home Plan Your Hot Springs Golf Trip in 60 Seconds Historic spa town golf in the Ouachita Mountains
Hot Springs is an underrated golf trip gem — solid mountain courses at low prices, legendary Bathhouse Row for recovery, and Oaklawn racing for a gambling fix. The national park setting adds a unique backdrop, and the lower costs mean you can play more rounds and eat more steak. Old-school Americana with legit golf.
The best courses, bars, and rentals in Hot Springs — curated for groups.
5 coursesSpring, Fall LIT (60 min drive)10-50k population
Courses Where to Stay house Sleeps 10-16
$400-$1200/night
Lake Hamilton waterfront
lake views hot tub fire pit game room deck grill
lodge Sleeps 12-18
$500-$1400/night
Ouachita Mountain area / west of town
mountain views hot tub fireplace outdoor kitchen screened porch
Dining
The Ohio Club $$$ steakhouse Oldest bar in Arkansas (1905) now serving steaks — Al Capone used to hang here. Live blues most nights.
4.5 stars
McClard's Bar-B-Q $ bbq Legendary since 1928 — Bill Clinton's favorite BBQ spot with ribs, tamales, and a secret sauce recipe
4.4 stars
Fisherman's Wharf $$ seafood Lake Hamilton waterfront spot with catfish, crawfish, and sunset views from the dock
4.3 stars
Rolando's Nuevo Latino Restaurante $$ mexican Cuban-Latin fusion in a converted bungalow — creative dishes, strong margaritas, and a cult following
4.6 stars Nightlife
The Ohio Club Late Night whiskey bar Oldest bar in Arkansas with original 1905 mahogany bar, live blues, and serious whiskey collection
Maxine's Live Late Night dive Live music venue in a former bathhouse-era bordello — rock, blues, and cheap drinks in a historic space
Superior Bathhouse Brewery brewpub The only brewery inside a national park — craft beer brewed with Hot Springs thermal water. Not a joke.
The Arlington Lobby Bar cocktail Grand hotel lobby bar with old-school cocktails and a cigar-lounge feel in the iconic Arlington Hotel
Activities Bathhouse Row Soaking spa 2-3 hours $30-$75/pp
Soak in natural thermal springs at Buckstaff or Quapaw bathhouses — the ultimate post-round recovery
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort casino half day $20-$100/pp
Live thoroughbred racing Jan-May, full casino year-round — perfect for a group gambling session
Lake Hamilton Boat Rental boat rental half day $35-$65/pp
Pontoon or ski boat on Lake Hamilton — 7,000 acres of warm-water lake with coves and swimming spots
Hot Springs Mountain Tower Hike hiking 2-3 hours $8-$12/pp
Short hike through Hot Springs National Park to the observation tower — 140-mile views from the top
Lake Ouachita Fishing fishing half day $80-$150/pp
Guided bass and striper fishing on crystal-clear Lake Ouachita — 40,000 acres and 690 miles of shoreline