Big Chalybeate Spring

Garland County, Arkansas · Near Hot Springs National Park
34.5420°N, 93.0240°W · 689 ft
79°F 75°F air · Good soaking weather 689 ft Roadside Camping nearby (14.0 mi)

Big Chalybeate Spring rises in Garland County, Arkansas, inside the town of Hot Springs National Park itself. The water comes out tepid, below body temperature, so it is a spring you visit to see. It has a USGS site record and a 1972 chemistry sample showing low dissolved solids and a neutral pH. Public access and land ownership are not in the record.

Location

Roadside. The file puts it about 140 feet from the nearest road, so there is no walk to speak of. Elevation is low. The climate is mild and wet, with a lot of rain and hardly any snow. The file lists Brady Mountain for camping, some fourteen miles off.

Best months in the file are December through February. There is no access status, so assume nothing about walking up to it; it is in town, and town rules apply. No fee is listed. There is a photo in the record.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Big Chalybeate Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around Big Chalybeate Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Big Chalybeate Spring
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the east.
Highest ground nearby
235 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
67 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 3% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
42°
Jan
46°
Feb
54°
Mar
62°
Apr
70°
May
79°
Jun
82°
Jul
81°
Aug
76°
Sep
64°
Oct
52°
Nov
45°
Dec
Annual Precip: 50.9 in Annual Snow: 3.5 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 42°F · Water 79°F · +37° contrast
February Air 46°F · Water 79°F · +34° contrast
December Air 45°F · Water 79°F · +34° contrast
January offers 40°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
75°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 89% Good soaking weather
Today 96° Low 73° Sunny 6% precip
Wednesday 96° Low 73° Sunny 3% precip
Thursday 95° Low 70° Sunny 1% precip
Friday 96° Low 70° Sunny 1% precip
Saturday 95° Low 70° Sunny 3% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1972-01-27

The water at Big Chalybeate Spring is neutral (pH 7.2) with 196 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 7.2 Neutral
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 67 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 3 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 1 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 7 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 2 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Brady Mountain 14.0 mi away

Overview Brady Mountain Campground delights visitors with its family-friendly facilities, fabulous views and idyllic placement on Arkansas's Lake Ouachita. The lake attracts visitors who come for the crystal clear waters and bountiful fishing opportunities. Click here for the Lake Ouachita Virtual Tour. Recreation A unique way to explore the lake is to follow the Geo-Float Trail, coined as the first water-based interpretive trail included in the National Trails System. The self-guided boat...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
79°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 79°F (26°C)
Avg Air Temp 63°F
Above Ambient +16°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 141 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Big Chalybeate Spring?
Big Chalybeate Spring has a water temperature of 79°F (26°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Big Chalybeate Spring located?
Big Chalybeate Spring is located in Garland County, Arkansas at 689 feet elevation, near Hot Springs National Park. Coordinates: 34.5420°N, 93.0240°W.
How do I get to Big Chalybeate Spring?
Big Chalybeate Spring has Roadside road access (141 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Big Chalybeate Spring?
Yes, Brady Mountain is located nearby (14.0 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Big Chalybeate Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.2 (neutral). Total dissolved solids measure 196 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS