July’s full “Buck Moon” will rise toward the beginning of the new month.
Here’s what to know about this month’s full moon, including the best time to view it in California, the origin of its name, and more.
When is the next full moon?
July’s Buck Moon will rise on July 10 in California around 8:30 p.m. The moon will appear more than 95% full from July 8 to July 12.
When was the last full moon?
June’s 2025 Strawberry Moon reached peak illumination on June 11 at 1:44 a.m.
Is there a supermoon in July 2025?
No, there is no supermoon in July. The first supermoon of the year typically occurs in the later months, this year in October.
Why is July’s full moon called the Buck Moon?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac says that the 12 full moons each year are named by Native Americans, according to previous reporting by the Hendersonville Times-News. UNC Asheville Associate Professor of Astronomy Britt Lundren reminded readers that, when sharing the names of the monthly moons, it’s essential to acknowledge the cultural diversity of tribes in the U.S.
“Each tribe has a close relationship with the land, and their moon names will reflect the seasonal changes unique to their environments,” Lundren said.
The title “Buck Moon” was given to July’s full moon because the antlers of male deer are in full-growth mode during this season. Other names for the July full moon feature more animal themes, plus references to seasonal plants and more:
Full moon names 2025
Here’s a list of the full moon names, courtesy of the Old Farmer’s Almanac:
Best way to view the full moon in California
Looking for a good place to view the full moon in Southern California? Consider Joshua Tree National Park, where the dark night skies make for excellent viewing. Incidentally, we are in “Milky Way” season for JTNP … meaning the Milky Way is most visible at that vantage point during this time of year.
Dark Sky International also recommends Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, and Julian as places to see the celestial light shows.
Sequoia, Kings Canyon National Parks, and Yosemite National Park are good places to see celestial light shows in Central California.
Shasta, Siskiyou, and other North State counties offer excellent places to view the night sky. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is also a prime night sky-watching location on the North Coast.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: July full moon: When does the ‘Buck Moon’ rise this month? What to know for California
Reporting by Iris Seaton and James Ward, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
