The Park After Dark: Explore the Night Sky

Dark Sky Festival

The Dark Sky Festival is around the corner! It will be held February 10-12, 2023. Get ready for family programs, astronomy programs, and the Death Valley Dark Sky Festival Exploration Fair. 2023 Exploration Fair booths include NASA missions to Venus, DAVINCI, and VERITAS; SETI Institute (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence); and more! View the 2023 Dark Sky Festival schedule here!

Full Moon Night Hike

We don’t recommend a hike at night in an area with rocky terrain; hiking somewhere like Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes or Badwater Basin is ideal. Visit during a full moon for the best natural lighting. Always bring a flashlight and water. Remember, nighttime temperatures can still be over 100° F (38° C) during the summer.

Night Sky Programs

Night sky programs are a great introduction to stargazing. Learn something new while you take in the night sky! Bring a chair if you would like to sit during the program. For the latest program schedule, visit our Ranger Programs page.