Hot Springs Mountain Tower
Opened in 1983, the Hot Springs Mountain Tower provides visitors with a viewpoint 1,256 feet above sea level.
Plan Around Hot Springs Mountain Tower
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Hot Springs Mountain Tower Details
Hot Springs was first designated as a Federal Reserve for public benefit by an act of the United States Congress back on April 20, 1832, during President Andrew Jackson's presidential administration due to its mineral rich natural hot springs, thought back then to have distinct curative powers. Since the National Park Service did not officially come into being until much later on during 1916, it was the first time a piece of land had been set aside by the federal government for the purpose of recreational use. Since that time, it has operated under the protection and guidance of the United States Department of Interior. High atop Hot Springs Mountain, which overlooks the city of Hot Springs below, sits Hot Springs Mountain Tower with 2 distinctly different observation decks. Level two - fully enclosed in glass - is dedicated to the topography and history of the surrounding area, as well as museum type exhibits, while the third level takes one outside for pristine views and unparalleled photo opportunities. The current tower is actually the third of its kind. Built during the years 1982-1983, it stands 216 feet tall offering vistas up to seventy miles in the distance on a clear day. The first of the previous towers was built during 1904, while the second, which stood at 165 feet, was erected in 1906. Eventually it was taken down due to safety concerns back on July 13, 1971. The surrounding Ouachita National Forest was established in 1907 and is the South's oldest and one of the largest at 1.6 million acres. There is a wide selection of hiking trails varying in degree of difficulty and distance ranging from the shortest among them - the Arlington Trail and the Carriage Road - each at (0.1 mi) and the Sunset Trail, which is a full 10 miles. The Peak Trail at (0.6 mi) spans the distance between the Mountain Tower and Bathhouse Row below. Phone: 501-881-4020 [http://hotspringstower.com/](http://hotspringstower.com/)
Difficulty
Low
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Nearby Parks Around Hot Springs Mountain Tower
Compare nearby parks around Hot Springs Mountain Tower when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Hot Springs Mountain Tower
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Hot Springs Mountain Tower while the map context is still fresh.
0.1 mi away
Fountain Trail
This short - only 528 feet - steep access trail begins on Fountain Street below the Hot Springs Mountain Drive entrance.
0.1 mi away
Hot Springs Mountain Drive
Hot Springs Mountain Drive offers the main scenic access to the eastern portion of the park.
0.1 mi away
Hot Springs Mountain Trail
Hot Springs Mountain Trail, a 1.7-mile loop trail, is one of the park's most popular trails.
0.2 mi away
Happy Hollow Spring
Happy Hollow Spring and Whittington Spring are the park's two cold-water springs.
0.2 mi away
Hot Springs Mountain
Accessible via Hot Springs Mountain Drive, as well as a number of hiking trails, Hot Springs Mountain is the definitive feature in the eastern portion of the park.
