If you want some open, scenic spaces for stargazing on your next road trip, then consider these enchanting locales. Thanks to national park preservation and organizations like the International Dark-Sky Association that help to provide sanctuaries without artificial light, there are a number of great places in the U.S. to stargaze.
Here are some of the best spots for sky watching; one in almost every corner of the country.
Death Valley National Park
California & Nevada
There’s nothing like watching the moon rise over the sand dunes in Death Valley National Park, which lies across the border of California and Nevada. Most of the park is isolated from any kind of artificial light, so viewers can often see spectacular moonrises, meteor showers, and a clear view of the stars.
Cherry Springs State Park
Pennsylvania
Cherry Springs is one of only a handful of International Dark Sky Parks certified by the IDA. Because of this, visitors can get great views of the Milky Way and constellations that they may not be able to see in other places. The park sits in County, Pennsylvania in the Susquehannock State Forest and was named for the dark cherry trees that are native to the area.
Denali National Park & Preserve
Alaska
Denali National Park stretches over 6 million acres of Alaskan wilderness, with Alaska’s Denali peak, which is North America’s highest point, as the centerpiece. During the summer, there is too much sunlight to see the stars, but during the spring and autumn months, visitors can not only get some great stargazing, but can also view one of the most incredible sky shows on the planet, the aurora borealis northern lights. Check with a local guide to find a good time to see the northern lights.
Mauna Kea
Hawaii
Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano that is home to some of the finest astrological equipment in the world, because it is considered one of the best places for viewing the sky. Mauna Kea stands on Big Island as Hawaii’s highest point.
Big Bend National Park
Texas
Big Bend sits in southwest Texas and encompasses the Chisos mountain range and much of the Chihuahuan Desert. It is also a Certified IDA International Dark Sky Park.
Craters Of The Moon National Monument
Idaho
Okay, Craters Of The Moon National Monument just sounds like an amazing place for sky watching, and it is. It is filled with lava flows from ancient volcanic eruptions, giving the landscape its unique name. It is located in Idaho in the Snake River plain and is also on the list of Certified IDA International Dark Sky Parks.
Glacier National Park
Montana
You can’t go wrong with Glacier National Park, dotted with peaks, valleys, lakes, and the Rocky Mountains of Montana. Spend all day exploring and all night stargazing.
Joshua Tree National Park
California
Palm Springs, California is not only an amazing place for seeing Desert Modern architecture, but it also has some of the best astrological viewing spots in the country. In autumn, visitors can watch the Night Sky Festival in Joshua Tree National Park, or go to an astronomy camp at Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center in spring. Palm Springs is also home to the Rancho Mirage Observatory.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Florida
For southeastern U.S. denizens, there’s Florida’s Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, which is a dry prairie home to a number of endangered plants and animals. It is also an International Dark Sky Park. Jupiter and Saturn are clearly seen in the night sky from Kissimmee, and visitors may be able to see space center activity from the park.
