Looking up at a pitch-black night sky illuminated by thousands of dazzling celestial bodies is a profoundly moving experience. And national parks, with their remote wilderness locales far from light pollution, offer some of the most spectacular stargazing opportunities in America.
Grab a cozy sleeping bag, pack up your telescope or binoculars, and head out to these national park stargazing spots sure to take your breath away:
Death Valley National Park
This California desert park is so remote that a blanket of stars seems to engulf you from all sides. The extremely dry air creates heavenly conditions for astronomy. Head to the Mesquite Sand Dunes or Harmony Borax Works to stargaze from the valley floor or take in the panoramic Milky Way glittering over 11,000-foot Telescope Peak.
Great Basin National Park
Nestled near the Utah/Nevada border, Great Basin National Park holds the distinction of securing Gold Tier status as an International Dark Sky Park for its exceptionally pristine night skies. The span of the Milky Way visible from Wheeler Peak is jaw-dropping. Endure the mile-high hike, and you’ll also be rewarded with glacial lakes reflecting the stars.
Big Bend National Park
Everything seems bigger in Texas, including the skies above remote Big Bend National Park, where the arid Chihuahuan Desert climate keeps things clear. Camp at the Chisos Basin Campground, surrounded by soaring rock formations, and absorb the dazzling celestial display in one of the darkest spots in the U.S.
Glacier National Park
Many Glacier in Montana offer front-row seats to the Milky Way rising dramatically above Swiftcurrent Lake. For a special treat, time your visit with the Perseid Meteor shower in August when dazzling shooting stars streak overhead. Or wake early to watch the sky shift from stars to pastel sunrise alpenglow on Mount Gould.
Natural Bridges National Monument
Found in the high desert of southeastern Utah, Natural Bridges National Monument holds International Dark Sky Park status for its vaulted night skies unencumbered by light pollution. Gaze upward as the dust lanes of the Milky Way emerge from the “deep sky” darkness.
Joshua Tree National Park
The surreal, boulder-strewn landscape of Joshua Tree seems even more otherworldly beneath a sparkling expanse of stars. Head to the Cottonwood Campground oasis to stargaze from the grassy campground or hike into the desert at night to see the glowing band of the Milky Way.
Cherry Springs State Park
Known as one of the premier spots on the East Coast for astronomy, this remote Pennsylvania park has an observatory, "night sky" programs, and an "astrophotography" pad. Check the calendar for special new moon Night Sky events offering views of planets, nebulas, star clusters, and the Milky Way.
Badlands National Park
South Dakota’s Badlands National Park offers exceptional stargazing, with the Milky Way’s belt visible arcing overhead. Attend an Astronomy Weekend to view planets and nebulae through high-powered telescopes. Or wake before dawn to watch meteors streak across the horizon.
Grand Canyon National Park
Head to the North Rim for the darkest skies at Grand Canyon National Park. The remote vista at Point Imperial takes in the dazzling celestial show hovering above the canyon’s steep, striped cliffs. Or hike into the canyon and camp below the rim to feel enveloped by the glittering night sky.
With dark skies increasingly rare, national parks let you experience nature’s brilliance unobstructed. As John Muir said, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread.” For nourishing the soul, connecting with the cosmos, and feeling that sense of wonder, few sights compare to the heavens above these protected lands. Just don’t forget your neck pillow, as you’ll find it hard to stop gazing upward!
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