Overview
A small spring with a big “this is real” feel
Dripping Spring (Hot) is one of the named thermal features you can visit on the developed side of Hot Springs National Park. It’s not a resort and it’s not a hidden pool. It’s a spring outlet you reach by walking the park’s promenade routes, where the point is observing the thermal system and feeling the water briefly.
What you’ll notice first
The contrast. Cool forest shade, historic stonework, then hot water where you don’t expect it. If you’re new to Hot Springs, this is a clean way to understand why the bathhouse city exists at all.
Plan it as part of a walk
On its own, this is a short stop. It works best when you treat it as a waypoint on the Grand Promenade, paired with other springs and the Bathhouse Row corridor.
Location & Access
Where it is
Dripping Spring (Hot) is within the central developed area of Hot Springs National Park, commonly reached via the Grand Promenade walk above Bathhouse Row.
How to get there
Most visitors start near Central Avenue (Bathhouse Row) and walk up onto the promenade routes. Expect paved paths, historic stairs in places, and short connectors rather than a wilderness trailhead. This is a walk you can do in regular shoes.
Road and parking notes
Park where you can downtown and commit to walking. Re-parking close to the promenade entrances can be harder than it looks when the town is busy.
What to bring
Shoes with traction, water, and a light layer. The promenade can feel hotter than you expect in summer, and cooler and damper in winter shade. If you like reading context, bring a few minutes of patience for interpretive signs and historic details along the way.
Seasonality
Year-round, but rain makes stone and brick surfaces slick. In peak summer heat, go early, the walk is more pleasant and you’ll avoid the densest crowds near Bathhouse Row.
Suitability & Accessibility
This is best for people who want a true hot-spring visit without the commitment of a paid bath. It’s also a good fit for visitors who like historic parks where the “attraction” is a system, water, geology, infrastructure, not a single pool.
Families
Yes, with supervision. Kids tend to want to touch and splash. Here, you keep the contact brief and controlled, because hot water and slippery edges are real hazards.
Mobility realities
The Grand Promenade area is developed, but the route you choose matters. Some approaches include stairs and grades, and surfaces can be uneven or wet near spring outlets. If you need step-free routing, plan around what you can comfortably manage and keep the goal simple: a safe look, a quick touch, then back to flatter ground.
Expectations vs reality
You’re not soaking. You’re seeing and feeling thermal water in context. If you want a longer “water time,” pair this with a bathhouse experience elsewhere in your itinerary.
Safety & Etiquette
Do not treat it like a bath
This is a spring feature, not a pool. Don’t wade, don’t wash, and don’t pour water over yourself. The safest visit is brief contact and clear boundaries.
Burn and slip risk
Thermal water can burn, and wet stone can drop you fast. Touch with a fingertip, keep your weight back from edges, and don’t lean in for photos on slick surfaces.
Aerosols and inhalation caution
Hot Springs National Park notes Legionella has been identified in some water samples and that inhaling aerosolized water can present illness risk for some people. Don’t splash or create mist. If you’re immunocompromised or cautious, keep your face back from steam and treat the stop as “look, don’t linger.”
Etiquette
Give others space, especially on narrow promenade segments. Keep dogs close if you have them, and don’t block access while you organize bags or take multiple takes of the same photo.
FAQs
Can you soak at Dripping Spring (Hot)?
No. It’s a thermal feature you visit to observe and briefly touch, not a bathing location.
How do you reach Dripping Spring (Hot)?
Most visitors walk from the Bathhouse Row area onto the Grand Promenade routes. It’s a short walk on developed paths, not a backcountry hike.
Is it safe to touch the water?
Touch briefly and cautiously, thermal water can burn. Avoid splashing or creating mist.
Any health or air-quality cautions?
The park notes Legionella has been identified in some water samples and warns that inhaling aerosolized water can pose risk for some people. Keep your face back from steam and avoid misting actions.
How long should I plan for this stop?
Think minutes, not hours. It works best as a waypoint on a longer promenade walk through the park’s downtown thermal corridor.