Hot Springs Village: Gateway to the Ouachitas
Hot Springs Village might be the largest gated community in the United States, but its gates beckon, not rebuff. Every day, greeters at the east and west gates welcome visitors from all over the country to this charming Arkansas hamlet, located just 15 miles north of Hot Springs.
Its placement in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, among 12 beautiful lakes, makes HSV one of the most beautiful communities in Arkansas and one with boundless opportunities for recreation. From world-class golf and tennis to fishing and waterskiing to pickleball and mountain biking — there’s something for everyone within its 26,000 acres.
Established in 1970, Hot Springs Village was created to form a tight-knit community of active people who wanted to surround themselves with the beauty of the Natural State. Fifty years later, the thriving village is exactly that to more than 15,000 residents. Even with 8,500 homes, the Village is still only a third built-out, with thousands of acres reserved for green space within the gates.
Vacationers rent houses close to the lakes, which boast crystal-clear water surrounded by verdant trees and wildlife. There are also fabulous rental properties with golf course views and an RV park.
Paddleboarding is a popular activity on Lake Balboa, Hot Springs Village's largest lake.
(See Hot Springs Village: By the Numbers)
About 20 restaurants serve delicious and diverse fare — from festive Mexican food at El Jimador to good times with live music at Beehive Neighborhood Hangout. Visitors also love to dine at the eateries with a view, like Granada Grill, which overlooks Granada Golf Course.
HSV's popular Grove Park hosts Rock Porch Sessions that feature live music and much more throughout the year. Two swim beaches draw families for fun in the sun. Farmers and artisan markets offer fresh food and crafts seasonally. Thirty miles of biking and hiking trails showcase Hot Springs Village’s natural beauty; and the Parks and Recreation department provides outdoor adventures in the form of hikes, nature tours, fishing classes, lake and river kayaking, and trail biking.
VISIT LIKE A LOCAL
► Hot Springs Village visitors may enter through the west and east gates. All other gates are for residents and require card access. Be sure to follow directions to the Highway 7 West Gate or Highway 5 East Gate, if you do not have a gate card.
► This Ouachita Mountains hamlet is so alluring that many past visitors have bought a vacation or permanent home there. Explorethevillage.com offers overnight “Discovery Packages” for visitors wanting to see what life is like for residents of this one-of-a-kind community. These packages include customized accommodations, dining and golf (if you’re inclined).
WE RECOMMEND
LODGING & REAL ESTATE
Century 21 H.S.V. Realty
Hot Springs Village Rentals
