Government shutdown impacts portions of Hot Springs National Park

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — The federal government shutdown is rippling far beyond Washington, leaving Arkansas workers, families and tourists caught in the middle.

On Monday, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders directed cabinet secretaries to work with state agencies to determine which programs would be suspended and which employees would be furloughed. As of Oct. 1, agencies that rely on federal funding were forced to pause operations.

Hot Springs officials noted that five of the privately owned bathhouses on Bathhouse Row are still open, as well as the Superior Bathhouse Brewery, The Buckstaff Bathhouse and the Quapaw Baths and Spa.

Additionally, the Fordyce Visitor Center and the Museum on Bathhouse Row are closed, but the Visitor Center operated by Visit Hot Springs in the Hill Wheatley Plaza will be open.

“We can’t learn anything of the history of this place, and we spent over a thousand miles on the road to get here,” one tourist said. “Now we’re disappointed and don’t really know what to do.”

The bathhouses play a major role in Arkansas tourism, fueling an industry that contributes about $1 billion annually to the state’s economy and nearly $190 million in wages.

Some travelers said the closures took away opportunities to connect with the history and culture of Hot Springs

“One of the great things about going is to meet the rangers and stop and shop and learn about local history,” another visitor said. “We are really disappointed we’re not going to have that experience here in Hot Springs.”

Across the state, tourists reported long drives and unanswered calls at federal facilities. Others placed the blame directly on Washington.

“I guess it would be nice if Congress got their act together and took care of business,” one visitor said.

The shutdown — the first in more than seven years — began after Congress failed to reach a short-term funding agreement.