Joshua Tree National Park in December
Crowds and weather in December · NPS visitor counts 2022–2025 · NOAA 1991–2020 averages
December at a glance
Crowds: Busy — about 10,280 visitors a day, 79% of the March peak. December is the 10th quietest month of 12.
Weather: average high 62°F (17°C), low 40°F (4°C); 0.6 in (14 mm) of precipitation on about 1 days.
Verdict: ○ Mild weather, busy.
Similar weather with fewer people: January (65% of peak, high 63°F).
December visitors, year by year
| December | Recreation visits | Per day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 325,698 | 10,506 |
| 2023 | 341,994 | 11,032 |
| 2024 | 342,051 | 11,034 |
| 2025 | 325,708 | 10,507 |
“Unusually low” marks a year when December's share of the annual total was less than half the other years' — usually a closure (storms, fire, a government shutdown) or a counting gap. The typical figure above uses the median share of 2022–2025, scaled to 2025's total.
December compared with the months around it
| Month | Crowds · visitors/day | High / low · precip. |
|---|---|---|
| November | Busy76% of peak · 9,848/day | 72° / 47°F0.2 in · 0 wet days |
| December | Busy79% of peak · 10,280/day | 62° / 40°F0.6 in · 1 wet days |
| January | Busy65% of peak · 8,409/day | 63° / 42°F0.5 in · 2 wet days |
All 12 months at Joshua Tree →
Other parks with mild weather and fewer people in December
- White Sands
58% of peak · high 56°F
Months with few visitors can mean seasonal closures of roads, shuttles or campgrounds. Check current conditions on the official Joshua Tree National Park website before you go.
Sources. Visitor counts: National Park Service, Visitor Use Statistics (recreation visits, final figures through 2025; typical months use 2022–2025). Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station TWENTYNINE PALMS, USC00049099, 1,975 ft / 602 m). Both are U.S. Government works in the public domain. How we calculate.
Park Months is an independent site and is not affiliated with the National Park Service or NOAA.