Burn Ban in Park
Due to high fire danger, Hot Springs National Park has enacted a BURN BAN, August 15, 2026. Only gas and charcoal grills are currently allowed for use in the campground and picnic areas.
Official NPS sourceSTATE & NATION TRAVEL
Arkansas Travel.
National parks, historic sites and practical visitor updates, directly from the National Park Service.
NPS sources checked 10/3/2026, 3:11:01 PM Eastern
Travel Alerts & Closures
CHECK BEFORE DEPARTURESouth Woolum Road Closed, Alternate Route Available
In the interest of safety, the South Woolum Road has been closed. The Woolum launch and campground remain open.
Official NPS sourceLatest NPS News
Browse the archiveBuffalo National River Encourages Visitors to Explore Safely This Fall
Buffalo National River invites visitors to take advantage of cooler fall temperatures and safely explore the park’s many hiking trails surrounding the river.
Official NPS sourceCelebrate Hot Springs’ Famous Water at the Hot Springs Water Festival
Hot Springs National Park will host the annual Hot Springs Water Festival on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the Arlington Lawn near historic Bathhouse Row.
Official NPS sourceHot Springs National Park awards new concession contract for Buckstaff Bathhouse
Hot Springs National Park today announced a new 10-year concession contract that will expand visitor access to traditional bathing services at Buckstaff Bathhouse, including longer operating hours and advance reservations.
Official NPS sourceLocal Youth Conservation Corps Members Build Skills While Preserving Fort Smith National Historic Site
Seven local Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) members spent the summer gaining hands-on work experience while helping to preserve and maintain Fort Smith National Historic Site. This opportunity was funded in part by the National Park Foundation, and the crew worked alongside National Park Service staff on projects that introduced participants to preservation trades and maintenance skills.
Official NPS sourceAgricultural Special Use Permit Application Period Opens September 15
The National Park Service will accept public bid applications September 15 through October 15, 2026, for twenty-four Agricultural Special Use Permits for haying of specific designated fields located within Buffalo National River in portions of Newton and Searcy Counties.
Official NPS source69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Little Rock Nine Program Series
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site will host a series of programs September 17–25 commemorating the 69th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine and exploring themes of constitutional rights, citizenship, civic engagement, and the continuing pursuit of equality.
Official NPS sourceLittle Rock Central High School National Historic Site to Host Performance on the Life and Leadership of Daisy Gatson Bates
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site will present “Something in the Soil,” a free documentary-style, one-woman performance about the life and work of civil rights icon Daisy Gatson Bates, featuring actress Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, on Wednesday, August 26, at 6 p.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church.
Official NPS sourceFamily Day on Little Rock Nine Way
Family Day on Little Rock Nine Way will feature hands-on activities for children and families, student-led programs, community resource booths, and food trucks. The free event is open to the public and will also include performances by local poets, live music, a DJ, and a variety of food truck vendors.
Official NPS sourceHot Springs Celebrates America's 250th Birthday with Red, White, and YOU: Picnic and Parade
Hot Springs National Park will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a full day of patriotic festivities on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Hosted in partnership with the Friends of Hot Springs National Park and America’s National Parks, the celebration features a community parade along Bathhouse Row, and the “Red, White & YOU” picnic on Arlington Lawn with live performances, games, activities, and more. All events are free and open to the public.
Official NPS sourceBuffalo National River Seeks Feedback on Preliminary Management Strategies in the Development of the Draft River Management Plan
Buffalo National River is preparing to launch the second step in the public planning process for an updated River Management Plan. The park is seeking a second round of civic engagement during a 30-day public comment period, open March 9 through April 10, 2026.
Official NPS sourcePea Ridge National Military Park Announces Prescribed Burns
Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations Friday through Sunday, February 20 to 22, subject to weather conditions falling within the parameters of prescribed fire prescriptions.
Official NPS sourcePrescribed Burn Scheduled for the Lower Wilderness – Temporary Closure Announced
Temporary closures in place for a prescribed burn in the Lower Wilderness.
Official NPS sourceBuffalo National River Implements Campground Changes for 2026 Season
Buffalo National River will be implementing changes to the park's reservation system in 2026.
Official NPS sourceHot Springs National Park Announces Advance Site Visit for Interested Concessioners
The National Park Service has scheduled a one-day site visit on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, for organizations interested in bidding on the new ten-year Concession Contract No. CC-HOSP002-27 to provide traditional bathhouse and massage therapy services within Hot Springs National Park here.
Official NPS sourceLittle Rock Central High School NHS Hosts 68th Anniversary of the Little Rock Nine
Commemoration honors the courage of nine Black students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957, a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.
Official NPS sourceNational Park Service breaks ground on historic Maurice Bathhouse rehabilitation
The National Park Service (NPS) today celebrated the groundbreaking of the Maurice Bathhouse rehabilitation project at Hot Springs National Park, marking a major milestone in the preservation of one of the park’s most iconic historic structures. The project is made possible through an investment of $31.6 Million from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund.
Official NPS sourceCommunity Partners Host Day of Giving and Family Day at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
The free, public event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site and Bullock Temple CME Church. The day will feature youth activities, performances by local artists, 20-minute interpretive tours, a tree planting, and a time capsule burial.
Official NPS sourceFireworks Prohibited at Buffalo National River
Fireworks are prohibited at Buffalo National River.
Official NPS sourceUpcoming NPS Events
NEXT 90 DAYSHot Springs Hikes
Join this adventure hike for a longer, ranger-guided trip through Hot Springs National Park. These hikes begin at various locations in the park and explore new trails and new stories each month. Please see our social media pages for up-to-date descriptions of the trail locations and any one-time alterations to the expected schedule for the hike. Trail lengths typically range from 1-3 miles with mild to moderate difficulty. Attendees will be off-pavement in the outside weather. Attendees should wear appropriate clothes, like close toed shoes, long pants and breathable shirts and their own bug spray and sun screen. To find the most up to date weather forecast for Hot Springs, see 7-Day Forecast 34.54N 93.06W . Please email hosp_park_information@nps.gov for more information.
Official NPS sourceFordyce Tour
Join a Ranger tour through the Fordyce Bathhouse to learn about the history of the Great American Spa era that made Hot Springs National Park the leading public health and leisure resort in the United States. Themes and topics vary by ranger, no reservations required.
Official NPS sourceRanger Guided Walk (Outdoor)
Join a ranger for a free, 45-minute outdoor tour of Bathhouse Row, the thermal springs, and the downtown area of Hot Springs National Park! Themes and topics vary by ranger. No reservations are required.
Official NPS source7th Annual Fort Smith Fall Festival
The 7th Annual Fort Smith Fall Festival returns on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing a full day of free family-friendly activities, living history, arts, shopping, and community festivities to downtown Fort Smith. Hosted by Fort Smith National Historic Site, the festival has become Fort Smith's largest history-themed event and brings together several of the city's museums, attractions, and community organizations for one unforgettable day. Schedule of Events at Fort Smith National Historic Site: 10:00 am: Belle Starr Trial Reenactment (Prior reservations required) 11:00 am: School of the Soldier: Musket Drill Kid's Program 11:30 am: Civil War Cannon Demonstration, Speech by Mayor McGill 12:00 pm: "Running at the Heads" Cavalry Demonstration 1:00 pm: You Be The Judge! Kid's Court Photo Booth 2:00 pm: Civil War Cannon Demonstration 2:30 pm: "Running at the Heads" Cavalry Demonstration 3:00 pm: Civil War Cannon Demonstration We'll also feature more than 80 living history reenactors portraying life at the first and second Fort Smiths, Deputy U.S. Marshals, soldiers, and frontier residents. Visitors can enjoy infantry, cavalry, and cannon demonstrations, historic garden tours, children's Choctaw and Victorian games, hands-on arts and crafts, and take-home prizes. The historic courtroom will once again host the popular Belle Starr Trial Reenactment, and the park will also welcome the 12th Annual Fort Smith Volunteer Fair. All National Historic Site programs are free. Nearby Attractions: Fort Smith Museum of History will provide free museum admission, costumed interpreters, and additional opportunities to experience Fort Smith's rich past. The Clayton House will have a free open house and celebrate Colonel William H.H. Clayton's Birthday, giving guests a chance to explore one of Fort Smith's most treasured historic homes. Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum will have free admission with special speakers, a market, and food trucks. A Grand Re-Opening Event will be from 9am-10am. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum will host its annual Fall Family Day with free art activities and family programming. Fort Smith Trolley Museum will offer free trolley rides throughout the festival! The U.S. Marshals Museum will offer discounted admission until 4pm. Fort Smith Visitor Center will have a kids’ quilt craft, dog treats, and a dog water station The Fort Smith Farmers Market will be active right across the street from 7am to noon. Nearly 100 artisan and retail vendors Delicious food trucks FREE shuttle service connecting festival locations throughout downtown For a complete schedule of events, parking information, trolley stops, and festival maps, visit www.fortsmithfallfest.com.
Official NPS sourceNational Parks & Federal Sites
9 DESTINATIONSNational Historic Trail
Trail Of Tears
Remember and commemorate the survival of the Cherokee people, forcefully removed from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to live in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. They traveled by foot, horse, wagon, or steamboat in 1838-1839.
Alabama · Arkansas · Georgia · Illinois · Kentucky · Missouri · North Carolina · Oklahoma · TennesseeNational Historic Trail
Butterfield Overland
In 1857, businessman and transportation entrepreneur John Butterfield was awarded a contract to establish an overland mail route between the eastern United States and growing populations in the Far West. What became known as the Butterfield Overland Trail made an arcing sweep across the southern rim of the country. Stagecoaches left twice a week carrying passengers, freight, and mail.
Arizona · Arkansas · California · Missouri · New Mexico · Oklahoma · TexasNational Memorial
Arkansas Post
Located at the confluence of two rivers, Arkansas Post has served as a gathering place for many cultures throughout human history - it represents cultural cooperation, conflict, synthesis, and diversity.
ArkansasNational River
Buffalo
Established in 1972, Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. Once you arrive, prepare to journey from running rapids to quiet pools while surrounded by massive bluffs as you cruise through the Ozark Mountains down to the White River.
ArkansasNational Historic Site
Fort Smith
Explore life on the edge of frontier and Indian Territory through the stories of soldiers, the Trail of Tears, scandals, outlaws, and lawmen who pursued them. From the establishment of the first Fort Smith on December 25, 1817, to the final days of Judge Isaac C. Parker's jurisdiction over Indian Territory in 1896, Fort Smith National Historic Site preserves almost 80 years of history.
Arkansas · OklahomaNational Park
Hot Springs
Hot Springs National Park has a rich cultural past. The grand architecture of our historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of years. Ancient thermal springs, mountain views, incredible geology, forested hikes, and abundant creeks – all in the middle of town – make Hot Springs National Park a unique and beautiful destination.
ArkansasNational Historic Site
Little Rock Central High School
In 1957, Little Rock Central High School was the epicenter of confrontation and a catalyst for change as the fundamental test for the United States to enforce African American civil rights following Brown v. Board of Education. Learn how the sacrifice and struggle endured by the Little Rock Nine have provided opportunities and opened doors for those seeking education around the world.
ArkansasNational Military Park
Pea Ridge
On March 7-8, 1862, over 23,000 soldiers fought here to decide the fate of Missouri which was a turning point of the war in the Trans-Mississippi. This 4,400-acre battlefield honors those who fought and died on these hallowed grounds. Pea Ridge was the most pivotal Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River.
ArkansasNational Historic Site
President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home
Named for the father who died shortly before his birth, William Jefferson Blythe III later became the 42nd President of the United States. In Hope, the experiences shared with his mother and grandparents in rural Arkansas developed the broad views on race relations, social justice, and public service that defined his presidency and life after the White House. For Bill Clinton, "Hope was home."
ArkansasDestination directory sourced from NPS state listings, October 3, 2026. Official NPS directory
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