Park · CA, US
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park in California, near Twentynine Palms, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2017. Use the lots at Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock and Ryan Mountain, staying within 20 feet of your car. Pinto Basin Road pullouts are darkest, Cottonwood Campground has the darkest camp skies among nine campgrounds, and a Night Sky Festival is held annually.
Official site (opens in new tab) View on OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab) Source (opens in new tab)
| Type | Park |
| State / Province | CA |
| Country | United States |
| Nearest town | Twentynine Palms |
| Certified | 2017 |
| Coordinates | 33.8971, -115.9511 |
| Source | https://darksky.org/places/joshua-tree-national-park-dark-sky-park/ (opens in new tab) |
Plan Your Night
Tonight’s moon
Waning Crescent
1% illuminated. Rises 4:45 AM PST. Sets 3:44 PM PST. Times are local to the park.
Next new moon
November 9, 2026
The darkest, best-for-stargazing night in the current lunar cycle. See the full trip planner for the next 12 months of new-moon windows.
Upcoming meteor showers
- Leonids Meteor Shower Peak 2026, November 17, 2026
- Geminids Meteor Shower Peak 2026, December 13, 2026
- Ursids Meteor Shower Peak 2026, December 22, 2026
5 nearest dark sky places
- Borrego Springs, California · 81 km (50 mi)
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park · 95 km (59 mi)
- Julian, California · 109 km (68 mi)
- Death Valley National Park · 304 km (189 mi)
- Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument · 343 km (213 mi)