Getting here
Commercial flights arrive at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock. A rental car covers the drive to Hot Springs and the separate trips among downtown, Garvan Woodland Gardens, and Lake Hamilton.
Arkansas road-trip arrival
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport serves Little Rock with commercial flights. The National Park Service describes the drive from Little Rock as about 54 miles and one hour via Interstate 30 and U.S. 70. A rental car is useful beyond downtown: Garvan Woodland Gardens and Lake Hamilton are separate drives south of the Bathhouse Row district.
Arrival map
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport is the main commercial-airport connection. The National Park Service describes the Little Rock drive as about 54 miles and one hour. The map also marks Lake Hamilton and Garvan Woodland Gardens because both require a separate drive south of downtown.
Second Star gear guide
Road Trip Essentials
Road-trip packing list
Phone mounts, coolers, emergency kits, chargers, packing pieces, and glovebox backup for scenic drives and weekend routes.
Car Phone Mounts
$26.99
Road Trip Coolers
$275.00
Car Emergency Kits
$49.99
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport is about 60 miles from the national park. Pick up the rental car before leaving the airport; the Hot Springs trip still requires road transfers among downtown, Garvan, and Lake Hamilton.
The National Park Service's standard Little Rock route follows Interstate 30 west to U.S. 70, then reaches downtown on East Grand Avenue. Check Arkansas road conditions before departure rather than relying on the one-hour estimate.
The city garage at 128 Exchange Street is one block west of Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center. Downtown thoroughfares and garages use paid parking; some side streets remain free. Check the city's current parking rules before arrival.
Downtown or south-side day
Fordyce, the bathhouse facades, the Grand Promenade, Central Avenue restaurants, and downtown lodging form the walkable part of the trip. Moving the car between those stops usually adds another parking search without shortening the day.
Hot Springs introduced paid parking on major downtown streets and in garages in 2025. The Exchange Street garage is the clear first target for Fordyce and Bathhouse Row; Hill Wheatley Plaza has limited recreational-vehicle and bus spaces.
A downtown-only visit can remain on foot after check-in. Bring a car for Garvan Woodland Gardens, Lake Hamilton, Oaklawn, and south-corridor lodging; all sit outside the compact national-park district.
Keep exploring
Compare Hot Springs with Bentonville’s museum-and-trail weekend or Branson’s theater-and-lake trip in the Ozarks.
