Yosemite stargazing tour: Constellations and telescope viewing

See the Milky Way stretch across the valley, then measure the stars like Polynesian navigators

A 90-minute stargazing tour in Yosemite Valley pairs live telescope and binocular viewing with a guide's stories about constellations, planets and the night sky's place in human history. Children from age 2 are welcome. The tour runs on clear, moonless nights when the granite walls of El Capitan and Half Dome frame thousands of visible stars, and you may catch shooting stars or satellites overhead. Hand warmers, camp chairs, binoculars and premium hot chocolate are included. Take-home deep sky photographs round out the evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stargazing and stories in Yosemite

• Meet your guide
• Watch stars appear in the valley
• Identify constellations and planets
• Use hands to measure stars
• View stars through binoculars
• Observe stars with live telescope
• Listen to stories about the night sky
• Spot satellites and shooting stars

The experience

You arrive on a clear night when Yosemite Valley has quieted down and the sky turns on in a way most people have never seen in a city. The granite walls of El Capitan and Half Dome become dark silhouettes framing the stars. Your guide uses a laser pointer to pick out big constellations like Orion and the Big Dipper, and during the right season the hazy band of the Milky Way stretches across the sky. Bright planets, the Pleiades, and even the faint Andromeda Galaxy come into focus with guidance.

You'll use your hands to measure the stars the way Polynesian navigators did, then pick up binoculars for a closer look. The guide walks you through live telescope viewing so you can dive deeper into what you're seeing. Between the telescope and the naked eye, you'll likely catch a few shooting stars or satellites drifting by. The guide shares stories about why Venus and Jupiter shine brighter than any star, the history and structure of the universe, and how humans have found meaning and purpose in the night sky.

The setup keeps you comfortable through the evening: propane heaters warm the air, hand warmers are provided, and you sit in camp chairs. Premium Ghirardelli hot chocolate rounds out the experience, and you leave with take-home deep sky photographs to remember what you saw.

What’s included

• Live telescope viewing.
• binoculars.
• hand warmers and propane heaters to keep you comfortable.
• premium Ghirardelli hot chocolate.
• camp chairs.
• take-home deep sky photographs.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 17:30 and 18:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (2 to 12 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Yosemite Alpine Quest

Is this one for you?Book this tour on a clear night when you have a free evening in Yosemite Valley and want to see far more stars than you'd spot from the city. The 90-minute length fits between dinner and bedtime, and the guide's stories about constellations and the universe add context to what you're seeing through the telescope.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the best time of year to see the Milky Way on this tour?

The Milky Way stretches across the sky during the right season, when the band becomes visible as a hazy stripe overhead. The guide will point it out when conditions allow, and you'll also see major constellations like Orion and the Big Dipper, bright planets, and the Pleiades year-round on clear nights.

Will I be able to see satellites and shooting stars?

Yes, you'll likely catch a few shooting stars or satellites drifting by overhead during the 90 minutes. The guide keeps an eye out for them and will point them out when they appear.

What equipment do I get to use?

You'll use binoculars to get a closer look at stars and planets, then view through a live telescope for a deeper look. You'll also use your hands to measure the stars the way Polynesian navigators did, following the guide's instruction.

What's included to keep me warm during the evening?

Hand warmers, propane heaters, and camp chairs are provided. Premium Ghirardelli hot chocolate is included to warm you from the inside, and you take home deep sky photographs as a keepsake.