Hot Springs in April: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 60/100 · #8 of 12 months

April is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Hot Springs National Park: crowds run 68% of the June peak (234,658 average visits). Weather: highs average 74°F and lows 51°F, with 5.9″ of precipitation and 13 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Crowds in April

Hot Springs averages 234,658 recreation visits in April — 68% of what June, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly.

Weather & daylight

Days are mild (highs average 74°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 51°F). This is one of the wetter months (5.9″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 13 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 April.

What to pack for Hot Springs in April

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• Rain shell + pack cover — 5.9″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 5.9″ of rain is normal this month

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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Hot Springs are January and September.

Also at their best in April

Other parks whose computed April verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

• Theodore Roosevelt in April — 7% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 92/100
• Badlands in April — 16% of peak crowds, highs 60°F, score 90/100
• Lake Clark in April — under 1% of peak crowds, highs 46°F, score 89/100
• Voyageurs in April — under 1% of peak crowds, highs 49°F, score 88/100

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in April · Last verified 2026-09-24