The Top 10 Best Places to Go Stargazing in America

The universe has been putting on a dazzling light show long before humans ever thought about streetlights and neon signs. In today’s world, however, locating a dark patch of sky is like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are a few blessed places in the United States where the Milky Way arcs across the heavens like a river of stars.

There are a few incredible destinations for travelers who wish to escape the glow of city lights and look out into the cosmic abyss. Rugged desert landscapes and towering mountain peaks offer opportunities to see meteor showers and constellations light up the night sky. So, grab a blanket, bring some snacks, and get ready to be entertained by the heavens.

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Located in West Texas, Big Bend National Park is one of the darkest places in the continental U.S. The stars here shine almost unreal in their clarity with little light pollution. Due to the vast desert landscape and remote location, it is a great sky-watching spot for the Milky Way, planets, and faint galaxies. The silence is only broken by an occasional hoot of an owl, and the Chisos Basin is a perfect perch.

Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Mauna Kea, a 14,000-foot-high peak, is one of the best places to stargaze. It’s an astronomer’s paradise because of its high altitude, dry air, and minimal artificial light. The summit is a world-class observatory and while there, visitors can stop at 9,200 feet at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy and check out a free stargazing program. It is an unforgettable experience when the crisp mountain air and the sea of stars meet.

Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania

This is an official Dark Sky Park. The dark sky protection means this little gem in northern Pennsylvania is set aside for great stargazing. Thousand of stars fill the sky when the night is clear and the Milky Way is so bright that it casts shadows. The park has an astronomy field where visitors can set up telescopes or lie back and enjoy the celestial display.

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

The stars shine brighter than anywhere else in the lower 48 states. On a moonless night, Great Basin National Park is so far from major cities that the sky becomes a sparkling masterpiece. The park is the best location for the annual astronomy festival with experts educating visitors on the night sky. It is a stargazer’s dream.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Bryce Canyon isn’t just famous for its towering red rock hoodoos—it’s also one of the best places to see the night sky. Crisp, clear views of the stars can be seen from the park’s high elevation and dry climate. Visitors have the opportunity to peer through powerful telescopes in order to gaze at distant planets and galaxies in regular night sky programs led by rangers. The rock formations are even more magical when you see the contrast of the dark sky against them.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Joshua Tree is a stargazer’s paradise with surreal landscapes and open desert skies. Most nights, the park is far enough from Los Angeles and other major cities so light pollution is not a concern and you can see the Milky Way. Campers gather around crackling campfires to watch the night sky and see constellations and shooting stars. A great spot is from the top of Keys View, where the stars are so close you feel you can touch them.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Glacier National Park lives up to the name ‘Big Sky Country’. In the summer months, the park also manages stargazing events in which astronomers lead visitors in taking in the wonders of the cosmos. The highest point of Going to the Sun Road, Logan Pass, provides panoramic views of the night sky. The northern lights even appear on lucky nights.

Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada

The Death Valley National Park’s skies are practically untouched by artificial light making it one of the darkest places in North America. Without even special equipment, visitors can witness thousands of stars, the Milky Way, and even more distant planets on a clear night. Dante’s View is one of the best lookout spots, where the silence and the stars combine to create an almost otherworldly atmosphere.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia National Park lies on the rugged Maine coast where it has some of the most beautiful night skies over the Atlantic Ocean. There is also the annual Night Sky festival at the park where astronomers and stargazers celebrate the cosmos night sky for what it is. Cadillac Mountain is one of the best places to see the stars with an amazing view that the stars reflect off the dark waters below. On a clear night, the sky over Acadia is stunning.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone is home to geysers and wildlife, it’s also an excellent place to see stars. The night sky at Yellowstone has little light pollution and is wide open. Lamar Valley and Old Faithful are spots with dark, unobstructed views for constellations to stand out, and meteor showers to light up the sky. The bubbling hot springs and twinkling stars come together in a way that is unforgettable.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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