Joshua trees and desert scrub stretch across a plain toward distant mountains under a sky of dramatic, billowy clouds.

When to come

Joshua Tree, month by month.

12 guides

What each month brings.

The high desert changes a lot through the year. Winter days are mild and nights can drop below freezing, spring brings the wildflower weeks and the busiest weekends in the park, summer afternoons are hot enough to shape the whole day around the pool and the hot tub, and autumn opens the climbing and camping season again.

Each page below covers one month: the weather to expect, how long the days are, how busy Joshua Tree National Park gets, what is in the night sky, the events that usually happen around the Morongo Basin and Palm Springs, and what to pack. Dates and conditions change from year to year, so check the park's alerts before you go.

All local guides
A light dusting of snow covers the desert floor, shrubs, and Joshua trees around large monzogranite rock formations under a foggy winter sky.
Month by month

Joshua Tree in January

Joshua Tree in January: NOAA weather normals for Yucca Valley, short days, snow and road closures, crowd numbers, the Quadrantids and Palm Springs events.

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A desert plain filled with Joshua trees leading toward rugged hills and snow-dusted distant mountains under a clear sky.
Month by month

Joshua Tree in February

Joshua Tree in February: Yucca Valley weather normals, longer days, the start of spring crowds, Joshua tree blooms, Modernism Week and Mars and Jupiter in 2027.

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Yellow desert wildflowers bloom across a sandy wash surrounded by Joshua trees and desert shrubs under a bright blue sky.
Month by month

Joshua Tree in March

Joshua Tree in March: the park's busiest month, NOAA weather normals, the clock change, mid-elevation wildflowers, spring wind, the night sky and local events.

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A close-up photograph of a blooming Joshua tree flower cluster against an out-of-focus desert landscape.
Month by month

Joshua Tree in April

Joshua Tree in April: warming NOAA weather normals, blooms on the high ground, Coachella and Stagecoach weekends, waking wildlife, the Lyrids and what to pack.

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Beavertail cactus blooming with vivid magenta flowers amidst desert shrubs and monzogranite boulders in Joshua Tree National Park.
Month by month

Joshua Tree in May

Joshua Tree in May: Yucca Valley climate normals, sunrise and sunset, the last blooms, Memorial Day crowds, the Eta Aquariids and what to pack.

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A Mojave Desert landscape with rounded granite rock formations, desert scrub, and yuccas against rugged desert mountains.
Month by month

Joshua Tree in June

Joshua Tree in June: NOAA normals for Yucca Valley, the longest days, Fortynine Palms and campground closures, safe hiking hours and dark June nights.

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A solitary Joshua tree stands framed by rounded granite rock formations under a starry night sky with the Milky Way.
Month by month

Joshua Tree in July

Joshua Tree in July: Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms normals, monsoon storms and flash floods, Fourth of July rules, thin crowds and Milky Way nights.

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A dense stand of teddybear cholla cacti under a dark, dramatic storm sky with distant desert mountains.
Month by month

Joshua Tree in August

Joshua Tree in August: NOAA normals, monsoon storms and road closures, the Perseid meteor shower, shorter days, thin crowds and what to pack.

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A Mojave desert landscape with granite boulder formations, Joshua trees, and rugged mountains under a late afternoon sky.
Month by month

Joshua Tree in September

Joshua Tree in September: NOAA weather normals, late heat, daylight, the Fortynine Palms closure, flash floods, crowds, the night sky and what to pack.

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A person rock climbing a steep monzogranite cliff face using top-rope gear.
Month by month

Joshua Tree in October

Joshua Tree in October: NOAA normals, shorter days, Fortynine Palms reopening, climbing season, crowds, the Orionids, Night Sky Festival and art tours.

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Campers gather around a blazing campfire at a desert campsite backed by monzogranite rock formations and desert scrub.
Month by month

Joshua Tree in November

Joshua Tree in November: NOAA normals, the clock change and early sunsets, Thanksgiving crowds, campsites, longer hikes, the Leonids and what to pack.

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A silhouetted Joshua tree stands against a twilight sky patterned with rippled clouds and a tiny crescent moon.
Month by month

Joshua Tree in December

Joshua Tree in December: NOAA normals, freezing nights and rare snow, the shortest days, holiday crowds, the Geminids, holiday events and packing.

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Base yourself here

Stargaze Escape, Yucca Valley.

Two king bedrooms, a stock-tank pool, a hot tub, a gas fire pit and a 1950s car bed with a custom stargazing roof, about 25 minutes from the park's west entrance.

Book on AirbnbSee the house

Photo credits on this page: Joshua Tree Landscape with Snow (54380704275).jpg by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain · Joshua trees and snow capped mountains (31727726703).jpg by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain · Wildflowers by Keys View Road (26413348342).jpg by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain · Joshua Tree Flowers in Bloom (51915511242).jpg by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain · Beavertail Cactus in the Wonderland of Rocks. (36736804261).jpg by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain · Indian Cove Campground; Twentynine Palms, CA - 12660944675.jpg by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain · Night sky of Joshua Tree National Park (35211054330).jpg by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain · Afternoon Storm over Cholla Cactus Garden (52397977619).jpg by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain · Sunset at Joshua Tree National Park (21123226221).jpg by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain · Rock Climber at Joshua Tree National Park - 2.jpg by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain · Campfire at Jumbo Rocks campground (16116721080).jpg by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain · Crescent moon and Joshua tree silhouette at sunset (50733907513).jpg by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain · Joshua trees after a storm in Hidden Valley Area (50578338762).jpg by Joshua Tree National Park, Public domain. More on our photo credits page.