Stargazing in Joshua Tree: The One Tour You Shouldn’t Miss
Humans have been fascinated with the sky for as long as we’ve existed. What Gen Xer didn’t watch E.T. and dream of a glowing finger pointing home to the stars? Stargazing in Joshua Tree taps into that same sense of magic. It’s a chance to share that sense of awe with your own kids, and to leave with a newfound appreciation for the universe and our small but beautiful place in it.
If you are planning a visit to Joshua Tree National Park, this is the one activity you must do. I’ll forever treasure the memory of competing with my son to spot the most shooting stars, and the excitement of finding our own constellations based on our birthdates. Here’s how you can create these magical stargazing memories on your trip to Joshua Tree with kids.
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Under the Desert Night Sky: Joshua Tree National Park is a stargazer’s paradise
What is an ‘International Dark Sky’?
The designation of “International Dark Sky” credentials is granted by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) to an area that protects night skies through responsible lighting, reduces light pollution, and preserves natural darkness.
Joshua Tree National Park is specifically designated as an International Dark Sky Park, with exceptional starry skies and protection of its nocturnal environment. It is ranked by the IDA as one of the best places in the world to view the Milky Way. The dramatic geology of the area, along with its uniquely adapted flora and fauna, including the iconic Joshua Tree, is enhanced by the backdrop of vibrant, starry skies, making stargazing in Joshua Tree a must-do experience.
Why this tour is the one not to miss
This tour is the only one run by professional astronomers, and the opportunity to share their love of the heavens is priceless. The sky changes each night when you are stargazing in Joshua Tree, and to make the most of the experience, it’s vital to have professionals who can point out what is uniquely visible in that moment.
I asked my child specifically what he loved the most about this experience. He said that it was the details, that the guides were “happy to answer all of his questions”, and they spoke in a way he could “relate to and understand.” If you want to encourage your child to be curious and come away from stargazing in Joshua Tree with new knowledge, this is important. These guides make astronomy fun, engaging, and exciting. This is precisely what prompted me to choose this tour specifically. You can read the review I wrote for Viator (and my excellent tour guide, Devon). If I could give this tour six stars out of 5, I would.
What should you expect?
The tour began with a journey through our solar system, as we walked along a path lit by representations of each of the planets. The guide stopped at each one to share some insights about it. This perfectly set the stage for what we would later see with our naked eyes, using the provided binoculars, and with the professional telescopes.
Following this introduction, we made our way to the clearing that had been set up for the remainder of the tour. Each person had a giant bean bag chair for the most comfortable stargazing experience, along with a lovely, cozy blanket and binoculars.
A table was set up with hot water to make tea or hot chocolate. Some tasty chocolates for snacking were also provided. Once we got our hot drinks and got situated on our bean bags, our guide began a tour of the sky, using a professional laser pointer to identify countless constellations and planets across the horizon.
Yes, mind officially blown. After a little while, our eyes adjusted to the dark sky, and we began to truly appreciate the nuances and depth of space, even without a telescope. After our guide had shared an incredible wealth of inspiring, entertaining, and relatable information and storytelling, we could spend time with the six high-powered telescopes.
While I sit here revisiting the photographs from our stargazing experience, I can again feel the same sense of peace that I felt looking through the telescopes. I think, like many of us, I’m so hurried in my daily life; being disconnected from screens and signals gave me a chance to refocus my mind.
What does this tour include?
Included in the tour:
- Two-hour small group experience with the most fun professionally qualified astronomers
- Professional high-powered telescopes will be pre-programmed to view specific astronomical objects visible that night
- Professional deep sky astrophotography photos to take home, taken with the telescopes
- Your own personal photo of you stargazing in Joshua Tree, the perfect commemorative souvenir to take home
- Giant bean bag chair, blanket, and binoculars for each participant
- Hand warmers, if needed
- Hot beverages (tea and hot chocolate), chocolate snacks
- Glow-in-the-dark commemorative stickers
What will you see?
It’s hard to predict precisely what you’ll see because the night sky constantly changes with the seasons and moon phase. Some nights, the telescopes will focus on Saturn’s rings or the Moon’s craters. Other nights, guests might observe the swirling colors of distant nebulae, the glowing arms of galaxies millions of light-years away, or a cluster of newborn stars just beginning to form. That’s part of what makes stargazing in Joshua Tree so unforgettable: no two nights ever look the same. What I can say is that this experience was a front-row seat to an extraordinary show put on by the universe.
“Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.”
– Stephen Hawking
Time It Right & Prepare Like a Pro
When should you consider going?
The beauty of this tour is that it runs all year, even with a full moon. The skies are dark enough that stargazing in Joshua Tree is still possible, with planets, stars, and other objects visible with the naked eye and through the professional telescopes. In fact, when it’s a full moon, you’ll get the opportunity to get extraordinary close-up views of the moon’s surface itself!
What do you need to bring?
The most crucial step for stargazing in Joshua Tree is wearing comfortable layers. Temperatures will begin to drop after the sun sets, and while you can snuggle under the provided blanket, you don’t want to feel cold and distracted. A hoodie or warm hat is useful, and consider a scarf and gloves during the cooler months.
Additionally, since you’re out in the dark, wearing closed-toe shoes is essential. When you’re out at night in Joshua Tree with kids, there might be small desert insects you don’t notice. I also found it helpful to bring a headlamp (or a small flashlight) with a red light setting. The red light helps protect your night vision (unlike the bright white light) and is less disruptive to wildlife. This will help you walk safely over uneven terrain as you head to the designated stargazing spot.
Aside from this, you don’t need to bring anything else except your curiosity and excitement!
Where is the tour meeting point located?
The tour meeting point is easily reachable from various locations. Depending on where you’re staying, make sure to leave enough time to get there for stargazing in Joshua Tree so you don’t miss the start of the tour. Keep in mind, the experience is not inside Joshua Tree National Park, so you won’t need to pay park entry fees in addition to the tour.
Driving time to the meeting point from:
- Joshua Tree, 25 minutes
- Twentynine Palms, 40 minutes
- Yucca Valley, 15 minutes
- Palm Springs, 40 minutes
All times are approximate. If you are staying in the Joshua Tree area on the northwest edge of Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll have the shortest drive to reach the meeting point for stargazing in Joshua Tree.
Is there any particular preparation to consider?
For optimal stargazing in Joshua Tree, you need to depart from any lit area. Consequently, the guides will give you directions to the meeting point. However, you will have no cell phone reception at this point, so it is essential to have a printed copy of the directions on hand (or a copy saved to your phone that is accessible without cell service). The team provides excellent, well-marked signs and easy-to-follow directions.
Your tour will take place in a deserted clearing with no facilities around, so be sure to use the restroom before arriving at the destination. There are a few places to stop in Joshua Tree before diverting onto the unmarked roads.
Practical Info
Considerations
The stargazing experience requires walking out into a clearing through uneven ground. Based on this, accessibility is limited, so it’s essential to consider whether this tour is a good fit for you and your family.
This engaging tour operates year-round, typically starting about 45 minutes after sunset to allow for the best visibility (without running too late for little people!), making stargazing in Joshua Tree with kids a great experience.
Additionally, the experience is almost spiritual. It is a time for quiet observance and reflection as the guide shares insights and relevance to stories from Greek mythology. While there is no age restriction, you may want to consider whether your child is able to sit quietly throughout the whole two-hour experience, out of respect for the other guests.
Pets are not allowed on the tour.
Booking Tips
Rates for the tour vary by time of the month, and discounted rates for youth are offered. It’s essential to note that there are only 18 spots available each night of the tour, so popular dates (such as New Moon, Full Moon, or special astronomical events) sell out in advance. Don’t miss this incredible stargazing in Joshua Tree experience and make your booking as soon as you can.
Cancellation and Rebooking
I was very impressed with the cancellation and rebooking policies for this particular stargazing tour in Joshua Tree. The professional astronomers conducting the tour carefully assess the weather forecast each day. If there’s too much cloud cover, you’ll have the option to reschedule or request a full refund. That level of care made me confident I was booking with true professionals. All that was left to do was show up, bundle up, and look up.
Ready to Experience the Magic of Stargazing in Joshua Tree?
Don’t miss your chance to wish on a shooting star or, in our case, to see the Andromeda Galaxy, the extraordinary spiral galaxy closest to our own Milky Way, visible through the tour’s high-powered telescopes. I felt smarter just knowing what I was looking at! I want to say I saw E.T. waving from a distance, but let’s just imagine that part.
If you’re planning your trip to Palm Springs or Joshua Tree and want your own night of cosmic wonder, book your stargazing adventure here. Whether you’re traveling solo or with your kids, it’s one of those rare experiences that remind you how vast the universe is, and to take advantage of the chances we have to really experience its beauty. HAPPY ROAMING!
I gratefully honor and acknowledge the First Nation People, who have stewarded this land for generations. I celebrate their past, present, and future stewardship. I am committed to learning from and supporting First Nation People and encourage readers of this blog to learn more about the history of this land and to support First Nation local businesses, initiatives, and organizations.
