Nightfall Star Party & Imaging Conference

Established in 1993 by the Riverside Telescope Makers Conference (RTMC), Nightfall is now presented by the Riverside Astronomical Society, Inc. (RAS) with assistance and support from Woodland Hills Camera & Telescopes. This autumn star party is unique among star parties because it takes place at a desert resort that creates a dark, red-light-only environment throughout the hotel property and RV park for at least three nights. The skies are beautifully dark yet there’s a hardware store, grocery store, and restaurants just down the street.

NIGHTFALL IS MORE THAN JUST A STAR PARTY

Family Friendly

Nightfall provides a great opportunity to bring family and friends to a star party. While they may be put off by the conditions found at typical star parties (tent camping, freezing cold, little to do during the day), Nightfall is a whole different ball game with amenities like pools, air-conditioned rooms, nearby restaurants, a grocery store, and a well-stocked hardware store — and dark night skies to boot! The resort is surrounded by the expansive Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which offers nearby hiking, off-roading adventures, and sightseeing.

Nightfall Welcome Reception

You Don’t Have to Love the Dark to Love Nightfall

There is plenty to do at Nightfall, day and night. In addition to observing and imaging throughout each evening, the RAS hosts astronomy and imaging-related presentations on Friday and Saturday, the Friday afternoon “welcome” reception, and the Saturday evening potluck dinner followed by an interactive sky tour (great for beginners!), and our Ice Cream Social. You can also head into the surrounding Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for numerous daytime activities.

Palm Canyon Resort Pool

Dark Sky Community Designation

Borrego Springs, the unincorporated city in which Nightfall is held each year, was only the 2nd location designated an International Dark Sky Community (IDSC) by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).

IDSC certification recognizes Borrego Springs’ exceptional commitment to dark sky protection and restoration throughout the community. The IDSC program was established in 2001 by the IDA, a Tucson, AZ-based non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the nighttime environment. Designees must adhere to stringent standards that protect the natural night sky and ensure the continuation of this protection through community directives.

Nightfall at Borrego Springs' dark skies!

Need More than 4 Nights?

Nightfall officially starts on Friday, but some attendees arrive a few days early and get in a night or two of viewing or imaging while attendance is still minimal. Things really pick up on Friday with activities and presentations — it’s also when most attendees start arriving. The Palm Canyon Hotel is often red-light-ready days before and the day after the star party. Many attendees make a week of it. If you’re considering this, be sure to plan ahead and make your reservation for the correct dates. Most attendees pack up and leave on Sunday. You can book one night before Nightfall and one night after Nightfall directly from here at TicketSpice. If you want additional nights before or after Nightfall beyond the two extra nights we offer, you must book directly through the Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort. When booking additional nights, be sure to tell the resort that you are attending the Nightfall Star Party. Since they reserve most of the rooms and RV spaces for Nightfall attendees during this time, you may be told the hotel is booked if you fail to mention Nightfall!

The Ideal Star Party Venue

Nightfall has become a much-anticipated annual event for many southern Californians and others around the country. With its relaxed atmosphere, numerous amenities, comfortable weather, and dark skies, it’s easy to understand why Nightfall has become many amateur astronomers' favorite organized star party.

For More Information About Nightfall

Visit our Nightfall website at: Nightfall Information

For More Information About the Venue

Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort

Do You Have Questions About Nightfall

Email us at: [email protected]

Location Information

Location Name
Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort
Address
221 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004 US
Directions
Google, Bing, MapQuest

Reservation Instructions

This year, hotel and RV space reservations are handled exclusively online by "TicketSpice.” Palm Canyon Resort and Highway West will not process reservations for the period from Thursday, October 16, 2025, through Monday, October 20, 2025. As a reminder, Nightfall (Friday-Saturday) is a two-day minimum stay. You must book both Friday and Saturday nights as a single package or "ticket.”

When you make a reservation, please select a "ticket" for the two-day Nightfall stay from each room or RV site type you wish to book. For example, suppose you want to reserve a "Pull Thru RV" site for one day before Nightfall, the two days of Nightfall, and one day after Nightfall. In that case, you will need to select a "ticket" from the Pull-Thru RV tickets in both the Pre and Post Nightfall section and a "ticket" from the Nightfall Events section for the combined two nights. This will result in three tickets for your lodging reservation. If you want to attend the Nightfall Premium Workshop featuring Adam Block, that would be another "ticket" purchase from the Workshop section.

When filling out your booking information, you can include a specific room or RV site location at the bottom of the information form. We will attempt to accommodate your request as best we can, based on availability and first come, first served.

All accommodation fees are inclusive of state and local taxes. While there is no resort fee, there is a small fee of $14.00 per night on the Friday and Saturday stay to help us recover some of the costs of hosting Nightfall.

To register for the Premium Workshop featuring Adam Block, create a ticket in a similar manner.

If you wish to make a reservation outside of October 16th to 19th (Thursday - Sunday), you must contact Palm Canyon Resort or Highway West directly. Ensure you mention you are with Nightfall; otherwise, they may tell you the facility is sold out.

For additional information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section below. If you still have questions, please email us at: [email protected]

Nightfall Premium Workshop Adam Block Workshop
Two Night Nightfall Accomodations - 10/17/2025 and 10/18/2025 Hotel Room and RV Site Lodging During the 2 Nights of Nightfall
Pre-Nightfall - 10/16/2025 (One Night) Extend your stay at the Palm Canyon Resort one night before Nightfall. Enjoy the beautiful night sky for a bit longer.
Post-Nightfall - 10/19/2025 (One Night) Extend your stay at the Palm Canyon Resort one night after Nightfall. Enjoy the beautiful night sky for a bit longer.
Total: $0.00

Nightfall Merchandise

Nightfall T-Shirt
Unisex t-shirts in sizes Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, 2X-Large and 3X-Large.
T-Shirt will have the Nightfall 2025 logo.
Add
Coffee Mug
12oz. ceramic coffee mug with the Nightfall 2025 logo.
$15.00 ea.
Add
Riverside Astronomical Society Membership
Join the Riverside Astronomical Society and help support the club, our dark sky site GMARS, in Landers, CA, and our efforts here at Nightfall! Membership is discounted for first time members and is valid until the end of June next year.
Add

This is an example of the Nightfall 2024 logo. We create a unique logo for each year of Nightfall. The 2025 logo is currently being designed and will be made available on the Nightfall 2025 merchandise.

Total

$0.00

Purchase ProtectionRECOMMENDED

Add Purchase Protection for a small fee and get a 100% refund of your registration purchase should you be prevented from attending due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. (Full Terms)

Why protect your registration purchase? Purchase Protection covers:

Severe Illness and Injury

COVID-19

Hospitalization

Death in Family

Transportation Failure

Crime and Home Emergency

Employment Obligations

Acts of Nature

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Purchase Protection covers many common unforeseen circumstances, but exclusions apply. View full List of qualifying circumstances and exclusions.

Yes, protect my event registration purchase (Recommended)

No thanks, I am willing to risk losing $0.00. I understand I cannot add this later.

* Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Not available for or applicable to events, attendees, or travel outside of the USA. Purchase Protection is a service offered by Purchase Protection LLC. Purchase Protection is not an insurance policy. It is a service that will refund you 100% of your event fees, taxes and dues should you be prevented by unforeseen circumstances from attending the event. Purchase Protection does not apply to, and will not reimburse, merchandise purchases and charitable donations. Purchase Protection fees will be charged as a separate transaction. Any changes made to your purchase will not change the amount covered in this agreement.

Read Full Terms and Conditions

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FAQs

What is the Nightfall cancellation policy?

You may cancel your Nightfall room or RV site reservation or your Premium Workshop reservation at any time prior to 30 days before the event for a full refund. After 30 days before the event, there will be no refunds. It is strongly suggested that you consider the available PURCHASE PROTECTION if you believe you may need to cancel after 30 days before Nightfall. The last day to cancel for a full refund would be September 16, 2025.

What if I booked a room or RV site at the Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort before or after Nightfall? Can I cancel that reservation as well?

All reservations outside of Nightfall (which include the two-shoulder dates) are subject to Palm Canyon's cancellation policies. For information about Palm Canyon's cancellation policies, you can contact them by phone at 760.767.5341, toll-free at 800.242.0044, or go to their website at http://www.palmcanyonrvresort.com

The Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort is all sold out. Can I still attend Nightfall?

Staying at The Palm Canyon is always the nicest and most convenient. There are several other resorts available in the Borrego Springs area, as well as camping nearby at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Nobody checks where you are staying when you attend Nightfall. The various workshops and activities are open to all, regardless of where you stay.

How can I extend my stay at the Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort beyond the four available dates here?

You'll need to book additional dates directly with the Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort.

I will not have an RV site of my own. Where can I set up my telescope?

You have several choices. There are two official “Public Areas.” One is at the east end of the middle row of RV spaces, where we have reserved two campsites for anybody to use their telescope for visual purposes (No imaging, which tends to create more light pollution). The other is in the northeast area of the complex, south of the meeting rooms, for imaging. Both areas have electricity and allow short-term loading and unloading. (No overnight camping, tents, or such.) Please minimize the space you use, and be sure to set up so other people can access the area (leave passageways between yourself and others!). Other areas (particularly around the picnic area) can be used if you keep the amphitheater stage and picnic area available for their intended uses. Some people get together with their friends who have an RV space and use that area.

What if the weather forecast is not good during the night for Nightfall? Will it still be held?

We like to think of Nightfall as more than the nights spent astro imaging or observing. On Friday and Saturday, there are all the free workshops, the Premium Workshop, and other social events.

In this day and age, we still can't predict the weather with much accuracy for more than a few days at a time! Generally speaking, the weather at Nightfall is quite favorable, with daytime highs anywhere from the 70s to 90s and clear skies. Wind does occasionally kick up, but usually only during the day. The weather does vary from year to year, though, of course. We like to think that Nightfall is an excellent opportunity to have fun with family, friends, and fellow astronomers, regardless of the weather. If the weather turns out to be good, even better!

Be sure to check the Clear Sky Chart and weather forecasting sources such as the National Weather Service or Weather Underground for forecasts within a week or so of Nightfall for the latest weather information.

Is there an admission fee for the Star Party?

Nightfall is a different kind of star party. There is no separate admission fee. To attend, register above in TicketSpice (for stays at The Palm Canyon) or make a reservation at another nearby Borrego Springs resort. The RAS adds a nominal charge during Nightfall ($14.00/night) for each night of your stay at The Palm Canyon, which helps us offset our event hosting expenses. Besides that, there is no separate fee for attending the star party. Once you have a confirmed TicketSpice reservation, you are good to attend Nightfall.

If you want to attend just for the day, look around and check out the free workshops. It's no problem; just show up! Stay into the night to get spectacular views of the planets, nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies - all for free! Please keep in mind that this is a hotel and RV resort. You are not permitted to stay overnight unless you are a guest of the Palm Canyon Resort and have paid for a room or RV space.

Nightfall's only other fees are lodging at the Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort and the premium workshop.

If all of Nightfall's activities are free, except for the Premium Workshop, how does Nightfall get the funds to run year after year?

We have a generous sponsor in Woodland Hills Telescope. We have a small Nightfall fee associated with the rooms or RV sites, we sell T-shirts and other swag, we receive occasional donations, and we have income from the Premium Workshop. All of this helps us offset the cost of hosting Nightfall. One of the principal missions of the Riverside Astronomical Society is to further participation in astronomy, so we consider this a worthwhile endeavor.

For additional information, visit the Nightfall website at: NightfallStarParty.

Site Map of The Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort:

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