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badlands bathed in pale pink and orange light from the setting sun Ronald Gaddis

Death Valley National Park

Dark-Sky Certified · CA,NV

Tonight at Death Valley National Park

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Computing tonight's sky for this exact spot…

In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life thrives in Death Valley.

Weather & conditions

SPRING is the most popular time to visit Death Valley. Warm and sunny days with the possibility of spring wildflowers is a big attraction. SUMMER starts early in Death Valley. By May the valley can be scorching hot. AUTUMN arrives in late October, with warm but pleasant temperatures and generally clear skies. WINTER has cool days, chilly nights and rarely, rainstorms. With snow capping the high peaks and low angled winter light, this season is especially beautiful for exploring the valley.

What to do after dark

  • Experience Death Valley at Night

    Death Valley is just as spectacular at night as it is during the day- learn about a few ways you can explore the park after dark.

From the National Park Service.

What this latitude gives you

From 36.5° north, anything above declination +53.5° is circumpolar here: it never sets, so it is available on every clear night of the year. Anything below declination -53.5° never clears the horizon at all.

Astronomical darkness lasts through every night of the year here, including midsummer, which makes this a rare site for a June or July imaging trip.

We do not hold a measured Bortle class for this site, so treat the sky as unknown until you have taken a reading of your own.

Where to stay near Death Valley National Park

Hotels, cabins, lodges and holiday rentals within reach of these coordinates, for the nights you have chosen above. We earn a commission if you book through this map, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what you are shown: nothing here is ordered, promoted or paid for. How the site is paid for.

Lodging search by Stay22. Prices and availability come from the booking sites themselves.

Address
PO Box 579, Death Valley, CA 92328
Coordinates
36.4875, -117.1344
Official site
nps.gov

Coordinates and park details from the US National Park Service. Sun, moon, dark window and forecast are computed for these coordinates by the SmartScopeClub dark-sky engine.