhouse Brewery is your place to eat- no question! Great food selection, great beers, dog friendly inside and out- what more could you want? Mamoo’s Creamery is also right across the National Park practically under the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa if you're looking for a delicious evening treat.

Axel’s Pup Tip: Bring your bug spray! Hot summer day + hot springs = HUMIDITY. You are going to be hot and humid while hiking and will encounter lots of bugs along with it. Nothing crazy, but enough to irritate you if you forgot bug spray (like we did). Coming back from California into this humidity was no joke.

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Axel’s Packing List: Collapsible Dog Bowl, Kurgo Dog Food Travel Bag, Nalgene Water Bottle, Owala Water Bottle, The Natural Dog Company, Dog Sunscreen

Peyton’s Packing List: Wondercide Natural Bug Spray, Merrell Hiking Boots, Osprey Daylite Plus Pack, Mineral Sunscreen, Sunscreen Chapstick, Insta 360 Camera

Dog Friendly Stay: Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa

Must do hikes: Peak Trail, Hot Springs Mountain Trail, Turf Terrace Trail