Best Time To Visit Joshua Tree National Park

What’s the best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park?

Joshua Tree National Park offers a unique desert landscape, merging the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. We live in California and took a trip down to the park during Thanksgiving. Whether you visit Joshua Tree in the spring or fall, or possibly during the hotter summer or colder winter months, here’s everything you need to know.

Overall Best Time To Visit Joshua Tree National Park

When to visit Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most important things to know before going.

Best Time to Visit Joshua Tree: April and November are the best and most popular months to visit Joshua Tree National Park.

March, May, and October are also great months to visit the park. If you enjoy music festivals in the desert, come by in May or October for the Joshua Tree Music Festival.

Because spring and fall are the busiest times of year to visit Joshua Tree, many other people will be doing the same thing so expect to see crowds in the park.

But when we visited, people stood patiently in line for their turn to take the photo next to a park attraction. So you will have time to get some great photos. And if you arrive early or stay after lunch, the crowds are fewer. 

Best Time of Day To Visit Joshua Tree National Park

The earlier, the better to avoid crowds! Drive into the park in the morning (as early as possible), especially since the park is open year-round, 24 hours a day.

But if you plan to visit the visitor center first before checking out the park, stop by at the Oasis Visitor Center and Cottonwood Visitor Center after 8:30 am and Joshua Tree Visitor Center after 7:30 am.  

If you start in later, you might be waiting in your car at the park entrance for sometime before getting in.

Keep in mind that the park entrance station also checks if you paid your fee or asks to show your pass when you exit so account time for that. We actually waited longer in a car queue to get out of the park than get in! 

We started our day earlier (as early as we, late-risers possibly can!) and entered the park at 8:30 am. We were able to get parking near the hiking trails and start exploring earlier than the others.

If early morning isn’t for you, you can visit later in the afternoon. Park visitors are usually eating lunch, done with lunch and relaxing, or heading out of the park. So you might have a shorter line getting into the park then. 

So drive in after lunch, hike a trail and then spend your sunset at the park. The hours leading up to sunset offer beautiful golden light, long shadows, and fewer people. The best hikes at Joshua Tree are even better during sunset.

Best Time To Visit Joshua Tree National Park For Avoiding Crowds

To avoid crowds, visit Joshua Tree National Park between June and August or between December and January. During the summer, Joshua Tree receives far fewer visitors.

This is due to the fact that the summer temperatures are really hot – averaging to 100°F during the day. Even nighttime temperatures can go up to 75°F. To avoid the afternoon heat, plan to hike only early in the morning and late in the evening. 

Tip: A popular time to visit the park is during sunset. Park visitors are looking for their favorite spot to take the perfect photo so you’ll see crowds all around. Climbing up a nearby rock or your car in the parking lot might still get you a good photo while avoiding crowds.

Best Time To Visit Joshua Tree National Park For Stargazing

The best stargazing time is about 2-3 days after or before the new moon. When the moon is full or in its other phases, it’s bright enough to be reflected off the sun. That makes the sky less dark and harder to see any stars.

There are lots of areas in Joshua Tree where you can stargaze. Stop at parking areas or roadside pullouts to look up for stars. Pull out on Pinto Basin Road for minimal crowds and clear dark skies.

Photograph any of the rock attractions for a photo of the rock with a beautiful night background.

But it can be quite a drive into the park so you can stop at the Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center near the Twentynine Palms entrance. It comes right before the entrance.

That’s where we stargazed and the sky was beautifully filled with stars! We loved our shot of the Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center with the sky above it. 

Best Time To Visit Keys View

Keys View is the highest point in Joshua Tree National Park so you’re going to get amazing views all year around. But the best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park’s Keys View is during sunset time.

Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park are the best places to see the high desert in California. It’s just a short walk to this view and you can see the Salton Sea, Coachella Valley, and the San Andreas Fault.

There will be crowds then so you should always drive up to the view before sunset. Since Keys View is the farthest west point in the park and a dead-end, you can plan it to be the last attraction of the day. The views are beautiful and you can see far out on clear days when there’s light pollution.

Best Time To Camp in Joshua Tree 

The perfect time to camp in Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding area is either in the spring or fall. The early spring months of March & April, as well as the late fall months of October & November, are ideal for camping and glamping in Joshua National Tree’s desert environment. 

If you’d like to camp near the Twentynine Palms North Entrance, reserve a spot at the Jumbo Rocks Campground. This campground is a great spot to camp for its central location right on the main road, Park Boulevard.

If you’d like to camp near the West Entrance, reserve a spot at the Indian Cove Campground. While you’re here, check out these short hikes on Indian Cove Road: the Indian Cove Nature Trail and the Indian Cove Boy Scout Trail.  

If you’d like to camp near the South Entrance, reserve a spot at the Cottonwood Campground on Cottonwood Oasis Road. Known for its darker skies, this campground is a great place to see the Milky Way.

By The Season 

The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is strongly affected by the season even though the park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The backbone of this parks appeal is its unique landscape so whenever you visit, you’ll always get to enjoy the park’s scenery.

Joshua Tree In The Spring

The months of March through May are, by far, the most popular for visiting Joshua Tree. Not only are the temperatures generally mild at this time of year, but spring also brings clear skies and pleasant weather all around.

Between the months of March and May, you’ll see the desert’s wildflowers blooming around the park. This is the park’s peak season as these beautiful flowers add a kick of vibrant color to a brown desert landscape.

It’s a special place to see these flowers and other plants as there are so many different species (around 800 plant species!).

Spring in Joshua Tree offers the opportunity to see the Cholla Cactus Garden in bloom. However, getting a campsite in Joshua Tree during the spring can be difficult, so plan ahead and book your site at least 6 months in advance to avoid disappointment.

Joshua Tree In The Summer

While summer is the best and busiest season to visit most U.S. national parks, Joshua Tree National Park isn’t. It isn’t busy due to the hot weather and high temperatures with its dry heat and blazing sun.

Summer temperatures in Joshua Tree are intense with an average high of around 100°F during the day and around 75°F at night.

Hike earlier in the morning or later in the evening and avoid hiking in the afternoon. If you’re visiting during these hottest months, you need to be drinking and packing plenty of water too.

During the hot summer months, the best way to explore Joshua Tree is through off-roading! Forgot about Google Maps and book this family-friendly off-roading tour!

Alternative: Not a fan of rugged roads? Try this comfy driving tour instead that takes you to Hidden Valley and Keys View. Spot some bighorn sheep on your drive through the park.

Joshua Tree In The Fall

The fall weather is usually mild, with daytime temperatures hovering around 80°F and nighttime lows around 50°F. If you’re choosing between spring and fall, plan to visit during the fall. The crowds are fewer compared to the spring.

During the fall, the days will be warm, but not oppressively so, making for ideal warm picnic weather and the temperatures will drop at night.

We visited in November and the average temperatures were around 70°F during the day and went down to 40°F at night. I think it’s the best national park to visit in November: good weather and decent crowds.

The nights were cold but we saw campers wrapped up in jackets and blankets and lots of campfires were set up throughout the campground. So it’s doable if you plan to camp during that season.

Even though you won’t see fall foliage in this park compared to other national parks like Yosemite and Sequoia, the colorful sunsets are dramatic but photos of the sun behind the Cholla Cactus plants are beautiful. 

With pleasant temperatures and smaller crowds, fall is the best season to visit Joshua Tree.

Joshua Tree In The Winter

Winter is a great time to visit Joshua Tree, with the added benefit of fewer visitors. In the winter, the weather in Joshua Tree can be quite pleasant, with moderate temperatures, especially on sunny days.

Temperatures in the winter range from the 50°F to 60°F Fahrenheit. This is when the park’s temperatures are the most pleasant for hiking, climbing, or other outdoor activities. But they can drop below freezing at night leading to bitterly cold nights.

Unlike places that get a lot of snow in the winter, most of Joshua Tree’s popular attractions are still open even if it snows.

With winter temperatures being mild, one of the best things to do in the park is rock climbing! Try this beginner tour and learn the basics with other rock climbers!

Best Tours in Joshua Tree National Park

Where to Stay Near Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park has a variety of accommodations: hotels, resorts, campgrounds and more. We recommend these 3 options:

Budget-Friendly Option: Cozy Fresh Desert Hideaway (5 mins to Joshua Tree)

Mid-Priced Option: Sacred Sands

Lux Option: The Bungalows by Homestead Modern

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you know the best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park, you might have some questions about the park. Here are the most frequently asked questions about Joshua Tree National Park: 

1. Is Joshua Tree National Park Worth Visiting?

Yes! Joshua trees (scientifically known as yucca brevifolia) are one of the most well-known symbols of the American Southwest. However, many people don’t realize that there is a national park dedicated to these iconic desert plants.

Joshua Tree National Park encompasses over 790,000 acres of land (larger than Rhode Island!) with Joshua trees and interesting rock boulders.

The park was established in 1936 by President Franklin Roosevelt, who recognized Joshua trees as being rare and unique to the region’s ecosystem.

Plus, fun fact: the Joshua Tree is also known for its spiritual energy.

2. How long does it take to drive from LA to Joshua Tree?

Joshua Tree National Park isn’t too far from major cities and airports. It’s also a 2.5-hour day trip from Los Angeles and a 3-hour day trip to San Diego.

The airport closest to Joshua Tree is the Palm Springs International Airport which is an hour away from the south entrance. 

3. Is It A Bad Idea To Go To Joshua Tree National Park In The Summer?

Yes, it’s not a good idea to visit Joshua Tree National Park in the summer. This is due to the fact that the park can become very hot (and we mean extremely hot). During the summer, temperatures can reach over 100 F, with dry, desert heat and minimal shade to be found.

If you plan to visit during the summer, you need to be prepared for the intense heat and have experience hiking in the heat. Hiking and rock climbing become uncomfortable and potentially dangerous as a result of intense heat.

3. What to Pack to Joshua Tree National Park?

If you’ve visited desert landscapes before, you know that it makes your face, hands, lips so dry. Other than packing the essentials, make sure you are packing products that’ll prevent dryness and protect you from the dry heat:

• Lotion
• Lip Balm
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Sunscreen
• Sunhat
• Sunglasses

4. What Time of Year Do Joshua Trees Bloom?

This depends on the amount of rain the winter season brought in before spring. They can bloom as early as February in lower elevations and as late as May in higher elevations. 

In recent years, blooms happen far less due to drought but when it happens, it’s extra special.

5. How Many Days Do You Need To Visit Joshua Tree National Park?

This depends on what attractions and hiking trails you’d like to see and do but one day is enough to see the highlights of Joshua Tree National Park. In one day, plan to see the Skull Rock, Arch Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden, and sunset at Keys View.

But we recommend spending at least 2-3 days so explore the park in-depth, go on off-road drives and visit surrounding attractions. 

6. How many people visit Joshua Tree in a year?

Around 2.4 million people visit Joshua Tree National Park annually. It’s the 11th most visited national park in the US.

Final Thoughts: Best Time To Visit Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park has a lot to offer: Joshua Trees, rock formations, palm trees and stunning desert vistas.

Not only is it considered one of the most visited National Parks, with over 2 million people visiting annually, but its awe-inspiring scenery and diverse plant life are an irresistible draw for outdoor explorers.

The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park will depend on your needs and what you want to see there but we recommend April and November as the best months to visit Joshua Tree National Park.

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