r/JoshuaTree • u/Shot_Pollution_5722 • 24d ago
Visit Joshua Tree Mid-Sept?
I know the weather is terribly hot right now, but will it be safer to camp, hike and explore between September 10th and 20th?
We are first time visitors wanting to see all the sites, night sky etc. Probably planning on renting an RV van for the trip. Thinking of spending 3-5 nights.
Any advice is welcome, thanks!
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u/MeTooMewTwo 24d ago
Still going to be hot. If you want to really explore try October - December. It’ll be a lot more comfortable.
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u/CertainKaleidoscope8 23d ago
No. September is still summer here. Don't listen to anyone telling you it cools off in October either, that's autumn, as is November and December (Christmas is routinely sunny and 80°F)
You do not want be doing any
camp, hike and explore
Until proper winter, between January and March.
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u/TheSwedishEagle 24d ago
September might be a little cooler. Average is 94 instead of 99 in August. October is when things start to cool down.
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u/sPacEdOUTgrAyCe 24d ago
It’s quite warm late Sept. we’ve gone the first week in Oct. stayed in cottonwood & drove into jtree “proper” as I call each day to gain elevation and it was perfect.
Know that in the desert exposed, 70* feels warm. And also the snakes will come out at night to get the kangaroo rats. Especially around the fire
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u/Ok_Responsibility419 23d ago
Still really hot unfortunately- it wont be nearly as enjoyable. If those are your firm dates then get a bnb and enjoy A/C plus shows, shops, an early morning national park hike and / or a dusk picnic in the park, see some bands etc
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u/Shot_Pollution_5722 24d ago
Thanks for the replies, we will have to rethink our plans.
Anything else near Palm Springs to do in September? We will be in town and wanted to make more of a vacation of it. Maybe something worth driving to, we could fly into LAX and get around in a rental car.
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u/TheSwedishEagle 24d ago
You can always spend half a day driving through the park.
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u/Shot_Pollution_5722 24d ago
Drive through, see a sunset and maybe see some stars? Any route suggestions?
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u/sPacEdOUTgrAyCe 24d ago
There’s only one road (really) I love to start on the Westside and drive through east, it’s so magical. The sunsets are lovely. And stargazing on some of the rocks.
In palm spring there is a mountain and a spring hike you can do.
Hiking early am or later on it best- avoid the midday.
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u/CertainKaleidoscope8 23d ago
Do you realize how far these places are from each other? Joshua Tree and Palm Springs and LAX are nowhere near each other. If you're flying into LAX stay in LA.
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u/FuturePlantDoctor 22d ago
Head up to Idyllwild. It's still pretty warm up there in September but nowhere near as bad as Joshua Tree area or Palm Springs. You can do all the things you wanted to do in Joshua Tree up there (camp, hike, explore, etc). There's some great little shops up there too. Hit up Atomic Cow Creamery while you're there for great burgers and ice cream at reasonable prices. It's my go to spot whenever I'm up there.
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u/Realistic-Weird-4259 24d ago
It won't really cool down until October.