Joshua Tree changes after dark. By day, its surreal rock formations and iconic Joshua trees feel otherworldly. By night, the desert transforms into a vast canvas of stars. The Milky Way stretches overhead, shooting stars streak across the sky, and a quiet settles in that actually registers. Designated as an International Dark Sky Park, Joshua Tree offers some of the darkest skies in California, making it one of the best destinations for stargazing.
Where to Watch the Sky
You can see stars anywhere in Joshua Tree, but a few spots make it easier to focus,
see clearly, and maybe even capture a photo that doesn’t blur:
Hidden Valley
A one-mile loop tucked between towering rock walls. After sunset, crowds fade, and stillness comes naturally.
Skull Rock
Granite formations popular by day quiet down at night. Elevated rocks provide ideal vantage points for stargazing.
Road to Barker Dam
Wide open and far from light, this stretch offers unobstructed views—perfect for casual stargazing or long-exposure photography.
Cap Rock
A short trail framed by dramatic Joshua trees—great for night photography or simply staring up and appreciating the expanse.
At RESET Hotel, you don’t have to leave comfort behind to enjoy the sky. Wide-open desert meets private patios—some with outdoor soaking tubs—so you can watch the stars while staying warm, settled, and relaxed. Stargazing isn’t a chore here. It’s part of the stay.
Seeing the Milky Way and Meteor Showers
The Milky Way is most visible from May through August, though smaller sections appear year-round. For the best views, plan around a new moon. Annual meteor showers—like the Perseids in August and the Geminids in December—make Joshua Tree a reliable destination for stargazers, photographers, or anyone wanting to experience the night sky without light pollution.
Night Sky Festival
For a fully immersive experience, plan your visit around the Joshua Tree Night Sky Festival. Held every late October in nearby Twentynine Palms, the festival celebrates the desert’s dark skies with telescope viewings, guided stargazing sessions, and astronomy talks. It’s a chance to connect with other stargazers, see the sky in new ways, and catch a few shooting stars together.
Stargazing at RESET
At RESET, we take it a step further by partnering with Celestron, a leader in optics technology for over 60 years. Guests can join guided sessions with the AI-powered Origin Telescope on our moon pad, track constellations with StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ telescopes, or borrow binoculars for a more casual experience that lets the desert quietly do its work.
Why RESET
Set on 180 acres just outside Joshua Tree, RESET puts you in the desert night without scrambling over rocks or driving miles after dark. Private patios, firepits, and state-of-the-art telescopes make it easy to watch the sky safely, comfortably, and on your own terms.
A night under the stars here isn’t a checklist. It’s a chance to pause, breathe, and look up. Meteor showers streaking overhead—or a festival celebrating the cosmos—are just the kind of bonus that make it feel like the universe is showing off. That’s the kind of reset we do best.
Discover our stargazing experiences at stayreset.com.