At a Glance
Basin Spring Park
Grotto Spring
6 min
1 mile
Eureka Springs is aptly named for its dazzling collection of over 60 natural springs that bubble from the limestone hillsides, many of which are beautifully preserved in public parks and gardens throughout town.
63 Natural Springs to Explore
One of the most atmospheric is Grotto Spring, located just a two-minute walk (about 0.1 mile) from the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa. Tucked into a stone-lined cavern along Spring Street, Grotto Spring features a staircase descending into a shaded nook where a candle quietly burns inside the grotto. The Latin inscription above—Esto Perpetua (“let it be eternal”)—reflects the town’s reverence for its healing waters, which were once believed to possess curative properties that drew health seekers from across the country.
Continuing along Spring Street, you’ll find the charming Crescent Spring, nestled beneath a Victorian gazebo surrounded by flower beds and native stonework. This spring, like many others in town—including Basin Spring, Harding Spring, and Sweet Spring—is part of the Natural Springs Trail, a walkable journey through history and geology that highlights the very features that gave the town its name. These springs are more than scenic landmarks—they are cultural touchstones that reflect the spiritual and healing legacy of Eureka Springs.
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