The best times to visit Joshua Tree National Park for ideal weather are
February 5th to May 6th
or
October 1st to December 2nd
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Joshua Tree National Park Travel Guide
Other Joshua Tree National Park Travel Info
Weather in Joshua Tree National Park
Temperature
Average temperatures in Joshua Tree National Park vary drastically. Considering humidity, temperatures feel nice between summer and winter. The temperatures feel hot for about half the year, and too cold for part of the year with a very low chance of rain or snow throughout the year. The area is somewhat temperate — in the 49th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Joshua Tree National Park, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late July where highs are regularly around 108.9°F (42.7°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 77.7°F (25.4°C) at night.
Joshua Tree National Park Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Joshua Tree National Park Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Joshua Tree National Park Perceived Temperature (F)
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Joshua Tree National Park Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Joshua Tree National Park Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 72.5 | 54.3 | 38.2 |
| Feb | 75.9 | 58.7 | 41.8 |
| Mar | 84.2 | 67.1 | 48.9 |
| Apr | 88.9 | 72.2 | 54.6 |
| May | 96 | 79.8 | 62.1 |
| Jun | 104.9 | 88.5 | 69.1 |
| Jul | 108.2 | 93.5 | 76.8 |
| Aug | 107.8 | 92.8 | 75.4 |
| Sep | 103.9 | 87.2 | 69.1 |
| Oct | 92.1 | 74.5 | 57.2 |
| Nov | 80.1 | 61.8 | 44.5 |
| Dec | 69.5 | 52.5 | 37.3 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22.5 | 12.4 | 3.4 |
| Feb | 24.4 | 14.8 | 5.4 |
| Mar | 29 | 19.5 | 9.4 |
| Apr | 31.6 | 22.3 | 12.6 |
| May | 35.6 | 26.6 | 16.7 |
| Jun | 40.5 | 31.4 | 20.6 |
| Jul | 42.3 | 34.2 | 24.9 |
| Aug | 42.1 | 33.8 | 24.1 |
| Sep | 39.9 | 30.7 | 20.6 |
| Oct | 33.4 | 23.6 | 14 |
| Nov | 26.7 | 16.6 | 6.9 |
| Dec | 20.8 | 11.4 | 2.9 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Joshua Tree National Park are April, May, and then June. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early to mid January. For example, on the week of January 8th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in late January with an average of 1 days of significant precipitation the week of January 22nd.
When can you find snow in Joshua Tree National Park? Weather stations report no annual snow. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Joshua Tree National Park.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Joshua Tree National Park (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4% | 0 | 0.5 |
| Feb | 2% | 0 | 0.2 |
| Mar | 1% | 0 | 0.1 |
| Apr | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| May | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Jun | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Jul | 1% | 0 | 0.1 |
| Aug | 1% | 0 | 0.2 |
| Sep | 2% | 0 | 0.3 |
| Oct | 1% | 0 | 0.1 |
| Nov | 1% | 0 | 0.1 |
| Dec | 4% | 0 | 0.5 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4 | 0 | 1.3 |
| Feb | 2 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Mar | 1 | 0 | 0.3 |
| Apr | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| May | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul | 1 | 0 | 0.3 |
| Aug | 1 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Sep | 2 | 0 | 0.8 |
| Oct | 1 | 0 | 0.3 |
| Nov | 1 | 0 | 0.3 |
| Dec | 4 | 0 | 1.3 |
Humidity and Wind
Joshua Tree National Park has some months with regular humidity, with some very dry months. The least humid month is June (15% relative humidity), and the most humid month is December (37.7%).
Wind in Joshua Tree National Park is usually calm. The windiest month is May, followed by April and June. May’s average wind speed of around 8 knots (9.2 MPH or 14.8 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in late May where average top sustained speeds reach 16.4 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Joshua Tree National Park.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 3.9 | Barely noticeable | 9.3 | Gentle breeze |
| Feb | 4.7 | Light breeze | 10.9 | Gentle breeze |
| Mar | 6 | Light breeze | 13 | Gentle breeze |
| Apr | 7.5 | Gentle breeze | 14.9 | Significant breeze |
| May | 8 | Gentle breeze | 15.5 | Gentle breeze |
| Jun | 7.2 | Gentle breeze | 14.7 | Significant breeze |
| Jul | 6.1 | Light breeze | 13.2 | Gentle breeze |
| Aug | 5.5 | Light breeze | 12.3 | Significant breeze |
| Sep | 5.1 | Light breeze | 11.4 | Gentle breeze |
| Oct | 5.1 | Light breeze | 10.8 | Gentle breeze |
| Nov | 4 | Light breeze | 9.2 | Gentle breeze |
| Dec | 3.6 | Barely noticeable | 8.9 | Gentle breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 30% |
| Feb | 29% |
| Mar | 19.9% |
| Apr | 17.8% |
| May | 16.6% |
| Jun | 15% |
| Jul | 21.5% |
| Aug | 22.3% |
| Sep | 23% |
| Oct | 23.6% |
| Nov | 28.4% |
| Dec | 37.7% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Joshua Tree National Park?
Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are no travel advisories or warnings for the United States; exercise normal security precautions. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Dec 04, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Joshua Tree National Park, CA, US is April, followed by December and February. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Joshua Tree National Park in October. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Joshua Tree National Park Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. Highs range from 100.8°F (38.2°C) and 77.7°F (25.4°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is nonexistent with roughly 0 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have hot weather with high temperatures that are extremely hot. These months see moderate precipitation with about 0 days of precipitation per month. June – August is fairly slow season for tourism in Joshua Tree National Park, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly less.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 106.1°F (41.2°C) and 74.7°F (23.7°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a barely noticeable amount: 0 to 1 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is too cold this time of year in Joshua Tree National Park to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 77.8°F (25.4°C) and 67.8°F (19.9°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: consistently 1 times per month. These times of year are the busiest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› the United States › Joshua Tree National Park, CA, US