Joshua Tree in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 62/100 · #8 of 12 months
November is peak season — expect the year's biggest crowds at Joshua Tree National Park: crowds run 76% of the March peak (312,571 average visits), days average 74°F with 10.4 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
Crowds in November
Joshua Tree averages 312,571 recreation visits in November — 76% of what March, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — book early and start days at dawn.
Weather & daylight
Days are mild (highs average 74°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 46°F). It is typically dry (0.3″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 10.4 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station CHIRIACO SUMMIT, CA US (18 mi from park coordinates, 1,706 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of November.
What to pack for Joshua Tree in November
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Headlamp — only 10.4 hours of daylight in mid-November
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Joshua Tree are January and May.
Also at their best in November
Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
- Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
- New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
- Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100
Common questions
Is Joshua Tree crowded in November?
Yes — November runs 76% of Joshua Tree's peak, averaging 312,571 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Joshua Tree in November?
Average highs of 74°F, lows of 46°F, 0.3″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, CHIRIACO SUMMIT, CA US station).
What should I pack for Joshua Tree in November?
Headlamp; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-12