Hot Springs · December
Hot Springs in December
December is a good time to visit Hot Springs — about as busy as November, quieter than January.
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 Jul 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
Typical December visits vs. the year
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
December weather
- Avg high
- —
- Avg low
- —
- Precipitation
- 5.5"
- Sunrise
- 7:11 AM
- Sunset
- 5:03 PM
- Daylight
- 9.9h
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, HOT SPRINGS 2.3 S, 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
No current alerts or closures reported for this park.
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 0°F and a low of 0°F, with about 5.5 inches of precipitation.