Check out the top ten reasons you should plan a visit to Joshua Tree National Park in the winter.
Joshua Tree National Park is a popular destination located in southern California.
Winter in Joshua Tree National Park brings mild daytime temperatures, abundant sunshine, fewer crowds, and ample opportunities for adventure and fun.
I have been to JTNP three separate times during the winter & have loved each winter visit.
Check out the top ten reasons why planning a trip to Joshua Tree in winter is a great idea!
10 Reasons to Visit Joshua Tree in Winter
1. Fewer Crowds & More Solitude
Joshua Tree National Park is a very popular destination with approximately 3 million visitors annually.
The park can get very busy and crowded, especially during the spring and fall peak seasons.
If you are hoping to beat the crowds and have some solitude on the trails, plan on visiting Joshua Tree in winter or summer.
We noticed significantly fewer people on the trails when we visited the park in January & February vs. in March.
If you want the most solitude any time of year, plan to arrive at the park during the early morning hours or later in the afternoon, as the park is busiest during midday.
2. Ideal Hiking Temperatures
Nighttime temperatures often dip to freezing after sunset, but during daylight hours, most days bring perfect hiking weather with average temperatures reaching the 60s.
Dress in layers because it will likely be chilly in the morning, but warm up during the day.
I have been to Joshua Tree in January, February, and March, and each month brought similar weather. We wore coats, hats, and gloves in the morning, but were often comfortable in shorts and sweatshirts by afternoon.
The Santa Ana winds can make for occasional bitter days in the winter. When we visited the park in January 2023, the winds were strong our first day in the park (we still hiked and it wasn’t too bad!), but it was totally calm 2 days later when we visited the park again.
And if you are from the Midwest (like us) or another cold climate, then even the 40s and 50s in the winter feel pleasant compared to back home!
3. You Can Stargaze Without Staying Up Late
Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places in the United States to go stargazing. The park has been designated an International Dark Sky Park because it has no light pollution.
Winter in Joshua Tree is a perfect time to go stargazing because days are shorter, and dark nights are longer, which means more opportunities for stargazing.
The park becomes fully dark by 5-6 p.m. during the winter months. This is perfect for people who want to go stargazing without staying up late.
You should have no problem viewing the stars from anywhere in the park, but the further away you get from the neighboring towns, the more stars you will see.
The best star viewing is during the “new moon phase”, but you will still be able to see many stars even if you are visiting the park during a half-moon or full moon.
When stargazing, avoid using bright white flashlights. It takes 20-30 minutes for the human eye to fully adjust after being exposed to bright light. Red light does not have the same effect on your eyes. You can turn your phone flashlight or a regular flashlight into a red light by covering it with red fabric or red paper.
4. Cheaper Lodging
You will save money by visiting Joshua Tree in winter rather than in peak season. There are more lodging options available for lower prices in the winter, and flights are often cheaper as well.
On our last visit to Joshua Tree National Park, we found round-trip flights to Palm Springs for $140 per person. We rented a beautiful new 3 BR home in Yucca Valley for 7 nights for a total of $1,800. The same house is $2,250 for a week in the spring and fall.
5. Snow in Joshua Tree is Magical
Joshua Tree National Park ranges in elevation from 536 feet to 5,814 feet. It occasionally snows at higher elevations in this desert park. Snow at lower elevations is uncommon but does happen every so often.
If you happen to be at Joshua Tree when it snows, consider yourself lucky – the white dusting over the boulders and among the Joshua trees is a beautiful site that not many get to see!
And if you aren’t a big fan of snow, no worries – when it does snow it usually melts quickly as the temperature rises throughout the day.
6. Sunny Days & Epic Sunsets
According to historical weather data, Joshua Tree National Park is either sunny or partly sunny 93% of the days in the winter. So, you are very likely to have sunshine during your visit to the park.
Where we live in the midwest, it is only sunny or partly sunny 49% of the days in the winter, so experiencing sunshine-filled days when visiting Joshua Tree in winter is a real treat!
Joshua Tree National Park also has some of the BEST sunsets. The sky opposite the sunset looks like a painting every night – add in the big boulders and Joshua trees, and the view is breathtaking.
Best Places to See the Sunset in Joshua Tree
You really can’t go wrong seeing the sunset anywhere in the park.
Keys View and Arch Rock are the most recommended places to see the sunset and for good reason.
If you want a bit more solitude, try one of these sunset spots in Joshua Tree National Park:
- Indian Cove Nature Trail/Campground (my personal favorite, especially if you climb up the rocks a bit)
- Inspiration Peak Trail (from Keys View)
- Cholla Cactus Garden (more well-known for sunrise)
- Ryan Mountain (you’ll work for this one!)
- Hidden Valley
7. You Won’t Have to Fight Traffic
During holidays and the spring months, crowded conditions in the park create limited parking and lines at park entrances.
Visiting Joshua Tree in winter typically means you won’t have to deal with as much traffic or full parking lots (unless you are visiting during Christmas, New Year’s, MLK Day, or President’s Day).
If you are visiting the park during a holiday or busier season, avoid entering the park between 10 am & 2 pm and avoid exiting immediately after sunset.
When visiting the park during a busy time of year, consider arriving at the park early in the day, especially if you plan to hike a popular trail. Visiting the park during the week vs. a weekend also helps.
These “off” times will give you a much better chance of securing a parking spot and having a bit of solitude on the trail.
8. You Are Much Less Likely to See a Snake
There are seven species of rattlesnakes in Joshua Tree National Park.
Negative interactions with rattlesnakes in the park are rare, but even rarer in the colder months, as the snakes are likely to be hidden in a state of dormancy similar to hibernation.
If you want to avoid snakes there’s no better time to visit the park than during the winter months!
In addition to snakes and other reptiles, there are over 50 species of mammals that can be found in Joshua Tree National Park, including jackrabbits, coyotes, bighorn sheep, and bobcats.
Many smaller mammals hibernate in the winter, but others remain active in the colder months. The best time to see wildlife in the park is at dawn or dusk.
9. Campgrounds Won’t Be as Busy
There are over 500 campsites throughout 8 different campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park.
Despite a large number of available campsites, most campgrounds in the park fill up on holidays, weekends, and every day in the busy spring season.
When we visited Joshua Tree in January and February there were many sites available in the campgrounds we visited (Jumbo Rocks, Indian Cove, Black Rock, White Tank, & Hidden Valley).
Even though campgrounds are likely to be less busy and may not fill up in the winter, it is still a good idea to make reservations in advance just to be safe.
Reservations can be made same day or up to 6 months in advance. Joshua Tree campgrounds that take reservations: Black Rock, Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, Ryan
The remaining Joshua Tree campgrounds are first-come, first-served camping: Belle, Hidden Valley, and White Tank.
10. Wildflowers Begin to Bloom
Although spring is the ideal time for wildflower sightings, wildflowers may begin blooming at lower elevations in the park as early as February.
Fall and winter precipitation, as well as spring temperatures, are key factors affecting wildflower blooming. Some years bring a plethora of wildflowers throughout the park, while wildflowers may be scarce other years.
It is believed that winter freezing temperatures stimulate Joshua tree flowering followed by branching – so you can thank Joshua Tree winters for the iconic, funny-looking Joshua trees throughout the park with dozens of branches going every which way!
In Summary
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Joshua Tree In Winter
- Fewer crowds/more solitude
- Ideal hiking temperatures
- Go stargazing without staying up late
- Cheaper lodging
- Chance to see the park blanketed in snow
- Sunny days + epic sunsets
- Less traffic
- Unlikely to encounter snakes
- Campgrounds are not as busy
- Wildflowers may start to bloom
Joshua Tree Frequently Asked Questions
How much is admission to Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree National Park is open year-round. Admission is $30 for a 7-day vehicle permit. Admission is free for military Veterans & U.S. 4th-grade students.
If you plan on visiting 3 or more National Parks within a year, invest in the America the Beautiful Pass.
Can you camp in Joshua Tree in winter?
Yes, all of the campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park are open during the winter season. Temperatures often drop below freezing during winter nights, so bring lots of warm gear if you plan to tent camp.
What are the best things to do in Joshua Tree in the winter?
- Hiking
- Rock climbing
- Stargazing
- Sightseeing/scenic drives
- Picnics
- Photography
What should I bring for my winter trip to Joshua Tree?
Essentials for visiting Joshua Tree in winter:
- Plenty of water & snacks – make sure you drink plenty of water even if you aren’t hot
- Sun Protection (hat, sunglasses, SPF chapstick, protective clothes, sunscreen)- do not underestimate the sun during the winter!
- Park Map (you can get this at the visitor centers or entrance stations in the park)
- Trail Maps
- Mini First Aid Kit
- Warm hat & gloves
- Jacket/coat/layers that you can easily take off as the day warms up
- Hiking Shoes or Boots
- Climbing Gloves– free climbing on the rocks at JTNP is a blast, but they are very rough and cut up your hands, so climbing gloves help significantly
How do I get to Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree National Park is located in southern California. You will need a car to navigate through and around the park.
If you plan on flying to the area, these are the closest major airports:
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) – 45 miles
- Los Angeles International Airport – 145 miles
- San Diego International Airport – 160 miles
- Las Vegas Hary Reid International Airport – 182 miles
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) – 227 miles
Have I convinced you yet to visit Joshua Tree in winter? I hope you will plan a visit to this incredible National Park at some point, whether it’s in the winter or in another season. Happy travels!
