Early winter · Weather & things to do
Joshua Tree in December
This is the coldest month in Joshua Tree: highs average 57°F (14°C) and lows 35°F (2°C), with about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain.
It scores 85/100 for comfort, 7th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 57°F (14°C)
- Avg low
- 35°F (2°C)
- Rain
- 0.6 in (14 mm)
- Humidity
- 44%
- Cloud cover
- 39%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 45 min
- Comfort score
- 85/100 · Great
What December feels like
Highs near 57°F (14°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 12°C (22°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain.
Plan around December
December is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (January – April and October & November).
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 45 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 100/100 in November to 85/100.
- December sits inside the Oct – Apr window our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 35°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Joshua Tree in December
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Cholla Cactus Garden
Dense stand of teddy-bear cholla on a short boardwalk.
Why now December scores 85/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Ryan Mountain Trail
3-mile round trip climb to 360° views over the park.
Why now Highs near 57°F and 0.6 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Pappy & Harriet's
Pioneertown barbecue joint and live music venue in an old Western set.
Joshua Tree National Park
Granite boulder piles and Joshua trees across two deserts.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best Oct–Apr.
Crossroads Cafe
Joshua Tree's go-to diner for breakfast before hiking.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Nearby in December
- Palm Springs in December~37 mi · highs 66°F, 0.9 in rain · 5°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- La Jolla in December~107 mi · highs 63°F, 2.5 in rain · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Downtown San Diego & Gaslamp Quarter in December~108 mi · highs 66°F, 2.0 in rain · 5°C (9°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Pasadena in December~130 mi · highs 64°F, 2.6 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer 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 December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Joshua Tree?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 85/100 against a best of 100 in January – April and October & November. Expect highs of 57°F (14°C) and 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain. December is inside the Oct – Apr window our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends.
How cold is Joshua Tree in December?
Average highs are 57°F (14°C) and average lows 35°F (2°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Joshua Tree in December?
Not much: about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 3.8 in (97 mm).
What should I pack for Joshua Tree in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 35°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Joshua Tree
Routes in season in December
- Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Oct – Apr
Planning Joshua Tree in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.