Sleep Under the Stars at This Famous Stargazing Festival in Joshua Tree
Tickets to the Night Sky Festival in Joshua Tree National Park go on sale Monday, July 1 at 8 am.
Cemented as one of the best, most Instagrammable day trips from LA, Joshua Tree National Park is a desert paradise. The area, which includes the intersection of the Mojave and Colorado deserts, is known for its legendary landscapes, namesake trees, prime hiking, and, epic stargazing—it was even declared an International Dark Sky Place in 2017. To celebrate its official status, the park has hosted a Night Sky Festival for the last eight years (and it often sells out). So if you’re planning a trip to Joshua Tree this year, keep in mind: tickets to Joshua Tree National Park’s ninth annual Night Sky Festival go on sale at 8 am on this Monday, July 1.
In past years, the two-day stargazing festival has featured lectures led by famous astronomers, live music, astrophotography workshops, constellation tours, and an array of telescopes. This year’s programming will include panning for gold, solar printing, a tour of a scale model of the solar system, and more. The festivities will once again take place at and around Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center in Twentynine Palms, which is putting on the festival with Joshua Tree Residential Education Experience. In terms of lodging, the area has a range of hotels and more than 500 campsites for those looking to sleep under the stars.
Tickets to the festival are at limited capacity, and given its sold-out status last year, you’re going to want to grab them fast. Before you go, take a look at the National Park Service’s stargazing etiquette guide to make the most of your time.
The Night Sky Festival in Joshua Tree is scheduled for October 4–5, 2024.