Bring a tripod and remote to set up your camera. Base yourself to explore the national park from the towns of Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, or Twentynine Palms. Do no trample vegetation and be aware of cacti in your area. Fall in Joshua Tree National Park: October and November are the best months to visit Joshua Tree National Park. Otherwise, head out on your owen, lay down a blanket and enjoy seeing a sky filled with more stars that you have probably ever seen. No matter where you choose to stargaze, seeing Joshua Tree at night is the kind of stargazing experience you won’t likely forget. Guests: Up to 4 Location: Joshua Tree Price: $510 per night. A lightweight folding chair will help keep each person in your group comfortable and reduce strain. Joshua Tree National Park can be accessed by three entrances: the Cottonwood Springs entrance in the south, the West Entrance near Yucca Valley, and the Twentynine Palms entrance. You will be able to see thousands of stars with just your naked eye compared to a few hundred at other times. You can hike in Joshua Tree any time of the year, but the best season to comfortably do it is during the spring or fall. You can come and admire the stars with your eyes, or peer through local telescopes to see certain astrological features in greater detail. Mild climates make this park a great place to go camping year-round, but it’s especially popular in the winter months. Guests: Up to 4. Cottonwood Campground has the darkest skies. There are no grocery stores, restaurants, or lodging inside Joshua Tree National Park. Rock Caves behind Hidden Valley picnic area. Joshua Tree National Park is frequented by SoCal residents, because it’s only a couple of hours from LA. This is one of my … On your first entry, you’ll need to pay $25 for a seven-day access pass to the national park. Best Time to Go Hiking in Joshua Tree. based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Joshua Tree is one of the best places for stargazing in the country (and the planet!) 2 comments. Continue Reading Photo Credit: www.airbnb.com Zebra Shadow House. Weather in Joshua Tree National Park Temperature Average […] In Space on Earth, Stargazing Guide by Valerie StimacMay 26, 2019. The map also shows the phases of the Moon, and all solar and lunar eclipses. So if you’re looking for things to do in Joshua Tree, you’re in the right place! Located south of J-Tree, you’ll experience a little more light pollution, but this is a good spot to go if you don’t want to spend the whole night driving (or an overnight in the park). If you want to photograph the night sky in Joshua Tree National Park, here are some tips: In the end, don’t forget that you’re there to experience the wonder of the night sky with your own eyes. Additions programs may be available through our partner: Sky's the Limit Observatory For tourists that are only here to … Check the moon's phase and rise and set times to find the best time to stargaze. One of the best things to do in Joshua Tree is to attend an open observatory night at the 29 Palms observatory. Joshua Tree, California. Park at a designated backcountry registration board and hike away from your car to view the night sky. Pets must be leashed at all times and are not allowed on trails or in the backcountry. The night sees the temperatures dropping to 32℉ while afternoons are pleasantly warm 72℉ . If you visit in early spring, … This is a beautiful garden full of cholla cactus (pictured above), which look dramatically different than other cacti throughout the national park. Joshua Tree National Park is a true desert wilderness that is best described as a big playground illustrated by Dr Seuss. You can visit at any time. Bright lights delay this process. Cabin Cabin Cabin. If you’re staying in the three towns north of Joshua Tree National Park – Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, or Twentynine Palms – there are lots of accommodation options to choose from. Skull Rock. Enter the park via the south entrance. Joshua Tree Weather in December: If you love a day that wakes you up to a snug ambiance; chilly outside and warm inside owing to good humidity, December is an ideal time to visit Joshua Tree. I think this may be the best Airbnb in Joshua Tree for a first-time visit to the town ... a hammock and a deck for stargazing at night. Only for the past few generations have humans been denied the chance to stand in awe of the heavens. While driving through the park, it’s also a great time to keep your eye out for roadside pullouts or rock formations where you’ll want to come stargazing later. Looking to avoid the crowds and score a campsite at one of the best campgrounds? Joshua Tree had a super bloom in 2019. From a weather perspective, plan your Joshua Tree National Park trip any time from fall through spring, when daytime temperatures are pleasant for hiking. For many travelers, it’s your first chance to see the Milky Way in all her glory (and you know how we feel about that…). The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is March to May and October to November. Use binoculars or a telescope to look at the Orion Nebula, a vast stellar cloud of dust and gas that appears in the sword. Astrophotography Tips While Visiting Joshua Tree. Yes! While your camera is shooting, be sure to admire the view for yourself. 9697 Utah Trail At the time of publication, we were not able to find any tour providers that offer night tours in the national park. In Joshua Tree, sunset in December can be as early as 4:30 pm, with ... Spring. contact@skysthelimit29.org. Each of these three stars is the brightest star in its constellation: brilliant Vega in Lyra (the Lyre), Altair in Aquila (the Eagle), and Deneb in Cygnus (the Swan). Fall. Why? Mercury is just 13 degrees from the Sun in the sky, so it is difficult to see. Visit in the early spring (March, April), when desert wildflowers bloom, or late fall (October, November), when soft autumn light illuminates the park. Sort by. Below Orion's belt, three faint stars make up the great hunter's sword. Featured photo by Lian Law for the National Park Service via Flickr. Curious what the moon will be during your trip? Joshua Tree National Park never closes. Temperatures drop quickly in the evening. The East side of the park is best for stargazing. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year—and the longest night. These handy tools allow you to set up the scope with your hemisphere, the latitude, month, and time you plan to go stargazing – then you can peer through the scope and see a map of the night sky exactly as you’ll see later in the night. The Best Time to Visit Joshua Tree NP. Stay awake and alert within 20 feet (6 meters) of your vehicle. Valerie is the founder and editor of Space Tourism Guide. On the vernal equinox, or the first day of spring, day and night are of equal length. Close • Posted by 31 minutes ago. Although star visibility is diminished, the full moon casts a dim blue light over the desert for a gentle, otherworldly feel. The best time to go stargazing is the days before, during and soon after each new moon. On moonless nights, the Andromeda Galaxy is visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy patch off in the stands on the third base side of the field, about as far back from third base as between first and third. Places to Go. The temperatures are mild, and the wildflowers are blooming. This best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park post contains affiliate links. 7 Best Places for Stargazing in California’s Low Desert. See where Joshua Tree is located in southern California. Winter's most famous constellation is almost certainly Orion, the Hunter. share. Spring is the best time to visit Joshua Tree for wildflowers. Our goal was to go stargazing and shoot some night sky photos in the national park, then create the guide so other space enthusiasts could do the same. “It’s important to hold onto that magic of the night sky,” said Joshua Tree National Park ranger Pam Tripp. Use a red light to check your viewing are for hazards. Twentynine Palms – Where to Stay Near Joshua Tree for Families. It’s great to plan your trip and also great to have when hiking. Price: $171 per night. “Joshua Tree is pretty hot during the summer, but you can clearly see the Milkyway during this time, and the Perseid meteor shower in mid-August is a must-see. Park at any of the roadside pullouts and set up chairs to watch the stars overhead. Best time to go for stargazing? There is no running water in most areas of the park. Best Time To Visit Joshua Tree National Park Spring in Joshua Tree National Park: One of the best times to visit Joshua Tree National Park. Grab one for yourself on Amazon for $39.95. The Grand Canyon is surely on that list, as well as every Dark Sky Reserve. Winter. Note: Due to the novel coronavirus, National Parks vary in opening hours and access. You can stay in a 1970s airstream (from $92 per night), a colorfully decorated adobe (from $88 per night), or this stargazing cabin that’s a splurge (from $375 per night) but worth it for the wide-open starry skies you can admire from the bed or outdoor tub. 92277-3597, The night sky is a glittering dome peppered with stars, planets, and passing meteors—but most people no longer get to see it. It doesn’t happen every night, but when it does, make sure to visit. Log in or sign up to leave a comment log in sign up. How to Go Stargazing in Joshua Tree National Park, Astrophotography Tips While Visiting Joshua Tree, Other FAQ About Stargazing in Joshua Tree National Park, an entire wishlist of Joshua Tree Airbnb properties we love, 10 Amazing Stargazing Airbnbs Around the World. Perfect for a couple! Draw a line from Polaris past the W shape of Cassiopeia, and it will bring your eye to the Great Square. These are the best nights for stargazing, seeing the Milky Way, and for camping trips! Illuminate objects in the foreground to create more interesting compositions. offers many visitors the chance to admire the Milky Way for the first time in their lives. Joshua Tree Day Trip Itinerary. You can also learn more about the park's dark night skies and watch a series of short films and about why the National Park Service cares about protecting dark night skies. This National Park is known for its amazing vegetation, stunning rock formations, and pristine dark skies. If you’re in the U.S., you probably have Joshua Tree on your list too. Everyone waxes poetic about a Joshua tree sunset. ☄️ Tue-Wed, Nov 17-18 | Leonid Meteor Shower: Producing 15 meteors per hour, this is an average meteor shower that is unique because it has cyclonic peak every 33 years where you can see hundreds of meteors per hour. In urban and suburban settings, artificial lighting and atmospheric pollutants wash out the light of the stars. Gemini, the Twins, features the bright stars Castor and Pollux marking the heads of the two brothers, who stand in the heavens with their arms about each other's shoulders. Lay back and enjoy the glorious milky way, or bring along a telescope to get and up close and personal look at planets. This may be in the middle of a desert, but the places you can stay in JT can be everything from artist funky to downright sophisticated. The Best Time To Visit Joshua Tree National Park With so many hikes, climbs, and stargazing opportunities, you’ll need at least two full days to enjoy this national park. if so, which location/hotel provides the best access to stargazing spots? Locations identified as being “dark sky sites” (one with minimal light pollution) will only be dark during these times. During daytime hours, expect to pay the $25 access fee for a seven-day pass to enter the park. The park is known for its picturesque Joshua Trees, starlit skies and thousands of rock-climbing routes. Want to view Joshua Trees famously starry skie… Check our Calendar or at any visitor center for information about upcoming programs or events. The wildflowers are also in full bloom. The early spring months of March and April and late fall months of October and November tend to bring the ideal weather for your camping and glamping adventures in … The climate makes Joshua Tree an ideal spot to go camping year-round. Stargazing Yurt at 28 Palms Ranch 28 Palms Ranch features a collection of brand new Mongolian stargazing yurts just 20 minutes from the north entrance of Joshua Tree. Around this time—the beginning of autumn—the Great Square of Pegasus rises in the northeastern sky at dusk. Here are seven Low Desert spots to stargaze, ranging from comfortable resort towns, to ghost towns and remote campsites. 760-367-7222 One last tip for the daylight hours: purchase a stellarscope and use it to get a sense of the night sky view you’ll have once the sun goes down. The Joshua Tree Saloon has a similar vibe, is popular with the locals, and hosts karaoke a few nights a week. Our dark sky calendar helps you identify the best nights to go stargazing, this when there is no bright Moon at night and when the Sun has set enough so that twilight does not affect observations. Plan ahead. Be courteous to those around you. Winter can be much cooler at 60F, which makes it still comfortable for … Visible around sunset only. Cultures around the world told stories about the constellations and used the stars as a calendar. In short, the daytime is a great time to plan for your stargazing excursion! Read below for more weather and travel details. Summers are extremely hot and could be a dangerous time to be outside in the sun, but provide some of the best evenings for stargazing. Bring extra layers of warm clothing. The reason it is dark here is because the Park is located in the High Desert (5000 ft above sea level) and it is located far from major cities (which create light pollution). The average high then is about 85F and the low is around 50F. The East side of the park is best for stargazing. The weather of Joshua Tree is favorable along with the best of activities during this particular time in Joshua Tree. Here’s one last option in case the nine varied spots we’ve highlighted so … For millennia, our ancestors experienced a dark night sky. Check this handy lunar phase site. I still have fond memories of my time at this particular campground. Find out which park entrance will work best for you. There are no grocery stores, restaurants, or lodging inside Joshua Tree National Park. On great nights for stargazing, rangers teach visitors about the constellations and other sights in the night sky. There are many different ways to photograph the stars and Milky Way. 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