Dark Skies & Sunsets
Every Airstream faces the sunset. Then the stars come out.
The short answer
Dark Skies & Sunsets is the nightly show at Mariposa Highlands, high on Penon Blanco Peak in Coulterville, CA. Every Airstream is placed to face the sunset across the valley, and we are far from town lights, so on a clear, moonless night the stars come out in force. It is free, it happens every night, and you can watch from outside your Airstream. For the Milky Way, come on a night near the new moon, roughly late spring through early fall. Quiet hours start at 10 PM.
- When
- Every clear evening, all year
- Cost
- Free for guests
- Where
- Your own outdoor space, right outside your Airstream
- Milky Way season
- Roughly late spring to early fall, on moonless nights
- Fully dark
- About 90 minutes after sunset
- Quiet hours
- From 10 PM
A sunset-to-stars evening on the hill
- 1 hour before sunset
Get back to your propane fire pit
Coming back from Yosemite Valley? Leave while it is still light. The valley's granite walls put it in shadow early, so you often drive out of the shade and catch a second sunset up here.
- Sunset
Watch the valley turn gold
Every Airstream faces the sunset across the foothills. Bring a drink and a jacket; it cools fast once the sun drops.
- Blue hour
Lights low
Turn off your outside lights and string lights. Your eyes need about 20 to 30 minutes in the dark to adjust, so keep your phone screen dim.
- About 90 min after sunset
The stars come out
The sky is fully dark about an hour and a half after sunset. On a moonless night from roughly late spring to early fall, look for the Milky Way rising in the south and east.
- Late
Quiet night
Quiet hours start at 10 PM, so the hill stays peaceful for everyone.
Insider tips from the family
- 01
Check the moon first
A bright moon washes out faint stars. Plan stargazing nights near the new moon, or after the moon sets.
- 02
Bring layers
Foothill nights get cool, even in summer. Winter nights are cold, long, and often very clear. Every Airstream has heating.
- 03
Stars by the fire
Light the propane fire pit at your site and look up. You don't have to choose: sit around the fire and watch the stars come out at the same time.
- 04
Download a star app
We don't have telescopes or star charts to borrow, but we have free Wi-Fi. Before dark, download a free stargazing app such as Stellarium Mobile or SkyView Lite (both on iPhone and Android), then point your phone at the sky to name the constellations.
Getting there
Mariposa Highlands is on Penon Blanco Road in Coulterville, CA, in the Sierra foothills between Lake McClure and Lake Don Pedro. We share the exact address after you book.
Your patio is the viewing spot, so there is no need to drive after dark.
Coming from Yosemite? We are about 36 miles (roughly an hour) from the Big Oak Flat entrance via Hwy 120. Leave the valley about an hour before sunset to be back in time.
The roads are paved asphalt all the way to us.
Good to know
- Clouds and wildfire smoke can hide the stars. Check the forecast and air quality first.
- Please keep exterior lights low after 10 PM so everyone can see the sky.
- Watch your footing in the dark. Wildlife is active at night.
- We don't have telescopes or star charts to borrow, but free Wi-Fi means you can download a stargazing app for your phone.
Questions guests ask us
Can you see the stars at Mariposa Highlands?
Yes. Mariposa Highlands sits high on Penon Blanco Peak, far from town lights, so on clear, moonless nights the sky is full of stars. You can watch from right outside your Airstream.
When can you see the Milky Way near Yosemite?
Roughly late spring through early fall, on nights near the new moon, starting about 90 minutes after sunset.
Are there dark skies near Yosemite?
Yes. Yosemite National Park is known for its starry nights, and our hillside in the foothills is far from town lights too. After a day in Yosemite, you don't need to drive anywhere: the night sky starts right outside your Airstream.
Do the Airstreams face the sunset?
Yes. All five Airstreams are placed to face the sunset across the valley.
Is stargazing free?
Yes. Dark Skies & Sunsets is free for every guest, every night.
What should I bring for stargazing?
A phone with a stargazing app (we have free Wi-Fi to download one), a warm layer, and a blanket or chair. Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust, and keep your screen dim.
Is winter a good time for stars?
Winter nights are long and often clear, and we are open all year. Bring warm layers. The bright core of the Milky Way is not up in winter.
