Joshua Tree National Park in May
May at Joshua Tree National Park averages a daytime high near 90°F and an overnight low around 63°F, with about 0.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 63°F
- Average high
- 90°F
Range across the year: 40°F to 104°F
- Precipitation
- 0.1 in
- Daylight
- 13.8 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 239,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 7th-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 May rates 59/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 76°F is hot, with afternoons near 90°F to plan the day around. 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 May instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 13.8 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.8-hour midwinter low and the 14.2-hour summer high.
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 May visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 81°F / 55°F | 1.4× Busy | 63 Good |
| May | 90°F / 63°F | 1.0× Average | 59 Fair |
| June | 99°F / 71°F | 0.7× Quiet | 48 Fair |
All twelve months at Joshua Tree, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Joshua Tree in May
The National Park Service tags 46 Joshua Tree activities for spring. 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
May averages a daytime high near 90°F and an overnight low around 63°F at Joshua Tree National Park, with about 0.1 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.
May is average at Joshua Tree National Park (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 59/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is July. May sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 239,000 recreation visits at Joshua Tree National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Joshua Tree in May
Booking a May trip to Joshua Tree National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May 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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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.