How to Get to Hot Springs: Airports, Access, and Transportation
Hot Springs National Park has a feature no other American national park can claim: it's literally woven into the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas. There are no gates or entrance booths to pass through. You drive along Central Avenue, park, and you're in the park. Little Rock's airport is still the most convenient, about 56 miles east, or an hour's drive away.
Airports around the park (5)
- Airport Memorial Field Airport HOT · 4 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Field LIT · 50 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field ELD · 91 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Texarkana Regional Airport (Webb Field) TXK · 91 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Fort Smith Regional Airport FSM · 93 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Where to Fly: Which Airport Serves Hot Springs
The Regional Airport: Hot Springs Memorial Field (HOT)
Hot Springs has its own airport, Hot Springs Memorial Field (IATA code: HOT). It's ideal on paper, just minutes from downtown, but it offers almost no regularly scheduled commercial flights. Save this option for private or charter flights. For everything else, head to Little Rock.
The Main Hub: Little Rock (LIT)
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock (IATA code: LIT) is the practical choice. American, Delta, United, and Southwest operate daily service from Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Houston, and New York. From the terminal, follow I-30 west and then US-70 for about 56 miles. You'll be parked in front of Bathhouse Row in about an hour.
For a longer road trip through the South, Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) is worth considering. About 310 miles away, or a five-hour drive, this hub offers an especially broad range of transatlantic flights. Memphis (MEM) is a third option, about 168 miles away, or a three-hour drive.
Getting to Hot Springs from France
No airline flies directly from Paris to Little Rock. You'll have to connect through a U.S. hub. The most common routes from Paris-CDG are:
- Via Atlanta (ATL): Air France and Delta operate daily flights, with a Delta connection to LIT afterward. That's the routing we recommend first.
- Via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW): American Airlines flies from CDG, with a connection to Little Rock. If you're planning a road trip through the South or Central U.S., flying into Dallas and driving north to Hot Springs is a solid option.
- Via New York or Chicago: These versatile hubs offer connections to Little Rock on American, United, or Southwest.
Plan on 12 to 16 hours of door-to-door travel from Paris, including the layover. For entrance fees and national passes, the National Parks Entrance Fees & Passes page has the essential information.
By Car: Distances and Drive Times from Gateway Cities
The road network around Hot Springs is straightforward, and signs pointing to the park are clear once you're in town.
| Starting city | Approx. distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 56 miles | 1 hr |
| Memphis, TN | 168 miles | 3 hrs |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 280 miles | 4.5 hrs |
| Dallas, TX | 310 miles | 5 hrs |
| St. Louis, MO | 404 miles | 6.5 hrs |
| Nashville, TN | 435 miles | 7 hrs |
From Little Rock: Take I-30 west toward Texarkana, then exit 111 for US-70 west. In town, turn right onto Spring Street, then right onto Central Avenue. The park is on your right after Reserve Street.
From Texarkana: Take I-30 east, then exit 78 for AR-7, which leads directly into the heart of Hot Springs.
Hot Springs fits easily into a road trip between Memphis and Dallas, or as a stop on an Arkansas loop. Our Itinerary & Trip Length guide offers practical combinations based on your starting point.
Accessing the Park: An Urban Setting Like No Other
Hot Springs National Park looks unlike any other unit in the U.S. national park system. Its boundaries begin just a few blocks from downtown, and no one stops you at the entrance.
Bathhouse Row and Central Avenue form the main corridor. This is where you'll find Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum, the park's main facilities, and the start of the Grand Promenade.
The roads leading up to the surrounding wooded ridges, including Hot Springs Mountain, North Mountain, and West Mountain, are open to traffic from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Public areas, including Arlington Lawn, the Grand Promenade, and the Bathhouse Row sidewalks, are accessible from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
Entry to the park is free. America the Beautiful passes are accepted for some paid services. The Hot Springs hub has information about park facilities and services.
Getting Around the Park: Driving, Walking, and Parking
Free parking lots line Central Avenue and sit next to the visitor center. During the busy season, including spring and Easter weekends, arrive before 9 a.m. if you want a spot across from Bathhouse Row. For driving inside the park, mountain roads, and walking routes, the Getting Around Hot Springs guide covers the essentials.
Other Options: Car Rentals and Excursions
No park shuttle or direct public transportation connects Little Rock with Hot Springs. Travelers without their own car have two practical options:
- Renting a car at LIT: All the major rental companies have locations at Little Rock airport. This is the most flexible and most common option.
- Organized excursions: A few local operators offer trips from Little Rock. Contact the Arkansas tourism office for an up-to-date list of providers.
If you're traveling in an RV, the campgrounds around Hot Springs and the RV camping guide cover the available sites around the park.
In Summary: The Best Route to the Park from Your Starting Point
From France, the most reliable routing is Paris-CDG to Atlanta or Dallas, then a connection to Little Rock (LIT), followed by 56 miles west by car. Once you reach Central Avenue, there is no entrance gate to pass through. Park your car and you're in the park. From elsewhere in the United States, Hot Springs is a convenient road-trip stop, three hours from Memphis or five hours from Dallas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airport should I use to visit Hot Springs National Park?
The most convenient airport for Hot Springs National Park is Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock (LIT), about 56 miles from the park, or an hour's drive. The local Hot Springs Memorial Field (HOT) offers almost no regularly scheduled commercial flights.
How do I get to Hot Springs from France?
To get to Hot Springs from France, you'll need a connecting flight through a U.S. hub. The most convenient connections from Paris-CDG go through Atlanta, on Air France or Delta, or Dallas/Fort Worth, on American Airlines, followed by a connection to Little Rock. Plan on 12 to 16 hours of door-to-door travel.
How do I drive to Hot Springs from Little Rock?
From Little Rock, take I-30 west, exit 111 for US-70 west, then turn right onto Spring Street and right onto Central Avenue. The park is visible on your right after Reserve Street. The trip is about 56 miles and takes an hour.
Do I have to pay to enter Hot Springs National Park?
No. Entry to Hot Springs National Park is free. There is no entrance booth because the park is integrated into the city. America the Beautiful passes are accepted for some paid park services. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Entrance Fees & Passes page.
What is the best time to visit Hot Springs?
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures for visiting Hot Springs, between 59°F and 77°F. Summers are hot and humid, with heat indexes that can exceed 109°F. Our When to Visit page covers each season in detail.
Where should I stay when visiting Hot Springs National Park?
Hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and campgrounds are available right in town, just a few minutes' walk from the park. Our Where to Stay guide and Hotels & Lodges page point you toward options by budget and trip type.