Tag: stargazing

Search the skies at America’s 5 top campgrounds for stargazing

Sleep under the stars.

Meteor showers, falling stars, and all kinds of constellations have a special way of capturing the world’s imagination. After a day spent exploring the great outdoors, starry skies manage to keep you outside marveling at natural wonders. Camping trips can be the perfect time to luxuriate in some stargazing, but you’ll want to carefully consider where you stay. Not all campsites are made the same, and some places offer clearer and darker skies than others.

So, where should an astronomy-enthused camper stay in the United States? While adventurous and experienced campers can stay anywhere near a dark sky park, other travelers will probably want to stick to established campgrounds. Get the lowdown on some of the country’s best campgrounds for stargazing in the list below.

Go stargazing at these free national park astronomy events

Enjoy dark skies and bright stars.

Don’t let your national park adventures end when the sun sets. At night, the extra-dark skies over national parks make conditions ideal for stargazing. Experience the magic at one of the many parks offering free astronomy and stargazing events this year.

If you like to look for constellations, national parks are some of the best places to find them. Thanks to low levels of light pollution, many National Park Service (NPS) sites enjoy darker skies and brighter stars than more developed parts of the United States.

Join the NPS in celebrating these brilliant night skies at a stargazing event. Find a calendar of night sky experiences here, and learn more with the list of national park stargazing events below.

See the stars at 14 of the best stargazing locations in the US

Look at the stars, see how they shine for you.

Dedicated stargazers know how frustrating light pollution can be. In a city full of artificial lights, starry skies fade and leave only a handful of the brightest stars and planets visible. Meanwhile, less developed areas enjoy stunning night skies unobstructed by artificial lighting. While good stargazing spots can be found in countless small towns, where are the best places to see the stars? According to the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), International Dark Sky Parks make for an unparalleled stargazing experience.

“An IDA International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) is a land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment,” the IDA website explains.

If you’re ready for an out-of-this-world stargazing experience, visit these 14 IDSP locations for unbeatable night-sky views.

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