Stargazing at The Oasis

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Death Valley is a Gold Tier Dark Sky National Park

Death Valley holds the highest dark sky designation in America. 2026 brings three overlapping meteor showers and a moonless Perseid peak — the best conditions in years.

Reserve Your Stay

Dark Sky Rating	Distance from LA	Meteor Showers
Gold Highest NPS Tier	~190 miles ~3hr drive	4 November—January

WHY DEATH VALLEY

One of the darkest skies in America

The National Park Service has designated Death Valley a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park — the highest recognition available. Located 190 miles from Los Angeles with minimal light pollution and wide-open horizons, the park offers some of the clearest night skies anywhere in the continental US.

Summer nights are warm, calm, and ideal for extended viewing. The combination of low elevation, dry desert air, and distance from major population centers makes conditions here exceptional year-round — and extraordinary in 2026.

PARK CREDENTIALS

America’s premier dark sky destination

Designated Gold Tier Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association — the highest rating possible.
Skies regularly reach Bortle Class 2 — truly dark, with the Milky Way casting visible shadows.
Over 300 clear nights per year on average — one of the highest rates in the continental US.
Warm summer nights mean comfortable hours-long viewing without specialized gear.

SHOWER	PEAK DATES	PEAK RATE	MOON CONDITIONS	2026 RATING
Orionids	Oct. 21-23	~15/hr	Check calendar	Good
Leonids	Nov. 17-18	~10/hr	Check calendar	Good
Geminids	Dec. 13-14	Up to 120/hr	Check calendar	Excellent
Ursid	Dec. 21-22	~5-10/hr	Check calendar	Fair
Quadrantids	Jan. 3-4	100+/hr	Check calendar	Excellent

Peak rates are under ideal dark sky conditions. Source: American Meteor Society · Moon phase data: TimeandDate

Fall 2026 Death Valley Star Party

Friday, November 6th &
Saturday, November 7th

The Las Vegas Astronomical Society returns to Furnace Creek for the Fall 2026 Death Valley Star Party, co-hosted by Death Valley National Park and Xanterra Travel Collection. Gather under some of the darkest skies in the country, just minutes from The Oasis at Death Valley, as society members set up telescopes for public viewing. All experience levels are welcome. The weekend falls on a near new moon, so skies will be at their darkest for the Milky Way, star clusters, and planets.

Stargazing: Friday and Saturday nights, 7:00 to 10:00 pm at Fiddler’s Campground, located behind the gas station and next to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.

Solar Viewing: Saturday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. View the sun safely through the society’s telescopes and solar equipment.

Get Event Details
See the Park Calendar

Book Your Star Party Weekend

FEATURED PARTNER

Guided Night Sky Tours with Stardust Astrotours

Join Stardust Astrotours for a guided constellation tour with expert astronomers. Tours depart directly from the resort and include laser-guided constellation identification, high-powered telescope viewing, and narration covering mythology, astrophysics, and current sky events. All equipment is provided — no prior experience needed.

All equipment included
Expert astronomer-led
Small group sizes
Departs from the resort
Bookable in advance

Learn More About Stardust Astrotours

Upcoming Night Sky Highlights

Death Valley is a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park, and the months ahead bring some of the best viewing of the year. Here is what to watch for after the star party:

New Moon: November 9, 2026. The darkest skies of the month, ideal for deep sky viewing in the days right after the star party weekend.

Leonid Meteor Shower: peak overnight November 17 to 18, 2026. Roughly 10 to 20 meteors per hour. The first quarter moon sets around midnight, so the hours after midnight are best.

Geminid Meteor Shower: peak overnight December 13 to 14, 2026. Up to 120 meteors per hour and one of the richest displays of the year, with a nearly moonless peak and often bright, colorful meteors. The headline event of the season.

Ursid Meteor Shower: peak December 21 to 22, 2026. A modest 5 to 10 per hour, with a bright waxing moon washing out fainter streaks this year.

Quadrantid Meteor Shower: peak before dawn January 4, 2027. Over 100 per hour at its sharp peak with frequent fireballs, and a new moon keeps skies dark.

Planets: Saturn sits in the early evening sky through November, well placed during star party hours. Jupiter and Mars climb through the late night, with Mars brightening toward its February 2027 opposition. Uranus is near opposition and visible for much of the night.

VIEWING TIPS

How to make the most of your night

GO AFTER 10PM

Meteor rates climb as the radiant rises. The best viewing window is typically 1–3 am. Plan to stay at least two hours to let your eyes fully adjust.

DARK-ADAPT FOR 30 MINUTES

Avoid all white light. Use a red-light torch to navigate — red wavelengths preserve your night vision. Keep phones face-down between checks.

CHECK THE MOON PHASE

A bright moon washes out fainter meteors. The 2026 Perseid peak falls on a new moon — ideal conditions. For other dates, check the TimeandDate moon calendar before you go.

DRESS IN LAYERS

Desert temperatures drop sharply after sunset even in summer. Bring a jacket and a blanket for lying back to watch. Comfortable viewing lasts longer.

BEST VIEWING LOCATIONS

Where to go in the park

BADWATER BASIN

The lowest point in North America. Completely flat with zero obstructions to the horizon and virtually no ambient light. An extraordinary setting for the Perseids — get there early to claim your spot.

MESQUITE FLAT SAND DUNES

Wide open horizon with a striking dune foreground. One of the most photographed night sky locations in the park — excellent for both casual viewing and astrophotography.

ZABRISKIE POINT

An elevated overlook with sweeping 270-degree panoramic views. Particularly good for Milky Way photography in late summer, with dramatic eroded badlands as foreground.

PLAN WITH TRUSTED TOOLS

Useful Resources

Plan your viewing night using authoritative sky-watching tools. Moon phase and timing data can make a significant difference in what you see.

Reserve your stay this fall

Join our November Star Party during the Leonids peak, November 16–18, or return for the Geminids Winter Night on December 13, the brightest shower of the year.

Limited availability for peak nights, so book early.

Check Availability