Stargazing at Death Valley: where and when should you go?

Stargazing at Death Valley National Park works best during the new moon at an open spot with some elevation, away from Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells. The park has been a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park since 2013, and rangers suggest Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Harmony Borax Works, Badwater Basin and Ubehebe Crater.

Why is Death Valley so dark?

It is far from the big cities of the Southwest, and the park reworked outdoor lighting in the Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells areas to qualify. The NPS says it was the third International Dark Sky Park in the National Park System. Las Vegas still adds some glow on the horizon, DarkSky notes.

Where to stargaze in Death Valley

• Ranger suggestions: Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Harmony Borax Works, Badwater Basin, Ubehebe Crater.
• Photographers often use Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes or Harmony Borax Works. You may park along major roads to photograph, but camping along paved roads is prohibited.
• Horizon tip from the park: big mountains block low stars from places like Badwater Basin; choose open ground with some height.

Ranger programs and star parties

The park lists ranger astronomy programs, telescope nights with the Las Vegas Astronomical Society and talks on its Dark Sky Astronomy Programs page. Dates change each season, so check before you go.

How to prepare for stargazing at Death Valley

• Heat: the park warns that summer night temperatures can still be over 100 °F (38 °C). Carry plenty of water.
• Light: use a red light, or red cellophane over a torch, as the park suggests.
• Binoculars: the park recommends them for a closer look.
• Distances: services are far apart and signal is patchy, so download maps and tell someone your route.

The rest is in the stargazing trip checklist. I build Sky Map, so take the tip with that in mind: download it before you lose signal, because its core sky map works without internet, and check Tonight’s Sky Conditions (cloud cover, humidity, best time) the afternoon before. For a red screen use iPhone Color Filters (how).

Nearby dark skies: Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon.

Sources: NPS Death Valley Night Exploration, Lightscape and Dark Sky Astronomy Programs pages and 2013 news release (nps.gov/deva), DarkSky International place page (darksky.org), checked 2026-10-27.