Hot Springs National Park in September
September at Hot Springs National Park averages a daytime high near 86°F and an overnight low around 64°F, with about 4.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes September a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 64°F
- Average high
- 86°F
Range across the year: 32°F to 93°F
- Precipitation
- 4.2 in
- Daylight
- 12.2 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 135,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes September the 9th-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 September rates 66/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 75°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 September instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 12.2 hours of daylight in September 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 September visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How September compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 93°F / 71°F | 1.2× Busy | 28 Poor |
| September | 86°F / 64°F | 0.8× Quiet | 66 Good |
| October | 75°F / 52°F | 0.9× Average | 66 Good |
All twelve months at Hot Springs, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Hot Springs in September
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
September averages a daytime high near 86°F and an overnight low around 64°F at Hot Springs National Park, with about 4.2 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.
September is quiet at Hot Springs National Park (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 66/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. September sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 135,000 recreation visits at Hot Springs National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Hot Springs in September
Booking a September trip to Hot Springs National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September 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 September.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.