The 12 Most Gorgeous Places to Stargaze in the U.S.

It’s so easy to get lost in the sky, especially at night. There are billions of stars above us. Not all places in the United States though have the same quality or clarity for viewing stars. Even within the same city, there are better and worse places for stargazing. The essentials for stargazing are clear skies and low light pollution. So, where can you go in the U.S. to view stars? Follow along to explore the 12 most gorgeous places to stargaze in the U.S.

Acadia National Park

Undoubtedly, one of the best places to stargaze in the U.S. is Acadia National Park. Acadia National Park is a gorgeous national park in Maine. It has a surface area of nearly 50,000 acres and is a great place to visit if you love nature. Not only can you spend your days viewing wildlife and hiking nature trails, but nights camping and stargazing. You can stargaze in the park in multiple places, including Jordan Pond, the Seawall Picnic Area, Sand Beach, and Ocean Path. From these viewing points, you can see countless constellations, Jupiter, the Milky Way, and more.

Big Bend National Park

Unsurprisingly, another national park makes our list. Big Bend National Park is an incredible park in Texas and a hiker’s paradise. There is so much to see and do, especially at night. During the day, you can take long scenic drives and participate in birdwatching. At night, though, the skies are so dark you can see plenty of stars without binoculars, although bring some or a telescope. Interestingly, Big Bend National Park has the least light pollution of any national park in the lower 48 states. This International Dark Sky Park is worth a visit. You can either track and view stars on your own or join a stargazing event.

Cherry Springs State Park

Moving to Pennsylvania, Cherry Springs State Park is an unforgettable state park, especially for camping and stargazing. You can even visit during winter. Cherry Springs State Park features a large Overnight Astronomy Observation Field. From this park, you can easily see stars, galaxies, nebulas, and other planets. The sky shimmers in many colors. Cherry Springs State Park has a surface area of 82 acres. Apart from stargazing, many people also visit this state park for the annual Woodsmen’s Show held in August.

Voyageurs National Park

Continuing our list of gorgeous places to stargaze in the U.S. is Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. This lovely park is near the Canadian border and is well-known for its dark skies and stargazing opportunities. The surface area of this breathtaking park is 218,055 acres. During the day, visitors can easily get lost in the park’s many islands, forests, and long hiking trails. At night, the sky lights up and sparkles with countless stars, galaxies, and more. If you’re lucky, you may even see the Aurora Borealis, also known as the northern lights.

Great Basin National Park

Stargazing and camping at Great Basin National Park is a unique experience. This wonderful park has a surface area of 77,180 acres and is located in Nevada. Stargazing is a hidden gem of activity at this park, though. Many people instead visit Great Basin National Park to view incredible caves like the Lehman Caves and rocky arches. So, what is there to see at this International Dark Sky Park? You can see thousands of stars and the Milky Way on a clear night. During winter, you may also see the Pleiades open star cluster and the Orion constellation. Some great stargazing places within the park include the Astronomy Amphitheater near the Lehman Caves Visitor Center and the Mather Overlook.

Badlands National Park

Next on our list is the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. This park has a surface area of 242,756 acres and was established as a national park on November 10, 1978. The park receives about 1 million visitors a year. Some incredible wildlife you may see within the park include bighorn sheep, black-footed ferrets, and bison. Throughout the year, you can join evening ranger programs, perfect if you’re a novice stargazer. The Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater is a great spot to view stars within the park. The park also hosts the Annual Badlands Astronomy Festival.

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

It’s tricky finding good places for stargazing in Florida, the sunshine state. There is a lot of light pollution near larger cities and regions like South Florida and Central Florida. Still, about an hour away from Orlando is Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, the state’s first Dark Sky Park. Although the park closes at sunset, like other Florida state parks, you can enjoy stargazing while camping. You can also reserve an astronomy pad and get lost in the stars.

Crater Lake National Park

Oregon is home to one of the most stunning national parks in the country, Crater Lake National Park. This incredible national park is named after the impressive Crater Lake, which many people hike to. However, there is a lot more to this park than hiking trails and this unique lake. Crater Lake National Park is a great place to see stars in the summer. It’s best to go when there are few clouds in the sky. Although summer is arguably the best time to go for visibility, winter stargazing is just as beautiful.

Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park definitely deserves a spot on our list of most gorgeous places to stargaze in the U.S. Although mostly known for its massive redwood trees, there is a lot more to this park. This large national park is in California and is sometimes referred to as the Redwood National and State Parks. There is very low light pollution, and the park receives about 500,000 visitors a year, perfect if you’re looking for a quiet place to view stars.

Dinosaur National Monument

Within Colorado and Utah is the Dinosaur National Monument. This American national monument is a must-visit spot for fossil and dinosaur lovers. It’s mainly known for the incredible fossils found throughout the park in rock/stone. For stargazing in the park, you can either find a location by yourself or attend a ranger-led event/program. These programs often use tools like telescopes and red lamps.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Our list isn’t done yet; Lassen Volcanic National Park is another great national park for stargazing. This national park is in California and features gorgeous and clear lakes, colorful and flower-filled meadows, and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities. At night though, visitors can turn their attention to the sky to view stars, galaxies, and more. Imagine looking up while camping and seeing a beautiful mountain lake, mountains, and thousands of sparkling stars. Some great places for stargazing in the park are the Lassen Peak Trail parking area, Lake Helen, Emerald Lake, and the Little Hot Springs Valley overlook.

Petrified Forest National Park

Last but not least is the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. There is so much to see at this park, including jaw-dropping Triassic fossils. While visiting, you can also see the petroglyphs of Newspaper Rock. You need a lot more than just two days to see everything at the Petrified Forest National Park. The activities don’t end at night. At night, you can spend hours stargazing. This International Dark Sky Park offers low light pollution and calm nights. You can stargaze by either backpacking or purchasing a Dark Sky Viewing Permit.

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