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Discover the Mountain Valley Spring Water Factory Tour in Arkansas

The Mountain Valley Spring Water Visitor Center & Factory Tour in Hot Springs, AR, offers a refreshing look at one of America’s most historic and celebrated natural spring water brands. Since 1871, Mountain Valley has bottled its water at the same protected spring site in the Ouachita Mountains — prized for its purity, balance, and naturally occurring minerals.

Visitors can explore the brand’s iconic Visitor Center in downtown Hot Springs and learn how water travels through mineral-rich stone formations before being bottled just outside the city. Guided tours at the nearby bottling facility reveal how Mountain Valley preserves the integrity of its natural spring water through state-of-the-art, eco-conscious bottling processes. The tour ends with tastings of still and sparkling spring waters straight from the source.

Why it’s special:
Mountain Valley is one of the oldest continuously bottled water companies in the United States, served to presidents, celebrities, and even White House state dinners. The tour blends natural history, science, and heritage — a must-visit for wellness enthusiasts and travelers exploring Hot Springs National Park.

History/Story of Mountain Valley Spring Water

Mountain Valley Spring Water was discovered in 1871 in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains. Locals quickly recognized the purity and taste of the spring, and the company began bottling water for health resorts in nearby Hot Springs. By the early 1900s, it had gained national fame as a luxury mineral water brand served in hotels and restaurants across the U.S.

Today, Mountain Valley remains headquartered in Hot Springs, continuing its tradition of bottling premium water at the original spring source. It has won multiple awards for taste and sustainability and is still celebrated as America’s original premium spring water.

What You’ll See & Do on the Mountain Valley Water Tour

Visit the historic Visitor Center in downtown Hot Springs for exhibits and tastings.
Take a guided tour of the bottling facility, where spring water is purified and bottled.
Learn how water is naturally filtered through granite formations in the Ouachita Mountains.
See vintage glass bottles, brand memorabilia, and historical photographs.
Taste still and sparkling waters from the original source.
Browse the gift shop for collectible glass bottles and wellness products.

Hands-On Elements: Guided tasting flights, spring source displays, interactive exhibits on mineral content.

Photo/Video Policy: Photography allowed in the visitor center and select bottling areas.

Souvenirs & Extras:

Gift shop with bottled water, branded glassware, apparel, and vintage merchandise
Historic memorabilia celebrating 150+ years of Mountain Valley heritage

Pricing of Mountain Valley Spring Water Tour

Visitor Center Admission: Free
Factory Tour (by reservation): ~$10–15 per person (includes guided tour + tasting)
Group Tours: Available by appointment
Children under 5: Free

Practical Info for Visiting Mountain Valley Spring Water

Duration: ~45–60 minutes
Format: Guided tour of bottling facility + visitor center exhibits + tastings
Schedule & Seasonality: Open year-round; guided tours offered weekdays during production hours (Mon–Fri)
Audience: Families, wellness travelers, nature lovers, and history enthusiasts
Accessibility: Visitor center accessible; some factory areas may include stairs or restricted access
Safety & Restrictions:

Closed-toe shoes required for factory entry
Visitors remain in designated viewing areas

Languages: English
Group & School Visits: Educational group programs available with advance booking

What to Bring/Wear: Comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes, refillable water bottle
Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, gift shop, tasting bar
Closures & Downtime: Closed weekends and major holidays

Location & Booking

Getting There: Visitor center located downtown near Bathhouse Row; factory ~15 minutes north of city center
Booking: Reserve factory tours at MountainValleySpring.com
Cancellation & Refunds: Contact ahead for tour rescheduling or cancellations
On-Site Extras: Tastings, exhibits, gift shop, and heritage displays

Nearby

Hot Springs National Park & Bathhouse Row
Fordyce Bathhouse Museum
Garvan Woodland Gardens

FAQs About Visiting the Mountain Valley Spring Water Tour

Is the Visitor Center free to enter?
Yes, entry to the downtown Visitor Center and tastings are free.

Do I get to see the bottling process?
Yes, guided factory tours show the full bottling and packaging process at the spring facility.

Can I drink the water during the tour?
Absolutely — tastings of still and sparkling spring waters are included.

Is it family-friendly?
Yes, all ages are welcome; the experience is educational and interactive.

Do I need to book ahead?
Reservations are required for factory tours but not for the downtown Visitor Center.

What makes Mountain Valley water special?
It’s naturally filtered through granite, rich in minerals, bottled at the source, and has been enjoyed since 1871.