Mid-spring · Weather & things to do
Joshua Tree in April
Joshua Tree warms up: highs climb to 78°F (26°C), from 71°F in March, with lows of 49°F (9°C) and about 0.2 in (4 mm) of rain.
At 100/100 for comfort (the top score of the year), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 78°F (26°C)
- Avg low
- 49°F (9°C)
- Rain
- 0.2 in (4 mm)
- Humidity
- 32%
- Cloud cover
- 26%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 51 min
- Comfort score
- 100/100 · Great
What April feels like
Days are warm, averaging 78°F (26°C), easy weather for being outside from morning to evening.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 16°C (30°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
The air is dry, at about 32% humidity, which keeps warmth comfortable but dries skin and lips.
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 0.2 in (4 mm) of rain.
Sunny spells dominate: cloud cover averages 26%.
Plan around April
April is one of Joshua Tree's best months on the climate data.
- Last of the best-scoring months: by May, the score drops to 84/100.
- Comfort holds steady from March (99 → 100/100).
- April sits inside the Oct – Apr window our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends.
What to pack for April
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 78°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 49°F
- Lip balm and moisturizerdry air
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Joshua Tree in April
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Joshua Tree National Park
Granite boulder piles and Joshua trees across two deserts.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best Oct–Apr.
Hidden Valley Nature Trail
1-mile loop through a boulder-ringed valley once used by cattle rustlers.
Why now April scores 100/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Cholla Cactus Garden
Dense stand of teddy-bear cholla on a short boardwalk.
Why now Highs near 78°F and 0.2 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Ryan Mountain Trail
3-mile round trip climb to 360° views over the park.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum
10 acres of large assemblage sculptures in the desert.
Nearby in April
- Palm Springs in April~37 mi · highs 84°F, 0.2 in rain · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- La Jolla in April~107 mi · highs 65°F, 0.8 in rain · 7°C (13°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Downtown San Diego & Gaslamp Quarter in April~108 mi · highs 73°F, 0.7 in rain · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Pasadena in April~130 mi · highs 71°F, 0.7 in rain · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~541 m to Joshua Tree's ~797 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Joshua Tree in April: quick answers
Is April a good time to visit Joshua Tree?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 100/100. Expect highs of 78°F (26°C) and 0.2 in (4 mm) of rain. April is inside the Oct – Apr window our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends.
How hot is Joshua Tree in April?
Average highs are 78°F (26°C) and average lows 49°F (9°C), making it the 6th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Joshua Tree in April?
Not much: about 0.2 in (4 mm) of rain falls across April on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 3.8 in (97 mm).
What should I pack for Joshua Tree in April?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 78°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), a warm layer for evenings (lows near 49°F), lip balm and moisturizer (dry air) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Joshua Tree
Routes in season in April
- Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Oct – Apr
Planning Joshua Tree in April?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.