Best time to travel to Yosemite

Stargazing in Yosemite 2025

Experience the magnificence of the night sky over Yosemite

Best time: June–August

One of the first things that many visitors from large cities notice about Yosemite is how beautiful the night sky is there. Indeed, being miles away from the nearest city lights, the park has a very dark night sky that makes it a great place to look at the stars.

Yosemite is one of the best places in the US to observe the planets, stars, and galaxies. In June, July, and August, many astronomers set up telescopes at Glacier Point, give astronomy talks, and organise "star parties." There are also organised astronomy walks and talks, and guided stargazing in Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and Wawona.

Practical info

External resources

Find hotels and airbnbs near Stargazing (Map)

Last updated: August 30, 2023

Authors: Eleonora Provozin

People interested

+ 40

Stargazing

New Zealand, June–August

New Zealand, December–April

Philippines, all year round (best in March–May)

Yosemite, June–August

Death Valley, all year round (but the best time is from early February till mid September)

New Jersey, all year round (best from April to July)

California, all year round (but the best months are April-October)

Canary Islands, March | August

Iceland, all year round (best from August to April)

Chile, September–March

New Hampshire, all year round

Hawaii, all year round (best from March to September)

Palm Springs, CA, all year round (but the best time is mid-March through mid-October)

Michigan, all year round (best in March–early December)

Scotland, all year round (best from August to March)

Sedona, AZ, all year round (best from May to June)

Zion National Park, UT, all year round (best in autumn and spring)

Arizona, all year round (best from April to July)

Australia, all year round (but the best time is mid-February through October)

Florida, all year round (but the best months are April & September)

Perseid Meteor Shower

California, late July–late August (best in mid-August)

Chicago, all year round (best in September–May)

Illinois, all year round (best in September–May)

Yellowstone National Park, all year round (but the best time is April-October)

Phoenix, AZ, all year round (best from April to early July)

Colorado, all year round (best from October to December)

Flagstaff, AZ, all year round (best from April to July)

Texas, all year round (best from May to September)

Washington, all year round (best May–September)

Grand Canyon Star Party

Grand Canyon, June 1-8, 2024

Austin, TX, all year round (best from September to October and from April to May)

United Kingdom, all year round (best in autumn and spring)

Tucson, AZ, all year round (but the best time is May-July)

Massachusetts, all year round (best June–October)

San Diego, all year round (but the best time is June-August)

Montana, all year round (best September–April)

Las Vegas, all year round

Pennsylvania, all year round (but the best months are September-February)

Utah, April–September (all year round)

Maryland, all year round (best from December to February)

Dallas, TX, all year round (best September–October)

Maine, all year round (best July–August)

Glacier National Park, MT, all year round (best September–April)

Houston, TX, all year round

Denver, all year round (best from October to December)

Lick Observatory

California, June–September

Jasper Dark Sky Festival

Banff & Jasper National Parks, October 18-November 3, 2024

Atlanta, all year round (best September–February)

San Antonio, TX, all year round (best May–August)

Maldives, November–April

More experiences in Yosemite

Horsetail Fall or Firefall

Yosemite, mid-to-late February

Giant Sequoias of Yosemite National Park

Yosemite, May–October

Yosemite Fall Colors

Yosemite, October–early November

Yosemite, all year round

Cycling in Yosemite Valley

Yosemite, March–November

Glacier Point Overlook

Yosemite, late May–October

Wildflowers of Yosemite

Yosemite, March–August

Yosemite, late May–October

Yosemite, April–October

Yosemite, April–June

Nearby destinations

United States

United States

United States

United States

Santa Barbara, CA

United States

United States

United States

United States

Napa Valley, CA

United States

United States