Hot Springs National Park is a National Park in Arkansas. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 4 photo locations inside or next to the park.
Best photo spots in Hot Springs
We matched 4 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Hot Springs. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Waterfalls (1)
Rock Formations (1)
Botanical Gardens (1)
State Parks (1)
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Hot Springs the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 61° (ENE) at the June solstice and 118° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 300° (WNW) in June to 242° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 79° in summer but only 32° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:19 AM | 7:57 AM | 4:48 PM | 5:25 PM | 245° | 10h 06m |
| February | 6:59 AM | 7:33 AM | 5:21 PM | 5:56 PM | 255° | 10h 57m |
| March | 7:24 AM | 7:57 AM | 6:47 PM | 7:20 PM | 268° | 11h 57m |
| April | 6:41 AM | 7:15 AM | 7:11 PM | 7:44 PM | 283° | 13h 03m |
| May | 6:11 AM | 6:46 AM | 7:33 PM | 8:08 PM | 294° | 13h 58m |
| June | 6:00 AM | 6:37 AM | 7:50 PM | 8:27 PM | 300° | 14h 27m |
| July | 6:11 AM | 6:48 AM | 7:50 PM | 8:26 PM | 297° | 14h 15m |
| August | 6:34 AM | 7:08 AM | 7:27 PM | 8:01 PM | 288° | 13h 28m |
| September | 6:56 AM | 7:29 AM | 6:47 PM | 7:21 PM | 274° | 12h 25m |
| October | 7:18 AM | 7:52 AM | 6:05 PM | 6:39 PM | 260° | 11h 21m |
| November | 6:47 AM | 7:23 AM | 4:32 PM | 5:09 PM | 248° | 10h 22m |
| December | 7:12 AM | 7:51 AM | 4:25 PM | 5:04 PM | 242° | 9h 52m |
Computed for the park's reference point (34.5241, -93.0633); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Hot Springs, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from February through October. June gives the longest window (about 6.0 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 27° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 7 (suburban / urban transition), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | 4:50 AM – 5:30 AM | 0.7 | 16° |
| March | 4:04 AM – 5:54 AM | 1.8 | 23° |
| April | 2:02 AM – 5:02 AM | 3.0 | 26° |
| May | 12:06 AM – 4:26 AM | 4.3 | 27° |
| June | 10:12 PM – 4:12 AM | 6.0 | 27° |
| July | 10:08 PM – 2:48 AM | 4.7 | 27° |
| August | 9:33 PM – 12:43 AM | 3.2 | 27° |
| September | 8:45 PM – 10:45 PM | 2.0 | 23° |
| October | 8:02 PM – 8:42 PM | 0.7 | 16° |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
7 Estimated Bortle 7 — Suburban / urban transition. The whole sky has a grey-white glow; the Milky Way is invisible to the eye.
Weather & best time to visit
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.
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show September as the clearest month (about 42% average cloud cover) and February as the cloudiest (62%). July is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Getting there
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.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Biking
- Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Food
- Dining
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
- Hiking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Nearby parks
AR
AR
AR/OK
AR
AR