Hot Springs National Park in Garland County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Pleasure Drive Through Nature

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 21, 2026

1. Pleasure Drive Through Nature Marker

Inscription. Recognizing the health benefits of spending time in nature, many physicians recommended that people taking the thermal baths should also walk, take a carriage or horseback ride, or otherwise get out onto the mountains and immerse themselves in the forest. To accommodate this activity, the first roadway in the park was built in 1877 from downtown to the wooden observatory at the summit of Hot Springs Mountain. The remains of that carriage road lie before you. Through the years, other roads were built on the mountains in the park so visitors could, enjoy the scenic beauty of nature. Switchbacks were incorporated into the drives to allow horses or pedestrians to more easily manage the steep slopes. The first automobiles were allowed on park roads in 1916 on West Mountain, but were limited to certain hours of the day to ensure visitor safety. After 1920, all the roadways in the park were opened to car traffic so motorists could enjoy the scenic vistas.

Caption:
Horseback riders enjoy on of the many trails on Hot Springs Mountain.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas

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Location. 34° 30.91′ N, 93° 3.142′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. It is in Hot Springs National Park. It is on Hot Springs Mountain Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hot Springs National Park AR 71901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Ouachita Mountains.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Thermophiles (a few steps from this marker); Ral Springs (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Quality through Time (within shouting distance of this marker); Strolling the Grand Promenade (within shouting distance of this

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 21, 2026

2. Pleasure Drive Through Nature Marker

marker); Dead Chief Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Ral City (within shouting distance of this marker); Advocate for Nature (within shouting distance of this marker); Erosion Effects (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.