The Grand Promenade is a historic, scenic brick walkway in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas.
Grand Promenade trail runs north to south behind and parallel to the historic Bathhouse Row. There are multiple entrances to the trail including a ramp on the north and south ends plus a set of stairs behind the Fordyce and Maurice Bathhouses. The trail is a great place to learn about the rich history of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
One of Arkansas’ nicknames is the Natural State for a reason. There are so many wonderful sights in nature here and it’s a beautiful place to take a stroll. You can also make a hot springs reservation to soak in the waters. We couldn’t on our first visit because the boys weren’t old enough but we want to next time.
Grand Promenade Trail Basics
Under 1 Hour
1 Mile Roundtrip
Out-and-Back
72 Feet
Duration: Under 1 Hour
The Grand Promenade is perfect for a short, relaxing walk while immersing yourself in the unique history and beauty of Hot Springs National Park. The trail can be walked in under one hour.
Distance: 1 Mile Roundtrip
The Grand Promenade is about a half-mile in length. To walk the entire trail and get back to your starting point would be a mile total.
Type: Out-and-Back Trail
This is an out-and-back trail since you walk along the pathway just past Bathhouse Row from one end to the other and then back again.
Elevation Change: 72 Feet
Most of the elevation change on this trail is at either end as you go up the ramp or stairs to the elevated area on a hill behind Bath House Row.
Season: Any
The best time to visit Hot Springs National Park is typically during the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) when the weather is mild and the natural beauty of the park is at its peak. That said, though, the trail can be enjoyed any time of the year, but it will be warm in the summer months and there’s a potential for ice on the coldest days.
Time of Day: Any
While the early morning or late afternoon tends to have more dramatic lighting for photos, you can walk on this pathway any time of the day. In the summer, it gets very warm in the middle of the day.
Amount of Shade: Moderate
Most of the trail is lined with trees, which provide a moderate amount of shade along the pathway.
Difficulty: Easy
Walking along the Grand Promenade is an easy trail. It is short, relatively flat, and lined with bricks.
What Makes Grand Promenade a Great Hike?
Walking along the Grand Promenade is a great way to see a few of the beautiful hot springs that the park is known for. There are a few locations where the water is coming from the ground and flowing over the hillside in a hot water cascade. There are also signs along the way that explain the historical significance of the area and why the natural hot springs here became so popular. They were known for their healing properties, and the old Army Hospital can be seen at the south end of the walkway.
Scenery on the Grand Promenade
Start of the Trail
Starting from the south end at Reserve St., you will be walking past the old Army and Navy Hospital which was the first general hospital in the nation to provide treatment to both Army and Navy patients. Near this entrance, you will be close to the National Park sign, the National Park Service Headquarters for the park, and one of the places where you can fill your water bottle with hot spring water.
Tyler and Ryan touching the hot springs water in Display Pool
Hot water cascading down the hillside
On the Trail
About halfway down the trail, you will get to Display Spring, which is the only open hot spring that is accessible in the park. You will also have a view of many of the historical places in the town.
You’ll also see:
- Mud Hole
- Corn Hole
- Stevens Balustrade
End of the Trail
As you get to the north end of the Grand Promenade near Fountain Street, you will pass the intersection with the Tufa Terrace Trail before coming to Arlington Lawn.
Notable Places on the Hike
Stevens Balustrade Shell Fountain is down a set of stairs about halfway through the hike. This is a hot water fountain where you can drink from the thermal springs or fill your water bottle. The stairway will take you between the Fordyce Bathhouse and the Hale Bathhouse towards Central Avenue.
Our family at Display Spring
The gates to the old Army Navy Hospital building
Grand Promenade Trailhead Information
Park Name: Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park is near central Arkansas in the middle of a bustling small town. This park is a bit different from most, as it runs through the town of Hot Springs with shops, restaurants, and storefronts mixed in with the historic buildings of Bathhouse Row.
Hot Springs National Park is in western central Arkansas, about 50 miles southwest of Little Rock. The closest airport is the one in Little Rock, which is about an hour's drive from the park area. From there, you need to road trip to the park.
Finding the Trailhead
The Grand Promenade has four entry points: Reserve Street Entrance (stairs), Fountain Street (ramp), Stephen’s Balustrade (grand staircase), and an access ramp behind the Fordyce Bathhouse.
Markers Along the Trail
As you walk along the trail, you’ll see interpretive signs that explain the history of the area.
Nearest Restrooms
There are restrooms available in the Hale Bathhouse, Fordyce Bathhouse, and Ozark Bathhouse.
Parking Area
Parking can be a little difficult in this park since there aren’t any designated parking lots for the park and trails through most of it. There is street parking available, or you can park in Exchange Street Parking Plaza which is only a short walk to Bathhouse Row and the Grand Promenade Trail. There is no fee to park in this parking garage. Hot Springs has vehicles through the town, but it is primarily pedestrian traffic.
Other Trails at this Trailhead
Near this trailhead, on the north side, you can also access the Tufa Terrace Trail which leads to the Oertel Trail and the Peak Trail.
Tips for Grand Promenade
- There are many benches along the path to stop and take a rest.
- From the Grand Promenade, you can see the historic town of Hot Springs from above.
- Grand Promenade is a hiking path through the National Park but is also considered a National Recreation Trail. The trail, along with the bathhouses, is considered a National Historic Landmark.
- The only two places to soak in the thermal spring water are Quapaw Bathhouse and Buckstaff Bathhouse.
- Make sure to visit the Fordyce Bathhouse for the park visitors center and view some of the bathhouse rooms that have been restored to their original state.
Accessibility Information for Grand Promenade
Brick
Paved Street Parking
Trail Type: Brick
The trail surface is paver stones and it is typically at least 8 feet wide. There are stairs at the north end of the trail. There is wheelchair ramp access to this trail from Fountain Street or behind Fordyce Bathhouse. The path is lined with benches where you can stop to enjoy the surroundings.
Parking: Paved Street Parking
There is 1 designated accessible space on the paved street parking off of Fountain Street at the north end of the trail. It is van-accessible with striped access aisles.