There’s a fascinating story flowing beneath the winding streets and Victorian buildings of Eureka Springs. Long before the town became known for its galleries, restaurants, festivals, and architecture, visitors came for the area’s many natural springs.

Today, exploring the historic springs in Eureka Springs offers a wonderful way to discover the town at a slower pace. Many are tucked into small parks and gardens along or near Spring Street. The many springs turn a walk through the historic district into a treasure hunt into the community’s unusual past.

Best of all, the springs make an easy addition to a Beaver Lake getaway. Spend a few hours exploring Eureka Springs, stop for lunch and a little shopping downtown. Afterwards, return to Sugar Ridge Resort for a peaceful evening overlooking the lake.

The Springs That Built Eureka Springs

Eureka Springs was quite literally built around its water. Stories about the healing qualities of the local springs drew increasing numbers of visitors during the 19th century, with Basin Spring becoming the center of the growing settlement.

In 1879, publicity surrounding the purported healing of Judge J.B. Saunders helped transform the remote Ozark location into a booming health resort. Eureka Springs was founded that July, and the population grew remarkably quickly as health seekers arrived in search of the waters.

Historical sources eventually identified as many as 63 springs within the city limits. Although no one visits today expecting the miraculous cures promoted during the Victorian era, more than a dozen of the historic springs have been restored and preserved as reminders of the water that helped create the town.

Start at Basin Spring Park

There’s no better place to begin than Basin Spring, the best known of the historic springs in Eureka Springs and the heart of the town’s origin story.

Today, Basin Spring Park sits in the middle of downtown, surrounded by shops, restaurants, galleries, and historic architecture. The park’s stone terraces and band shell make it a natural gathering place, just as the spring itself drew visitors more than a century ago.

Take a few moments to explore the park before heading up Spring Street. From here, several other historic springs can be incorporated into a leisurely walk through town.

Discover Crescent Spring

Continue along Spring Street to Crescent Spring, one of the most picturesque stops on a tour of Eureka Springs’ historic waters. A restored Victorian-style gazebo shelters the spring, while stonework and landscaping create a peaceful pocket park along the hillside.

Crescent Spring takes its name from the crescent-shaped rock formation behind it. Interpretive signage helps tell the story of the spring and the era when visitors traveled considerable distances in hopes of benefiting from Eureka Springs’ celebrated waters.

It’s also a good example of what makes exploring the springs so enjoyable today. You don’t have to make them the sole purpose of your afternoon. They become quiet discoveries along the way as you explore the historic district.

Step Down to Sweet Spring

Sweet Spring offers a very different setting. Located along Spring Street near the post office, the spring is reached by descending a small staircase into a stone enclosure.

Known historically as Spout Spring, the site was once used for baptisms before stonework was constructed around it during the 1880s. Mature trees and greenery add to the secluded atmosphere, despite its location within the historic district.

The unusual setting makes Sweet Spring particularly photogenic and well worth adding to your walk.

Find Grotto Spring

Perhaps the most atmospheric of the historic springs in Eureka Springs is Grotto Spring. Rather than a gazebo or open park, the spring occupies a small grotto built into the hillside.

Look above the entrance and you’ll find the words “Esto Perpetua,” Latin for “let it be perpetual,” reflecting the early hope that the waters would continue flowing forever. Stonework was added around the spring as Spring Street was developed in the late 19th century, creating the distinctive setting visitors see today.

It’s a small stop, but that’s part of its charm. Eureka Springs rewards visitors who notice the unexpected places tucked away between its streets, buildings, and hillsides.

Make a Day of Exploring Eureka Springs

You don’t need a rigid itinerary to enjoy the springs. Begin at Basin Spring Park and follow Spring Street, allowing the historic waters to guide you through some of the most interesting parts of town.

Along the way, stop to browse local galleries and shops, admire the Victorian architecture, or settle in for lunch at one of downtown Eureka Springs’ many restaurants. Comfortable shoes are a good idea. The city’s famously steep streets and stairways are part of its charm, but you’ll know you’ve explored them by the end of the day.

Visitors interested in going farther can seek out additional historic sites, such as Harding Spring and Magnetic Spring. They may also simply follow whichever winding street catches their attention.

From Historic Springs to Beaver Lake

One of the pleasures of staying at Sugar Ridge Resort is being able to enjoy two very different sides of the Ozarks in a single getaway. Historic Eureka Springs offers fascinating stories, art, architecture, shopping, dining, and plenty of places to explore. Beaver Lake, on the other hand, provides the space to slow down and reconnect with nature.

After discovering the historic springs in Eureka Springs, retreat to your cabin or suite at Sugar Ridge Resort. Relax on the porch, watch the changing light over Beaver Lake, and enjoy one of the area’s spectacular sunsets.

It’s a fitting end to a day spent discovering the water, history, and natural beauty that make this corner of Northwest Arkansas so unique.

FAQ: Historic Springs in Eureka Springs

How many natural springs are there in Eureka Springs?
Historical accounts eventually identified as many as 63 springs within the city limits. More than a dozen have been restored, and several can be visited while exploring the historic district.

What is the most famous spring in Eureka Springs?
Basin Spring is the best known and played a central role in the founding and rapid growth of Eureka Springs during the late 19th century. Today it is surrounded by Basin Spring Park in the heart of downtown.

Can you walk to the historic springs in Eureka Springs?
Yes. Several springs, including Basin, Crescent, Sweet, and Grotto Springs, can be incorporated into a walking exploration of the historic district. Eureka Springs is very hilly, however, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Can you drink from the springs in Eureka Springs?
The springs are best enjoyed today as historic and scenic attractions rather than sources of drinking water. Modern understanding of the area’s karst geology means untreated spring water should not be assumed safe to drink.