Joshua Tree National Park in December
Joshua Tree National Park · crowd + weather almanac
December crowd level
busy
about 315,000 visits in a
typical December
The 3rd-busiest month of the year ·
median of 2016–2025 official NPS counts
December is the 3rd-busiest month of the year at Joshua Tree National Park: about 315,000 recreation visits in a typical December (10% of the year's traffic, and 78% of what the peak month, March, sees). This is a busy month, though short of the summer-peak crush. Weather-wise, December days at the Twentynine Palms, CA station typically top out around 62°F with nights near 40°F, and about 0.6 inches of precipitation falls over the month.
- Typical December: 314,587 recreation visits (median 2016–2025); the range across those years ran 250,405 (2016) to 363,411 (2021).
- Busier than 9 of the other 11 months.
- 1991–2020 December normals at Twentynine Palms, CA: high 62°F, low 40°F, 0.56 in precipitation.
December weather (1991–2020 normals)
| Typical daytime high | 62°F |
|---|---|
| Typical overnight low | 40°F |
| Precipitation (monthly normal) | 0.56 in |
| Measured at | Twentynine Palms, CA (USC00049099), 0.1 mi from the park reference point, elev. 1,975 ft |
Every month at Joshua Tree
| Month | Typical visits | Crowds | High / Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 259,925 | busy | 63°F / 42°F | 0.5 in |
| February | 287,039 | busy | 67°F / 44°F | 0.6 in |
| March | 404,626 | busiest stretch | 74°F / 49°F | 0.3 in |
| April | 351,253 | busiest stretch | 81°F / 54°F | 0.1 in |
| May | 239,057 | moderate | 90°F / 63°F | 0.1 in |
| June | 165,391 | moderate | 99°F / 71°F | 0.0 in |
| July | 139,315 | quiet | 104°F / 77°F | 0.4 in |
| August | 142,177 | moderate | 103°F / 76°F | 0.7 in |
| September | 157,241 | moderate | 96°F / 69°F | 0.3 in |
| October | 221,930 | moderate | 85°F / 58°F | 0.1 in |
| November | 304,711 | busy | 72°F / 47°F | 0.2 in |
| December | 314,587 | busy | 62°F / 40°F | 0.6 in |