Packing for the High Desert: A Seasonal Guide

The high desert runs on extremes: hot afternoons, cool nights, intense sun and dry air year-round. Pack for the swing and you'll be comfortable in every season.

Always bring

• Layers — even summer nights cool off fast; a warm layer for stargazing is essential.
• Sun protection — hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and lip balm. The desert sun is no joke.
• Water bottle and lotion — the dry air dehydrates skin and body quickly.
• Sturdy shoes for hiking and walking the cactus paths (watch for spines).
• Swimwear for the pool and hot tub, and a red flashlight for the stars.

By season

Spring & autumn are ideal — warm days, cool nights, often wildflowers in spring. Summer is hot: plan mornings and evenings outdoors, midday by the pool or in the A/C. Winter brings crisp, brilliant days and cold nights — bring a proper jacket, and enjoy the clearest skies of the year.

Leave room for the dog

Stargaze is dog-friendly, so bring the essentials for your pup — plus a little caution around the cacti, whose spines find fur easily. (We're unable to host cats, due to a household allergy.)