Hot Springs · December
Hot Springs in December
December is a good time to visit Hot Springs — about as busy as November, quieter than January.
Expect moderate crowds (4/10), highs near 52°F, and about 9.9 hours of daylight.
Crowd score
How busy it gets
A comfortable middle ground: some company on popular trails, but no gridlock.
About 36% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026 · alerts checked Oct 18, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
Typical December visits vs. the year
December draws about 5% of Hot Springs’s yearly visitors.
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
December weather
- Avg high
- 52°F
- Avg low
- 32°F
- Precipitation
- 5.3"
- Sunrise
- 7:11 AM
- Sunset
- 5:03 PM
- Daylight
- 9.9h
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, BLAKELY MTN DAM, AR US
What's open
Hot Springs in December: access
Arlington Lawn, Grand Promenade, sidewalks on Bathhouse Row, Reserve Street, and Fountain Street, except for walk through traffic, are open from to 5:00 am to 10:00 pm, daily. Roads to Hot Springs Mountain, North Mountain and West Mountain Summit are open to vehicle traffic from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.
No seasonal road or area closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Information
Burn Ban in Park
Due to high fire danger, Hot Springs National Park has enacted a BURN BAN, August 15, 2026. Only gas and charcoal grills are currently allowed for use in the campground and picnic areas.
Source: NPS Data API
Context
Hot Springs crowds across the year
Alternatives
Quieter nearby in December
FAQ
Hot Springs in December
How busy is Hot Springs in December?
December rates 4/10 for crowds (Moderate) at Hot Springs National Park — about 36% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 127,732.
What is the weather like at Hot Springs in December?
In December, Hot Springs averages a high of 52°F and a low of 32°F, with about 5.3 inches of precipitation.
How much does it cost to visit Hot Springs?
Entry to Hot Springs is free.
When is Hot Springs least crowded?
Hot Springs is quietest in September and October. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.
How many hours of daylight does Hot Springs get in December?
In mid-December, Hot Springs gets about 9.9 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 7:11 AM and sunset around 5:03 PM.