Arkansas is known as "The Natural State" these days. When I was a kid, it was called "The Land of Opportunity", but I guess we decided there was more Nature here than Opportunity...  Unless of course you're looking for the opportunity to fish, hunt, hike, camp, boat and swim, and enjoy countless other outdoor activities - then the tag-line still applies!

I'm sure lots of states claim "If you don't like the weather, wait five-minutes and it will change..." - but that was never more true than in Arkansas.  There's a 149-degree difference between our record high-and-low temperature ( 120-F / --29-F : See this site )

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Hot Springs ...

Likewise, I'm sure most places claim to have a "long and colorful history" - but there's no doubt we have that, too.  Thermal mineral water really does bubble up from springs almost too hot to put your hand in, and it's entirely likely that the Paleo-Indians of this area could have made use of the springs over 10,000 years ago, as their Pre-Columbian descendants certainly did when DeSoto became the first European to visit Arkansas in 1541.  (He also died here in Arkansas - serves him right.)

In the late 1800s - early 1900s "natural" health cures became popular for those who could afford to travel to these supposedly healthy places - and the natural thermal waters of our hot springs had already obtained almost mythical status.  As quick as the railroads and stagecoaches could bring them here, a "resort" was born.

And it's still very much a resort today, with millions of yearly visitors coming for not only the mineral water that continues to flow from the mountainside, but for our wonderful outdoor recreation resources as well.  There's also thoroughbred racing and other gaming at Oaklawn Park, family fun at Magic Springs & Crystal Falls, and much more...   Visit HotSprings.org for more information.

You can see photos from around the area in my Gallery ... Look for the Around Town and Diamond Lakes Galleries in particular.  I also love to Paint the Town!