Hot Springs Village is a gated community of more than 26,000 wooded acres on the Garland and Saline county line, about 20 miles north of Hot Springs. Opened in 1970, it has 11 recreational lakes, nine golf courses, and about 15,900 residents (2020 Census).
The feel
Hot Springs Village is often called the largest gated community in the United States. Developer John A. Cooper Sr. bought about 20,000 acres of timberland in 1969, broke ground in February 1970, and opened the village that June. It has grown to more than 26,000 acres of rolling Ouachita foothills, with roads that curve around lakes and fairways. It is not an incorporated city. A property owners' association runs the amenities, and the community has its own police and fire departments inside the gates.
The homes
Most homes sit on wooded lots along winding streets, many with golf course or lake frontage. You will find a broad range: smaller homes and townhouses, houses from every decade since the 1970s, and large custom builds on the water. Vacant lots come up for sale too, so building is an option. Diamante, a private club community inside the gates, has been member-owned since 2018. Ask about slope and access, since the terrain is hilly.
Schools
The village is served by two public school districts: Jessieville and Fountain Lake. Which one serves a home depends on its location within the village, and the county line adds another layer. District boundaries can change, so confirm the exact address with the district before you buy. School campuses sit outside the gates, so factor the drive into your daily routine. Fountain Lake High School is operated by the Fountain Lake district.
Getting around
Arkansas Highway 7 runs along the west side of the village toward Hot Springs, about 20 miles away. The Highway 5 East Gate opens toward Saline County and Benton, and that route is the usual way to Little Rock, roughly 45 to 55 miles from downtown depending on where you start. Driving from the east gate to the west gate alone covers about 15 miles. The village has five main gates and several secondary ones, so pick a home near the gate you will use most.
Life here
The lakes and golf courses are the core of village life. Lake Balboa, at 944 acres, is the largest of 11 recreational lakes. Balboa, Coronado, Cortez, and DeSoto allow water sports, while seven smaller lakes are for fishing and swimming. The nine golf courses are Balboa, Coronado, Cortez, DeSoto, Diamante, Granada, Isabella, Magellan, and Ponce De Leon. DeSoto's clubhouse was designed by E. Fay Jones in 1972. About 30 miles of trails, marinas, a fitness center, and clubs round it out.
Owning here
Every property owner belongs to the Hot Springs Village Property Owners' Association, a private body with a seven-member elected board. The POA levies assessments that fund roads, common property, and amenities, and golf carries per-round and cart fees on top of that. Get the current assessment and any pending changes from the POA before you buy. Property taxes depend on whether the parcel is in Garland or Saline County, so check with the right assessor. The village holds national Firewise recognition, a useful point to raise with insurers.
