Stargazing

Yosemite's high country provides many opportunities for peaceful stargazing.

Photo by S Wurmser

 

 

Stargazing in Yosemite Valley also provides views of climber's headlamps during climbing season in the spring and fall.

Photo by S Wurmser

Where to Stargaze

Yosemite has dark night skies throughout the park! To help with planning, here are some easily reachable night sky viewing areas. Yosemite is open 24 hours per day, but some areas may not be reachable by car from spring through fall.

Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley offers views of the night sky silhouetted by iconic valley walls, and in climbing season, headlamps glow from many of the cliffs. However, you may be interrupted by car lights and/or haze from campfires.

• El Capitan Meadow
• Cook's Meadow
• Swinging Bridge
• Tunnel View

Glacier Point

Open approximately late May to November, Glacier Point provides access to high elevation stargazing with views overlooking Half Dome and Yosemite Valley.

• Glacier Point Overlook
• Washburn Point

Tioga Road

Open approximately late May or June to November, drive up Tioga Road to experience stargazing at higher elevations of Yosemite.

• Tenaya Lake
• Olmsted Point

Wawona

Located in the southern part of the park, Wawona allows for peaceful stargazing at a similar elevation to Yosemite Valley.

• Wawona Meadow

While you are stargazing, please reduce your noise, keep any food you have with you within arm’s reach, and pack out your trash. After you are done stargazing, make sure you have planned for somewhere else to sleep. In Yosemite, sleeping or camping is only allowed in designated campsites you have a reservation for or with a valid wilderness permit.

 

Using red light to stargaze preserves your night vision. If you stargaze in Yosemite, plan to avoid white light altogether.

Photo by S Wurmser

Tips for Stargazing

Just like any other activity in Yosemite, you should always plan ahead and come prepared. While stargazing in Yosemite, we recommend that you:

1. Check the moon phase: The light of the moon makes it difficult to see some features of the night sky, like the Milky Way. Plan to stargaze before the moon rises or after the moon sets.
2. Pack stargazing essentials: Bring lots of layers, snacks, and water. Do not use white light flashlights—plan to use red light only.
3. Wait for full dark: The night sky is darkest about 1.5 hours after sunset through 1.5 hours before sunrise.
4. Give your eyes time to adjust: Spend 20 to 30 minutes without looking at any white light, including cell phone and camera screens. Red light does not reset your night vision, and is OK to use. You’ll be amazed how many more stars are visible!

Once you’ve given your eyes time to adjust, sit back, relax, and enjoy Yosemite’s spectacular night sky.

 

A few special nights every year, the light of the full moon illuminates rainbows in the mist of Yosemite's waterfalls.

Photo by S Wurmser

What's Special About the Night Sky in Yosemite?

In part, Yosemite’s night skies are special because the park works hard to maintain minimal light pollution in the park. As a result, several thousand stars are visible every night when the moon is not overhead. As in all other naturally dark night skies, the core of the Milky Way is easily visible from Yosemite on moonless nights from July through October.

Aside from having very dark skies, there are several night sky views that are specific to Yosemite. In particular:

• Climber’s headlamps: During climbing season in spring and fall, many climbers spend the night on Yosemite Valley’s cliffs. As the first stars come out, you can see the headlamps begin to turn on throughout the valley.
  
• Moonbows: On full moon nights during our peak waterfall season (April to June), the light of the full moon is enough to create rainbows in the mist of Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. These “moonbows'' look gray to the unaided eye, but will pop with color in pictures. Episode 15 of Yosemite’s Nature Notes is all about this special occurrence.

All said, you never know what unique nighttime sights you will see in Yosemite until you go out to stargaze!

Night Sky Programs in Yosemite

Hoping to experience the night sky through the eyes of a ranger or naturalist? Yosemite has a host of different night sky programs throughout the park in the summer season, run through the NPS, Yosemite Conservancy, and Yosemite Hospitality.

For a full schedule of programs, reference the park calendar or the current issue of the Yosemite Guide. Be aware that some programs may require a reservation.