Welcome to a different publish from our Nationwide Parks in Winter sequence! This visitor publish about Joshua Tree in Winter is by Mimi McFadden from The Atlas Heart, a California journey web site that helps individuals discover the perfect of the Golden State via native perception, street journey itineraries, and bucket checklist guides. If you’re planning to go to Joshua Tree in winter 2023, learn on!
**Article up to date on Nov twenty eighth, 2022**
The primary time I visited Joshua Tree Nationwide Park in my mid-20s, I used to be blown away by the distinctive panorama, dusty hikes, and stargazing alternatives on chilly nights within the desert. It wasn’t like anyplace I’d been earlier than and I knew it might find yourself being a particular place to return again to repeatedly.
At the moment, Joshua Tree is certainly one of my favorite locations in California (of which, sure, there’s an exhaustive list) – and positively my favorite nationwide park for a winter go to.
Whenever you go to Joshua Tree for the primary time, you’ll discover its idiosyncratic timber that give the park its identify. They appear alien and unfamiliar with their sharp spines and bulbous growths, twining up above your head, reaching for the solar.
They’re international and but someway, surrounded by them within the cool, starlit sky, one can’t assist however really feel related to one thing deeper than what you would possibly discover in close by Southern California cities.
And being positioned within the California desert, top-of-the-line instances to go to Joshua Tree is within the winter. The winter months are when daytime temperatures are at their mildest, which is ideal for lengthy climbing days.
On the whole, the park is a widespread winter vacation spot because it’s nonetheless hotter than a lot of the remainder of the US throughout the center of winter, no less than throughout the day.
Come for the attractive hikes, the unbeatable stargazing, and the temperate climate to expertise the perfect components of this unequaled nationwide park in California. That is what it’s essential know to go to Joshua Tree in winter – in 2023 or past!
Issues To Know About Joshua Tree in Winter
Joshua Tree Winter Climate
Winter is the excellent time to go to Joshua Tree. The daytime temperatures can fluctuate round 60°F-plus levels (approx 15-20°C), which is right for climbing via unshaded trails. And the climate is mostly sunny and clear.
The one factor to remember is that the desert is all about extremes. So despite the fact that it would really feel heat throughout the day, it will get very chilly at evening (and that is particularly the case in winter).
To present you an concept, nighttime temperatures within the winter can get under freezing (32°F-0°C), so ensure you pack appropriately and gown warmly for those who’re tenting on the park in winter.
On uncommon events, there will be some climate anomalies related to Joshua Tree in winter. As a result of the park is positioned within the excessive desert, there’s generally hail and even snow within the winter. That is uncommon however it’s all the time good to examine circumstances earlier than you head to the park because the climate within the desert can change rapidly.
Does It Ever Snow in Joshua Tree?
This brings us to our subsequent level. It’s humorous to speak a few desert’s “moist season,” however if Joshua Tree has one, it’s in winter.
Common December precipitation measures at round half an inch (not bad for a desert), and this generally contains snow, however solely at larger elevations.
How To Get To Joshua Tree
Palm Springs, California is host to the closest airport to Joshua Tree, however many cities are inside driving distance, together with Phoenix, Las Vegas, and, after all, San Diego and LA.
Counting on GPS navigation to get you into Joshua Tree Nationwide Park in winter isn’t all the time the neatest. It should generally take you thru again roads which might be lined in deep sand and unimaginable to navigate, even with 4WD.
To maintain it easy, Interstate 10 and California State Freeway 62 are the roads you’ll want to recollect to get to the park. These two roads result in the park’s three entrance stations.
The West Entrance is simply south of Joshua Tree Village, on Freeway 62. The South Entrance is close to Cottonwood Spring. You’ll be able to entry it from Interstate 10 and it’s about 25 miles east of Indio, CA. The North Entrance is simply a few miles to the south, the place Freeway 62 meets the Utah path.
Observe: Paper maps are your pal when driving to Joshua Tree and across the California desert area on the whole. Not solely are they all the time absolutely charged, however paper maps are additionally a particularly helpful strategy to get round nationwide parks as a result of the roads proven on these maps are absolutely practical, in contrast to GPS that recurrently goes unmonitored when it comes to accessible routes.
Should you don’t wish to do paper maps, you need to on the very least pre-download your route through Google Maps (utilizing the above highways).
Getting Round Joshua Tree in Winter
Public transport to Joshua Tree is restricted and there are not any public shuttles that take guests round like another nationwide parks, so that you’ll want a automotive to get round.
Although it would snow in larger elevations in winter, the principle entry roads are just about all the time protected to drive on year-round.
Is Joshua Tree Busy in Winter?
Winter is among the busiest seasons in Joshua Tree. It’s because winter temperatures don’t get very low on the park throughout the day. So everybody who desires to go to a nationwide park in winter, however who doesn’t wish to take care of tremendous chilly daytime temperatures (ahem, I’m taking a look at you Bryce Canyon), will discover themselves in Joshua Tree throughout the winter months.
Greatest Joshua Tree Winter Hikes
As a result of Joshua Tree will get so scorching within the summertime, there are some glorious hikes that one ought to solely try in spring, fall, and particularly winter. These three hikes are a number of the most beautiful hikes within the park throughout the winter.
Panorama Loop
- Issue: Difficult
- Size: 6.6 miles
- Elevation Acquire: 1,000 ft
- Estimated Time: 3.5 – 5 hours
The Panorama Loop is unmatched in Joshua Tree. This hike takes you within the form of a lollipop that begins and ends in a sandy wash however climbs to an overlook with, because the identify implies, a panoramic panoramic imaginative and prescient of the entire park.
The Panorama Loop additionally takes you to a number of the densest Joshua Tree progress in the entire park. It’s really astounding to see the wealthy inexperienced vegetation stark towards the rocky desert crags.
Misplaced Horse Mine
- Issue: Average
- Size: 4 miles
- Elevation Acquire: 400 ft
- Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
The Misplaced Horse Mine path is a wonderful selection for historical past lovers. Earlier than Joshua Tree was a nationwide park, it acted because the supply of many gold mines, whose dilapidated stays are nonetheless decaying at varied factors all through Joshua Tree.
The Misplaced Horse Mine is certainly one of these. Although you’re not allowed to get very near the previous mill web site and mine (to guard it and your self), you possibly can see it from a distance and marvel on the ruins.
For these considering an extended historic path, the Misplaced Horse Loop Path is a tougher hike that’s additionally price testing. You may get to Lengthy Horse Mine on this self-drive tour of Joshua Tree!
Discovery Path
- Issue: Simple
- Size: Lower than one mile
- Elevation Acquire: Lower than 100 ft
- Estimated Time: half-hour to an hour
The Discovery Path actually doesn’t supply rigorous train for the professional hiker, however it’s on the prime of the checklist for straightforward hikes in Joshua Tree. The Discovery Path is definitely one of many latest hikes at Joshua Tree and it factors out a number of the most fascinating geological options the park presents.
Climb underneath unusual sandstone rocks, see the sprawling piles, and seemingly infinite desert wash multi function quick hike. This hike can also be a good possibility for those who’re touring with children. Apart from it being a simple hike, it additionally offers an interactive expertise via informative placards that assist children be taught extra concerning the geological formations on the park.
And Extra!
For extra Joshua Tree hikes be certain that to check out this post.
Greatest Locations To Go to in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
These are my prime spots to see in Joshua Tree in winter!
Wall Avenue Mine
The previous Wall Avenue Mine was a extremely profitable gold mine in its day and is now a number of the park’s coolest ruins. Take the Wall Avenue Mine path to search out this hidden rustic magnificence.
Hidden Valley Nature Path & Day Use Space
Along with providing a lovely quick hike via a number of the better of what Joshua Tree has to supply, the picnic spot throughout the parking zone from this trailhead is an unimaginable spot to eat lunch. Lookup on the iconic rock piles whilst you eat your peanut butter sandwich, then spend a while with the household climbing on these huge works of nature.
Hidden Valley is among the spots included on this DIY tour of Joshua Tree, additionally excellent to get pleasure from in winter!
Keys View
Particularly for those who aren’t an enormous hiker, Keys View is a must-see for any first-time customer to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. This drive takes you up 5,000 ft over Joshua Tree, and the miles and miles of valley seen from the head make Keys View a simple favorite. Should you’re into stargazing, this generally is a great place to see a sky stuffed with glittering stars at evening as nicely.
Cranium Rock
Cranium Rock is a favorite place to discover and climb in Joshua Tree. This distinctive rock which, sure, seems identical to a cranium, is correct off the roadside. You’ll be able to cease for images and lunch or you possibly can park and take the 1.7-mile hike that’s simply throughout the street. That is one other must-see and one of many park’s most original rock formations.
You’ll be able to simply try Cranium Rock following this self-drive tour of Joshua Tree, together with all the perfect spots within the park!
How Many Days Do You Want in Joshua Tree?
Day journeys are completely effective for anybody within the California space, and it’s not remarkable to get the household roused good and early on a Sunday morning and spend the day climbing all through the park.
Nonetheless, for these in search of greater than only a fast day journey, I’d suggest no less than three or 4 days on the park. Any much less, and also you’re having to choose and select which hikes you wish to do and which of them to skip.
Plus, a part of the enchantment to Joshua Tree is with the ability to camp. This lets you take your time getting up, head out to the paths after they begin to warm-up, round 10 or so, after which spend the evening stargazing. And as I’ve talked about above, the stargazing is phenomenal in Joshua Tree.
To present you an concept, seeing and climbing all the things I’ve listed on this information alone would take no less than 4 days, and that is not at all all the things there’s to see on the park!
The place To Keep in Joshua Tree
There are loads of locations to remain in and close to Joshua Tree, listed below are a few of my prime picks.
Contained in the Park
There are a complete of 9 campgrounds at Joshua Tree. And in addition to having on the spot entry to stargazing and good old style marshmallow roasting, you’re straight supporting the Nationwide Park Service by tenting at their campsites, which is a win-win.
For those that love tenting, my prime decide is Belle Campground. It is a small web site and might refill rapidly, particularly within the busier months. Make sure you get right here early because it’s first-come, first-served.
Cottonwood Campground is one other good keep. This one’s a lot bigger than Belle Campground, with over 60 spots accessible. In the course of the winter, reservations are required and spots refill rapidly. Cottonwood Campground options nice views of the distinctive geology that makes Joshua Tree so beloved.
Outdoors the Park
La Maison Hotel is among the coolest spots to remain close to Joshua Tree. It mainly feels such as you’re residing in a big residence whilst you’re there. This resort is nothing just like the Marriott or one thing comparable; at La Maison, you’re transported again to the times of the California gentry.
Parker Palm Springs is one other place to remain outdoors the park, as long as you’ve gotten the money to make it work. This place will run you a hefty invoice, however in trade, you’ll get the highest-quality care and repair, match with scorching tubs, spa days, oh, and perhaps some climbing if you will get out of the consolation suite.
Andalusian Court is the most costly place to remain on this checklist, however it’s additionally essentially the most unforgettable. You don’t simply get a room right here – at Andalusian Courtroom, you’ll get a non-public villa. This place permits you to get pleasure from Joshua Tree with the consolation of true luxurious as your property base.
There are additionally many great Airbnb to remain at within the Joshua Tree space – we stayed in this wonderful cabin near Joshua Tree village, however there are a lot of extra locations to select from!
Planning to go to different nationwide parks in winter? Listed here are our guides!
