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). Weather: highs average 53°F and lows 35°F, with 5.0″ of precipitation and 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 (compare other options)
• Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 5.0″ of rain is normal this 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

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