By Beth Luberecki, June 2, 2025
Groveland, California
Many travelers these days aren’t slowing down after the sun sets. Nocturnal tourism – commonly known as noctourism – has been a major travel-trend for 2025, with vacationers interested in everything from stargazing and chasing the Northern Lights to exploring destinations when temperatures are cooler and sunburns aren’t a concern.
As a Florida resident, I definitely understand the appeal of activities that take place after the sun goes down, especially during the hot summer months. In some locations, families don’t even have to leave their hotel or resort for some amazing after-dark experiences.
If you’re visiting Yosemite National Park, you won’t go wrong with a stay at sister properties Evergreen Lodge, Rush Creek Lodge, and Firefall Ranch. And after a day at the park, you can turn your attention to the night sky with a stargazing session at one of the resorts. You’ll get to look through a Unistellar telescope with the help of a Star Guide, who uses a high-powered laser pointer to spotlight constellations, star clusters, and other stellar sights. And you’ll want to make sure you fuel up before the astronomical action at the resorts’ nightly s’mores-making sessions.
