Hot Springs in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 62/100 · #5 of 12 months
December is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Hot Springs National Park: crowds run 39% of the June peak (134,935 average visits), days average 53°F with 9.9 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
Crowds in December
Hot Springs averages 134,935 recreation visits in December — 39% of what June, the peak month, draws — the third-quietest month of the year. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging.
Weather & daylight
Daytime stays cool (highs average 53°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 35°F). This is one of the wetter months (5.0″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 9.9 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station HOT SPRINGS 1 NNE, AR US (0 mi from park coordinates, 626 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.
What to pack for Hot Springs in December
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 35°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 5.0″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Headlamp — only 9.9 hours of daylight in mid-December
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Hot Springs are January and September.
Also at their best in December
Other parks whose computed December verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- American Samoa in December — 17% of peak crowds, highs 88°F, score 66/100
- Everglades in December — 72% of peak crowds, highs 80°F, score 64/100
- Biscayne in December — 77% of peak crowds, highs 80°F, score 62/100
Common questions
Is Hot Springs crowded in December?
No — December is one of the quieter months: 39% of the June peak, averaging 134,935 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Hot Springs in December?
Average highs of 53°F, lows of 35°F, 5.0″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, HOT SPRINGS 1 NNE, AR US station).
What should I pack for Hot Springs in December?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Rain shell + pack cover; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-09-12