Joshua Tree in Winter
Winter in Joshua Tree National Park is wonderful with high temperatures still hitting the mid 60s, abundant sunshine, and less crowds.
The winter months bring more solitude to a usually very popular park. If you don’t mind the near-freezing low temperatures, camping during this time of year is also a treat.
Despite the fact that Joshua Tree is a desert park, light snowfall is not out of the ordinary during the winter months.
Winter Monthly Temperatures in Joshua Tree National Park
| December | 61F / 37F |
| January | 63F / 38F |
| February | 66F / 38F |
| March | 74F / 43F |
Winter Activities in Joshua Tree National Park
Winter in Joshua Tree National Park does not really limit activities for the average visior. Some great winter activities include:
- Exploring Hidden Valley
- Driving Geology Tour Road
- Stargazing at Skull Rock
- Spotting Bighorn Sheep at Barker Dam
Interested in what Joshua Tree is like during other times of the year? Check out our Joshua Tree Seasons & Weather page to learn more about which season is best for your visit to the park. Our personal favorite is Spring but Winter is great as well.
Things to Know Before You Visit Joshua Tree in Winter
Entrance Fees: $30
Getting Around: Joshua Tree is a very accessible park with the main park road taking visitors through various viewpoints, hiking opportunities, and interesting sites. Any vehicle will do on the main park road, but you’ll need a 4WD high-clearance vehicle for some of the unpaved and off-the-beaten-path roads in the park. Either way prepare for some scenic driving! The park does get very busy in the Summer so be prepared for limited parking in the more popular areas and full campgrounds.
Sunscreen: Visiting national parks during certain times of the year can mean lots of sun. Seriously, some of these parks can zap you if you don’t wear sunscreen. We happen to like this one because it works AND it’s not full of a bunch of chemicals.
Leave No Trace: We’re big fans of Leave No Trace, here at MTJP. Want to learn more? Read about the seven principals of Leave No Trace here.
Insect Repellent: You hope not to need it, but you want to have it. We typically bring an Eco-Friendly Insect Repellent with us just in case.
Dogs are not allowed on trails in most national parks due to their potentially disruptive presence with the natural ecosystem. The basic rule is they are allowed where cars can go so be sure to check the rules before bringing along your furry friend.
Details About Joshua Tree National Park
Location: California
Established: October 31, 1994
Size: 790,636 acres
Visitors: 2,942,382 (2020)
Entrance Fees: $30/vehicle
The Joshua Tree Video
MTJP | Joshua Tree is the culmination of nearly a month spent exploring Joshua Tree National Park.
We chose Joshua Tree because of its unique landscape. Its immense boulder piles, colorful cactus fields, endless desert expanses, and one-of-a-kind Joshua trees make for a spectacular setting.
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