An absolutely beautiful park with so much to do and see, and lots of transportation options to make things simpler. Do NOT go on Thanksgiving or the weekend after, as it gets crowded to the point where they will not let any more cars into the gates. Every pull off was taken up by a car and every parking lot was full.
DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT go on Thanksgiving day or the day after. Those are J-tree's two busiest days of the year and every campsite will be booked, every trailhead parking lot full, every trail packed, and every pull-off full of tourists.
Other than this, it is a beautiful park any time of year and you should definitely make time to go, just not on either of those two days.
A little overrated but a novelty in itself so go anyway! A LOT of litter and trash along the walkway because people don't know how to act in public places. Go early in the morning to avoid crowds and please care for our public lands.
Secluded and solitary during the winter months. I visited in mid-November and I highly recommend the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.
I visited in mid-November and slept overnight in the parking lot (sub-freezing temperatures, would not recommend), but the visitors center is not open in the off-season. It is a long drive through Inyo National Forest but wholly worth it. Start any hikes early in the morning and be respectful of the Bristlecones, these are the oldest trees in the world.
Below sea level and INCREDIBLE for photography. Highly recommend.
You have to walk pretty far to get away from the hordes of tourists, but all in all this is a beautiful area and I highly recommend.
A HUGE park, and mostly wilderness at that. In mid-November when I went, it still reached 60 degrees in midday, even though it was below freezing when I woke. There were still many people in the park and a lot of tourists who littered, but I would still recommend for the vast diversity of the natural features. Definitely recommend the salt flats and the sand dunes.
A completely beautiful park. Bristlecone pines in the Great Basin are absolutely awe inspiring. Dogs are not allowed on trails so do NOT bring them.