Hot Springs in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

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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

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in January · Last verified 2026-07-16