Where to See the Stars: The Best U.S. Stargazing Spots Right Now
Stargazing has become a surprisingly accessible adventure thanks to designated dark sky places popping up all across the U.S. These spots offer something beyond the glow of city lights: a chance to see the Milky Way, spot planets, and maybe even catch a meteor or two. Here’s where to go for the best night sky views.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
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Big Bend is one of the most remote parks in the country, and that’s exactly what makes its skies so clear. The park holds gold-tier status from DarkSky International. Here, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of constellations, planets, and the occasional meteor shower from the desert floor or the nearby Chisos Mountains.
Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
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If you’re anywhere near the East Coast, Cherry Springs is a must. It’s one of the few places east of the Mississippi where the Milky Way is clearly visible to the naked eye. Its 360-degree Astronomy Field offers wide-open views of the night sky, and it’s not uncommon to spot nebulae or even the Northern Lights on especially clear nights.
Death Valley National Park, California
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It’s famously hot, but after sunset, Death Valley transforms into one of the darkest places in the U.S. The park’s bowl-like geography helps block out surrounding light and creates prime stargazing conditions. On moonless nights, the Milky Way is so bright here it casts faint shadows, one of the few places where that actually happens.
Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Michigan
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This 600-acre stretch of forest and shoreline at the tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula is ideal for summer stargazing. The skies stay dark well into the early hours, and sometimes, visitors are lucky enough to see the aurora borealis. There are regular public events and an on-site observatory as well.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
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Yes, the canyon is spectacular by day, but after dusk, the sky steals the show. Grand Canyon became an official Dark Sky Park in 2019 and hosts a week-long Star Party every June. Designated stargazing spots like Lipan and Yavapai Points offer unobstructed views of deep space with helpful ranger talks included.
Craters Of The Moon National Monument, Idaho
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At night, this rugged park becomes a hot spot for astronomy fans. The lack of light pollution and high elevation offer an ideal setting for spotting galaxies, shooting stars, and the dusty trail of the Milky Way above basalt lava flows.
Acadia National Park, Maine
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On the coast of Maine, Acadia combines ocean views with starlit skies. The park even celebrates its stellar views with an annual Night Sky Festival that includes telescope sessions, night hikes, and talks from real-life astronomers. The summit of Cadillac Mountain is a favorite stargazing perch.
Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
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Natural Bridges earned the title of the world’s first Dark Sky Park back in 2007. It’s best known for its stone arches, which double as perfect frames for night-sky photography. With low humidity and minimal artificial light, even casual stargazers can spot deep-space objects from the campground.
Cosmic Campground, New Mexico
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This remote campground lives up to its name with zero artificial light for 40 miles in any direction. It’s small, at only 3.5 acres, but offers big views of the night sky. It is located in the Gila National Forest and was the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the U.S. Bring a telescope or use one of the park’s four concrete pads to set up.
Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, Arizona
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Flagstaff holds the honor of being the world’s first Dark Sky City, and Lowell Observatory helped put it on the map. This is where Pluto was discovered in 1930. Today, visitors can use high-powered telescopes, attend lectures, and explore interactive exhibits, all while enjoying crystal-clear views of the stars.
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
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Utah’s Canyonlands is no stranger to astronomy buffs. Its vast, high-elevation plateaus and dry climate make it an ideal stargazing destination. While the park spans nearly 340,000 acres, most people head to Island in the Sky or Needles districts for wide-open night skies framed by dramatic rock formations.
Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia
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This state park is located in the Okefenokee Swamp and offers surprisingly dark skies. Its remote location in southern Georgia keeps light pollution to a minimum. Alligators may be nearby, but so are constellations, planets, and plenty of stars.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
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The tallest dunes in North America make a pretty unusual place to lie down and look up. Great Sand Dunes offers pristine dark skies thanks to its high elevation and distance from urban areas. The National Park Service hosts astronomy programs throughout the summer, often including telescope time and ranger-led sky tours.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
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Southern California is relatively bright, but Joshua Tree is the exception. Its location in the high desert and the park’s efforts to limit light pollution have earned it a spot on the list of Dark Sky Parks. Events like the annual Night Sky Festival bring together astronomers, locals, and campers for a shared look upward.
Mauna Kea Access Road, Hawaii
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Though the summit of Mauna Kea requires a permit, the access road is fair game for night-sky enthusiasts. At around 9,000 feet elevation, it’s one of the best stargazing spots in the Pacific. Native Hawaiian culture recognizes Mauna Kea as sacred land, and many astronomy centers near the base share both scientific and cultural perspectives on the stars.