America’s Top Stargazing Spots to See Beautiful Night Skies

The night sky tells a story we simply can’t see during the day. While the sun sleeps, innumerable stars, planets, meteors and more celestial objects sprinkle the sky with stories and possibilities. But depending on where you are, the visibility of astronomical wonders may be bright, or dim.

A casualty or a necessity of industrialization, the light pollution of urban areas makes the magic in the night sky hard to come by. To truly appreciate the allure of our solar system, you’ll need to visit some of the darkest places in the U.S. 

We rounded up America’s top stargazing spots, from small towns to sprawling parks to, of course, some of the 150 certified Dark Sky Places, that you can visit on moonless and clear nights. 

Location: Utah

Where to stay: The historic Lodge at Bryce Canyon is the only lodge within the park’s boundaries, allowing you to step outside your room, suite or cabin and take a night walk among the stars. The season here runs from April 1 to Oct. 31. 

Set up a trip when the sky is the darkest — during the week of the new moon or the week prior to the new moon. Moonless and clear nights offer 7,500 stars to behold. 

Duringspring, summer and fall, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the park offers about 100 astronomy programs to educate and aid visitors in getting the most out of their stargazing experience. 

Location: Alaska

Where to stay: For an adventurous and secluded setting, The Sheldon Chalet, a luxury lodge in Denali National Park, will take your breath away. Situated just 10 miles from the mountain’s summit, the chalet is only accessible by helicopter. The fully off-grid Borealis Basecamp, will have you viewing the Northern Lights from one of the dome-shaped white cabins complete with panoramic windows angled for optimal stargazing. 

Should the borealis be occurring, come in the fall, winter and early spring when there is enough darkness to allow you to see the Northern Lights. Enjoy stargazing in March and April, when the weather begins to warm above freezing during daylight. 

While the aurora borealis is technically always present, the lights are known to be brighter and more active up to two days after sunspot activity is at its highest. Check with an agency, like NASA, that monitors solar activity and issues aurora alerts to ensure you get the best show.