Hiking in hot springs arkie?

[markstanco 12,570]

19 anniversary next weekend. We have a 16 and 13 year old and bribed the 16 to keep tabs on the young one so we are planning on a 36ish hour trip.

 

Yes I have Google and see a lot of trails but just curious on input. In a scale of 1-5, 5 being hardest, we would take a 4 but prefer a 3. Also hotel choices? I hear The Arlington is dogshit now.

[Mitch Cumsteen 18,547]

I went a couple of years ago with the kids. Booked an airbnb directly on lake Hamilton and then drove into town whenever we wanted. Highly recommend.

There are a million places to hike. I can't remember the specific trails we went on. The ones that were directly up the mountain right behind Hot Springs were just okay, very manicured and crowded. We drove out 45 minutes for a better hike. I just googled it, and I think it was Lake Ouachita? If that was it, then it's fantastic.

[C-Man 27,182]

My kids used to go to Camp Ozark so my wife and I have done Hot Springs to death on pickup runs. I thought I'd heard they'd done a little updating to The Arlington but maybe not. The Waters is right up the street and is much, much nicer. We stayed there the last time, which was probably 3-4 years ago.

Can't help you on the hiking -- we did the hike up the hill from The Arlington the first year we went. Made the decision to do it in flip-flops based on the dude at hotel saying it was no big deal. That was a monumental mistake. If we were to go back, I'd probably stay out at Lake Hamilton.

Personally, I think I'd do a cabin at Broken Bow or something instead of Hot Springs.

[yoladu 4,090]

went 3 years ago. We stayed at the Arlington and it was fine. Yeah, it could use a refresher, but I am a sucker for old grand hotels.

Again, the hikes in the park are fine, but not awe inspiring or anything. The town is a bit of a downer - lots of closed shops/stores along the Main street - maybe victims of covid - we were there about a year and half into it.

we also did a short stay in Eureka Springs and did a day hike at Lake Leatherwood which was really nice. If i had to go back in that area, i would do Eureka Springs again. Stayed at another lovely old hotel - The Crescent - built in 1886.