Not sure of the route but I recommend LAKE OUACHITA STATE PARK

The tower referenced on a prior response is in Hot Springs NP. Some of the water filling stations are closed (Whittington Ave and Happy Hollow). Also the Fordyce Victors Center in HSNP is closed. As far as the ONF goes, I just drove past the Charlton Rec Area, it is closed. The ONF trails are open. ☺

It is not affected

I'm not a local but when we were there two weeks ago all the trees were still green. I hope that helps a tad bit.

I'm not sure, I did not see any while we were there, sorry I'm not much help !!

Beautiful. Dogwood tress and spring flowers are just as pretty as it comes. Creek should have lot more water too. Enjoy the beauty. I always do.

There are many places to stay, but the National Park is an urban park. The park surrounds the city of Hot Springs. Kind of confusing but it was the first land set aside by the Federal Government in 1832. As for the Ouachita (Wash-it-a') National Forest, the park has a lot of forested areas, but the main attractions are Bathhouse Row and the grand old building downtown. The Park does not have cabins but it does have a very nice campground at Glupha Gorge, that is at 305 Gorge Road. No primitive camping. One small and very nice motel is called Happy Hollow Motel which is in the heart of the Park, Prices are very reasonable. The Ouachita National is mainly west of the city on highway 270 west. There a many access points along that highway but it is not in the National Park but part of the National Forst Service. If you have any more questions contact the City of Hot Springs at 501-321-2277 Visitor Center. Of if I can answer any of your questions just contact me though this website.

My gosh, so many things to do, First take your time and visit Bathhouse Row and then take the 11 or 2 o'clock tours at the Fordyce Bathhouse. Visit the old Superior Bathhouse that has been converted into the first microbrewery and only National Park that has a brewery, they serve a great lunch and dinner. If you arrive on Tuesday take the tour of the oldest Military hospital in the Nation, the old Army Navy. The Fordyce and Army Navy will be closed Thanksgiving Day. The Ohio Club is the oldest bar in Arkansas, but not only a bar but a very good restaurant. If you have sweet tooth stop in at Fatbottom Girls for one of the best cupcakes in America. If you have children go to the newly renovated Mid-America Musem. It is really cool. Just keep in mind that on Thanksgiving Day many places will be closed, call before going.

There is plenty of hiking, you could probably fish, take a boat tour, bird watch and take drives. There are some resorts that offer activities like zip lines. There are several crystal mines you could go visit but they would only take about an hour. Hot Springs doesn't have much to do, but you could spend an afternoon browsing the shops on Bathhouse row, look in the visitors center, go up in the mountain tower, and then go see Maxwell Blade's Magic show in the evening. There really isn't much else in Hot Springs or the surrounding towns except restaurants, maybe bowling or laser tag.