Come See the Stars at Wildfarmers: A Dark Sky Sanctuary
When Did You Last Truly See the Stars?
When did you last truly see the stars? Not just a few faint pinpricks, but the breathtaking panorama of the Milky Way stretching across an ink-black sky, so vivid you could almost touch it? At Wildfarmers, located 35 miles from Pinnacles National Park in Paicines, CA, your campsite offers a portal to the cosmos.
A Natural Dark Sky Haven
Campers consistently rave about our extraordinary stargazing opportunities. With zero light pollution and carefully designed dark-sky compliant lighting, our 40-acre blue oak sanctuary offers an unparalleled celestial experience. As one camper, Loic M., described it: "As evening descends, brace yourself for a truly magical experience: the Milky Way illuminating the sky like a fantastical dream."
Our four spacious, oak-shaded campsites — Bobcat, Pumas, Coyotes, and Ravens — each offer stunning vantage points for astronomical wonder. Whether you're a casual stargazer or a serious astrophotographer, we've got the perfect spot for you. And in addition to connecting with wilderness, we offer creature comforts including hot showers and flushing toilets.
Tips for Planning Your Stargazing Trip
The night sky dazzles year-round at WildFarmers, but different seasons offer different rewards.
The Milky Way is visible any time of year, though from January through early June it doesn't rise until around 2am is considered “The Time of the Galaxies” — and night owls are well rewarded with prime season for galaxy viewing. From our location in Paicines, on a clear night you can spot the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) with the naked eye — the most distant object visible without equipment, appearing as a soft oval glow. Spring evenings also bring the Virgo Galaxy Cluster into view, and dedicated observers can find M81 and M82 (Bode's Galaxies) year-round since they never set from our latitude.
Bring binoculars at minimum — they transform the experience entirely. If you have a telescope, bring it. Wildfarmers is also a spectacular destination during meteor showers and comet events, so it's worth checking an astronomy calendar when planning your visit.
More Than Just Stargazing
The same darkness that reveals the Milky Way is what allows mountain lions, bobcats, and owls to move through the landscape at night. Sit quietly, let your eyes adjust, and you may find yourself not just watching the sky but listening to a living wilderness all around you — a completely different experience than any observatory or dark-sky park can offer.
By camping with us, you're also supporting critical ecological restoration. Our mission goes beyond a beautiful night sky — we're actively working to preserve California's vanishing blue oak woodlands, increasing sapling survival and creating vital wildlife habitat.
What Campers Are Saying
"The night sky is beautiful! Make time to converse with Veronica. You will learn so much!" — Reuben R.
"Spectacular starry night views. We saw shooting stars every night!" — Johanna L.
"As evening descends, brace yourself for a truly magical experience: the Milky Way illuminating the sky like a fantastical dream." — Loic M.
Partner With Us
Passionate about astronomy? We're looking for partners and volunteers to help us organize dedicated stargazing nights at Wildfarmers. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you — reach out through our Hipcamp listing or contact us directly.
Photo taken by camper and astrophotographer Loizos Vakanas at Wildfarmers in January 2026. Witch nebula and Orion wide area showing Orion M42, the horsehead nebula and Casper the friendly ghost