THE BEST STARGAZING IN THE U.S.
"When life gets too overwhelming, just look up at the night sky and lose yourself for awhile."
- Deboran O Ten Brink
Although you can experience some degree of stargazing if you venture outside of the city limits (a place with minimal light pollution), oftentimes, it can still be difficult to see more than a few twinkles, unless you truly go out of your way to find true darkness. In fact, I recently read a startling statistic that 80% of Americans can no longer see the Milky Way where they live!
I have compiled a short list of a few places that stand out apart from the rest! These are all International Dark Sky Parks, Reserves, Communities or Sanctuaries because of their prime stargazing opportunities. I will share 15 of the 66 below. :)
1. Death Valley National Park (International Dark Sky Park)
2. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (International Dark Sky Park)
3. Flagstaff, Az. (International Dark Sky Community)
4. Big Bend National Park (International Dark Sky Park)
5. Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve (International Dark Sky Reserve)
6. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (International Dark Sky Sanctuary)
7. Borrego Springs (International Dark Sky Community)
8. Great Basin National Park (International Dark Sky Park)
9. Cosmic Campground (International Dark Sky Sanctuary)
10. Stephen C. Foster State Park (International Dark Sky Park)
11. Canyonlands National Park (International Dark Sky Park)
12. Cherry Springs State Park (International Dark Sky Park)
13. Grand Canyon National Park (International Dark Sky Park)
14. Westcliffe and Silver Cliff (International Dark Sky Community)
15. Glacier National Park (International Dark Sky Park)
A few other things to keep in mind for optimal stargazing.
Go out during a new moon
Use a starfinder app
Invest in star charts & finders
Use a red flashlight when trying to read charts
Check the weather forecast (clouds and storms = no go)
Use a telescope or binoculars if available
Check if there are any special events happening like meteor shows, eclipses or northern lights. There is PLENTY to see even if there isn’t anything going on!
Find a place that is higher up if possible
Happy Stargazing! Feel free to share YOUR favorite place to stargaze in the comments.