Via Quapawbaths.com
Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Framed by the Ouachita Mountains, the 5,500-acre national park became the first area in the country to be granted federal protection for recreation in 1832. Today, there are several ways to enjoy the thermal waters that flow from the 4,000-year-old spring running through the historic resort town of Hot Springs, but none so opulent as Bathhouse Row, a walkway lined with eight architecturally stunning bathhouses. Only two—Quapaw and Buckstaff—are still in operation, providing guests with a suite of soaking and steaming services. The spring water is drinkable, so fill up a reusable bottle at a public fountain, or sip a beer crafted with thermal water at Superior Bathhouse Brewery, the only brewery in a national park.
Courtesy of Warm Mineral Springs Park
Warm Mineral Springs Park
North Port, Florida
An ancient cavern collapsed here more than 30,000 years ago, and the resulting sinkhole formed this colossal pool. Measuring approximately 230 feet across and deep, the National Historic Site draws 150,000 visitors a year to soak and swim in its restorative waters, which maintain an average year-round temperature of 85 degrees. The area was even a prime destination in prehistoric times: Archaeologists and divers have found tools and remains of Paleo-Indians in the pool’s depths, as well as the bones of a giant ground sloth and a saber-toothed cat.
Courtesy of Capon Springs and Farm
Capon Springs and Farms
High View, West Virginia
Open from May to November, this third-generation, family-owned resort is set on 4,700 acres of mountain woodland. Travelers in search of R&R can book an appointment at the property’s Hygeia Bath House & Spa, which features hydrotherapy sessions and three soaking tubs filled with 102-degree water extracted from the eponymous natural springs. Fourteen historic cottages dot the grounds, offering all-inclusive accommodations, while the slate of activities (including fishing, golf, and six hiking trails overlooking the Shenandoah Valley) are more than enough to keep you occupied.
Courtesy of Hot Springs Resort & Spa
Hot Springs Resort & Spa*
Hot Springs, North Carolina
This Blue Ridge Mountain town’s allure lies not only in its views of the French Broad River and Spring Creek, but also in its outdoor, jacuzzi-style mineral bath experiences. A longstanding oasis for Appalachian Trail hikers and leisure seekers, the resort is strewn with secluded tubs on covered, wooden decks. For greater luxury, opt for one of the cabanas, complete with a sundeck, propane fire pits, and a mineral-water shower. And before heading home, pop in at the retail shop, stocked with hand-crafted soaps, aromatherapy sprays, and use-at-home bath packs made with the same minerals as the springs.
*The resort is temporary closed due to damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Check their website for the latest reopening updates.
Photo by Sunshine Sol
Warm Springs Pools
Hot Springs, Virginia
History and mineral-rich waters converge at these legendary bathhouses, whose original limestone basin, built in 1761, was the first spa structure in the U.S. Surrounded by a circular frame and crowned with a dome and central oculus, the famed pools have attracted many renowned guests, such as Thomas Jefferson and Franklin Roosevelt. Today the property is run by the Omni Homestead Resort, which undertook a $4 million restoration effort in 2022 to bring the bathhouses back to their Colonial-era splendor. Now, with a reservation, visitors can settle in for a well-being boost in both pools, known for being a reliable 98 degrees and having a flow of 1,700,000 gallons a day.
This article appears in the Fall 2024 issue of Southbound.
