Joshua Tree National Park in October
October at Joshua Tree National Park averages a daytime high near 85°F and an overnight low around 58°F, with about 0.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.9× the park's average month, which makes October an average month here.
- Average low
- 58°F
- Average high
- 85°F
Range across the year: 40°F to 104°F
- Precipitation
- 0.2 in
- Daylight
- 11.1 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 211,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes October the 8th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (1.6×) and the July low (0.6×).
October is our recommended month at Joshua Tree: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 71°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 October instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 11.1 hours of daylight in October 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 October visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 97°F / 69°F | 0.7× Quiet | 46 Fair |
| October | 85°F / 58°F | 0.9× Average | 75 Excellent |
| November | 72°F / 47°F | 1.2× Busy | 55 Fair |
All twelve months at Joshua Tree, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Joshua Tree in October
The National Park Service tags 46 Joshua Tree activities for fall. 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
October averages a daytime high near 85°F and an overnight low around 58°F at Joshua Tree National Park, with about 0.2 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.
October is average at Joshua Tree National Park (about 0.9× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Excellent" at 75/100. October is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is July. October sits at about 0.9× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 211,000 recreation visits at Joshua Tree National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Joshua Tree in October
Booking a October trip to Joshua Tree National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October 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 October.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.