Death Valley Dark Sky Festival

A long black rectangle serves as the background for white text and stylized graphics related to a space or astronomy-themed event called "Dark Sky 2026." The event dates, "February 6th - 8th"
 
 

Death Valley offers some of the best stargazing in America. DarkSky International has designated Death Valley National Park a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park, which is the highest rating of darkness.

During our annual spring Dark Sky Festival, visitors are invited to come explore the night sky and the unique park landscapes which can help us better understand wonders beyond our world. This event is a collaboration between Death Valley National Park, our non-profit partner Death Valley Natural History Association, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Ames Research Center, The Las Vegas Astronomical Society, SETI Institute and California Institute of Technology.

 
The black side profile silhouette of a woman in front of a screen with a moon image.
Auditorium Talks

Attend a talk to learn about the mysteries of the universe and how we explore them.

A scientist talks to visitors behind a table filled with items.
Exploration Fair

Participate in hands on activities at various booths.

A crowd in a desert canyon.
Field Talks

Learn from a scientist out in the field.

Night image with red light illuminating a wooden fence and historic wagon. Text "Out of this world".
Astrophotography Meetups

Take night photos in one of the darkest places in the United States.

Two uniformed rangers use a green laser to point to the night sky.
Astronomy Programs

Learn about the night sky through ranger talks and telescope viewings.

Children constructs an arts and crafts with balloons on a table.
Family Programs

Activities for the whole family!

 

2026 Event Schedule by Day

 
Individual looking up into the night sky next to a green tent. A graphic of lines and a yellow star.
Where to stay.

Out of this world? Click here to find more information about lodging or camping.

An astrophotography image of the milky way over badwater basin. Graphics are over the image.
Things to do

Don't beam here with no plans, click to find out what there is to do and see in between festival programs.

Astrophotography image of two people holding hands with graphics of stars over the image.
Accessibility Information

Haven't explored Death Valley yet? Trip plan with confidence - click to access our accessibility webpages.

 

Death Valley offers some of the best stargazing in America. DarkSky International has designated Death Valley National Park a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park, which is the highest rating of darkness.

Death Valley's unique landscape helps scientists understand the surfaces of other planets and moons. Low amounts of light pollution make the park a great place to view the night sky.

 

 
The collage includes a variety of images capturing different activities and scenes from DEVA.
Virtual Dark Sky

Explore what we've learned at Dark Sky Festivals – it's a universe of knowledge waiting to be star-ted! 🌌✨

 
Beneath a star-filled sky, a crowd of people, illuminated by various lights, gather in the night.
Brightness of the Void! A presentation about lasers and light at Zabriskie Point.

NASA Earth to Sky.

A person in the foreground is engaged in an outdoor scientific experiment.
Roasting marshmallows via the sun and CalTech!

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The photograph captures a speaker standing next to a large screen.
Saturday’s keynote Dr. Cherie Achilles (NASA - Goddard Space Flight Center).

NPS/S.Lamar

In this vibrant outdoor group scene, a woman speaks animatedly into a microphone.
Dr. Caitlin Crawford (NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory) gives an enthusiastic talk at Badwater Basin.

NPS

Two individuals stand out vividly against a dark night sky brimming with stars.
Rangers excitedly join visitors to join them in learning more about the night sky!

NPS

A group of people, mostly children and young adults, are gathered in an expansive, rocky desert.
Rangers and NASA scientists work with a school group on Mars Hill.

NPS

 

Dark Sky Program Accessibility

 

 
Long image with rounded edges, the image is black with blue streaks of stars taken in a long exposure. A green and black logo is on the right.

Last updated: January 22, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 579
Death Valley, CA 92328

Phone:

760 786-3200

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