Palm Springs Stargazing: Where to See the Desert Night Sky

The best Palm Springs stargazing happens about an hour out of town, in Joshua Tree National Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, both certified International Dark Sky Parks. Downtown is too bright for the Milky Way, so plan a night drive and a slow morning after, which is exactly how we build a Palm Springs weekend getaway. The Muse is an adults-only boutique hotel minutes from downtown, and our hot tub is a very good place to warm up when you get back.

Can you see stars in Palm Springs?

Some. From town you'll see the moon, the planets and the brightest stars, which is plenty for a nightcap by the outdoor fireplace. The city and the rest of the Coachella Valley throw off enough light to wash out the faint stuff.

For the real sky, you need distance and darkness. The two spots below are protected for exactly that.

Where is the best stargazing near Palm Springs?

1. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree is a Silver tier International Dark Sky Park, and the National Park Service says you can stargaze on your own on any clear night. Pull into a parking area well away from the entrances, turn off your headlights, and give your eyes 20 minutes to adjust. The boulders and Joshua trees make a great silhouette for night photos.

Overnight stays inside the park are limited to designated campsites, so most people drive in for the evening and drive back. Our Joshua Tree day trip guide covers the route and timing.

2. Sky's the Limit Observatory and Nature Center

Just outside the park's north entrance in Twentynine Palms, Sky's the Limit is an observatory and nature center. It co-hosts the annual Night Sky Festival with the Joshua Tree National Park Association, usually in October, with telescope viewing, constellation tours and astronomer talks. The 2026 edition sold out, so watch for tickets in early summer. Check their program calendar for other telescope nights.

3. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

California's largest state park protects nearly 650,000 acres of desert, and it was named an International Dark Sky Park in 2018. The town of Borrego Springs inside it is a certified dark sky community too, which means the town keeps its lights low on purpose. It's the longest drive on this list, about an hour and a half, so it works best as a full day trip with sunset at the end.

4. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway at dusk

The tram climbs to the Mountain Station at 8,516 feet, and in the cooler months the last car down runs at 9:30PM. In winter the sun sets hours before that, so you can watch the valley lights switch on and the first stars appear from the top. It's not a dark sky site, but it's the easiest sky show in town. Bring a real jacket, because the mountain is much colder than the pool deck. Our Aerial Tramway guide has tickets and timing.

5. The courtyard at The Muse

The moon over the palm trees, Venus or Jupiter low on the horizon, a glass of something and the six-person hot tub. It won't count toward any astronomy badge. It's still our favorite way to end a stargazing night.

When is the best time for stargazing in Palm Springs?

Plan around the moon first. The darkest nights fall in the days around a new moon, and a full moon will wash out most of the Milky Way no matter where you drive.

October through May brings cooler, comfortable nights. Summer skies are clear too, but evenings in the desert can stay hot well after dark, so bring more water than feels necessary. Our Palm Springs weather guide has month-by-month temperatures.

When are the meteor showers?

The Perseids peak in mid-August and the Geminids peak in mid-December. Those are the two big ones for a desert trip. The Geminids land in prime Palm Springs season, so a December weekend can mean pool days and a meteor night in the same trip.

For a meteor shower, skip the telescope. Bring a blanket or reclining chairs, lie back, and look at the widest patch of open sky you can find. The best counts usually come after midnight.

What should you bring for a desert stargazing night?

• A red flashlight. White light ruins night vision, and it's not allowed around telescopes at park programs.

• Layers. Desert nights cool off fast once the sun drops, especially in winter.

• Water and snacks. Services are thin out in the park after dark.

• A star app downloaded ahead of time. Cell signal is patchy outside town.

• A full tank of gas. Fill up before you leave the valley.

Then go late, sleep in, and spend the next afternoon on a float. The group chat will be full of blurry Milky Way photos either way.

Palm Springs stargazing FAQ

A small hotel with a very good pool. Check your dates and we'll send you the moon calendar.