Long summer nights and warm desert breezes make Twentynine Palms the perfect place to experience the wonder of the night sky! As the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park—an International Dark Sky Park since 2017—Twentynine Palms offers some of the clearest and darkest night skies in Southern California. Whether you're here to photograph the Milky Way, catch a meteor shower, or explore the constellations, summer is prime time for stargazing in the high desert.
Here’s your guide to what’s lighting up the night sky this season, and how to plan the perfect stargazing adventure!
🌌 Milky Way Season
July and August bring ideal conditions to view the Milky Way’s galactic core—the brightest, most detailed section of our home galaxy.
Why summer is the best:
• Clear visibility of the galactic center
• Warm nights and minimal atmospheric distortion
• Star-rich constellations like Sagittarius and Scorpius, packed with nebulae and clusters perfect for telescopes and night-sky photography
☄️ Summer Meteor Showers
Delta Aquariids
• Duration: July 18 – August 21
• Peak: July 28–30
• ~15–20 meteors/hour in dark skies
• Best viewed after midnight
Perseids
• Duration: July 14 – September 1
• Peak: August 11–12
• Among the most active and colorful showers of the year, with up to 90 meteors/hour
• Best viewed just before dawn
• Expect increased park traffic during peak nights
✨ The Summer Triangle
Look for this iconic asterism high in the summer sky, formed by the bright stars Vega, Altair, and Deneb. It’s a stellar guidepost that points to deep-sky treasures:
• Ring Nebula in Lyra
• North America Nebula in Cygnus
🌙 Moon Phases
• New Moons (best for dark skies): July 24 (12:11 a.m. PDT), August 22 (11:06 p.m. PDT)
• Full Moons: July 10 (1:37 p.m. PDT), August 9 (12:05 a.m. PDT)
🚗 Tips for Visiting & Stargazing
• Arrive before sunset to avoid headlight glare and secure parking
• Bring layers—desert nights can be cool even in summer
• No food, water, or cell service in the park—come prepared
• Buy your park pass in advance at Recreation.gov
• Park only in designated areas—off-road parking is prohibited and fined
🌱 Respect the Land
Help protect this unique ecosystem by following Leave No Trace principles:
• Pack out all trash
• No charcoal or wood fires June 15 – October 1
• Use red or dim lighting and keep noise low to preserve the night environment
🔭 Stargazing Experiences
Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center
• 15-acre campus with a 14” Celestron telescope
• Offers public star parties and events
• Named one of AAA’s Best Stargazing Destinations in the West
• Private tours led by knowledgeable local guides with high-end gear
Joshua Tree Astronomy Adventures
• In-park guided experiences with laser sky tours and professional telescopes
🌠 Plan Your Visit
Stargazing in Twentynine Palms is an unforgettable experience—so why not make it a full desert getaway? Book a stay in one of our hotels, vacation rentals, or the RV resort, and enjoy nearby restaurants, shops, and attractions before your night under the stars. Whether you're an amateur stargazer or a seasoned astrophotographer, summer skies in Twentynine Palms are not to be missed!