Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Joshua Tree in October
Joshua Tree cools off: highs slip to 81°F (27°C), from 94°F in September, with lows of 55°F (13°C) and about 0.3 in (7 mm) of rain.
October opens the best stretch on our comfort score, at 99/100 (4th of 12).
- Avg high
- 81°F (27°C)
- Avg low
- 55°F (13°C)
- Rain
- 0.3 in (7 mm)
- Humidity
- 29%
- Cloud cover
- 24%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 08 min
- Comfort score
- 99/100 · Great
What October feels like
Days are warm, averaging 81°F (27°C), easy weather for being outside from morning to evening.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 14°C (26°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
The air is dry, at about 29% humidity, which keeps warmth comfortable but dries skin and lips.
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 0.3 in (7 mm) of rain.
Sunny spells dominate: cloud cover averages 24%.
Plan around October
October is one of Joshua Tree's best months on the climate data.
- Last warm month for a while: November highs fall to 68°F.
- Opens the best-scoring stretch on our comfort score: January – April and October & November.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 7°C (13°F) from September.
- Comfort improves from 70/100 in September to 99/100.
- October sits inside the Oct – Apr window our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends.
What to pack for October
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 81°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 55°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 October
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 October scores 99/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Cholla Cactus Garden
Dense stand of teddy-bear cholla on a short boardwalk.
Why now Highs near 81°F and 0.3 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.
Crossroads Cafe
Joshua Tree's go-to diner for breakfast before hiking.
Nearby in October
- Palm Springs in October~37 mi · highs 88°F, 0.3 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- La Jolla in October~107 mi · highs 73°F, 0.7 in rain · 5°C (9°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Downtown San Diego & Gaslamp Quarter in October~108 mi · highs 81°F, 0.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Pasadena in October~130 mi · highs 79°F, 0.7 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
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 October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Joshua Tree?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 99/100. Expect highs of 81°F (27°C) and 0.3 in (7 mm) of rain. October is inside the Oct – Apr window our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends.
How hot is Joshua Tree in October?
Average highs are 81°F (27°C) and average lows 55°F (13°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Joshua Tree in October?
Not much: about 0.3 in (7 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 3.8 in (97 mm).
What should I pack for Joshua Tree in October?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 81°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), a warm layer for evenings (lows near 55°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 October
- Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Oct – Apr
Planning Joshua Tree in October?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.