Hot Springs in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Best window · VisitWhen score 66/100 · #3 of 12 months
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), days average 52°F with 10.1 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
Crowds in January
Hot Springs averages 127,539 recreation visits in January — 37% of what June, the peak month, draws — 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
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every 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
- Mammoth Cave in January — 15% of peak crowds, highs 48°F, score 70/100
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).
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).
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.
See also: the best national parks to visit in January · Last verified 2026-09-12