The Buckstaff Bathhouse is a historic gem, over 100 years old, and well-known for its soaking treatments. While many people stop by for a single session, I wanted to take a different approach—testing out the prolonged, multi-week soaking programs to see how repeated treatments would affect my body and mind. Here’s my full review of the soaking program experience.
What led me to try the soaking program
After experiencing the hot springs at the Buckstaff in 2024 and loving it, I went on a hot springs exploration tour, reviewing hot springs around the country like Snively Hot Springs in Oregon, Crystal Springs in Utah (Richest Mineral Content in The World), and Lava Hot Springs in Idaho.
Each time, I noticed benefits from soaking, and it got me thinking: I should return to Arkansas and really test out one of the longer wellness programs at the Buckstaff, committing to several weeks to see how my body and mind would respond.
Over the years, I’d been dealing with an overactive nervous system, chronic pain, and anxiety—so I was curious what kind of benefits I’d experience, if any.
The hot springs at Buckstaff are naturally rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and lithium, which are thought to support circulation, muscle and nerve function, and relaxation—so I was hopeful that repeated soaking might provide more than just a moment of relief.
This is how it went.
My visits
The Buckstaff offers several packages and you may want to inquire with them to see the most updated pricing. But here were the rates as of spring 2025.
- 6 Baths = $190 / 6 Massages = $200 / Combined = $390
- 7 Baths = $228 / 7 Massages = $240 / Combined = $468
- 12 Baths = $380 / 12 Massages = $400 / Combined = $780
- 14 Baths = 456 / 14 Massages = $480 / Combined = $936
- 18 Baths = $570 / 18 Massages = $600 / Combined = $1170
When you purchase a plan, you get a card for bath sessions and a card for massages, which you can use back-to-back (at the same time) or separately. The office will hold your card and they never expire (they literally have cards from decades ago!) I went with the largest package since I knew I’d be coming multiple times a week.
The packages also let you bring in one guest each time you visit. Unfortunately, you don’t get VIP access so you have to wait in line like everyone else.
I went about two to four times a week but some people prefer to go every day. I’d recommend giving yourself a break from the sessions after 2 or 3 but that’s just me.
What to expect in the treatments
Here’s what a typical treatment looks like.
You start by undressing—most people go completely nude, though you can wear swim shorts if you prefer. Then you’re taken to a tub to soak for about 20 to 30 minutes in water that’s around 104 degrees, though it can vary a bit each time. You can have someone scrub you with a loofah, but I usually just closed my eyes and soaked.
After that, they help you out of the tub and guide you to the Sitz Bath. You’re lowered almost to the ground in a squatting position while warm water runs over your lower back and hips. It’s a surprisingly effective way to loosen up your body.
Next comes the steaming closet—a chamber where your head sticks out and it gets extremely hot. There are two types of machines: one heats up very quickly, the other a bit slower, but both can be intense. Sessions usually last only three minutes or so.
From there, you move to a table where you lie down while they wrap you in warm or cold compresses—anywhere on your body or even over your head—and you relax for about 20 minutes. Afterward, you can opt for a 20-minute massage. It’s short, but combined with the hot springs soak, it’s incredibly relaxing.
If you’re coming in multiple times a week, like I did, you might notice small differences each visit: different attendants, slightly different water temperatures, or whether someone hands you a warm or cold cup of water. Once you find attendants or massage therapists you like, you can request them for future sessions, which helps make the experience even better.
When I started to notice the benefits
It took about a week or two before I really started noticing the benefits.
After each session, I would come out feeling completely, utterly relaxed—more than I’d felt in years. My nervous system felt calm, almost blank, like it had finally hit the “off” switch. I had this extra mental space and clarity, and it just felt… really, really good.
And I noticed dramatic effects on anxiety.
There was one session where my anxiety was really high—probably an eight out of ten. I hadn’t felt it like that in a long time, and I was thinking, “Oh man, here we go.” I went through the full session, and by the time I was walking out of the Buckstaff, my anxiety had completely dropped to zero. And that’s rare—most of the time, you can dial it down a bit, but to go completely flat? Anyone who’s dealt with anxiety knows how unusual that is. That’s when I realized there was really something to this.
I kept going back for weeks—about two months in total—and by the midpoint, I was noticing some major changes.
What really stood out was a mental clarity I hadn’t experienced in years. It felt like I had rinsed my mind clean, reset it over and over, until I was calm, collected, and just… clear. That clarity made me notice things in my life that needed fixing—not denial, exactly, but things I’d been putting off or ignoring. And addressing those things released a lot of tension I hadn’t even realized I was carrying.
The mental clarity I gained from these treatments ended up restoring a lot of order in my life. I never expected it, but it set me on a different course. That summer, I ended up staying in Leadville, Colorado—the highest city in the U.S.—and spent my days climbing in the Rockies, summiting another 14er, and exploring other hikes.
Later, I went to Utah, hiking through Zion National Park and exploring canyons. I felt extremely active, engaged, and just… really good. I know a lot of that had to do with the reset I got from the hot springs treatments. And that anxiety I talked about? It’s been dormant ever since.
Maximizing your soaking experience
Here are a few tips to maximize your experience.
Don’t take a warm shower before! To clean up, I took a hot shower (at my place) before doing the treatments and I almost passed out from the heat! Try to stay cool before heading in.
If you’re open to the traditional experience, I highly recommend going nude—it’s the ultimate way to relax in hot springs. After a couple of visits, it just becomes natural. Plus, you have a (small) towel you can use for privacy.
Occasionally, there are tourists who are loud or don’t respect the vibe, but most people understand the need for quiet and focus. Try not to let other people throw you off.
During my sessions, I’d close my eyes, meditate, and focus on my breathing to maximize the relaxation. You don’t have your phone, there’s no distractions, so it’s a great time to be present and relax.
While in Hot Springs, I drank plenty of the spring water, filling my cup at the stations throughout the bathhouse. I have no science to back me up, but it feels like hydrating with that spring water helped improve my results.
Everyone’s experience is different, but for me, combining the baths, wraps, massages, and a meditative mindset made the treatment incredibly restorative.
If you’re someone with an overactive nervous system, anxiety—or just have a lot going on and feel like your mind is in chaos—this kind of treatment can be a great way to reset and get back to baseline.
I will say, my only drawback was doing it in March and April. April ended up being stormy, with tornado warnings and record rainfall, which was stressful and probably canceled out some of the benefits. It was fun but also a bit exhausting so I’d prefer to visit in a tamer time of year.
That said, Hot Springs itself makes the experience even better.
Bathhouse Row has a historic, nostalgic vibe that’s fun to explore, and the town is great for strolling. There are mountains—or hills, however you want to call them—with solid hiking options, which is perfect if, like me, you’re trying to stay active while rehabilitating an injury or symptom.
In my case, my nerve pain in my feet and legs was worse, so I was trying to take it easy while still moving, and this was the perfect place for that. Watching the springs come to life in the springtime was beautiful, and there are plenty of good places to eat nearby as well.
If you’re thinking of committing to this kind of wellness experience, a week or two is ideal—two weeks being best if you can swing it. Some people go every day, but for me, spacing out sessions worked better. Even just stepping away for a few days and coming back made the sessions feel especially restorative.
One practical note: extreme weather or government shutdowns, like National Park Service closures, can temporarily close the bathhouse, so keep that in mind when planning. Otherwise, it’s an amazing place, and I highly recommend it.
Final word
The Buckstaff Bathhouse is more than just a historic hot springs—it’s a full-service wellness experience that rewards commitment. From my perspective, the combination of baths, wraps, and massages, paired with mindful breathing and soaking routines, delivered noticeable benefits over time. I experienced deep relaxation, reduced anxiety, and a mental clarity I hadn’t felt in years.
Sessions are structured, professional, and customizable, and the staff is attentive and accommodating. The historic setting adds a unique charm, and the layout of Bathhouse Row makes it easy to stroll, explore, and even combine with light outdoor activity.
For anyone dealing with stress, chronic tension, or simply looking for a restorative wellness routine, I’d rate the Buckstaff very highly. The benefits were cumulative—the more consistently I attended, the more pronounced the effects. While extreme weather or closures can occasionally affect access, the overall experience is organized, repeatable, and highly effective.
In short: If you’re willing to commit to multiple visits, the Buckstaff delivers a reliable, professional, and transformative hot springs experience that goes beyond simple relaxation.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
