Pack for extreme desert heat, cold nights, and boulder scrambles
Build My Joshua Tree Pack List →Joshua Tree National Park sits at the intersection of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, famous for its twisted Joshua trees, otherworldly boulder formations, and world-class rock climbing. Use this packing guide as a starting point, then let PackList's AI personalize it based on your exact dates, activities, and gear preferences.
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California. Come explore for yourself!
62°F — Clear (current forecast).
Annual Summer Closures and Restrictions in Effect Information
The 49 Palms trail along with some campgrounds, facilities, and areas have adjusted availability during the summer. For the full list of changes, please visit our Summer Closures page.
Oasis of Mara Trail Partial Closure Caution
Due to a heavy flooding event, the Oasis of Mara Trail is closed past the Oasis.
Inaccurate Third-Party Apps Caution
Some third-party hiking apps are providing inaccurate trail and safety information to users. Please use the official NPS app for accurate information.
Summer temps regularly exceed 110°F — only hike before 9 AM or after 5 PM
Never leave water in a hot car — it can exceed 140°F and the plastic leaches chemicals
Tell someone your plan — rescue operations are slow in remote areas
Rattlesnakes are common — watch where you step and grab
Enter your trip dates, activities, and experience level. PackList's AI generates a custom list updated with current weather and conditions.
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