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

Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Hot Springs are January and September.

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-07-16