Hot Springs, Arkansas Nominated Best Destinations for Fall Colors

For those sick and tired of the hot weather, fall is right around the corner. This is my favorite time of the year. There is just something special about the falling leaves, football, pumpkin spice, cool nights, and taking a road trip down a winding mountain road.

USA Today 'Readers' Choice' Top 20 Best Destinations For Fall Colors in 2025

Did you know that in 2024, Hot Springs was ranked third for fall colors in the national ranking by USA Today? This year, historic Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, is once again nominated as one of the Top 20 Best Destinations for Fall Colors in 2025.

Strolling the Historic Grand Promenade in the Heart of Downtown Hot Springs

If you love traveling through Arkansas like me during the fall season, there is nothing like the beauty of the Ouachita Mountains on a cool, crisp fall morning. There are numerous scenic highways and country roads around Hot Springs that are breathtaking in the fall. Whether you enjoy a cup of coffee as you stroll along the Grand Promenade, an amazing brick promenade that overlooks the spa city. There are park benches along the way to stop and admire the scenery and fall colors of the forested trees of the Ouachita Mountains.

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See What Makes Hot Springs, Arkansas So Popular With Tourists

Dip your hand into one of the Hot Springs that gently flow in the surrounding area. The Grand Promenade is a National Recreation Trail that you can walk or drive to the top of the Hot Springs Mountain Tower for a stunning view of the city below. During the fall, especially in October and November, the changing leaves pulsate a vibrant color of red, burnt orange, bright yellow, or golden brown, which is mesmerizing.

Hot Springs is dazzling in the fall with various festivals and events. Hot Springs is home to several beautiful lakes, including Lake Ouachita and Lake Hamilton, to name a few. The scenic drive through the mountains to Lake Ouachita is unbelievable. You may see a deer or eagle along the way.

READ MORE: Maxwell Blade's Last Disappearance Act in Hot Springs

Visit Hot Springs, and USA Today hopes you make the time to visit Hot Springs and vote Hot Springs as one of the Best Destinations for Fall Colors.

Voting is underway, and USA Today readers can vote once per day for Hot Springs until September 8.

See a complete list of the Top 20 Best Destinations for Fall Colors here. For more things to see and do in Hot Springs, visit here.