Hot Springs in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
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January is one of the best months of the year to visit Hot Springs National Park: crowds run 37% of the June peak (127,539 average visits). Weather: highs average 52°F and lows 32°F, with 3.8″ of precipitation and 10.1 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
Bring for Hot Springs in January
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 32°F.
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 3.8″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 10.1 hours of daylight in mid-January.
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Hot Springs in January: what the park service says
Planning a January soak at Hot Springs? Check hours first: the Buckstaff Bathhouse offers traditional bathing and the Quapaw a mix of traditional and modern, each with its own schedule online. The Maurice Bathhouse is currently closed for renovations. Off the bathing route, the Ozark Bathhouse houses the Mystic Ozark science museum and the Superior Bathhouse is a restaurant and brewery.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in January
Hot Springs averages 127,539 recreation visits in January — 37% of what June, the peak month, draws — this is the second-quietest month of the year. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly.
Weather & daylight
Days are cool (highs average 52°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 32°F). Average precipitation is 3.8″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 10.1 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 January.
What to pack for Hot Springs in January
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic 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 (compare other options)
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 3.8″ of precipitation is normal this month
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Also at their best in January
Other parks whose computed January verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Channel Islands in January — 35% of peak crowds, highs 66°F, score 76/100
- Zion in January — 23% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 76/100
- Carlsbad Caverns in January — 38% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 73/100
- Big Bend in January — 50% of peak crowds, highs 69°F, score 71/100
Common questions
Is Hot Springs crowded in January?
No — January is one of the quieter months: 37% of the June peak, averaging 127,539 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Hot Springs.
What is the weather like in Hot Springs in January?
Average highs of 52°F, lows of 32°F, 3.8″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, HOT SPRINGS 1 NNE, AR US station). Compare it with other national parks in January.
What should I pack for Hot Springs in January?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Rain shell + pack cover; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in February instead? Hot Springs in February has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in January · Last verified 2026-09-24