Best time to visit Palm Springs
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart on the page recolours live for your heat limit 27°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Palm Springs
30 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you.
- 1
San Andreas Fault Offroad Tour - 2
Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour - 3
Joshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour - 4
Palm Springs Indian Canyons EBike and Hike - 5
Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Tour - 6
Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure - 7
Palm Springs Celebrity Ebike Tour - 8
Drag Queen Hosted Palm Springs Sightseeing Bus Tour - 9
Joshua Tree National Park Sightseeing Adventure Tour - 10
Bank Heist Escape Room Game for Private Group - 11
Titanic Escape Room Game for Private Group - 12
Vampire's Lair Escape Room Game for Private Group - 13
Jack the Ripper Escape Room Game for Private Group - 14
Merlin's Magic School Escape Room Game for Private Group - 15
Joshua Tree National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour - 16
A Traitor Among Us Escape Room Game for Private Group - 17
Half-Day Guided Hike in Joshua Tree National Park - 18
Palm Springs Windmill Tours - 19
Joshua Tree National Park Private Sightseeing & Hiking Tour - 20
Drag Brunch at the Hyatt Palm Springs - 21
Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour - 22
Palm Springs Modernism Architecture & History Bike Tour - 23
Private 1-Hour Archery Session Near Joshua Tree National Park - 24
Joshua Tree Open Air Hummer Adventure - 25
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket - 26
Explore Palm Springs Celebrity Homes in Style - 27
Private Palm Springs Cooking Class with Chef Stephen in La Quinta - 28
Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ - 29
Palm Springs and Joshua Tree Self-Guided Driving Audio Tours - 30
Professional Stargazing Tour in Joshua Tree
Last refreshed 2026-08-16.
Similar climatesDeath Valley98% · Phoenix94% · Las Vegas93%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Palm Springs (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Palm Springs's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 10–19 | 16 | 3 | 32 | 10.7 | 30% | 12 | 206 | 3 | Busy | 8 |
| Feb | 10–21 | 17 | 3 | 30 | 10.0 | 24% | 14 | 205 | 4 | Peak | 8 |
| Mar | 11–22 | 19 | 4 | 47 | 11.8 | 28% | 16 | 252 | 6 | Peak | 9 |
| Apr | 16–29 | 26 | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 17% | 17 | 275 | 8 | Busy | 9 |
| May | 20–34 | 30 | 0 | 0 | — | 15% | 18 | 311 | 9 | Moderate | 7 |
| Jun | 25–38 | 35 | 0 | 0 | — | 14% | 18 | 309 | 11 | Quiet | 3 |
| Jul | 29–42 | 41 | 0 | 3 | — | 16% | 17 | 317 | 11 | Quiet | 2 |
| Aug | 28–41 | 40 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 20% | 17 | 293 | 10 | Quiet | 2 |
| Sep | 25–38 | 35 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 17% | 14 | 260 | 8 | Quiet | 3 |
| Oct | 19–32 | 29 | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 16% | 14 | 251 | 6 | Quiet | 8 |
| Nov | 12–24 | 20 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 18% | 12 | 220 | 4 | Quiet | 9 |
| Dec | 10–20 | 16 | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 27% | 11 | 197 | 3 | Moderate | 8 |
UV Index in Palm Springs by Month
UV index in Palm Springs peaks at 11 (extreme) in July, dropping to 3 (low) in December. April, May, June, July, August, September reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
Best months in detail
March
9/1011–22°C (feels 19°C) · 4 rain days (47h) · 252 sun hours · 28% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 6 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (very high)
April
9/1016–29°C (feels 26°C) · 1 rain days (15h) · 275 sun hours · 17% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 8 (very high)
November
9/1012–24°C (feels 20°C) · 1 rain days (7h) · 220 sun hours · 18% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 4 (moderate)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
8/1010–19°C (feels 16°C) · 3 rain days (32h) · 206 sun hours · 30% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 3 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 4 (moderate)
February
8/1010–21°C (feels 17°C) · 3 rain days (30h) · 205 sun hours · 24% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 4 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (high)
May
7/1020–34°C (feels 30°C) · 0 rain days (0h) · 311 sun hours · 15% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 9 (very high)
June
3/1025–38°C (feels 35°C) · 0 rain days (0h) · 309 sun hours · 14% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 11 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
July
2/1029–42°C (feels 41°C) · 0 rain days (3h) · 317 sun hours · 16% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 11 (extreme)
August
2/1028–41°C · 1 rain days (7h) · 293 sun hours · 20% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (extreme)
September
3/1025–38°C (feels 35°C) · 1 rain days (9h) · 260 sun hours · 17% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (very high)
October
8/1019–32°C (feels 29°C) · 1 rain days (3h) · 251 sun hours · 16% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 6 (high)
December
8/1010–20°C (feels 16°C) · 2 rain days (17h) · 197 sun hours · 27% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 3 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 3 (moderate)
Palm Springs' canyons close on weekdays all summer
The town's two hiking areas are not city parks. The Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon sit on the Agua Caliente reservation and are run by the tribe, and the timetable the tribe publishes is the most honest seasonal advice Palm Springs produces. From 6 July to 1 October both are open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. From 2 October to 5 July both open daily.
That is a heat decision rather than a staffing one. The 2020-2024 average July high here is 42.3C, the canyon floors are unshaded, and even in the open season Tahquitz puts the last hiker on the trail at 3:30pm while the Indian Canyons toll gate takes its last vehicle at 4pm. Admission is $12 for adults at the Indian Canyons and $15 at Tahquitz.
The practical effect is that for nearly three months the town's main outdoor attraction is shut four days in seven, and the three days it does open are the busy ones. That reinforces the pattern the climate data already shows: our crowd index peaks in February, and summer here is the season to avoid rather than the cheap season to exploit.
Sources: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians — Indian Canyons admission and hours , Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians — Tahquitz Canyon admission and hours
What is the Palm Springs 2 hour rule?
A widely repeated story that golden-age studios required contract actors to stay within two hours of Los Angeles, making Palm Springs the nearest legal escape. No contract containing such a clause has ever been produced, and the tale appears only in tourism and lifestyle writing. The morals clause in those contracts is real and documented; the travel radius is not.
When not to go to Palm Springs?
June through September, when temperatures regularly exceed 40C. Hiking becomes hazardous, the Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon drop to Friday-to-Sunday opening from 6 July, and the visit reduces to pools and air conditioning. Rates are lowest then for exactly that reason, so it can still suit a resort-only trip.
What is the best month to visit Palm Springs?
February and March. Days are warm and dry, evenings are cool, the desert wildflowers can bloom after a wet winter, and Modernism Week fills eleven days of the February calendar. February is the crowd peak. November and early December give similar weather with fewer people and everything still open daily.
What is the rainy season in Palm Springs?
There is barely one — this is low desert with very little rainfall in any month, and what does fall comes mostly in winter. The practical weather variable here is heat rather than rain. Rare summer monsoon storms can cause flash flooding in washes and canyons, so avoid those during a downpour.
How many days should you spend in Palm Springs?
Three. One for the town, the mid-century architecture and the Palm Springs Art Museum, one for the Aerial Tramway and a walk in the Indian Canyons, and one for Joshua Tree National Park, whose entrance is about 45 minutes away. Between 6 July and 1 October, put the canyon day on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday and start it at opening.
Are the Indian Canyons open in summer?
Only at weekends. The Agua Caliente Band runs both the Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon on summer hours from 6 July to 1 October, Friday to Sunday only — 8am to 5pm at the Indian Canyons with the last vehicle in at 4pm, and 7:30am to 5pm at Tahquitz with the last hiker on the trail at 3:30pm. Daily opening resumes on 2 October.
Is Palm Springs worth visiting?
Yes, particularly for mid-century modern architecture, which is denser here than anywhere else, and as a comfortable base for Joshua Tree. It is a design and pool-culture destination rather than a sightseeing one. Between June and September, with the heat and the reduced canyon hours, it becomes a much narrower proposition.
What not to miss in Palm Springs?
The Aerial Tramway up Mount San Jacinto, the Indian Canyons for palm-oasis walking on Agua Caliente land, an architecture tour of the mid-century houses, and the Palm Springs Art Museum. Joshua Tree is the obvious day trip. The tramway summit runs far cooler than the valley floor, so carry a layer even on a 40C afternoon below.
Is Palm Springs expensive?
Rates swing enormously with season. Winter and spring — the pleasant months — are peak and priced accordingly, especially during Modernism Week. Summer rates collapse because of the heat, so a July pool trip can be remarkably cheap if you accept spending most of the day indoors. Canyon admission is a flat $12 to $15 either way.
How hot does Palm Springs get in summer?
Regularly above 40C from June through September, with July the peak — the 2020-2024 average July high is 42.3C. Nights stay warm too, so there is little overnight relief. Be outdoors early and late only, carry far more water than feels necessary, and never start a canyon hike in the middle of the day.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Palm Springs
When is the best time to visit Palm Springs?
March is the highest-scoring month (9/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 11–22°C (4 rainy days). The top three months by score are March, April, November.
What is the worst time to visit Palm Springs?
August is the lowest-scoring month (2/10, capped by extreme heat). Typical conditions: 28–41°C (1 rainy day).
Is Palm Springs too hot in summer?
5 months (May, June, July, August, September) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Palm Springs?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in September and peaks in February. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Palm Springs have good weather but fewer tourists?
November (climate 9/10, crowd index 37) and October (climate 8/10, crowd index 22) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Palm Springs by month?
UV peaks at 11 (extreme) in July and is lowest in December at 3 (low). Monthly peak values: Jan 3, Feb 4, Mar 6, Apr 8, May 9, Jun 11, Jul 11, Aug 10, Sep 8, Oct 6, Nov 4, Dec 3. April, May, June, July, August, September reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
What is the UV index in Palm Springs in July?
July is the peak UV month in Palm Springs, with a daily-peak UV index of 11 (extreme). At this level, sunburn can occur in under 20 minutes on unprotected fair skin. Apply SPF 50+, wear protective clothing and a hat, and avoid direct midday sun (11:00–17:00).
How high can UV get in Palm Springs on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. June is the worst case: typical days average UV 11 (very high), but the top 10% of days reach UV 12 (extreme) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: January, February, March, June, August, December. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.