Hot Springs National Park in October
October at Hot Springs National Park averages a daytime high near 75°F and an overnight low around 52°F, with about 5.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.9× the park's average month, which makes October an average month here.
- Average low
- 52°F
- Average high
- 75°F
Range across the year: 32°F to 93°F
- Precipitation
- 5.1 in
- Daylight
- 11.1 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 146,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes October the 7th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.6×).
October is our recommended month at Hot Springs: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 64°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. 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 October instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 11.1 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 9.7-hour midwinter low and the 14.3-hour summer high.
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 October visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 86°F / 64°F | 0.8× Quiet | 66 Good |
| October | 75°F / 52°F | 0.9× Average | 66 Good |
| November | 63°F / 42°F | 0.8× Quiet | 56 Fair |
All twelve months at Hot Springs, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Hot Springs in October
The National Park Service tags 35 Hot Springs activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- An Overview: Hot Springs and North Mountain Trails · 30-300 minutes
- Birdwatching in the Park
- Floral Trail · 20-40 minutes
- Gulpha Gorge Trail · 30-60 minutes
- Mountain Top Trail · 45-75 minutes
- Photography in the Park
- Soak in the Springs · 60 minutes · reservation required
- Upper Dogwood Trail · 25-45 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 75°F and an overnight low around 52°F at Hot Springs National Park, with about 5.1 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.
October is average at Hot Springs National Park (about 0.9× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 66/100. October is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. October sits at about 0.9× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 146,000 recreation visits at Hot Springs National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Hot Springs in October
Booking a October trip to Hot Springs National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October 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 October.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.