Our recommendation
Visit Mojave in August
August offers pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season). For comparison, November is the most crowded month (~1.3× the average month) and August is the quietest.
Annual visits
570K
2025
Busiest month
Nov
1.3× avg
Quietest month
Aug
0.7× avg
10-yr trend
rising
+7.7%
How crowded is Mojave by month?
Relative crowd level by month (1.0 = the park's average month), from NPS visitation records 1997–2025.
Month-by-month crowd, weather & daylight
| Month | Crowd level | Best-time score | Avg high / low | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Average | 46 Fair | 54°F / 40°F | 9.9 h |
| February | Average | 51 Fair | 55°F / 41°F | 10.7 h |
| March | Average | 49 Fair | 62°F / 45°F | 11.7 h |
| April | Busy | 51 Fair | 68°F / 50°F | 12.9 h |
| May | Average | 72 Good | 77°F / 58°F | 13.8 h |
| June | Average | 69 Good | 87°F / 69°F | 14.4 h |
| July | Average | 63 Good | 92°F / 73°F | 14.1 h |
| August★ best | Quiet | 79 Excellent | 91°F / 72°F | 13.3 h |
| September | Quiet | 78 Excellent | 85°F / 68°F | 12.2 h |
| October | Average | 68 Good | 74°F / 57°F | 11.1 h |
| November | Busy | 33 Poor | 62°F / 47°F | 10.1 h |
| December | Average | 35 Poor | 53°F / 40°F | 9.6 h |
Climate normals (1991–2020) from the nearest NOAA station (USC00045721, ~12.6 mi away).
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About visiting Mojave
Mojave National Preserve is a National Preserve in CA and a moderately visited park, drawing about 570,000 recreation visits in 2025. Visitation has climbed over the past decade, up roughly 7.7%, so crowds are trending heavier each year. Crowds concentrate sharply by season: November is the busiest month at about 1.3× the park's average month, while August is the calmest at roughly 0.7× — a 2-to-1 swing between high and low season. Roughly 22% of the year's visitors arrive in the three summer months of June, July and August alone, so timing a trip outside that window is the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels. Weather swings from an average high-season warmth near 83°F in July down to about 46°F in December, with the wettest stretch in February. About 7 months a year see comfortable average temperatures in the 50–80°F range, which is part of why crowd timing and weather timing don't always line up. The sweet spot is August: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season). Visit then and you trade a little peak-season certainty for noticeably shorter lines and easier parking than the November rush. Daylight ranges from about 9.6 hours in midwinter to 14.4 hours near the summer solstice, which shapes how much ground you can cover in a day. These crowd figures are drawn from 1997–2025 of National Park Service visitor-use records, paired with 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals, and are updated as new monthly data is released.
Park overview
Mojave preserves a diverse mosaic of ecological habitats and a 10,000 year history of human connection with the desert. Offering extensive opportunities to experience desert landscapes, the preserve promotes understanding and appreciation for the increasingly threatened resources of the Mojave Desert. This remote preserve encourages a sense of discovery and a connection to wild places.
Weather & conditions
Mojave Desert experiences change with the seasons. In winter, freezing temperatures and strong winds can be expected, with rain and snow in the mountains. With enough moisture, spring wildflowers may carpet the desert floor with vivid colors. Summers are hot, and temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit are typical. In summer, adventurers head for the higher elevations such as Mid-Hills and the New York Mountains. The cooler temperatures of fall mark hunting season.
Park overview text courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Where to stay near Mojave
Hotels, cabins, lodges and vacation rentals near Mojave National Preserve — live availability and prices to plan your trip. August is our pick for the best balance of light crowds and good weather.
Top-rated places to stay near Mojave
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Getting there — nearest airports
Updated July 2026The closest airport to Mojave National Preserve is McCarran International Airport (LAS), about 79 mi (1 hr 38 min drive) away.
| Airport | Distance | Drive time | Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| McCarran International Airport (LAS)Best for flights | 79 mi | 1 hr 38 min | Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Bonza |
| Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) | 155 mi | 3 hr 35 min | Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, KLM |
| Ontario International Airport (ONT) | 188 mi | 3 hr 35 min | Aeromexico, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Silk Avia, Southwest Airlines |
| John Wayne Airport - Santa Ana (SNA) | 226 mi | 4 hr 22 min | Air Montenegro, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta, Fly Lili |
| Bob Hope Airport - Hollywood Burbank (BUR) | 231 mi | 4 hr 26 min | Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Silk Avia, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines |
Which airport should you choose?
- Shortest drive: McCarran International Airport (LAS) — about 1 hr 38 min from the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
August offers pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season) at Mojave National Preserve. The park is busiest in November (about 1.3× the average month) and quietest in August.
November is the busiest month at Mojave National Preserve, running roughly 1.3 times the park's average monthly visitation.
August is the quietest month at Mojave National Preserve, at about 0.7× the average month — a good choice if you want to avoid crowds.
Mojave National Preserve recorded about 569,844 recreation visits in 2025. Visitation has been rising over the past decade (+7.7%).
Based on 1991–2020 climate normals, the warmest month at Mojave National Preserve averages about 83°F (July). See the month-by-month table above for the full picture.
McCarran International Airport (LAS) is the closest airport to Mojave National Preserve, about 79 mi (1 hr 38 min drive) away.
There is no airport inside Mojave National Preserve. Fly into McCarran International Airport (LAS) and drive the rest of the way — about 1 hr 38 min.
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Sources: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1997–2025), NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. Crowd index = a month's visits ÷ the park's average month.