Joshua Tree is more than a desert — it’s a canvas for the night sky. With minimal light pollution and expansive desert horizons, the park is one of the best places in the world to experience the stars. In 2026, Reset Hotel is your base for a thoughtful, nature-driven escape where every night is a chance to look up and reset.
Why Joshua Tree Is Perfect for Stargazing
Joshua Tree National Park offers some of the darkest skies in California. Clear air, wide-open spaces, and unique desert formations make it ideal for stargazing.
2026 Stargazing Highlights
- Meteor Showers: Don’t miss the Perseids in August or the Geminids in December, visible from the park’s highest points and open valleys.
- Full Moons: Experience dramatic desert landscapes bathed in silver light during full moons.
- Milky Way: The core of the Milky Way is most visible from late March through October, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. for optimal dark-sky photography and observation.
- Planetary Viewing: Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars are especially visible in late winter and early spring evenings.
2026 Key Celestial Events for Joshua Tree & Stargazers
Jan 3–4
Quadrantids Meteor Shower (peak)
One of the year’s strongest meteor showers — high meteor rates, good for early January night-sky viewing.
Apr 21–22
Lyrids Meteor Shower (peak)
Moderate meteor shower; in 2026, moon interference is minimal — good for pre-dawn or late-night stargazing.
May 5–6
Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower (peak)
Pre-dawn meteor viewing opportunity — though moonlight may affect visibility.
Jul 30–31
Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower (peak) & Alpha Capricornids Meteor Shower (peak)
Summer meteor shower — though in 2026, moonlight may reduce faint meteor visibility.
Aug 12–13
Perseids Meteor Shower (peak)
Best meteor shower of the year — in 2026, peak coincides with a new moon, offering dark skies and strong viewing potential.
Oct 21–22
Orionids Meteor Shower (peak)
Autumn meteor shower — good chance for night-sky watching as nights start getting longer.
Mar 3, 2026
March 2026 Total Lunar Eclipse
Dramatic lunar event — offers a striking “blood-moon” style skywatching opportunity (weather & visibility permitting).
Aug 28, 2026
August 2026 Partial Lunar Eclipse
Night-sky event — a partial eclipse visible from many locations, a unique viewing moment.
Best Spots in Joshua Tree for Stargazing
- Keys View: Panoramic desert vistas, perfect for night photography and wide-sky viewing.
- Cap Rock: Iconic rock formations provide a dramatic foreground for Milky Way shots.
- Hidden Valley: A quieter option with minimal foot traffic, great for reflection and peaceful stargazing.
Reset Hotel Stargazing Experience
Reset Hotel takes desert stargazing to the next level. Guests can enjoy:
- Private patios for uninterrupted views of the night sky
- Heated outdoor pool for relaxing under stars
- New MoonPad — an innovative lounge for viewing constellations, planetary positions, and celestial events
- Celestron equipment: Guests at Reset Hotel can enjoy Celestron binoculars for casual stargazing, StarSense telescopes for guided night-sky exploration, and the Reset-exclusive Origin telescope for high-precision viewing of the Milky Way, planets, and deep-sky objects.
Plan Your 2026 Stargazing Trip
- Dress in layers: nights can be cold, especially in winter.
- Bring binoculars or a telescope for enhanced viewing.
- Check the moon phase calendar to plan your best stargazing nights.
- Combine early morning hikes with evening stargazing for full-day desert immersion.
Joshua Tree in 2026 is ready to inspire awe. Whether you’re a casual stargazer or an astrophotographer, the desert offers space, calm, and clarity. Make Reset Hotel your base and let the night sky guide your reset.