Hot Springs National Park

Photo: Chris Light License: 1

This park is by far the smallest national park by area in the United States. The hot springs flow from the western slope of Hot Springs Mountain, part of the Ouachita Mountain range.

While it was a reservation, the area developed into a well-known resort nicknamed "The American Spa" which attracted not only the wealthy but indigent health seekers from around the world as well.

The National Park was established from Hot Springs Reservation, which was initially created by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1832.