A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hot Springs vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hot Springs or Columbia River Gorge?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Hot Springs or Columbia River Gorge? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Hot Springs or Columbia River Gorge?

Hot Springs

Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.

The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Hot Springs is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Columbia River Gorge?

Hot Springs has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Columbia River Gorge, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Hot Springs or Columbia River Gorge?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Hot Springs is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the summer. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia River Gorge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia River Gorge during summer. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Hot Springs during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Hot Springs is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hot Springs in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 55°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the autumn, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun.

Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Columbia River Gorge. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Columbia River Gorge. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Columbia River Gorge can be very cold. Hot Springs can be very cold during winter. In January, Hot Springs is generally around the same temperature as Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 40°F (4°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during winter. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

Columbia River Gorge receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Columbia River Gorge. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

Hot Springs is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the spring. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the spring, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun.

Hot Springs receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Columbia River Gorge. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Hot Springs