A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hot Springs vs. Olympic National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hot Springs or Olympic National Park?

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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Olympic National Park? 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 Olympic National Park?

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.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is in Washington State and was originally established as a national monument in 1909. The area is known for its large Sitka spice and Douglas fir trees, which can be found in the Hoh and Queets rainforest valleys on the western side of the park. The area's temperate rainforest climate creates lush thick moss and dense vegetation that gives the setting a fairytale quality.

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Olympic National Park, we can see that Hot Springs is more expensive. And not only is Olympic National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Olympic National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Olympic National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hot Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hot Springs than you might in Olympic National Park.

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 Olympic National Park Expensive?.

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

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 Olympic National Park in the Summer?

Both Olympic National Park and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Olympic National Park this time of year.

In the summer, Hot Springs is much warmer than Olympic National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hot Springs in July average around 83°F (28°C), and Olympic National Park averages at about 60°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Olympic National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Olympic National Park during summer. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 210 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Olympic National Park. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Olympic National Park in the Autumn?

Both Olympic National Park and Hot Springs during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Olympic National Park for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Hot Springs is generally much warmer than Olympic National Park. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 64°F (18°C), and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the autumn, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Olympic National Park. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 113 hours of full sun.

Olympic National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hot Springs usually gets less rain in October than Olympic National Park. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 10.4 inches (263 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Olympic National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Olympic National Park. Furthermore, many visitors come to Olympic National Park in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Olympic National Park can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hot Springs. Hot Springs is cooler than Olympic National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).

In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Olympic National Park during winter. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

Olympic National Park receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Olympic National Park. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 13.7 inches (349 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Olympic National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Olympic National Park. Additionally, most visitors come to Olympic National Park for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Hot Springs is much warmer than Olympic National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hot Springs in April average around 65°F (18°C), and Olympic National Park averages at about 47°F (8°C).

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 Olympic National Park. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Olympic National Park. Hot Springs receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hot Springs usually gets less rain in April than Olympic National Park. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Olympic National Park and Hot Springs