Studio 588 pit vs California mud bath
So I'll start off by saying that I know a lot of people in this community prefer finding mud near rivers, lakes, quarries, etc. However, I'm one of the few people who isn't comfortable doing that and didn't want to deal with the headache or possibility of getting caught. If you're like me, then this review is for you.
I decided to try two different ways of experiencing mud: going to an actual mud bath in Calistoga, California, and stopping by Fred's place to use the pits.
In California, the mud bath at Golden Haven Hot Springs was relaxing, and I enjoyed it a lot. I liked that everything was private, so you could get naked, and I also liked that there was an option to bring your spouse or partner. However, there is one huge disclaimer: the mud is EXTREMELY hot. Like, REALLY, REALLY fucking hot.
The staff at the spa warn you not to stand up or touch the bottom of the tub because there are heating coils that keep the bath warm. Also, when entering the mud, it's not like you sink—you actually float on top of it and have to manually scoop the mud onto yourself to become fully covered. So, if submerging your head is something you want to do, it's going to be really difficult. Not to mention really hot. I managed to do it, but only for a couple of seconds before it became too uncomfortable. All in all, it wasn't quite what I was hoping for.
Fred's studio was a completely different experience. As stated in several previous posts about Fred, he is extremely hospitable and super helpful. He'll answer any questions you have and give you directions on how to stay safe while still having fun. You can also bring a significant other to the pits but my spouse was busy and could not go, so I went on my own.
The clay pits felt amazing, and the clay was incredibly thick. Shockingly, it was also super relaxing, and I stayed in there for hours because I didn't want to leave. The peat was also incredibly thick. I know another poster mentioned how surprisingly thick it was, and they weren't wrong. It felt fantastic. The clay pit was probably my favorite, but I have to admit the peat was amazing as well. I was also a big fan of having hot water available afterward, and Fred provided towels and even took care of the laundry.
Fred also provided dinner, and honestly, his hospitality and the stories he shared with me made the trip well worth it.
That said, there are a few disclaimers if you decide to visit Fred's studio. PLEASE FOLLOW FRED'S DIRECTIONS. Once you get onto the dirt road, Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps are likely to send you down a route that becomes extremely rough, and you'll wish you had a Jeep. If the roads start getting really rough and Google Maps is asking you to drive through a river, you're going the wrong way. I learned that the hard way, and thankfully I didn't get stuck.
The horseflies and deer flies are also rampant in that area. I went in early June, so be aware that they'll probably be buzzing around. Fred provided bug spray, but I highly recommend bringing something specifically made for horseflies and stable flies because I got bitten multiple times and ended up with welts all over. If you want to avoid the horseflies all together, you should plan on going sometime in July or August when the temperatures in that area tend to be a lot drier and less humid.
Even with the horseflies and a little off-roading, I still had an amazing time. Arkansas is beautiful. There are great hiking opportunities in the area, and Little Rock was an awesome city with excellent food and drinks.
Final Verdict: If you don't care much about submerging, want to introduce your significant other to the idea of quicksand in a comfortable setting, and enjoy beautiful vineyards and wine, then the California mud baths are definitely for you.
However, if you're like me, you watch a lot of mud puddle visual and Studio 588 videos, and fantasize about fully submerging yourself in the same thick mud or quicksand, Fred's place is SOOO much better. It's also far more affordable than the California mud bath experience.
TL;DR: Studio 588 is way better than the mud bath in California.