- Best time to visit Joshua Tree: February, April, October and November. The weather is at its most comfortable then, and crowds are lighter than at the peak.
- Busiest month: March, with about 421,921 visits in a typical recent year. That is 3.0 times as many as July.
- Quietest month: July (142,042 visits).
- Heat: average highs reach 102°F in July; June to August are dangerous for long hikes in the middle of the day.
Bar height: visitors that month, compared with the busiest month. Temperatures: average daily high and low (°F); rain and snow: monthly averages. Best marks the months we suggest.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Visits (typical) | High / low (°F) | Precipitation | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Busy | 277,616 | 60° / 38° | 1.2 in | 0 in |
| February ★ | Busy | 300,813 | 63° / 39° | 0.7 in | 0 in |
| March | Busiest | 421,921 | 70° / 42° | 0.5 in | 0 in |
| April ★ | Busiest | 351,253 | 77° / 47° | 0.2 in | 0 in |
| May | Moderate | 245,065 | 86° / 54° | 0.1 in | 0 in |
| June | Quiet | 165,391 | 95° / 61° | 0.0 in | 0 in |
| July | Quiet | 142,042 | 102° / 70° | 0.3 in | 0 in |
| August | Quiet | 142,921 | 100° / 70° | 0.4 in | 0 in |
| September | Quiet | 153,966 | 93° / 64° | 0.2 in | 0 in |
| October ★ | Moderate | 217,363 | 82° / 52° | 0.2 in | 0 in |
| November ★ | Busy | 307,670 | 69° / 43° | 0.2 in | 0 in |
| December | Busy | 333,851 | 60° / 36° | 0.5 in | 1 in |
Weather figures are NOAA 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the Joshua Tree station (2,563 feet above sea level), 2 miles from Joshua Tree Visitor Center. Visitor numbers are the median of 2022 to 2025 monthly recreation visits from the National Park Service.
By season
- Spring (March to May): 33% of the year’s visits; average highs 70° to 86°F.
- Summer (June to August): 15% of the year’s visits; average highs 95° to 102°F.
- Fall (September to November): 22% of the year’s visits; average highs 69° to 93°F.
- Winter (December to February): 30% of the year’s visits; average highs 60° to 63°F.
Weekends and holidays
Even in a quiet month, holiday weekends fill parking lots and campgrounds. The 2027 federal holidays to plan around:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 18
- Presidents Day: Monday, February 15
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 31
- Juneteenth: Saturday, June 19
- Independence Day: Sunday, July 4 (observed Monday, July 5)
- Labor Day: Monday, September 6
- Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day: Monday, October 11
- Veterans Day: Thursday, November 11
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 25
Entrance is free for U.S. residents on the park service’s fee-free days. The last one in 2026 is Veterans Day, November 11; the 2027 dates had not been announced when we checked. Free days are often busier. See the crowd calendar for all 64 parks.
Weather, in the park service’s words
Days are typically clear with less than 25% humidity. Temperatures are most comfortable in the spring and fall, with an average highs around 85°F (29°C) and average lows around 50°F (10°C) respectively. Winter brings cooler days, around 60°F (15°C), and freezing nights. It occasionally snows at higher elevations. Summers are hot, over 100°F (38°C) during the day and not cooling much below 75°F (24°C) at night.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Today at Joshua Tree
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Alerts: National Park Service, checked hourly. Forecast: National Weather Service, for Joshua Tree Visitor Center. Always confirm on the official park site before you set out.
Sources
- National Park Service visitor use statistics (IRMA): monthly recreation visits, 2022 to 2025
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020 (monthly)
- National Park Service Data API: weather overview (public domain)
Last checked 1 November 2026.