Looking for a unique vacation spot? You might want to check out some stargazing destinations. Stargazing parks are known for having excellent stargazing conditions, including dark skies and minimal light pollution. Some even organize stargazing events and programs at observatories and other designated stargazing areas specifically for visitors.
Before you set out on your stargazing adventure, make sure you have the most up-to-date information on available programs, equipment, and weather from the park or observatory.
Prepare ahead by planning your stargazing park visit when conditions are optimal for stargazing, such as in the fall or winter. Longer nights, cooler and drier air, and lower levels of light pollution in some stargazing parks are all factors that contribute to improved observing conditions and clearer night skies during the fall and winter months.
If you want a starry night getaway, these are the best stargazing parks in the Americas for a celestial experience.
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument – Arizona
The Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is a stunning destination for stargazing enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The park offers pristine dark skies, breathtaking landscapes, and a unique wilderness experience in the American Southwest.
The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has designated the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary because of its dark skies for stargazing and the preservation of natural nightscapes.
Visitors can see constellations, planets, the Milky Way, and meteor showers at the monument due to its remoteness and low light pollution. Visitors may use telescopes, binoculars, and other stargazing equipment in designated stargazing areas and campsites.
Guests can also learn about the night sky through ranger-led stargazing, astronomy talks, and workshops, in addition to learning about the monument’s unique natural and cultural resources.
Cherry Springs State Park – Pennsylvania
Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania is a popular stargazing spot. Its exceptionally dark skies make it one of the best places in the eastern U.S. for stargazing. Stargazers enjoy Cherry Springs State Park’s dark skies. Due to its remoteness and low light pollution, stars, constellations, planets, and other celestial objects can be seen in the park. The park’s dark skies make it easy to see deep-sky objects like galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters.
Cherry Springs State Park has observation decks and open fields. There, visitors can set up telescopes, binoculars, and other stargazing equipment. To reduce light pollution and protect night vision, the park’s stargazing areas have red-filtered lights.
Cherry Springs State Park’s Astronomy Field lets stargazers set up their telescopes and observe the night sky. Camping by tent, RV, or rustic cabin allows for extended stargazing and nature immersion. Cherry Springs State Park is at a high elevation and has cool temperatures year-round. Visitors should bring warm clothes and stargazing gear.
Yosemite National Park – California
In the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, Yosemite National Park is popular destination for its breathtaking scenery. The park includes granite cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient sequoia trees.
In addition to its stunning natural beauty, Yosemite National Park is a great place to go stargazing. Due to its isolation and stringent lighting regulations, this park is a fantastic spot for stargazing and astronomical photography.
Stargazers flock to Yosemite National Park for a variety of reasons, however, one of the most compelling is the opportunity to view the night sky against the park’s magnificent granite cliffs.
Jasper National Park – Alberta, Canada
With its pristine wilderness, incredible night skies, and diverse recreational opportunities, Jasper National Park is a must-visit for stargazers and night sky enthusiasts. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk and Marmot Meadows Observatory are two of the park’s stargazing spots. Astronomy programs at the park include telescope viewing, presentations on space science, and guided night hikes. The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is a highlight of stargazing in Jasper National Park.
Its northern hemisphere location and clear, dark skies make the park one of the best places to see this spectacular natural phenomenon. Visitors to Jasper National Park can also enjoy hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and skiing, which can make the day memorable. Wildlife like grizzly bears, elk, and bighorn sheep may be seen during your visit to the park.
The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve – New Zealand
The final stargazing destination isn’t exactly in the Americas, but it’s worth making the list.
The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is renowned on a global scale for gazing at the stars. It can be found in the Mackenzie Basin on the South Island of New Zealand and encompasses the entirety of the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park as well as the areas immediately surrounding it.
Because the reserve is situated in a remote region with a low human population, it is an excellent location for astronomy-related activities, like stargazing and photography. When combined, high altitude, clean air, and a lack of light pollution produce the ideal conditions for observing the stars, planets, galaxies, and other aspects of the cosmos.
