Catch the Strawberry Moon from California's Darkest Night Skies

If you want to catch the Strawberry Moon at its brightest, one of the best places to do it is just a short drive from home. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offer some of California’s darkest night skies — a perfect backdrop for watching June’s full moon rise over giant sequoias and deep Sierra canyons.

The Strawberry Moon will soon illuminate the night sky, the first full moon of summer because it occurs after the summer solstice, which was on Sunday, June 21. Despite its nickname, June's moon won't look red like a strawberry, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

Its name comes from the fact that the fruit usually ripens and is ready for picking around this time of year. Full and new moons' names are traditionally used to track the seasons, the almanac states.

June's full moon's nickname originated from the Native American Algonquian tribes in the northeastern U.S., as well as the Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota peoples. Here's what to know about the full moon and when it's set to peak in the night sky.

The Strawberry Moon peaks on Monday, June 29, at 4:57 p.m. PT and will stay bright that evening, according to the Farmer's Almanac.

It will still look full a few days before and after it peaks. Other names for the Strawberry Moon include Berries Ripen Moon, Blooming Moon, Green Corn Moon, Hoer Moon, and Birth Moon.

The moon's nicknames, like April's Pink Moon, May's Flower Moon or June's Strawberry Moon, originated from Native Americans, Colonial Americans and European and other cultures' names for the moon. To get the best view of the moon, check local weather forecasts in your area to make sure there won't be heavy cloud coverage or storms.

If you're going to go stargazing the night of the full moon, make sure to check the weather and cloud coverage, dress appropriately, use bug spray to avoid bites from mosquitoes, and bring a blanket, a sleeping bag or a reclining chair to lie on. The rest of the full moon dates for 2026 include the Buck Moon on July 29, the Sturgeon Moon (partial lunar eclipse) on August 28, the Harvest Moon on September 26, the Hunter's Moon on October 26, the Beaver Moon (super moon) on November 24, and the Cold Moon (super moon) on December 23.

Plan your visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. The best time to visit is late spring through early fall; summer for full access, fall for fewer crowds.

The parks are open year‑round; some roads and areas close seasonally due to snow. Entrance fee required.

You can get there by car via Highway 198 (Sequoia) or Highway 180 (Kings Canyon). During the summer months, the Sequoia Shuttle whisks visitors from downtown Visalia to the Sequoia's main entrance.