White Tank Campground

Stargazing and Camping in Joshua Tree National Park

Heaven for star buffs: the best campground in Joshua Tree National Park for night-sky viewing, in a place named an International Dark Sky Park, with a full-on observatory just minutes away! White Tank Campground is at 3,800 feet in the eastern part of the park, far from the lights and haze of the Coachella Valley. Hot by day? Of course (and with summer temps exceedingly hot these days, be very mindful on what you do in the desert; it's unsafe and dangerous to be active in a desert heatwave; don't do it). But when the desert sun slinks behind the San Bernardino Mountains, the temperature can drop quickly (check ahead, as during heatwaves things may not cool down much), and the stars come out to play.

White Tank has 15 first-come, first-served campsites (bring plenty of drinking water) and a stunning geological bonus. As the sun begins to set, take the quick and easy quarter-mile stroll along the Arch Rock Nature Trail to a natural stone arch that even Utah would envy. On the way back, scamper along the many other massive, awe-inspiring rock formations.

As the sky darkens, you can drive 7.6 miles north to Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center, just outside the park’s North Entrance. On certain nights they offering free viewing through their 14-inch telescope, and often there are informal gatherings of fellow stargazers armed with telescopes. See the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter, or gaze up at the Milky Way stretching across the sky as meteors streak through the heavens.

Back at White Tank, you’ll surely want to leave the rain fly off your tent and keep an eye out for shooting stars!

To reach White Tank Campground, take SR-62 to Twentynine Palms and head south on Utah Trail for 8.5 miles. Turn left on Pinto Basin Rd. and continue another 2.7 miles. Campsites are first come, first served. You'll need a pass for the park.

Night sky photos courtesy National Park Service, Joshua Tree National Park.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Man hiking up a trail at Montara Mountain, with a view of the Pacific and Grey Whale sand beach in the background

    From Beach to Summit

    No need to decide between a beach and a mountaintop—this hike includes both! Explore the stunning coastal scenery on this 6-mile out-and-back up Montara Mountain and into Rancho Corral de Tierra.

    View
  2. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  3. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View
  4. Go, Tell It on the Mountain

    Want to be king of the mountain? Head to King Mountain, the 108-acre open space preserve just above Larkspur in Marin. Despite its lofty name, hiking King Mountain proves that simp

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman walking in the Venice Canals of Los Angeles County

    Canal Contemplations

    With its incense-scented boardwalk, bohemian shops, skateparks, and abundance of body builders, Venice is happily eccentric, and artistic. Exhibit A: Its network of European-style canals with charming bridges, offering a tranquil tour of the town’s history.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Yes, Seattle!

    Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...

    View
  3. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  4. What's Up, Winthrop!

    It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.

    View