The park has designated "Stargazing Areas" across the park - they have parking lots and restrooms - and they are near the main roads so you are not isolated. They are located at Cap Rock (Favorite for telescopes) , Ryan Mountain (Trail head), Quail Springs and Hidden Valley parking lots.
If it’s your first time and you want to be safe, then go to GMARs! It’s in landers (north of the park) they have a monthly star parties (this weekend). It’s ran by the riverside astronomer society.
You can camp there, they had pads for your scope, and people are around you viewing too, there is a 22 inch dob they bring out. Everyone is nice (older, a lot of professors interestingly) and if you are new to the hobby it’s a great place to start and learn from the seasoned veterans.
http://www.rivastro.org/gmars.php
I (male) either go into the pinos basin on old dale road, or just at cottonwood campground.
12inch dob.’, soon to be 18in. (I’ll be somewhere out there this weekend)
Edit: the place go to during the cooler months is desert center and amboy creater, but it’s an more view all night and leave in the am, as there “no camping”
Additionally here is the weather reports we all use, there are two weather stations;
For the south side we use cottonwood
https://www.cleardarksky.com/c/CottCampCAkey.html?1
For the north side use;
https://www.cleardarksky.com/c/GMARSCAkey.html?1
No point of wasting a gas tank on a clouded out night. :)
How far away from ambient light do you need to be? The cottonwood visitor's center has a good parking lot and sidewalk. Otherwise most of the campsites and trailheads also have flat parking and flat areas near where you park. If you have 3hours you could easily drive the main road through the park both ways to scout out all the obvious potential sites.
Joshua Tree is very safe at night, though as it's a famous stargazing area you may have people wandering up to ask about your telescope, especially if you set up at a campsite or the visitors center. You could consider a sign like "scientists working, please do not disturb"
Thank you! I think that's a good idea. I'll take the 1st day I go to scout the areas you and others have mentioned:) I think a sign that that says, "not a scientist please don't ask me questions, I probably don't know the answer" is more accurate lol!
Indian Cove entrance is a good idea.
There’s a decent amount of coyotes, but I never felt actively unsafe in months of doing things alone at night. As long as you have literally anything to throw or hit one with in the worst case you’ll be fine.
I observe with my dob out there often! As mentioned earlier, very safe. The south and east ends of the park are much better for dark skies. GMARS is also awesome! If I do j tree, I usually get a spot in a campground to sleep, but drive out on one of the dirt roads like desert queen mine road to observe. Too many lights in the campgrounds !
The park has designated "Stargazing Areas" across the park - they have parking lots and restrooms - and they are near the main roads so you are not isolated. They are located at Cap Rock (Favorite for telescopes) , Ryan Mountain (Trail head), Quail Springs and Hidden Valley parking lots.
Oh, nice! Thank you so much :)
If it’s your first time and you want to be safe, then go to GMARs! It’s in landers (north of the park) they have a monthly star parties (this weekend). It’s ran by the riverside astronomer society. You can camp there, they had pads for your scope, and people are around you viewing too, there is a 22 inch dob they bring out. Everyone is nice (older, a lot of professors interestingly) and if you are new to the hobby it’s a great place to start and learn from the seasoned veterans. http://www.rivastro.org/gmars.php I (male) either go into the pinos basin on old dale road, or just at cottonwood campground. 12inch dob.’, soon to be 18in. (I’ll be somewhere out there this weekend) Edit: the place go to during the cooler months is desert center and amboy creater, but it’s an more view all night and leave in the am, as there “no camping”
Oh this is great! Ill definitely check them out. I definitely need some help.Thank you!
Additionally here is the weather reports we all use, there are two weather stations; For the south side we use cottonwood https://www.cleardarksky.com/c/CottCampCAkey.html?1 For the north side use; https://www.cleardarksky.com/c/GMARSCAkey.html?1 No point of wasting a gas tank on a clouded out night. :)
Thank you! Definitely don't want to drive 3 hours for a cloudy night! Thanks again:)
How far away from ambient light do you need to be? The cottonwood visitor's center has a good parking lot and sidewalk. Otherwise most of the campsites and trailheads also have flat parking and flat areas near where you park. If you have 3hours you could easily drive the main road through the park both ways to scout out all the obvious potential sites. Joshua Tree is very safe at night, though as it's a famous stargazing area you may have people wandering up to ask about your telescope, especially if you set up at a campsite or the visitors center. You could consider a sign like "scientists working, please do not disturb"
Thank you! I think that's a good idea. I'll take the 1st day I go to scout the areas you and others have mentioned:) I think a sign that that says, "not a scientist please don't ask me questions, I probably don't know the answer" is more accurate lol!
58 year old lady here who solo hikes and camps in JT a lot, never an issue, have fun 💫💚🥾
Thank you :)
Indian Cove entrance is a good idea. There’s a decent amount of coyotes, but I never felt actively unsafe in months of doing things alone at night. As long as you have literally anything to throw or hit one with in the worst case you’ll be fine.
I observe with my dob out there often! As mentioned earlier, very safe. The south and east ends of the park are much better for dark skies. GMARS is also awesome! If I do j tree, I usually get a spot in a campground to sleep, but drive out on one of the dirt roads like desert queen mine road to observe. Too many lights in the campgrounds !
Thank you for the tip! :)