Best Time to Visit Hot Springs National Park
The best months to visit Hot Springs National Park are January, September and 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.
- Burn Ban in Park (Information)
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.
How many people visit Hot Springs each year
Hot Springs National Park had 2,494,611 recreation visits in 2025, 1% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2022, with 2,646,133. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 2,453,681 visits a year, which makes it the 14th most-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,494,611 | +1% |
| 2024 | 2,461,812 | −2% |
| 2023 | 2,502,967 | −5% |
| 2022 | 2,646,133 | +22% |
| 2021 | 2,162,884 | +60% |
| 2020 | 1,348,215 | −8% |
| 2019 | 1,467,153 | −3% |
| 2018 | 1,506,887 | −4% |
| 2017 | 1,561,616 | +1% |
| 2016 | 1,544,300 | +9% |
| 2015 | 1,418,162 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
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 (compare other options)
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 3.8″ of rain is normal this month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Hot Springs?
January, September and 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.
When is Hot Springs least crowded with decent conditions?
January, at 37% of the June peak (127,539 average visits). September is quieter still, but its weather puts it in the harsh season.
How many people visit Hot Springs per year?
Hot Springs National Park had 2,494,611 recreation visits in 2025, 1% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2022, with 2,646,133. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 2,453,681 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Hot Springs through the year?
The warmest month is July, with average highs of 93°F. The coldest nights come in January, averaging 32°F. The wettest month is May, with 6.5″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, HOT SPRINGS 1 NNE, AR US station.)
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Hot Springs ranks against all 63 parks in January, September and October.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks