The 12 Darkest Places in the United States Perfect For Stargazing

Stargazing is such a fun activity, but not all cities in the U.S. offer clear skies. To clearly see stars, you need clear skies and low light pollution. Sometimes, even leaving 30 minutes outside of a large city can do the trick. So, where are the darkest skies in the United States? Follow along to discover the 12 darkest places in the United States, perfect for stargazing.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Starting our list is the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado. This stunning national park has an impressive surface area of 149,028 acres. There is so much to do and see when visiting, including pristine lakes, large sand dunes, and high mountain peaks. The activities don’t end at night either. This national park is an International Dark Sky Park. You can either choose to view the stars on your own or join a ranger-led night program. Either way, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is one of the best places in the United States to see the Milky Way. The Milky Way is most visible during late summer and fall.

Capitol Reef National Park

Next is Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. Unsurprisingly, a Utah national park makes our list. There are five national parks in this gorgeous state! Capitol Reef National Park has a surface area of 241,904 acres. Although primarily known for its rich history and rocky formations, this lovely park is a great place to go stargazing. Capitol Reef National Park was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2015. Some great places to stargaze in the park include Danish Hill, Cedar Mesa Primitive Campground, and Cathedral Valley Primitive Campground.

Big Bend National Park

Another one of the darkest places in the United States, perfect for stargazing, is Big Bend National Park in Texas. This far-west Texas park is a great place to get away from noise. While here, you can hike, camp, take scenic drives, and birdwatch. There are about 450 species of birds that have been recorded in the park with 56 permanent residents. At night, bird watching becomes tough, but fantastic stargazing opportunities open up. Bring a chair and binoculars and sit back and view constellations, meteor showers, the Milky Way, and more.

Cape Lookout National Seashore

Cape Lookout National Seashore is a must-visit stargazing spot if you want dark skies and a nice sea breeze. This lovely seashore is in North Carolina and has a surface area of 28,243 acres. It was established as a national seashore on March 10, 1966, and receives about half a million visitors a year. This International Dark Sky Park hosts many stargazing events throughout the year.

Grand Canyon National Park

One of the most popular national parks in the United States is Grand Canyon National Park and for obvious reasons. But did you know this park offers a lot more than just stunning views of red-orange rock formations and the Grand Canyon? At night, the park glistens and shines underneath the glow of thousands of bright stars. Within the park are also many star-related events and programs, including the Grand Canyon Star Party. If you’re thinking of attending, remember to only bring a red light.

Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge

Also, one of the darkest places in the United States, perfect for stargazing, is the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge in Montana. Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge is in the Pleasant Valley. It’s a great place to go for birdwatching as it’s a refuge for migratory birds. Other animals in this wildlife refuge include moose and gray wolves. This International Dark Sky Sanctuary is open 24 hours a day. You can stargaze at any of the designated parking areas.

Medicine Rocks State Park

Another Montana spot makes our list: Medicine Rocks State Park. The surface area of this park is 330 acres, and it was established in 1957. This remote state park offers visitors dozens of things to do, like camping, wildlife viewing, picnicking, and stargazing. It’s been a certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary since 2020. It’s one of only two certified dark sky spots in the state.

Cherry Springs State Park

Visiting Cherry Springs State Park is an unforgettable experience. This state park is widely known for its gorgeous stargazing opportunities. You could spend hours, or even all night, lost in the sky. Cherry Springs State Park is located in Potter County, Pennsylvania. The park is open year-round, meaning you can also stargaze during winter. However, there is a risk as snow and ice can make this activity dangerous. Here, you can participate in short-term or long-term stargazing. The best place to see stars short term is in the Night Sky Public Viewing Area.

Great Basin National Park

When visiting the 12 darkest places in the United States that are perfect for stargazing, we can’t forget about Great Basin National Park. Great Basin National Park has a surface area of 77,180 acres and is located in White Pine County, Nevada. This hidden gem is one of the best places to see stars in the country, mainly because of its remoteness. It’s one of the least visited national parks in the U.S. A great time to see stars in the Great Basin National Park is during summer, on cloudless and moonless nights.

Cosmic Campground

Not all spots on our list are national or state parks. Cosmic Campground is a lovely campground in the Gila National Forest of western New Mexico. This area was designated as an International Dark Sky Place in 2016. It’s actually the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary established in North America. While here, you have a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the sky with minimal light pollution.

Denali National Park and Preserve

Unsurprisingly, an Alaskan national park makes our list, Denali National Park and Preserve. This lovely national park receives over 600,000 visitors a year, and for a good reason. The Denali National Park and Preserve is breathtaking and filled with cold and clear lakes, high snow-capped mountains, and trails filled with wildflowers. The fun continues at night. If you visit during fall, winter, and early spring, you have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

Death Valley National Park

Last but not least is Death Valley National Park in California. This lovely national park is a popular one to visit. More than 1.1 million people flock to this national park every year, although not all visitors know about the park’s stunning night activity, stargazing. Death Valley National Park has no closing time and offers an impressive view of the cloudy and colorful Milky Way. It’s so dark that it’s classified as Gold Tier (the highest tier) by the International Dark-Sky Association.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/gorodenkoff