Hot Springs National Park in December
December at Hot Springs National Park averages a daytime high near 53°F and an overnight low around 35°F, with about 5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 35°F
- Average high
- 53°F
Range across the year: 32°F to 93°F
- Precipitation
- 5.0 in
- Daylight
- 9.7 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 110,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 51/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 44°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.1 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 34% of annual visitors, choosing December instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 9.7 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 2,494,611 recreation visits, up 1.3% from 2,461,812 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 65.2%, so a December visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 63°F / 42°F | 0.8× Quiet | 56 Fair |
| December | 53°F / 35°F | 0.7× Quiet | 51 Fair |
| January | 52°F / 32°F | 0.6× Quiet | 54 Fair |
All twelve months at Hot Springs, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Hot Springs in December
The National Park Service tags 36 Hot Springs activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Bicycle Riding
- An Overview: Hot Springs and North Mountain Trails · 30-300 minutes
- Camp at the Gulpha Gorge Campground · 1-14 days
- Goat Rock Trail · 30-75 minutes
- Hot Springs Mountain Trail · 45-75 minutes
- Peak Trail · 40 minutes
- Short Cut Trail · 10-25 minutes
- Upper Dogwood Trail · 25-45 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 53°F and an overnight low around 35°F at Hot Springs National Park, with about 5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Hot Springs National Park (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 51/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 110,000 recreation visits at Hot Springs National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Hot Springs in December
Booking a December trip to Hot Springs National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Hot Springs
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in December.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.