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Joshua Tree in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 58/100 · #11 of 12 months

December is peak season — the 3rd-busiest month of the year, at Joshua Tree National Park: crowds run 83% of the March peak (339,772 average visits). Weather: highs average 64°F and lows 40°F, with 0.6″ of precipitation and 9.9 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Bring for Joshua Tree in December

  1. Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 40°F.
  2. HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 9.9 hours of daylight in mid-December.
  3. Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.

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Joshua Tree in December: what the park service says

December at Joshua Tree is inside the stretch when the park service says every campground is usually full on weekends (September through May). For a holiday trip, reserve: the park says booking is highly recommended for holidays and weekends, and the five reservable campgrounds open bookings up to six months ahead on recreation.gov. The first-come campgrounds, Hidden Valley, Belle and White Tank, typically fill by Friday afternoon.

Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.

The sky turns hues of pink and purple over a field of Joshua trees.
Joshua Tree National Park — photo: NPS / Emily Hassell (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in December

Joshua Tree averages 339,772 recreation visits in December — 83% of what March, the peak month, draws. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — book early and start days at dawn.

Average visits (December)
339,772 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)
Share of the year
11.1% of annual visitation
vs. peak (March)
83%

Weather & daylight

Daytime temperatures are comfortable (highs average 64°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 40°F). It is typically dry (0.6″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 9.9 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station CHIRIACO SUMMIT, CA US (18 mi from park coordinates, 1,706 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Joshua Tree in December

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Joshua Tree are January and May.

Also at their best in December

Other parks whose computed December verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

Common questions

Is Joshua Tree crowded in December?

Yes — December runs 83% of Joshua Tree's peak, averaging 339,772 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Joshua Tree.

What is the weather like in Joshua Tree in December?

Average highs of 64°F, lows of 40°F, 0.6″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, CHIRIACO SUMMIT, CA US station). Compare it with other national parks in December.

What should I pack for Joshua Tree in December?

Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Headlamp; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in January instead? Joshua Tree in January has its own list.

← Joshua Tree in November All months Joshua Tree in January →

See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-09-24

Also check in December

The nearest other parks that are not closed or rated Harsh in December, with the same NPS × NOAA verdict. Distance is a straight line.