Death Valley, US Stargazing Forecast

Death Valley, US (36.51°, -116.93°) · Updated 03:55 UTC
68
Good
high confidence
high · Forecast stability

Tonight's forecast has held steady across recent updates. We compare how much tonight's score has moved across our recent forecast updates, a score that's held steady is more trustworthy.

Confidence reflects how trustworthy the forecast is, it doesn't change the score.

Worth a look tonight
BEST 04:00–12:00 (8h)
Near-perfect skies but bright moonlight limits faint objects. Delta Aquariids meteor shower peaks tonight (ZHR ~25).
Sunset
02:55
Sunrise
12:53
Usable Hours
8/8
Moon
99%
Visible Planets
♂ Mars20° E
♄ Saturn54° SE
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Stargazing in Death Valley, US

Death Valley National Park is a Gold-tier International Dark Sky Park and one of the largest dark-sky areas in the US — vast, remote, and exceptionally dry. Bortle 1–2 conditions are the norm across most of the park, with the Milky Way, zodiacal light, and gegenschein all routinely visible. The desert's extreme aridity and the park's huge buffer from city light make for some of the clearest, darkest skies accessible from the West Coast. At 36.5°N, the southern sky is well placed, and observing from below sea level on the valley floor adds to the experience.

Death Valley, US Stargazing FAQ

How dark is Death Valley?
Death Valley is a Gold-tier International Dark Sky Park with Bortle 1-2 conditions across most of its vast area. The Milky Way, zodiacal light, and gegenschein are all routinely visible from the valley floor and surrounding viewpoints.
Where is the best stargazing in Death Valley?
Harmony Borax Works, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Ubehebe Crater are popular dark-sky spots. The park's huge size means light pollution is minimal almost everywhere away from the resorts.
When is the best time to stargaze in Death Valley?
Autumn through spring offers comfortable night temperatures and clear, dry skies. Summer is dangerously hot. The dry desert air means clear nights are the rule rather than the exception year-round.