True to the phrase “Half the Park is After Dark”, Yosemite is a delightful place for stargazing. Between the high elevation and minimal light pollution, thousands of twinkling lights are on display every clear night, and the Milky Way earns its name with its dense collection of stars that flow together across the sky.
Keep reading to discover the best stargazing spots in Yosemite, when to go, what to bring, and what events to keep an eye out for.
Yosemite Stargazing Spots
The stars are stunning from almost every location within Yosemite that has a view of the sky, even if you just happen to glance up while unloading your car after a full day of park exploration. But there are a few notable places worthy of a special trip to view the stars in full glory.
Glacier Point
Already famous for its iconic viewpoints, Glacier Point is also one of the most popular stargazing destinations in the park. That field of stars looks even more sensational when set against the iconic view of Half Dome or is seen twinkling above Yosemite Falls. In fact, if you visit during the summer, keep your eyes open for Star Parties held at Glacier Point – special events where amateur astronomers share their telescopes with the general public, free of charge. We’ll talk more about those in a minute.
Wawona Meadow
Stargazing in Wawona Meadow is naturally near and dear to our hearts. The open meadow provides a clear view of the stars and is so easy to get to from The Redwoods vacation rental cabins. One of the quieter stargazing spots, Wawona Meadow is ideal for a quick hit or a prolonged peaceful and contemplative evening.
El Capitan Meadow
Yes, there is a giant rock formation that blocks some of the night sky in El Capitan Meadow. However, if you visit during rock climbing season, you are in for an unusual treat. Climbers, high on El Capitan, will be finishing their climbs for the day or settling in for an evening under the stars, and their headlamps flicker across the rock face, blending in with the stars as the night gets dark.
When to Go Stargazing in Yosemite
Late summer or fall
Any season makes for great stargazing, but late summer or early fall combines relatively warm nights with earlier sunsets so you can see the stars and still get up for a fun hike the next day. These seasons also tend to have clear skies and sunny weather.
During meteor showers
Summertime shooting star displays add a whole new level of wow to an already jaw-dropping night sky. One of the best meteor showers to look for is the Perseids which conveniently peak on warm summer nights.
When there is no moon
If your trip coincides with a new moon, that is a great night to venture out for some star gazing, but even if it doesn’t, just pay attention to when the moon rises and sets and time your star watching for before moonrise or after moonset. (Or just enjoy the way the moon lights up the night sky. The moon is bright enough that you won’t see as many stars… but you’ll get to see the moon!)
What to Bring Stargazing
You don’t need to pack a big bag in order to enjoy the pleasures of viewing the Milky Way. However, here are a few things that you might enjoy having with you when you go.
- Warm clothes – even summer evenings can be chilly so you’ll appreciate having a few extra layers.
- Protective clothing or Insect repellent – Mosquitos are more active at dawn and dusk, so be prepared even if they haven’t been that bad during the day.
- Red flashlight/headlamp – It can take a few minutes to let your eyes adjust to the darkness so you can see more stars. Using a red light allows your eyes to stay dark-adapted even if you need to navigate or find something nearby. (Note: if you don’t have a red light, bring whatever you have so that you can get back to your car/cabin safely!)
- Blanket or something to lie down on – lying down gives you the best view of the sky. Just choose your spot wisely so you don’t crush any sensitive plants.
- Star maps or apps – One of the best things about stargazing with a guide is that you’ll have someone there to point out the constellations and planets for you. In the absence of a guide, grab a star map or download an app to learn those things on your own.
- Binoculars, spotting scope, telescope – most people seem to enjoy the night sky just fine with just their eyes, but binoculars or telescopes can be a fun addition for a little extra zoom.
Gatherings and Guides
To maximize your stargazing fun, I can’t recommend a guide or gathering enough. Having a few experts around will make your celestial explorations, well, out of this world!
Stars Over Yosemite – Star Parties
These free programs are only available on a select number of dates during the summer, but wow they are worth checking out if one overlaps with your trip. Serious amateur stargazers gather to share their telescopes and their expertise at Glacier Point so that you can wander casually from one telescope to the next for up-close views of objects in the night sky. Check the Yosemite Guide for dates and times (look under the Glacier Point programs).
Guided Star Programs
If your trip doesn’t overlap with a star party, or you’re just eager for more, you can sign up for a guided star program led by National Park interpreters from Yosemite Conservancy (usually in Yosemite Valley) or Yosemite Hospitality (often at Glacier Point). While you may not get to look through a telescope at these programs, the information and stories will help bring the immensity of our universe into focus. You can also find a schedule for these programs in the Yosemite Guide.
More Stargazing Tips to Maximize Your Experience
- Check the weather and conditions before you go. Cloudy skies make for disappointing stargazing. (This is also a good time to look up moonrise and moonset so you know what to expect.)
- Arrive early – this will give you a chance to settle in and your eyes an opportunity to adjust.
- Take your time – because your eyes adjust slowly giving yourself some time to pause and really soak things in will allow you to see more. It’s also fun to relax under the night sky.
- Watch your feet – in case you hadn’t noticed, there are some pretty big dropoffs in Yosemite. Stay on trails and pay attention to where you’re walking in the dark
The Most Important Thing
Go out in the dark and look up. With dark night skies and incredible landscapes, Yosemite is a particularly beautiful place for stargazing. Whether you make a special trip or just pause to admire the heavens. Be sure not to miss it.
Theresa moved to Yosemite on a rock climbing sabbatical in April 2003 and has been living full-time in Yosemite ever since. Currently, when not working as a marketing freelancer, you’ll find Theresa hiking, climbing, and skiing through Yosemite’s beautiful landscapes or experimenting with drawing toys and watercolors.
Yuli brings more than two decades of Yosemite-area experience to his role as the Marketing Manager at The Redwoods In Yosemite, including serving on local marketing committees and volunteering with the National Park Service in Yosemite. Keep up with Yuli on Instagram at @ynpinsider and, of course @redwoodsinyosemite.