Joshua Tree National Park in December
December at Joshua Tree National Park averages a daytime high near 62°F and an overnight low around 40°F, with about 0.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes December a busy month here.
- Average low
- 40°F
- Average high
- 62°F
Range across the year: 40°F to 104°F
- Precipitation
- 0.6 in
- Daylight
- 9.8 hours
Roughly 11% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 302,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (1.6×) and the July low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 42/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 51°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 18.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 15% of annual visitors, choosing December instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 9.8 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 2,932,644 recreation visits, down 2% from 2,991,874 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 15%, so a December visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 72°F / 47°F | 1.2× Busy | 55 Fair |
| December | 62°F / 40°F | 1.3× Busy | 42 Poor |
| January | 63°F / 42°F | 1.0× Average | 54 Fair |
All twelve months at Joshua Tree, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Joshua Tree in December
The National Park Service tags 46 Joshua Tree activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Attend a Keys Ranch Tour · 90-120 minutes · reservation required
- Hike Arch Rock · 45-90 minutes
- Hike Fortynine Palms Oasis · 2-3 hours
- Hike Lost Palms Oasis · 4-6 hours
- Hike Panorama Loop Trail · 3-5 hours
- Hike Skull Rock · 1-2 hours
- Hike West Side Loop · 2-3 hours
- Rock Climbing at Echo T
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 62°F and an overnight low around 40°F at Joshua Tree National Park, with about 0.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 18.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is busy at Joshua Tree National Park (about 1.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 42/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is July. December sits at about 1.3× the park's average, or 11% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 302,000 recreation visits at Joshua Tree National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Joshua Tree in December
Booking a December trip to Joshua Tree National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Joshua Tree
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Visiting Joshua Tree in December?
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in December.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.