Parking
Use the parking area on West Mountain Drive closest to the West Mountain and Mountain Top junction, then walk the short connector to the loop.
Overview
About West Mountain Trail Loop
West Mountain Trail Loop is a roughly 2-mile circuit in Hot Springs National Park. It follows the North and South sections of West Mountain Trail for about 1.2 miles, then uses a 0.7-mile stretch of Mountain Top Trail to return to the start. The West Mountain tread is gradual; the Mountain Top return adds a real climb. Allow about 90 minutes if you want time to pause at the shelter and take in the view.
Why go
- The gradual gravel traverse and steeper return make a compact, varied loop.
- A shelter and picnic area sit near the Canyon Trail junction.
Heads up
- The Mountain Top return climbs more sharply than the West Mountain sections.
- The route is not ADA compliant.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Hot Springs map
Full mapElevation866–1,083 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
2 active Hot Springs alerts
- CautionPark-wide burn ban in effectA park-wide burn ban is in effect because of high fire danger. - The ban was enacted on August 15, 2026.Official details
- ClosureMaurice Bathhouse closed for renovationsThe Maurice Bathhouse is currently closed for renovations. - Do not plan to use the building during your visit. Check current Bathhouse Row status before visiting.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Hot Springs Tour Guide
Your drive to West Mountain Trail Loop, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Hot Springs National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this trailhead
West Mountain: Town Views and a Stone Shelter0:00 / 0:25
“West Mountain's lower and picnic overlooks are ahead, with views back over Hot Springs.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Hot Springs Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- West Mountain Summit: The Southern View
- The People Behind the Baths
- Whittington Park: Old Bridges and Cold Spring Water
- Fordyce Bathhouse: Beyond the Baths
- 18 audio storiesacross Hot Springs’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor White-tailed Deer, Groundhog, Mexican Long-nosed Armadillo, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 19 trails, 33 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking West Mountain Trail Loop
Across West MountainFrom the Mountain Top junction, the route follows the North section toward the shelter by…
From the Mountain Top junction, the route follows the North section toward the shelter by Canyon Trail, then bends back along the South section. Both West Mountain sections are described as gradual, and the path is packed gravel. The trail crosses a wooded ridge, with the two sections meeting at the far side of the loop.
The Mountain Top returnThe return is the part that changes the effort. This loop uses about 0.
The return is the part that changes the effort. This loop uses about 0.7 mile of Mountain Top Trail, where the elevation changes by roughly 400 feet. It is steeper than the West Mountain sections, so expect a climb or descent depending on which way you walk. Reverse the loop if you'd rather tackle the sharper section first.
A view over Hot SpringsWhere the trees open, Hot Springs Mountain Tower stands out on a distant ridge above the town.
Where the trees open, Hot Springs Mountain Tower stands out on a distant ridge above the town. Keep a little of the grassy slope and overhanging branches in the frame; they give the view a sense of height and place.
Access and rulesStart at the West Mountain and Mountain Top trail junction.
Start at the West Mountain and Mountain Top trail junction. Parking areas are marked along West Mountain Drive near the overlook; walk from the road to the trail junction. A shelter and picnic area sit by the Canyon Trail junction. Dogs are allowed on leash. This route is not ADA compliant.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Hot Springs
71 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
11 sightingsGroundhogMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
12 sightingsMexican Long-nosed ArmadilloMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
16 sightingsTurkey VultureMost seen around noonSighting map
40 sightingsCardinalMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
27 sightingsSummer TanagerMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Hot Springs. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
