When is the best time to visit Hot Springs National Park?

If you want fewer people, go in August, the quietest shoulder-season month. June is the busiest month on average, and September the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.

How much does it cost to visit Hot Springs National Park?

Hot Springs National Park has no entrance fee, according to the National Park Service. Some tours, campgrounds or permits may still cost money.

What are some things to do in Hot Springs National Park?

The National Park Service lists 36 things to do in Hot Springs National Park, including Arlington Trail, Fountain Trail, Grand Avenue Trail, Reserve Trail, Short Cut Trail. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.

When did Hot Springs National Park become a national park?

Hot Springs National Park was established as a national park on March 4, 1921.

What is the closest national park to Hot Springs?

Gateway Arch National Park, about 325 miles away in a straight line (roughly 8 hours' drive, estimated).

Arkansas · Est. 1921

Hot Springs National Park

Last verified October 1, 2026Free entry

Hot Springs National Park has a rich cultural past. The grand architecture of our historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of years. Ancient thermal springs, mountain views, incredible geology, forested hikes, and abundant creeks – all in the middle of town – make Hot Springs National Park a unique and beautiful destination. — nps.gov

Stone entrance pillars in front of a row of four bathouses — Photo: NPS photo

State: Arkansas
Established: March 4, 1921
Size: 5,554 acres
2025 visits: 2,494,611
Busiest-park rank: #14 of 63
Entrance: Free entry

Best time to visit

When is Hot Springs quiet?

Hot Springs is busiest in June and quietest in September. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, August is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.

In 2025 the park logged 2,494,611 recreation visits, the #14 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.

Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Hot Springs open right now? →

Average visits by month

2021–2025 · NPS IRMA

JFMAMJJASOND

Quietest: SeptemberBusiest: June

Fees & passes

What it costs to visit Hot Springs

Hot Springs National Park charges no entrance fee.

From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026.

Reservations · 2026

No park-wide reservation

The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Hot Springs National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.

Every park that needs a reservation in 2026 →

Things to do

Things to do in Hot Springs

The National Park Service lists 36 things to do in Hot Springs National Park, from quick stops to full-day outings. The shortest come first.

All activities →

Arlington Trail5-10 Minutes · All year
Ask for directions to the trailhead from staff at the Arlington Hotel lobby. Arlington Trail will connect with Lower Dogwood Trail.
Pets OK
Fountain Trail10-25 Minutes · All year
This short trail begins on Fountain Street below the entrance to Hot Springs Mountain Drive. Use it to reach Honeysuckle Trail by crossing the road.
Pets OK
Grand Avenue Trail10-20 Minutes · All year
Grand Avenue Trail connects Oertel Trail with Grand Avenue. A local motel lies just south of the trailhead.
Pets OK
Reserve Trail10-25 Minutes · All year
Reserve Trail connects Oertel Trail with Spring Street and Reserve Street at a "Y" intersection.
Pets OK
Short Cut Trail10-25 Minutes · All year
Short Cut Trail connects Oertel Trail with Hot Springs Mountain Trail near the picnic area atop Hot Springs Mountain.
Pets OK
Lower Dogwood Trail15-40 Minutes · All year
Lower Dogwood Trail climbs North Mountain. Near the top, boulders mark the westernmost tip of the trail. From there, the trail drops downhill.
Pets OK
Tufa Terrace Trail15-30 Minutes · All year
This paved trail can be reached from the Grand Promenade or Arlington Lawn. The lower portion of the Tufa Terrace Trail is near the Hot Water Cascade.
Pets OK
Visit the Hot Water Cascade15-45 Minutes · All year
Located at Arlington Lawn, this is the largest visible spring in the Park. Hot water emanates from the hill side near the Grand Promenade and flows under the path, down a steep cliff into two pools.
Pets OK

Show all 36 things to do

Floral Trail20-40 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Honeysuckle Trail20-45 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Whittington Trail20-45 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Canyon Trail25-45 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Oak Trail25-45 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Pullman Trail25-45 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Upper Dogwood Trail25-45 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
An Overview: Hot Springs and North Mountain Trails30-300 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Become a Hot Springs Junior Ranger30-60 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Goat Rock Trail30-75 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Grand Promenade National Recreation Trail30-60 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Gulpha Gorge Trail30-60 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Oertel Trail30-60 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
West Mountain Trail30-60 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
An Overview: West Mountain Trails40-240 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Peak Trail40 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Hot Springs Mountain Trail45-75 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Mountain Top Trail45-75 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Ride to the Top of Hot Springs Mountain Tower1-2 Hours · All year
Fee
Soak in the Springs60 Minutes · All year
Reservation/permitFee
Sunset Trail6-9 Hours · All year
Pets OK
Camp at the Gulpha Gorge Campground1-14 Days · All year
FeePets OK
Bicycle RidingWinter, Spring
Birdwatching in the ParkAll year
Pets OK
Drink the WaterAll year
Pets OK
Photography in the ParkAll year
Pets OK
The Bathhouse Row EmporiumAll year
Visit Display SpringsAll year
Pets OK

From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.

By activity

The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.

Weather

Weather at Hot Springs

Average temperatures in Hot Springs can range from about 90°F (32°C) to less than 27°F (-2.7°C). Summer days can be hot and humid, with heat index values up to 110ºF (43ºC). Winter wind chills can make temperatures feel much colder, as low as 15ºF (-9.4ºC). Spring and fall typically have the most rainfall.

Generally, Hot Springs experiences mild weather throughout the year.

From the National Park Service.

Getting there

Getting to Hot Springs

From Little Rock: Take I-30W towards Texarkana. Exit 111 for US 70W/Hot Springs. Turn Right onto Spring St. Turn Right onto Central Ave. Drive North, the Park will be on the right after Reserve St. From Texarkana: Take 1-30E. Exit 78 for AR-7 and turn left under the highway.

Follow AR-7 North for 31 miles. AR-7 becomes Central Ave., the Park will be on the right after Reserve Street.

369 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR, 71901 · Directions on nps.gov

Nearby

National parks near Hot Springs

Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.

Closest big cities: Memphis (180 mi) · Dallas (244 mi) · Oklahoma City (260 mi) · St. Louis (324 mi)

Hot Springs is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.

A person hikes through a deep green forest. — Photo: NPS Photo

Stone bridge surrounded by brilliant yellow and green leaves — Photo: NPS photo Mark David Artist In Residence 2015

FAQ

Hot Springs, quickly

When is the best time to visit Hot Springs National Park?: If you want fewer people, go in August, the quietest shoulder-season month. June is the busiest month on average, and September the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
How much does it cost to visit Hot Springs National Park?: Hot Springs National Park has no entrance fee, according to the National Park Service. Some tours, campgrounds or permits may still cost money.
Do you need a reservation for Hot Springs National Park in 2026?: The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Hot Springs National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
What are some things to do in Hot Springs National Park?: The National Park Service lists 36 things to do in Hot Springs National Park, including Arlington Trail, Fountain Trail, Grand Avenue Trail, Reserve Trail, Short Cut Trail. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
When did Hot Springs National Park become a national park?: Hot Springs National Park was established as a national park on March 4, 1921.
What is the closest national park to Hot Springs?: Gateway Arch National Park, about 325 miles away in a straight line (roughly 8 hours' drive, estimated).

Sources · 3

1.Hot Springs National Park — official site · National Park Service
2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
3.Hot Springs National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)

About this page

Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/hosp.

Park'd · free on iPhone & Android

Been to Hot Springs? Log it.

Park'd keeps your national parks map, trips, photos and stats in one place on iPhone and Android. Check off Hot Springs, add the trip, and see how many of the 63 you've got left.

Hot Springs National Park