Friends of the Desert Mountains hosts free August star parties in Palm Desert

Friends of the Desert Mountains, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the 63,000‑acre Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, will hold free star‑gazing events on Aug. 8, 15 and 22. The “Star Party at the Monument” and “Night Sky Viewing Stars & Planets” will feature telescopes provided by local astronomy volunteers and are open to participants of all ages, though minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Reservations are required to keep groups small, and attendees are advised to bring bottled water and wear closed‑toed shoes. The organization partners with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, SoCal Edison, the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and highlights wheelchair‑accessible trails throughout the preserve.