Tips for Visiting Joshua Tree National Park During Peak Season

Joshua Tree National Park draws over three million visitors annually, and the cooler months from October through May are especially popular.

Weekends, holidays, and school breaks bring crowds, leading to long lines at entrances, full parking lots, and campgrounds booked to capacity. Preparation is key in planning a weekend adventure or looking for a peaceful mid-week escape.

Here are our best tips for making the most of your visit during Joshua Tree’s peak season:

Planning Ahead

Joshua Tree doesn’t offer food, water, or gasoline, so stock up before entering the park. Also, downloading the National Park Service (NPS) app can make your visit smoother, offering trail maps, campground information, and ranger program schedules. The app works offline too, a handy feature since cell service is limited inside the park.

Buy a digital pass on recreation.gov to speed up your entry at the gates. Passholders can use bypass lanes when they’re available, cutting down on wait times at the park entrances.

Best Times to Visit

For a quieter experience, plan your trip for mid-week. Mondays through Thursdays are far less crowded than weekends or holidays. If you do visit on the weekend, aim to arrive before 8 am or after 2 pm to avoid the heaviest traffic. Similarly, avoid exiting the park around sunset when crowds tend to bottleneck at the gates.

The park is open 24/7, so take advantage of the off-hours to enjoy a more peaceful visit.

Be Flexible with Your Plans

Crowds can fill parking lots early, especially at popular sites like Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, and Keys View. Instead of sticking rigidly to a plan, be ready to adapt. The best hike might be the one where parking is available, so keep your options open, and explore lesser-known areas of the park to avoid congestion.

If parking lots fill up, the park may implement a drive-through only system, turning visitors away from popular areas. Always park in designated spots or along graded shoulders—never on vegetation or in undesignated spaces, as you could face a fine.

Camping

Most of Joshua Tree’s 515 campsites are reservable, so make a reservation through recreation.gov up to six months in advance — and you’ll need to make them that far in advance for the cooler months.

While there are 77 first-come, first-served sites, they’re in high demand, especially on weekends. If you plan to snag one of these sites, arrive by Friday morning, but be prepared for disappointment if they’re already full. Consider camping outside the park if you’re unable to secure a spot.

Many campgrounds connect to hiking trails, so campers can explore nearby trails on foot and avoid the stress of parking altogether.

Hiking and Sightseeing

To avoid the crowds at popular spots, like Barker Dam and Lost Horse Mine, plan to visit early in the day, ideally before 9 am. Sunsets are spectacular in Joshua Tree, but popular viewing areas like Keys View can become gridlocked. Consider watching the sunset from less crowded spots such as Cap Rock or Quail Springs.

Consider Other Destinations

If you want to avoid the crowds altogether, Southern California offers other stunning desert areas that don’t see the same level of visitation as Joshua Tree:

• Mojave National Preserve: Located north of Joshua Tree, the Mojave offers sweeping sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, and vast stretches of desert solitude. The Kelso Dunes and the Lava Tube are highlights for any desert explorer.
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Just an hour and a half from San Diego, this sprawling state park features dramatic canyons, slot canyons, and springtime wildflowers without the congestion of Joshua Tree. With many dispersed camping options, it’s an excellent place to explore.
• Pinnacles National Park: Though more famous for its rock formations and caves, Pinnacles offers a quiet desert experience. The park is known for its stunning spires, wildflowers, and opportunities to spot endangered California condors.
• Other Areas: If you’re willing to explore a bit off the beaten path, places like Red Rock Canyon State Park or Carrizo Plain National Monument can offer similarly breathtaking landscapes with fewer visitors.

These lesser-known gems allow you to experience the beauty of Southern California while enjoying a more peaceful, relaxed trip.

Recreate Responsibly

No matter what time of year you visit, it’s important to recreate responsibly. Stick to trails, avoid trampling on vegetation, and if you visit in the spring, take only photos of the park’s stunning wildflowers. By respecting Joshua Tree’s delicate ecosystem, you’re helping preserve its beauty for future generations.

Stay Safe

Joshua Tree’s desert environment can be extreme, with unpredictable weather ranging from scorching heat to freezing temperatures to flash floods. Check the weather forecast before heading out, and be mindful of hazards like rattlesnakes, especially as the temperatures warm up.