Joshua Tree in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 58/100 · #11 of 12 months
December is peak season — expect the year's biggest crowds at Joshua Tree National Park: crowds run 83% of the March peak (339,772 average visits), days average 64°F with 9.9 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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.
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.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 40°F
- Headlamp — only 9.9 hours of daylight in mid-December
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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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:
- American Samoa in December — 17% of peak crowds, highs 88°F, score 66/100
- Everglades in December — 72% of peak crowds, highs 80°F, score 64/100
- Biscayne in December — 77% of peak crowds, highs 80°F, score 62/100
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).
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).
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.
See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-09-12