Joshua Tree In September Is Cooling Off
The Fall is approaching and finally, the weather is starting to cool down in Joshua Tree in September. It is still hot during the day but the nights are starting to get colder. If you need to cool off, check out one of the many hotels with natural spring pools you can experience in the towns of Desert Hot Springs or Palm Springs.
Find your favorite spots to camp, climb, or hang out as the weather in Joshua Tree gets better and better. Temperatures in September range from 93 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime to 64 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Be sure you pack warm clothes for the evenings because it can get cold and windy in the desert at night.
Top Events happening in Joshua Tree In September:
Live Music @ Joshua Tree Saloon
In September 2025, experiencing a live show at Joshua Tree Saloon offers a quintessential desert night out. This iconic venue, established in 1984, is renowned for its atmosphere, diverse music offerings, and proximity to Joshua Tree National Park. The saloon features live music every Saturday afternoon from 12–3 PM and 4–7 PM on its outdoor patio, showcasing local talent across genres like blues, rock, and R&B. On Sundays, the saloon hosts an open mic session from 1–4 PM, inviting both seasoned performers and newcomers to share their music.
Joshua Tree Art Walk
Second Saturday of Each Month
In September, the Joshua Tree Art Walk is a fun event where you can see lots of local art around town. It happens on the second Saturday of each month, from 5 to 9 PM. During the walk, you can visit art galleries, studios, and pop-up shows to look at paintings, sculptures, and other creative works made by local artists. There’s often live music and snacks, making it a great way to enjoy a relaxed evening while meeting artists and buying unique pieces. Whether you love art or just want to explore, the Joshua Tree Art Walk is a cool way to experience the town’s creative side.
Enjoy Hikes
Hiking in Joshua Tree National Park offers a desert experience unlike any other as temperatures become more favorable for outdoor activities. With average daytime highs ranging from 68°F to 95°F (20°C to 35°C) and cooler evenings, early mornings and late afternoons are ideal for exploring the park’s diverse trails. Here are some of the best options for September hiking in Joshua Tree:
Barker Dam Nature Trail – 1.6 mile loop
Arch Rock Trail – From White Tank Campground – 1 mile out and back
Indian Cove Nature Trail – 0.6 mile loop
Skull Rock Trail – Located off the main road
The J Treequinox Ultra Race
Happening on September 20, this race is a unique 12-hour ultramarathon held on a private 20-acre desert property near downtown Joshua Tree. Runners complete as many 1-mile loops as they can from 7:15 AM to 7:15 PM, with no pressure—go at your own pace and stop whenever you’d like. It’s perfect for both beginners and experienced runners, offering scenic desert views, a relaxed atmosphere, and support at every lap with snacks, water, and a chill camping setup.
Joshua Tree Night Market
The Joshua Tree Night Market is a lively outdoor event held most Saturdays from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM in downtown Joshua Tree, around 61877 Twentynine Palms Highway. It’s a fun and welcoming place to explore local culture, featuring handmade crafts, vintage treasures, unique goods from local artists, tasty food trucks, and live music that brings the desert night to life. The market has a relaxed, creative vibe perfect for families, visitors, and locals looking to enjoy the warm evening air, meet new people, and support small businesses.
Live Shows @ Pappy & Harriets
Pappy and Harriets is a legendary western saloon in Pioneertown. The saloon offers great food, cold drinks, and multiple entertainment venues. There is also a cool hotel you can stay at if you have to much fun at the saloon. Be sure to check out there website linked above for an updated calander of events for September, 2025.
Stargazing in Joshua Tree
September is one of the best months for stargazing in Joshua Tree, thanks to the clear desert skies, warm evening temperatures, and fewer crowds compared to the peak summer season. As the sun sets, the vast open sky transforms into a natural planetarium. The minimal light pollution in the area allows for incredible views of the Milky Way, constellations, planets, and even meteor showers if your timing is right.
Top spots for stargazing include Cap Rock, Hidden Valley, and Skull Rock, which all offer wide, open areas perfect for laying out a blanket and looking up. Keys View is also popular for its higher elevation, giving you sweeping views of the desert below and stars above. If you’re looking for a quieter experience, head to the Cottonwood Campground area.
Rock Climbing and Bouldering
Joshua Tree’s most popular activity is to hit the slab and crawl around on the jumbo size rocks. There are thousands of routes you can climb. If you are new to the sport, we recommend checking out the Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School to get versed on where to start.
Joshua Tree is a great destination year-round. Many other extraordinary events are happening and listed on the Joshua Tree Guide website.
For info on the live music scene, the Event Brite has a great list of upcoming shows in the desert area.
If you have any questions about other events happening in Joshua Tree, please contact us at the ITH Coyote Ranch Joshua Tree.
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