Arkansas: Hot Springs National Park carry questions

[Sinistersixguns]

Anyone (mainly those from Arkansas) have any knowledge/advice on carrying/driving in Hot Springs? I was there a couple years ago (returning in a few weeks), and seem to remember that downtown (near the Arlington) is considered National Park land? Is all of Hot Springs National Park land, or just near bath-house row? What do I need to watch for/ avoid?

Thanks!

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[MarkM]

Go to Hot Springs National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Click on "view map"

The areas shown in green are National Park property.

It looks like most of the town is outside the park but the row of buildings that include the park visitors center are park property.

[jeephipwr]

When I went through CCW classes, the instructor warned us about Hot Springs. He said on the shop side of main street our concealed carry was legal. But if we ventured over to the Spa side, which the Feds own, then we were breaking the law.

He also told us that most of the Rangers on the Fed side, if they noticed someone was carrying, they would politely inform them to get back across the street.

[JAG45]

What they said... With all the twists and turns in the Hot Springs Park system, and getting out of your car on the wrong side unless you are LEO, you are FUBAR'ed.

[DizTbone]

BTW, Hot Springs is the only place in Arkansas where someone has attempted to mug me. Go figure... I never thought about the park question 'cuz I just don't go there... I'd rather go to Little Rock.

Nice reminder of the finer points of the rules. Thanks.

Michael

[DrLewall]

Well so much for worrying abt what to do with the gun while soaking in a bath house..we tend to stay on the west side of the street as thats where all the shops are (it's her thing to shop, not mine..I am more or less her "Protector")

[HotGuns]

What they said... With all the twists and turns in the Hot Springs Park system, and getting out of your car on the wrong side unless you are LEO, you are FUBAR'ed.

Not exactly.

Getting out on the "wrong" side of the road and walking down the sidewalk is no issue as it is still a public sidewalk and it is still legal to carry there. Getting off of that sidewalk and carrying into a prohibited area is where one may get into trouble.

Come to think of it, I'm not even sure that the bathouses are posted as its been awhile since I've been up there. Does anyone know if they are for a fact?

[DrLewall]

I don't ever remember seeing any signs on any of the bath houses..will be down there later this spring and will look..I know that doesn't help right now tho..never really thought abt it.

[Breakdaddy]

I was given the same information that Hotguns is posting. It's legal to carry streetside anywhere in the town proper, but you have to watch for buildings that are federal property.

[JAG45]

Hotguns, I did not mean it literally, only to point out the park itself surrounds the center of the city. There are many nice roads the wind around the hills with a great view of the area. Not to mention the observation tower with a great view that I highly recommend taking the time to see. It is just extremely hard to tell what is in the National Park and what is not. On some roads, you can be driving down them and be in the Park, then the city and then back in the Park and never tell. As usually the case, one should not have any problems if one behaves himself. A public sidewalk is a public sidewalk, but if it is in a National Park, it is still a National Park.

[HotGuns]

but if it is in a National Park, it is still a National Park.

Thats true.
But not all areas in all National Parks are posted.
There would have to be signs everytime you entered and exited it and there arent, in fact, I cant remember even seeing one. As you noted, in Hot Springs, its pretty confusing, but I've never heard of anyone having any problems with it.