10 Best Stargazing Spots in Yosemite and Madera County

Looking for the best stargazing spots near Yosemite? From Yosemite National Park to the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway in Madera County, this region offers some of the clearest, most stunning night skies in California. What's the best time of year to go stargazing in Yosemite? The answer is typically late spring through early fall, when clear skies, warmer nights, and full access to High Country roads are open. Whether you want an easy roadside view or a quiet mountaintop perch, here are 10 unforgettable places to watch the Milky Way, spot meteor showers, and experience the magic of a night under the stars.

Just off Forest Highway 81, Mile High Vista offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views along the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway. Arrive early to enjoy sweeping vistas of the Minarets, Mount Ritter (13,149’), Mammoth Mountain, and at least fifteen other named peaks over 10,000 feet.

Bring a few fold-up chairs and watch the stars slowly light up the sky. This is a fantastic spot for a picnic lunch, too, with picnic tables and handicap-accessible restrooms available.
Be sure to check current road and weather conditions before heading out.

Star Trails viewed from the Mile High Vista above Mammoth Pool Reservoir - Photo by Steve Montalto/HighMountain Images

One of the most-visited rock domes outside of Yosemite National Park, Fresno Dome is well-known for its panoramic 360-degree views and world-class rock climbing. It's just a short walk from the parking area to the summit.

For stargazing, sunset, and full-moon outings, this spot is incredible. Access Fresno Dome via Sky Ranch Road (Road 632) from Oakhurst, and follow signs once you reach the dirt road section.

Visit the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway website for maps and updates.

This popular picnic site is set overlooking the San Joaquin River Gorge.

Head out of North Fork along Minarets Road (4281) towards Mammoth Pool, keep your eyes open for a beautiful picnic area on the right with table and bench, an impressive oak tree hanging over the steep ridge line and a breathtaking view of the river canyon below. 

For a map and to learn more about the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway. 

Called To-tock-ah-noo-lah by the Southern Miwok and interpreted by members of the Mariposa Battalion as "The Captain", El Capitan is one of the most well-known landmarks in Yosemite Valley.  Rising 3000 feet above the valley floor, the massive granite monolith dominates the view from places like Tunnel View, 2 1/3 miles away. But to get an even more awe-inspiring view of it, a stop at El Capitan Meadow should not be missed.  From here, less than a quarter of a mile away, the towering face stretches up overhead more than twice the height of the Empire State Building and spans the view from side to side. A highlight during the climbing season (typically late summer, fall, and even into winter) is to stop by and spend a few minutes with Yosemite Climbing Rangers, who set up a temporary station here to discuss climbing and its history in Yosemite.  Their setup includes climbing gear, information boards (featuring maps that show the roughly 100 climbing routes up El Cap), and spotting telescopes that allow you to see climbers up close as they scale El Cap's sheer face.

As impressive as it is during the day, at night the sheer face of El Capitan becomes a stunning silhouette against a starlit sky, sometimes punctuated by the tiny lights of climbers camping high on the granite walls.

This meadow viewing location delivers in multiple ways. If you shift your nighttime gaze towards the southwest during the summer months, the Milky Way can be viewed above Cathedral Rocks. With the right timing and positioning, it will align with Gunsight, the well-known V-groove formed by the notch between Middle and Lower Cathedral Rocks.   

Important note - Yosemite's meadows are delicate ecosystems. Please heed signs and fencing, and stay on marked or boardwalk trails. 

A short hike (2.2 miles round-trip) from the Glacier Point Road trailhead brings you to Taft Point — a breathtaking overlook thousands of feet above Yosemite Valley.

This South Rim stargazing hotspot offers unforgettable views of the sunset and the night sky. Bring headlamps for the walk back, and come prepared for unforgettable celestial shows, like meteor showers or even rare comet sightings.

Brittany Colt, a former photography educator and guide with the Ansel Adams Gallery, beautifully captured NEOWISE lighting up the night sky above El Capitan. Look closely and you can spot the light of a climber's headlamp on the face of the granite monolith.    

For details on the hike, visit YosemiteHikes.com.

Pro Tip:
Check with Discovery Yosemite Tours for seasonal guided Full Moon Tours!

A long exposure image by Photographer Darvin Atkeson captures the movement of the stars with Clouds Rest and Half Dome in the foreground.  A streaking meteor can also be seen. 

Glacier Point is a great drive-up location, wheelchair accessible, and offers sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite’s high country, both during the day and at night. With clear views to the East, Glacier Point is also known as one of the best spots in Yosemite for witnessing the sunrise. 

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Park the car along the road near Yosemite Falls or at the Yosemite Falls day use parking area and make the short trek out to Cook's Meadow. Bring a fold-up chair and set up along the wooden boardwalk. Take in the sounds of crickets and enjoy the view as Yosemite’s famous granite monoliths create a natural frame around a starlit sky. 

A special treat during late spring and early summer full moons is the appearance of Moonbows on Yosemite Falls — a phenomenon caused by diffracted moonlight.

Tip for future planning: Yosemite Conservancy typically conducts Moonbow photography programs in April, May, and June, weather permitting. 

Located along Tioga Road (Highway 120), Olmsted Point is one of the best places to view the Milky Way in Yosemite’s High Country.

Roughly a 40-mile drive from Yosemite Valley, this spot offers epic views of the center of our galaxy, over 27,000 light years away, as it glides across the night sky above Clouds Rest and the back side of Half Dome.

In early summer, the Milky Way arches across the sky; later in the season, it stands vertically, making for dynamic photography opportunities.

The Milky Way Rising above Clouds Rest.  The yellow-orange light on the horizon is light from the city of Fresno, approximately 70 miles away.  Photo by Steve Montalto/HighMountain Images

One of the most photographed spots in Yosemite during the day, Tunnel View becomes pure magic at night.

After passing through the Wawona Tunnel on Highway 41, park and settle in for a breathtaking nighttime view of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall framed by a starry sky. On clear nights, you might even have this world-famous vista mostly to yourself.

Composite image of Geminid Meteor Shower viewed from Tunnel View - photo by Steve Montalto/HighMountain Images

• Bring red-light flashlights to protect your night vision.

• Dress warmly, even in summer.

• Pack chairs or blankets for maximum comfort.

• Check moon phases — a new moon means darker skies and better stargazing!

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