Pros & cons
PROS
- Striking early‑1900s architecture on Bathhouse Row
- Steps from hot‑spring jug fountains and display springs
CONS
- Closed to the public with no interior access or services
- No on‑site restrooms; use the Fordyce Visitor Center nearby
Overview
Maurice Bathhouse is one of Bathhouse Row’s grand historic buildings—beautiful from the sidewalk, but currently closed to the public. Think soaring arches, open windows, and the elegant bones of an early 20th‑century spa palace. It’s an easy add to any stroll down Central Avenue: admire the facade, then pivot to nearby working bathhouses or the Fordyce museum for interiors you can actually see.
Why it mattered
Opened in 1912 and later remodeled, the Maurice was considered state‑of‑the‑art for its day—three stories, twin elevators, staterooms, a gymnasium, roof garden, and stained‑glass skylights. In the 1930s it added the Row’s only therapeutic pool, used for conditions like arthritis and polio, and over six decades it provided more than 2.5 million baths before closing in 1974.
What you can do now
- Enjoy the exterior architecture as part of a Bathhouse Row walk.
- Feel the thermal water at the Display Spring behind the building, and look for the Maurice Historic Spring Area between the Hale and Maurice (for touching, not soaking).
- Fill bottles at jug/drinking fountains clustered between the Hale and Maurice, or along Reserve Street.
- Need facilities? Use the restrooms in the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center.
Status and what’s next
The Maurice is the only unoccupied historic bathhouse remaining on the Row. It’s undergoing rehabilitation under a park program to restore historic features and upgrade safety, with the goal of preparing it for future commercial leasing. Until a new tenant opens it, plan on exterior viewing only.
Nearby alternatives for a soak
Two bathhouses currently offer spa services: Buckstaff (traditional bathing experience) and Quapaw (modern pools and treatments). For history exhibits and restored rooms, the Fordyce serves as the park’s visitor center and museum.
Best time to visit
If you’re planning to soak elsewhere on the Row, arrive early or choose weekdays—travelers report long waits during busy periods (especially around March). That timing also pairs well with a quick, crowd‑free look at the Maurice’s facade before or after your bath.
Where it is
34.5141, -93.0534Tips for Maurice Bathhouse
- 01Expect exterior‑only viewing—no tours, soaking, or services inside.
- 02Pair your stop with the Fordyce Visitor Center for interiors and restrooms.
- 03Bring a jug to fill at the hot‑spring fountains between Hale and Maurice.
- 04Want to feel the thermal water? Check the Display Spring directly behind.
- 05If you’re soaking at Buckstaff or Quapaw, go early or on weekdays to cut waits.
Near Maurice Bathhouse
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayThermal Water Display PoolsTouchable views of steaming springs and tufa cascadesExhibit · Restroom
0 mi awayDisplay SpringHillside hot spring bubbling just behind Bathhouse RowScenic Viewpoint
0 mi awayHot Springs National Park Visitor Center (Fordyce Bathhouse)Gilded bathhouse museum and the park’s best first stopVisitor Center · Exhibit
0 mi awayGrand PromenadeBrick promenade above Bathhouse Row with springs and historyEasy · 0.7 mi · 18 min
0 mi awayGrand PromenadeBrick stroll with steaming springs and Bathhouse Row viewsScenic Viewpoint · Exhibit
0 mi awaySunset TrailHot Springs’ longest, view-studded backbone with a novaculite showpieceChallenging · 13 mi · 7.5 hr
0.1 mi awayPeak TrailShort, steady climb from downtown to Hot Springs Mountain Tower viewsModerate · 1.2 mi · 42 min
0.1 mi awayTufa Terrace TrailSteaming cascade, tufa cliffs, and a quick climb to the promenade.Easy · 0.3 mi · 24 min
