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The best time to visit Joshua Tree is during the late fall or early spring when the weather is not excruciatingly hot and the winter crowds have fizzled out.
Summer is a good time to camp under the stars and hike after sunset while winter is the peak season. But Joshua Tree has extremely high summer temperatures and often below-freezing winter temps.
I’m a California local who grew up only an hour from Joshua Tree National Park. I’ve visited in every season and have spent hours exploring the top Joshua Tree attractions.
In this article, I’ll spill the beans on the best time to visit Joshua Tree for whatever kind of experience you want to have!
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Table of Contents
When is the Best Time to Visit Joshua Tree?
Late fall or early spring are the best times to visit Joshua Tree for better weather and fewer crowds.
When you decide to go to Joshua Tree depends more on the season you prefer and less on the activities you want to do, though.
The colder months are more enjoyable in Joshua Tree because there’s a smaller chance of getting heat-related illnesses. But winter is peak season – bringing the best weather and the biggest crowds.
Joshua Tree’s summers equate to sweltering temperatures – the kind of heat that can be downright dangerous. Spring and fall are shoulder seasons in Joshua Tree, with moderate temperatures and crowds.
When to Visit Joshua Tree for Good Weather
Winter is the best time to visit Joshua Tree for good weather. Joshua Tree National Park rarely experiences rain or snow and winter temperatures can even exceed 80 degrees.
Winter nights in Joshua Tree National Park may be on the colder side, but that’s nothing a warm campfire can’t fix. Winter is also the best time to see wildlife, as the animals are more active in cooler temperatures.
Additionally, winter is one of the best times for outdoor activities. Joshua Tree has some of the best hikes in California — just make sure you pack multiple layers for those winter hikes. I recommend bringing a sun layer, a light jacket, a down jacket, and a rain jacket in your daypack, just in case.
When to Visit Joshua Tree for Cheap Prices
Most California national parks experience their peak season in the summer but Joshua Tree’s peak is flipped. Winter equates to large crowds and high prices. Therefore, visit in the summer or shoulder seasons if saving money is your main prerogative.
House rentals are the most expensive commodity in Joshua Tree, especially in winter when their prices are nearly doubled. Visit Joshua Tree in the summer for cheaper accommodation and during the week to avoid spiked weekend restaurant prices.
I also recommend purchasing an America the Beautiful annual park pass. It costs $80 per year for unlimited visits to every national park and will save you some serious money in the long run if you’re an avid national park goer.
Save more money by shopping at the local grocery stores and cooking your meals at your rental, or on your camp stove.
When to Visit Joshua Tree for Families and Kids
There’s really not a bad time to visit Joshua Tree National Park with children. If you’re visiting the area with elder family members, however, I recommend visiting in the non-summer months. The colder the weather, the less likely heat exhaustion will occur.
The nearby ghost town, Pioneertown, hosts a rowdy Wild West showdown every second and fourth Saturday at 1 pm. The show is a major hit with families.
Other popular activities to do with families and kids in Joshua Tree National Park are easy hiking trails like Hidden Valley and Barker Dam. Ryan Mountain is also a good trail if you’re up for a slight challenge.
The Joshua Tree Visitor Center is another family-friendly activity. Pick up a map, chat with the rangers, and learn from the informative exhibits before heading out to the park.
When to Visit Joshua Tree to Avoid Crowds
Winter is the peak season in Joshua Tree National Park, so visit during the late spring, summer, and early fall months to avoid crowds. Keep in mind that Joshua Tree will be extremely hot during these times, so you will definitely need to be prepared if you choose this season.
There’s nothing worse than visiting a jam-packed national park. The temperature may be hotter during the summer season, but the payoff of a near-empty park can be worth the extra sweat.
It’s common to pass hundreds of other hikers and rock climbers in the park during the winter, but spring, summer, and fall bring more solitude, empty trails, and an overall more pleasant national park experience.
The best places to stay in Joshua Tree will also be cheaper in these seasons. I recommend hiking during sunrise and sunset if visiting Joshua Tree in the off-season for more enjoyable weather.
When to Visit Joshua Tree for Hiking and Climbing
This Joshua Tree-laden national park is a golden boulder acropolis that beckons rock climbers from all over the USA to ascend its famous yet challenging routes.
The best time to visit Joshua Tree for hiking and rock climbing is in the fall, winter, and spring. Winter is the most crowded time to rock climb and hike in Joshua Tree National Park because this is when the park experiences the best weather. The fall and spring months are typically less crowded.
Hiking trails tend to be more crowded than rock climbing routes, as rock climbing requires technical skills and gear. But the easy hiking trails are open to all fitness levels. Barker Dam, Ryan Mountain, Arch Rock Trail, Hidden Valley, and Skull Rock are among the most popular hikes.
I’ve personally hiked in the national park during the summer before and do not recommend it. Even with 3 liters of water, sunscreen, and a sun hat, I was still feeling the effects of the intense heat.
When to Visit Joshua Tree for Camping
I’ve camped in and around the park every season, so I can confidently say the best time to visit Joshua Tree for camping is year-round!
Several of the best campsites in California are in Joshua Tree, after all. Summer nights cool to the perfect desert temperature for relaxing under the stars without perspiring, and winter is the ideal time to warm up by the campfire.
Fall and spring are fantastic times to camp in or around Joshua Tree National Park. The day temperatures are still hot but the desert nights bring a slight wind chill that prompts a warmer sleeping bag or sleeping next to the fire.
Plan carefully when camping. There are various campsites inside the national park, five of which require either a same-day or a 6-month advance reservation, and three of which are first-come, first-serve.
Joshua Tree Travel Seasons
Fall
- 🧗♀️ Rock Climbing – The end of fall is one of the best times to rock climb in Joshua Tree. Crowds aren’t at full capacity yet from October to December, giving you full access to famous J-Tree climbing routes. The fall is also relatively dry for climbing and the sun isn’t as intense as in the summer months.
- ♨️ Hot Springs – Many non-locals don’t know that there are hot springs in Joshua Tree. A few desert accommodations offer natural water-fed hot springs just outside of Joshua Tree in Twentynine Palms. You don’t have to stay at the rental to access the soaking tubs, either. Many can be used for a small day-use fee.
- 🛍️ Shopping – Late fall is cool enough to enjoy walking around downtown Joshua Tree again. This is one of the most enjoyable times to go rummaging around old vintage stores on the main street or hit up the desert boutiques in nearby towns.
Winter
- 👘 Weekend Vintage Market – The Joshua Tree Weekend Street Market is one of my favorite activities in J-Tree. Located right across from Park Boulevard, this pop-up event sells one-of-a-kind vintage pieces that all possess the funky Joshua Tree spirit.
- 🎶 Live Music – While you can find live music year-round in Joshua Tree, live outdoor performances are in full swing during the winter. Outdoor live music venues host new artists every weekend in the desert town at various dive bars, helping the quirky town come alive.
- 🥾 Weekend Ranger Programs – Because winter experiences the best average temperatures in Joshua Tree, the J-Tree Visitor Center offers more weekend ranger programs during this time. Visitors can expect guided nature walks and informative talks.
Spring
- 🎹 Joshua Tree Music Festival – The biggest music festival in Joshua Tree takes place each springtime. This “global music experience in the magic Mojave” hosts a fun lineup of genres like jazz, electronic, funk, and more!
- 🌼 Wildflower Super Bloom – Don’t forget your camera gear at home because you’ll want to catch the super bloom on film! Witness a gorgeous desert landscape of vibrant yellows, oranges, and purples as desert wildflowers engulf the once-barren terrain.
- 🦌 Wildlife Photography – Spring is the perfect time to practice wildlife photography due to the pleasant temperatures of the season. You will want to rise early for a chance to catch the active wildlife at dawn.
Summer
- 🌴 Palm Springs – Because Joshua Tree’s average temperatures frequently exceed 95 degrees, I recommend spending time at a pool during summer visits. Palm Springs is located just down the highway from J-Tree and has plenty of resort options with pools for cooling off. They’re perfect to escape the desert heat, and there are tons of other fun things to do in Palm Springs to keep you entertained.
- 💫 Stargazing – The dry weather in the summers makes them the prime time to view millions of night stars in Joshua Tree. I recommend camping inside the park for the best, darkest view of the constellations.
- 🪨 Geology Tour Road – Take a self-guided scenic geology tour the next time you find yourself in Joshua Tree in the summer. This way, you can learn more about the cool geologic features that define the landscape and stay cool in your air-conditioned car while doing so.
Joshua Tree Weather & Climate
Joshua Tree National Park encompasses both the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert and has a subtropical desert climate.
The hot season typically lasts from June to September with an average temperature in the high 90s. July is the hottest month and averages high 90s-triple digits with lows in the 70s.
The cool season is generally from November-February with high averages in the 60s and lows in the 30s. The desert nights may be even colder when considering the wind chill.
Joshua Tree is sunny year-round, even in the winter, meaning overheating is still possible in the “colder” months.
Tips for Visiting Joshua Tree
No Dogs Allowed on the Trails
Only leashed pets are allowed in Joshua Tree National Park within 100 feet of roads, picnic areas, and campgrounds. You won’t be able to take your four-legged friend hiking in the backcountry, but you will be able to camp under the stars with them in Joshua Tree.
The presence of dogs in the national park disturbs the natural balance of the park’s fragile ecosystem. Their scent throws off the native wildlife and contaminates their drinking water. Please respect these rules next time you visit the national park.
Always Bring Enough Water
You can never have too much water when exploring the Joshua Tree desert. A good rule of thumb is to always have at least three liters of water when adventuring through the intensely hot Mojave Desert.
Even if you’re just sightseeing in Joshua Tree and not doing any strenuous activities, heat stroke is still a very real possibility. Water is crucial in the desert and I always bring extra, just in case I come across another explorer in need.
👉 Pro Tip: This REI water bottle is my favorite because it holds up to 1.5 liters of water at a time. Another good option for carrying a lot of water on you at once is this CamelBak backpack.
Spend Time Exploring the Desert Towns
The desert towns are often overshadowed by the national park. But they embody more desert magic than one would think. Take some time to explore Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, Pioneertown, and Twentynine Palms next time you’re in the J-Tree area.
There are so many cool thrift stores, desert aesthetic stores, hipster cafes, juice bars, and Western-style saloons in these desert towns that are well worth checking out. I recommend spending the night in Joshua Tree so you can visit the park one day and then explore the Mojave Desert towns the next.
Get to the Park for Sunrise
The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is early morning to catch the sunrise. This is especially important in the hot summer months when any other time besides after dark is too hot to enjoy the desert beauty of the park.
Keys View is one of the best places to head for an iconic view of the sunrise in Joshua Tree National Park. View towering rock formations, wild animals, and hundreds of Joshua Trees from above.
This is also one of the best times to enter the park to avoid crowds, as there are far fewer tourists in the park this early.
Know Which Day of the Week to Visit
When you visit Joshua Tree depends on what you want to do. The weekends bring many visitors and most stores are open at this time. Plus there’s a trendy pop-up vintage clothing market on the weekends across from Park Boulevard.
Weekdays experience far fewer visitors in the park but more town stores may be closed. If viewing desert wildflowers and hiking in solitude are high on your list, then visiting Joshua Tree during the middle of the week is your best bet.
Bring Sun Protection, Even in the Winter
Besides water, sun protection is one of the top Joshua Tree essentials. The hot weather persists even in the winter and the beating desert sun never seems to take a break.
You will want to be prepared with sun protection when you visit Joshua Tree, including sunscreen, an SPF long sleeve, a sun hat, and polarized sunglasses. With these desert essentials and plenty of water, you are almost guaranteed to prevent heat stroke and dehydration.
Leave No Trace
As with all natural areas, be sure to leave no trace. This means packing out whatever you brought into the park including trash, equipment, and clothing items. The principle of “leave no trace” means leaving the outdoor space as clean as you found it or better so the next visitors can enjoy uninterrupted nature as well.
Get There Early for Parking
Parking can be an issue during peak season in Joshua Tree. I recommend getting to the park early to find a parking space, especially if you’re in a big rig.
I frequently visit Joshua Tree in my motorhome when I camp overnight in the area and can never find parking if I arrive at a trailhead after 10 am. Even regular sedan spaces fill to capacity during the winter months. Be sure to enter the park as early as possible to snag a parking space.
🚗 Where to Rent a Car: Renting a car is the best way to view the huge national park. Plus, the air conditioning comes in handy after hiking under the hot desert sun. Discover Cars is my go-to California rental company – they even have off-roading trucks so you can explore the backcountry.
FAQs About the Best Time to Visit Joshua Tree
What is the best time of year to visit Joshua Tree?
Winter is the best time of year to visit Joshua Tree. This is the peak season in Joshua Tree National Park because winter in the Mojave Desert experiences the best weather year-round.
When are the best Joshua Tree festivals?
Joshua Tree Music Festival, Timelapse Film Festival, and the nearby Stagecoach and Coachella Music Festivals are all popular festivals in the Joshua Tree area.
What is so special about Joshua Tree?
Joshua Tree has one of the largest concentrations of Joshua Trees in the United States. It also has many desert critters and local flora that thrive in the harsh desert ecosystem.
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You made it to the end of my guide, so hopefully you know when the best time to visit this desert destination is for you. Check out this epic list of things to do in California for even more fun!
