Hot Springs National Park in January
January at Hot Springs National Park averages a daytime high near 52°F and an overnight low around 32°F, with about 3.8" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.6× the park's average month, which makes January a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 32°F
- Average high
- 52°F
Range across the year: 32°F to 93°F
- Precipitation
- 3.8 in
- Daylight
- 9.9 hours
Roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 98,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
It is the quietest month of the year at Hot Springs; by contrast June, the busiest, runs about 1.5× the average — so January is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 54/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 42°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 January instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 9.9 hours of daylight in January 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 January visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How January compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 53°F / 35°F | 0.7× Quiet | 51 Fair |
| January | 52°F / 32°F | 0.6× Quiet | 54 Fair |
| February | 56°F / 35°F | 0.9× Average | 47 Fair |
All twelve months at Hot Springs, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Hot Springs in January
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
January averages a daytime high near 52°F and an overnight low around 32°F at Hot Springs National Park, with about 3.8 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.
January is quiet at Hot Springs National Park (about 0.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 54/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.6× the park's average, or 5% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 98,000 recreation visits at Hot Springs National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Hot Springs in January
Booking a January trip to Hot Springs National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January 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 January.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.