Friends Of Hot Springs National Park

10/24/2024

Meet B.A.R.K. Ranger Leila 🐾

B.A.R.K. Ranger Leila is sad because not all four-legged visitors to Hot Springs National Park are following the B.A.R.K. Ranger principles. Many dogs seem to forget to remind their human companion about the first letter in the acronym: “Bag your p**p.”

We love that Hot Springs is one of the most dog friendly national parks in the country. However, Leila has asked us to remind our human visitors the importance of picking up after their furry friends.

The “B” in B.A.R.K. is not only meant to maintain the beauty of Hot Springs National Park, but also to prevent the contamination of our water. Dog waste is considered a pollutant, and the harmful bacteria and parasites in p**p can flow into and contaminate our groundwater, creeks, and springs.

Dog p**p can also transmit some of those same parasites and viruses like parvovirus, giardia, and roundworms, to other visiting dogs and to the wildlife that live in the park.

Help us lift Leila’s spirits by following ALL of the B.A.R.K. Ranger principles. In addition to bagging your dog’s p**p, B.A.R.K. Rangers should also always remain on a leash, respect wildlife, and know where to go (and not go!)

Learn more about the B.A.R.K. Ranger program: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/be-a-hot-springs-bark-ranger.htm

Photo: NPS/H. Adams

10/20/2024

10/18/2024

Join the buzz! Bee engaged! 🐝

Hot Springs National Park has 5,500 acres covered with flora, which makes a perfect home to many insect species - especially bees!

Bees play a crucial role in the pollination of trees and plants in the park. Bees and other pollinators are essential for our existence, sustaining agriculture and biodiversity not just here, but worldwide. As we appreciate the beauty and importance of bees in Hot Springs National Park, we must recognize their challenges, such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.

Ways you can “bee” engaged and help a bee out is by spreading awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators among friends, family, and the community. You can also:

🐝 Plant bee-friendly gardens. Choose native plants and attractive crops that provide food for bees. Include a variety of flowers that bloom at different times of the year

🐝 Create bee habitats by setting up bee houses or nesting sites for solitary bees. Create hedgerows and leave nesting sites and patches of bare ground for ground-nesting bees.

🐝 Reduce or change the usage of pesticides and fertilizers. Choose organic and sustainable food options.

🐝 Learn about bee species by exploring the different types of bees in your area! Understand their habitats and needs for survival.

For more information about bees and other crucial pollinators, check out: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/pollinators/index.htm

Photo: NPS

10/17/2024

This Thursday evening, find art in your park

All are invited to the Welcome Reception for Jamie Craddock, the 2024 Hot Springs National Park Artist-in-Residence, hosted by the Friends Of Hot Springs National Park.

The reception will take place at the Ozark Bathhouse Cultural Center on Thursday, October 17, from 5:30 to 7:00pm.

This event is free and open to the public.

Jamie will present several art pieces from her portfolio, including works-in-progress from by her current residency at Hot Springs.

The Ozark Bathhouse currently displays dozens of donated art pieces from the Hot Springs National Park Artist-in-Residence
program.

Come meet Jamie as she follows the tradition of decades of artwork inspired by Hot Springs National Park.

Photo: NPS/DChmill

10/16/2024

We're reopening a few more areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park this week.

Lakeview Drive in North Carolina reopened today. Check out the newly paved road for your next scenic drive! Most trails in the Lakeview area are open.

Smokemont and Deep Creek campgrounds will reopen this Wednesday. Reservations are available at www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/2739

Please check current conditions before any visit to the park: www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

NPS Photo

10/14/2024

The Hot Springs Water Festival returns Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Arlington Lawn! 💧 Celebrate the park’s famous water with fun activities like spring water taste testing, water science demos, and more. Free and open to all, no registration required!
🔗 Read more here: https://www.hotsr.com/news/2024/oct/14/watch-making-a-splash-hot-springs-water-festival/
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10/14/2024

Are you curious about how light pollution affects birds?

Join us Saturday, October 19th from 7:15-8:00pm at the Gulpha Gorge Campground amphitheater for a Ranger program on how light pollution affects birds in Hot Springs National Park. Learn how artificial lighting affects bird behavior, migration, the delicate balance of our ecosystem, all while enjoying the natural beauty of the park!

Learn about the importance of our dark skies and how we can protect our feathered friends. Plus! At the end of the program, you can receive a Junior Ranger Night Explorer Booklet! Upon completion, you will receive a Night Explorer patch!

Whether you’re a birdwatcher or simply interested in conservation, this event is for you! Bring your curiosity and your love for nature!

NPS Photo/ M. Parker

10/12/2024

Although America’s national parks are best known for activities like hiking, camping, scenic driving, and wildlife viewing, you can sometimes add mountain biking to the list!

Bike enthusiasts will be thrilled to know that there are several national parks you can explore on a mountain bike - even a tiny section of Hot Springs National Park! The Pullman Trail, which intersects a portion of the Sunset Trail is the only trail in the park that you can ride your bike on. It connects the national park to the Northwoods Trails system, which is a mountain biker's paradise!

Please note: Bicycles are allowed and welcome to ride on any of the paved roads in the park. Hot Springs Mountain Drive and West Mountain Drive maintain a progressive incline with moderate traffic, so please use caution and plan accordingly. Bicycles are NOT allowed on the Grand Promenade or on the sidewalk in front of Bathhouse Row.

Check out more biking adventures available in Hot Springs: https://www.hotsprings.org/explore/bike-hot-springs/

Photo: Northwoods Trails

10/11/2024

It's giving new career.

Hot Springs National Park is hiring multiple GS-4 Student Trainee Park Guides. Student Trainee positions are designed for anyone 18 years or older while they are actively enrolled in an educational institution.

Are you ready to:
*interact with national and global visitors?
*talk about our remarkable hydrothermal system?
*share the stories of the Great American Spa?
*train alongside an award-winning staff?

Work for Hot Springs and begin your career in the federal service while you're still in school.

This announcement closes October 22nd.

To apply for these positions, go to the USAJobs posting at:

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/813497500

Photo: NPS/SPhan

10/10/2024

Come and check out the Water festival. Visit the Friends of Hot Springs National Park table…find out how you can become involved in the Park.

We love when the air starts cooling and the trees start changing. It means we are approaching peak steam season here in the park. As the hot waters change from liquid to gas, we get some gorgeous views on cool mornings.

Steam season also means it’s time for the Hot Springs Water Festival! 🎉🎉🎉 This year’s free event will take place Saturday, October 26, from 10a to 2p on Arlington Lawn on Historic Bathhouse Row.

The event features interactive activities, educational demonstrations, spring water taste testing, and more. And you’ll be right next to the steamy springs!

The Hot Springs Water Festival is an annual celebration of the thermal waters of Hot Springs National Park through science, history, and good fun. The Festival also brings together conservation-related organizations who manage the state's waters and watersheds.

The event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Come join us!

For more information, check out our Facebook event, here: https://ow.ly/aEOh50TCEnM

If you'd like to volunteer to help with the event, you can sign up here: https://ow.ly/JM4c50TCEnJ

Photo NPS/DChmill