The First Steps Are the Hardest

Is The First Steps Are the Hardest open right now?

Alert in the area

The National Park Service lists 3 alerts for Joshua Tree National Park.

• Partial Trail Closure of West Side Loop

  Park alert covering Joshua Tree National Park · NPS · Joshua Tree National Park

• Inaccurate Third-Party Apps

  Park alert covering Joshua Tree National Park · NPS · Joshua Tree National Park

• Oasis of Mara Trail Partial Closure

  Park alert covering Joshua Tree National Park · NPS · Joshua Tree National Park

As of Oct 23, 9:30 pm PDT · Source: NPS · Joshua Tree National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit The First Steps Are the Hardest

Best months: October–April. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

1. Jan

   63° / 42°

   3 wet

2. Feb

   67° / 44°

   3 wet

3. Mar

   74° / 49°

   2 wet

4. Apr

   81° / 55°

   1 wet

5. May

   90° / 63°

   1 wet

6. Jun

   99° / 71°

   0 wet

7. Jul

   104° / 77°

   2 wet

8. Aug

   103° / 76°

   2 wet

9. Sep

   96° / 69°

   2 wet

10. Oct

    85° / 58°

    1 wet

11. Nov

    72° / 47°

    1 wet

12. Dec

    62° / 40°

    2 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Twentynine Palms, CA, 12 mi away at 1,975 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.