Starry Night & Dark Sky Adventures

Starry Night and Dark Sky Adventures in Death Valley National Park

Woman on Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at Death Valley National Park

There are advantages to being a night owl, but you don’t have to stay out all that late to experience eminent stargazing at Death Valley National Park. The park's been given the highest ranking of darkness by the International Dark Sky Association. Here are a trio of amazing ways to witness the mesmerizing night sky at Death Valley:

Dune It Yourself: Located 2 miles east of Stovepipe Wells (where there’s a General Store), the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are accessible by a large parking area and one of the most beautiful dune-scapes on the planet for watching a sunset and seeing the stars rise, without being too far from your car! Park in the lot off Highway 190, pack a flashlight, a headlamp, and some snacks.

The walking on the sand can be slow going, so decide how far you want to go before settling on any of the hulking waves of dunes. The tallest of them is about a mile away. Climb the spine and take your spot … even if it’s busy here, it’s possible to find plenty of room. Spread a blanket and enjoy a picnic while waiting for sunset, followed by a starry night. As the sun drops, colors from rose to violet shift across the mountains.

Don’t leave too soon, because this is a choice spot for some stargazing or easy entertainment watching your moon shadow. But be sure to start heading back to your car before it’s too dark (and use your headlamp or flashlight as needed). You can sit in your car or at the sandy base of the parking area to witness the deepening night and beaming stars.

Ranger Programs! There’s just something so cool about learning from the pros at Death Valley National Park. The ranger programs here shine bright (pun fully intended) and we especially like their starry night talks, which you can find out about at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. From moon walks to dune walks and starry night cosmos programs, find out about night adventures (and many daytime options too) in Death Valley.

BONUS DARK SKY FESTIVAL (February 21 to 23, 2025): Learn more about the night sky, and explore the park’s ethereal landscape at Death Valley’s Dark Sky Festival. Exclusive ranger programs, guest speakers from NASA, and plenty of interesting activities take place over multiple days celebrating the points beyond our world!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View