This summer, finding the best places to stargaze in the US is as easy as arranging your glamping getaway. Observing the skies is a favorite activity for professional stargazers and amateurs alike. With Dark Sky Parks everyone can enjoy stargazing, even if you don’t have the equipment. With luxury tent camping, it’s easy to bring along a couple of telescopes for stargazing. Look up and feel inspired by the brilliant night sky in the best international dark sky parks in the US. These are natural areas that are of exceptional standards when it comes to starry nights and nocturnal activity. In short, they are some of the darkest places at which to observe the skies. Discover some of the best in the US, from Arizona to Utah.
Where is the Best Stargazing in America? Find the darkest places in the US for viewing the skies in summer!
Finding the best places to stargaze in the US is a breeze. Considering there are so many spaces specifically protected from light pollution. The Grand Canyon National Park needs no introduction! However, you may not know that it was officially designated a dark sky park in 2016. This natural marvel serves as an ideal spot to view the Milky Way and beyond! Imagine the enormous canyon sprawling below, lit up by the stars hanging in the skies above. Night and day the Grand Canyon is an awesome Arizona getaway. It truly is one of the best places to stargaze in the US.
Another brilliant place to stargaze in the US is Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve in Idaho. These huge craters were created over 2,000 years ago as a result of a volcanic eruption. Covered in black, volcanic rock, the landscape here seems otherworldly. The gigantic craters provide an awesome sense of the scale of the natural disaster. As with the Grand Canyon, this is a great daytime and nighttime visit. In Idaho light pollution is low, making Craters of the Moon one of the best places to stargaze in the US!
Enjoy the best stargazing spots in the US here with a Texas vacation or a Pennsylvania glamping getaway
One of the most popular spots to stargaze in the US is Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania. The park is a separate area inside the Susquehannock State Forest, named for the black cherry in the area. With 85 miles of backpacking and hiking, it’s a great idea to organize your own Pennsylvania glamping experience during your stay. Overnight turn your attention to the skies to see the best sights up above, with 360-degree unobstructed views of the skies. This is one of the candidates for the best places to stargaze in the US.
If you’re looking for somewhere in the south to enjoy a Texas vacation whilst visiting great stargazing locations, then come and check out Big Bend National Park – close to the border with Mexico, this area is named after the turns of the Rio Grande river that run through it, carving their way through the towering rocks either side of it. With some seriously great spots to see the night sky, we’d also advise some caution when visiting as it can get seriously hot and there are some animals in the area that are known to be venomous and not particularly friendly to tourists trampling them.
More places to go stargazing in the US and beyond with International Dark Sky Parks
Whilst these are some of our favorite places to go stargazing domestically, you can find many more in the US in other destinations, with Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park in Florida, Glacier National Park in Montana, Death Valley National Park in California, Great Basin National Park in Nevada and many, many more. Generally, if you find a nearby State Park, there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to view a pretty decent night sky, providing that it’s big enough to have some distance from civilization and the lights that will pollute your view of the stars. So go and check out the best stargazing in America when you visit your nearby site! For those outside the US, there are always options abroad with International Dark Sky Parks the world over, so no need to restrict yourself just to the best places to stargaze in the US.
For more information and to get some tips for stargazing, have a look at this space center article.
Thank you for the Big Bend shoutout! The whole area is the darkest in the lower 48 states. This includes the small towns of Marathon, Alpine, Marfa, Terlingua and Fort Davis. These towns have the advantage of sitting at higher elevations with cooler temperatures than areas in the park and the rest of Texas. Please feature our remote, unique little towns sometime ☺️
Hello Laura, You’re welcome! It is always a pleasure to share and write about magical places in nature. Thank you very much for your suggestions about the beautiful towns around you. We’d love to feature them in the near future. Keep an eye on this space. Have a happy day, The Glamping Hub Team