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). 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.

Do you want to see what Nightfall is like?

Check out this YouTube video by Greg Meyer from Nightfall 2025

Attending Nightfall 2025 by Greg Meyer, MD.

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, November 5, 2026, through Sunday, November 8, 2026. 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 Jon Talbot, 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. See the property site map located at the end of the FAQ section for room locations and categories (king, queen etc.). If you are listing multiple rooms make sure they are all in the same room type as the ticket you are purchasing.

All accommodation fees are inclusive of state and local taxes. While there is no resort fee, there is a small fee of $15.00 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 Jon Talbot, create a ticket in a similar manner.

Remember, if you wish to make a reservation outside of November 5th to 8th (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.

Note: The last date to cancel a Nightfall 2026 reservation for a full refund, minus a $10.00 cancellation fee, is on Monday, October 5, 2026. For additional information about the reservation process and the Nightfall cancellation policy, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section below. If you still have questions, please email us at: [email protected]

Nightfall Premium Workshop Jon Talbot Workshop
Two Night Nightfall Accommodations - 11/06/2026 and 11/07/2026 Hotel Room and RV Site Lodging During the 2 Nights of Nightfall
Pre-Nightfall - 11/05/2026 (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 - 11/08/2026 (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 2026 logo.
Add
Coffee Mug
12oz. ceramic coffee mug with the Nightfall 2026 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 logos from 2024 and 2025. We create a unique logo for each year of Nightfall. The 2026 logo is currently being designed and will be made available on the Nightfall 2026 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

Legal Obligations

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, 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

Cancellation Policy Agreement

Policy Acknowledgement
By completing this registration, I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to the Nightfall 2026 Cancellation Policy as outlined at the beginning of this page and within the FAQ section. I acknowledge that my reservation is subject to these specific terms regarding refunds and cancellations, and I understand that these policies are in place to ensure a successful event for all participants.

I have read and agree to the terms above.

Billing Information

Name

Credit Card

Visa
Mastercard
American Express
Discover

Address

Phone Number

Yes, it's okay to send me text messages including order confirmations, updates, event reminders, and event information. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to cancel. View our terms of service & privacy policy.

Nightfall Event FAQ

Reservations & Accommodation

Q: How do I request a specific hotel room or RV site for Nightfall?

A: When making your reservation through TicketSpice, you can enter your preferred room number or RV site in the open text field provided during checkout. Requests are honored on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the order received by TicketSpice. Please note: The Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort does not accept direct reservations for the four Nightfall event dates; all bookings for these dates must be made via TicketSpice.

Q: How will I know if I received my requested hotel room or RV site?

A: After booking, you will receive a confirmation email from the Nightfall team. This email will include your TicketSpice confirmation number and the details of your assigned room or RV site. If you have questions or do not receive your confirmation, contact the Nightfall team at [email protected]. If you have questions about your reservation, please contact the Nightfall team at [email protected]

Q: Can I extend my stay at the Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort beyond the Nightfall dates?

A: To book additional dates outside the four available Nightfall dates, you must contact the Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort directly.

Q: What if Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort is sold out? Can I still attend Nightfall?

A: Yes! You can stay at other resorts in Borrego Springs or camp nearby at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. All Nightfall workshops and activities are open to attendees, regardless of where you stay.

Cancellation & Refunds

Q: What is the Nightfall cancellation policy?

A: You may cancel your Nightfall room, RV site, or Premium Workshop reservation up to 30 days before the event for a full refund, minus a $10.00 cancellation fee. The cancellation fee is in place to cover the credit card and TicketSpice fees paid by the RAS. After this deadline, no refunds are available. The last day to cancel for a full refund is October 5, 2026. Consider purchasing event protection if you may need to cancel within 30 days of Nightfall.

Q: Why can't I cancel my Nightfall reservation for a full refund within 30 days of the event?

A: The Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort requires upfront payment for all rooms and RV sites for Nightfall. This policy ensures the event can be hosted with special amenities but means cancellations within 30 days cannot be refunded. If you are concerned about your ability to attend, purchase event protection when reserving.

Q: Can I cancel a Palm Canyon reservation made for dates outside Nightfall?

A: Reservations for dates before or after Nightfall (including “shoulder dates”) follow Palm Canyon’s standard cancellation policies. For details, visit http://www.palmcanyonrvresort.com or call 760.767.5341.

Event Participation & Fees

Q: Is there an admission fee for the Nightfall Star Party?

A: There is no separate admission fee for Nightfall. To attend, register via TicketSpice (for Palm Canyon stays) or reserve at another Borrego Springs resort. A nominal Nightfall fee ($15.00/night) is added for each night at Palm Canyon to help offset event hosting expenses. Once you have a confirmed TicketSpice reservation, you are welcome to attend all Nightfall activities.

Q: Can I attend Nightfall if I am not staying overnight at Palm Canyon?

A: Yes! You may attend workshops and activities during the day and evening for free. However, overnight stays at Palm Canyon require a paid room or RV space reservation.

Q: What other fees are associated with Nightfall?

A: The only other fees are for lodging at Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort and for the Premium Workshop.

Q: How is Nightfall funded if most activities are free?

A: Nightfall is supported by sponsors, a small fee on rooms/RV sites, T-shirt and swag sales, occasional donations, and Premium Workshop income. These sources help offset event costs and support the Riverside Astronomical Society’s mission to promote astronomy.

Facilities & Activities

Q: Where can I set up my telescope if I don’t have an RV site?

A: There are two official public areas for telescope use:

East end of the middle row of RV spaces (for visual observing; no imaging.
Northeast area of the complex, south of the meeting rooms (for imaging)\ Both areas have electricity and allow short-term loading/unloading. No overnight camping or tents are permitted. Please minimize your space and keep passageways clear for others. You may also coordinate with friends who have an RV space.

Q: What happens if the weather is unfavorable during Nightfall?

A: Nightfall offers more than just nighttime observing. Free workshops, the Premium Workshop, and social events are held on Friday and Saturday. Weather is usually favorable but can vary. Check the Clear Sky Chart and weather sources like the National Weather Service or Weather Underground for forecasts within a week of Nightfall.

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

Site Map of The Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort:

Site Map of The Palm Canyon Hotel Room Types and Location:

Building "B"

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