Buckstaff Bathhouse

Buckstaff Bathhouse is on Bathhouse Row at 509 Central Avenue in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. The National Park Service says it opened on February 1, 1912, and is the only bathhouse on the Row that has operated continuously as a bathhouse since. It is one of two places in the park where you can fully submerge in the thermal water; the Park Service says the springs are piped directly into the building. The Buckstaff Bath House Company runs it under a park concession. The Park Service named Historic Baths, LLC as the new concessioner in September 2026, with the contract expected to start on January 1, 2027. The operator says the water emerges at about 143°F and comes only from a collection of 47 protected natural hot springs, with no additives. The bath follows the routine the Park Service describes as the traditional one. You buy a bath ticket, lock up your valuables, and an attendant gives you a bath sheet. Then you soak about 20 minutes in a private oversized tub filled with fresh 98-100°F water, followed by a vapor cabinet, a sitz tub of 108°F water, hot packs and a cool-down needle shower. You can skip any step. Men use the first-floor bath hall with male attendants and women the second floor with female staff, reached by a hand-operated 1912 Otis elevator. Baths and massages are walk-in only, first come, first served, and busy periods can mean a wait. Hours are 8 to 11:45 a.m. and 1:15 to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 to 11:45 a.m. on Sunday; arrive by 11:30 a.m. or 2:45 p.m. The Traditional Bathing Package, with a 20-minute Swedish massage, is $101, and the Deluxe adds a paraffin hand treatment for $116. Swimsuits are optional. Services are for ages 10 and older, and people with recent surgery or open wounds can't bathe. Under the new contract, the Park Service says bathing will run 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with advance reservations. Park on Central Avenue, in the garage across the street, or at the visitor center.

Sources: buckstaffbaths.com (1), buckstaffbaths.com (2), buckstaffbaths.com (3), buckstaffbaths.com (4), nps.gov (1), nps.gov (2), nps.gov (3), nps.gov (4)

In Hot Springs, Arkansas, Buckstaff Bathhouse sits under a quarter mile from pavement; vehicle clearance on file is sedan / 2wd. Historic bathhouse development, on the operator's own site. Sources on file put the water around 143°F (scalding). The listed price band is $$$ and amenities on file include massage/spa. The clothing field is unverified — ask the operator or land manager.