Fall And Winter Packing List For Joshua Tree National Park
Fall and winter at Joshua Tree National Park can be a lot of fun with the right gear. After 3 years of living, hosting, and exploring in this area, we’ve learned how to prepare for the varied weather of this season. If you’re headed to the park during Spring and Summer, check out our guide for that time of year here. Otherwise, here's what to pack for Joshua Tree if you're spending time in the park from October through March!
1. Sunscreen
Even though it’s cold, the sun still sheds a heavy dose of UV rays. We recommend ditching the 30 for 50 SPF because the Mojave desert sun shows no mercy. This should be top on your list of things to bring to Joshua Tree no matter the season.
2. Chapstick
The fall months in Joshua Tree National Park also arrive with strong cold winds. We’ve gone out for a quick trail only to come back with already chapped lips. Make sure to stash one of these with high SPF to protect your pucker.
3. Light Merino Wool Beanie or Similar
Fashion hats are great for during the day when the sun is shining and the temperatures are typically around 70°F. In the early mornings and at sunset, temperatures can drop below 40°F so pack your favorite merino wool beanie as well.
4. Down Jacket, Layers, and Pants
When deciding what to wear to Joshua Tree in winter, think in layers. Make sure to pack layers that will keep you warm when hiking or hanging out during the colder parts of the day. If you’re coming from warm weather and don’t want to break the bank on patagucci, check out this option. For legwear, yoga leggings, or your favorite hiking pants will work for any trail on the park map. If you plan to go off-trail, woven pants are best as they will keep the cacti and other brush at bay.
5. Light Hiking Shoes and Merino Wool Socks
For easy flat trails, I like hiking sandals, like these Chacos, that will allow your feet to breathe, stay dry and withstand the terrain. We prefer the toe-loop version to add more stabilization for rock hopping. However, they won’t protect you from cacti or the cold. For more protection or warmth, trail runners, approach shoes, or light hiking shoes are suitable for any trail found on the park map and rock scrambling. Our favorite light trail shoes are Altras for our wide feet.
Footwear is definitely an area where you can overdo it in the desert. Even in the fall and winter, avoid heavy hiking boots, waterproof boots, or heavy socks. Your feet will end up hot, sweaty, and blistered which could ruin your plans for the weekend. I also recommend keeping your old trainers at home. They won’t have enough traction for the slippery sandy pebbly declines no matter how short the trail.
Our favorite socks for winter hiking in Joshua Tree National Park are Darn Tough. After you hike in these, you’ll never wear anything else. Opt for at least ankle-high socks to prevent sand and rocks from sneaking in your shoes and cacti pricks on bare skin.
6. Down Slippers Or Uggs
We bought the down booties with traction from North Face and haven’t looked back since. I love wearing them when I’m hanging out around the fire pit or inside during the winter. However, North Face Thermoball Booties or Uggs will add just the right amount of creature comfort to your Joshua Tree trip during fall or winter.
7. Rain Jacket
In the desert? Yes! Fall is monsoon season and the rain is scattered and spontaneous. Because there is not a lot of cover on the trails in the park, there is a risk of hypothermia. Keep a packable raincoat in your daypack just in case.
8. Cooler Full of Food & Drinks
If you do plan to spend a full day in the park, make sure to bring plenty of food and drinks. Joshua Tree National Park is huge and there are no water or food services in the park. If hunger strikes when you are deep in the park, you could be a good hour away from snacks.
9. More Water Than You Think You Need
One word: HYDROFLASK. Stow the largest Hydroflask you own in your car for extra cold water during the day. For hiking, I always carry a hydration pack with a minimum of 2 liters of water even for a quick 1 to 2 mile trail. You never know when you might want to explore a little more and you don’t want hydration or carrying a water bottle to hold you back. Remember when the water is half gone, it’s time to turn around.
10. Modified First Aid Kit
Rocks are hard and walking around with a bloody knee is not fun. Pack a basic first-aid kit for your adventure day. We like to add hydration salts in case of heat exhaustion or water intoxication, tweezers for the inevitable cactus prick, and QuikClot for a bad scrape.
Take A Guide With You
There is no service at Joshua Tree National Park, so we recommend bringing a physical guidebook with you. Read the blog for our 3 favorite guidebooks for Joshua Tree National Park.
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