Best Time to Visit Hot Springs National Park
The best months to visit Hot Springs National Park are January, September, October — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. June is the crowd peak (346,155 monthly visits); September is quietest at 37% of peak.
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Hot Springs month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Best window | 127,539 | 37% | 52°F / 32°F | 3.8″ | 10.1h |
| February | Shoulder | 204,533 | 59% | 56°F / 35°F | 4.6″ | 10.9h |
| March | Peak crowds | 249,659 | 72% | 65°F / 42°F | 5.5″ | 11.9h |
| April | Shoulder | 234,658 | 68% | 74°F / 51°F | 5.9″ | 13h |
| May | Shoulder | 228,129 | 66% | 80°F / 60°F | 6.5″ | 14h |
| June | Peak crowds | 346,155 | 100% | 88°F / 68°F | 4.3″ | 14.5h |
| July | Peak crowds | 285,836 | 83% | 93°F / 72°F | 4.5″ | 14.3h |
| August | Shoulder | 215,900 | 62% | 93°F / 71°F | 3.6″ | 13.5h |
| September | Best window | 127,359 | 37% | 86°F / 64°F | 4.2″ | 12.4h |
| October | Best window | 149,687 | 43% | 75°F / 52°F | 5.1″ | 11.4h |
| November | Shoulder | 149,291 | 43% | 63°F / 42°F | 4.9″ | 10.4h |
| December | Shoulder | 134,935 | 39% | 53°F / 35°F | 5.0″ | 9.9h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station HOT SPRINGS 1 NNE, AR US (0 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
What to pack for Hot Springs in January
Computed from January's weather normals — Hot Springs's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 32°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 3.8″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Headlamp — only 10.1 hours of daylight in mid-January
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Hot Springs?
January, September, October rank best for Hot Springs on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight.
What is the most crowded month at Hot Springs?
June: an average of 346,155 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is September, at 37% of the June peak.
How many people visit Hot Springs per year?
Hot Springs National Park averaged 2,453,681 recreation visits per year over 2021–2025, per official NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
Dive into a month
Last verified 2026-09-12 · all parks